RAINBOW BASKETBALL
Aggies skip over transition phase
Although the early buzz surrounding the New Mexico State basketball team focused more on the future than the present, this year's Aggies haven't been content to simply kill time until next season rolls around.
Hawaii at New Mexico State
When: Today, 4:05 p.m. Hawaii time
Where: Pan American Center
TV: Live, KFVE (Ch. 5)
Radio: Live, Sportsradio 1420-AM
Internet: Sportsradio1420.com
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With four Division I transfers sitting out this year, NMSU's prospects down the line certainly looked promising. But the current Aggies are looking to create a commotion sooner than expected in their first year as Western Athletic Conference members.
Coming off a stirring 73-70 win over visiting Fresno State on Thursday, NMSU (6-8 overall, 2-1 WAC) hosts Hawaii (8-5, 2-1) today at the Pan American Center.
"I think things are moving at a great pace. I think our guys are in some ways overachieving," first-year coach Reggie Theus said. "I really believe they've taken it as an insult, people saying that this was a rebuilding year. ... We're learning how to win, that's the biggest thing."
So the Rainbow Warriors enter today's matchup -- the first between the schools since 1978 -- wary of a rapidly developing NMSU squad as they try to salvage a split of their first WAC road trip of the season.
"He's ahead of the game, because people were all looking for next year," UH coach Riley Wallace said of Theus. "But they're improving and getting better each night out, so we've got our work cut out."
Tip off is set for 4:05 p.m. Hawaii time.
The 'Bows made the trek from Ruston, La., to Las Cruces yesterday, hoping to leave the disappointment of Thursday's heartbreaking 65-62 loss to Louisiana Tech behind.
Hawaii battled back from a 10-point first-half deficit and led by one with less than 3 minutes left. But turnovers down the stretch proved crucial and the Bulldogs held on for the win.
"They see where they could have won that game," Wallace said of his players. "We had the ball enough times with the lead to take care of it if we don't turn the ball over and execute on offense."
With a day to recover and prepare for NMSU, Wallace said the UH reserves will get more playing time today. All five UH starters played at least 32 minutes against LaTech and the Rainbows got no points off the bench.
Guards Hiram Thompson, Dominic Waters and John Wilder figure to see more action to spell starters Deonte Tatum and Matt Lojeski. Center Chris Botez will rotate with forwards Matthew Gipson and Ahmet Gueye.
Forward Julian Sensley played all 40 minutes against LaTech, finishing with 11 points.
"There's a little bit of altitude here, so those other guards have to play," Wallace said. "I have to get them in early to get some minutes off of the legs of the other guys.
"They've got to come in and be ready to pick up the slack on the scoring."
NMSU has already matched last year's win total; the Aggies went 6-24 in their final season in the Sun Belt Conference.
"I don't think anyone would have expected our team to be 2-1 in conference with a chance to be 3-1," Theus said. "The confidence level of our team is guarded. Our guys are confident, but they're more hungry than they are confident."
Theus, a two-time NBA all-star who was hired at NMSU after two years as an assistant at Louisville, can relate to UH's depth issues. The Aggies, like the Rainbows, have nine scholarship players available.
NMSU returned just two players who saw playing time last season. Forward Tyrone Nelson redshirted last year and leads the Aggies with 16.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Guard Elijah Ingram, a transfer from St. John's, is averaging 12 points and has made a team-high 29 3-pointers.