NMSU prepares for tough tests at CSU Bakersfield and Grand Canyon

The New Mexico State men’s basketball team has won seven games in a row as they prepare for one of the toughest weeks of their season.

The Aggies will play at CSU Bakersfield on Thursday and then at Grand Canyon on Saturday.

Currently, NMSU and Grand Canyon are tied for first in the WAC at 7-1 while CSU Bakersfield is just one game back at 6-2.

NMSU head coach Chris Jans said Monday in his weekly news conference that these next two games won’t necessarily determine the final pecking order in the WAC, but he added that each team involved knows the significance of this upcoming week.

“Obviously, I think you take a giant step in that direction if you’re able to win these games. But at the same time, you take a pretty big step back if you lose,” said Jans.

While the Aggies are trying to treat it like a typical week, they know they will likely play two teams very motivated to beat them. In particular, Grand Canyon will be looking to avenge a loss at NMSU on Jan. 10 in which NMSU forward Johnny McCants hit a half-court shot at the buzzer to give the Aggies an improbably victory.

“You know, probably a little more film study than normal,” said Jans of his plans this week. “You know, the intensity of practice and the attention to detail will probably be a little more than normal these next three days as we prepare for this road trip.”

The Aggies will also likely be without forward Ivan Aurrecoechea, who is still recovering from a right knee injury he suffered against UTRGV nine days ago.

Jans said he does not envision Aurrecoechea playing in these upcoming games and was not sure if he would even make the trip with the team. However, he added he was hopeful that Aurrecoecha could at least return to the practice court later this week.