Coach Menzies was visibly upset after the game. I don't buy this crap that he doesn't understand how important this game is to fans. You can't tell me he gets a technical foul if he doesn't care about this game. Was it ill timed...maybe. The loobs made two free throws, then after a defensive stop, Aronis came down and made a "3" cutting the lead to 4. Based on the reaction of the fans and announcers, I'm not even sure it was deserving. I only wish that the players would have responded with the intensity Marvin was showing after he got the technical.  I wish he would have told his players "They'd better win this F'n game!!" after that. And loud enough for the whole stadium and t.v. audience to hear. I don't always agree with his starting lineup, rotations, substitutions and who plays, but had we made our regular percentage of free throws he would have won this game and the tone on this board would be completely different. Then there are those who still wouldn't give him credit. He can't control the team not making its regular percentage of free throws.

We had an 11 point lead at one point which was built with different lineups. But we lost most of it with one lineup which included KCRM, Bhullar and Aronis. Two of these are starters and I'm sorry, but they should not be starting...ever. Somebody posted that our team is soft, coaches and players.  I don't buy the coach being soft nor are all the players but KCRM and Bhullar play soft. I'm glad that Aronis showed us what he can do, he's going to be an excellent sub for Mullings.  Barry played his second good game in a row and I think that is why his playtime has increased, I'm hoping it goes up even more.

I know Watson had an ill timed turnover but his stats were 11 points, 3 assists and 8 rebounds. He is one of the better players on the team (I know a lot of you disagree but I say this http://espn.go.com/mens-colleg...7/tyrone-watson shows otherwise). For some reason our offense now runs through Bhullar. This makes me want to bang my head against the wall.  We can run our offense through Bhullar when he's a Junior, not now. In fact, I'd say you don't play Bhullar against any teams that have a forward 6'10" or taller until he is adjusted to Division I.

I lost some faith when Coach didn't change the starting lineup. Although Dixon isn't Nephawe, I think he earned the starting role over Bhullar. Same with TDR. KCRM has had his chance and hasn't produced, its time to let TDR have a chance. But given the number of times Watson brings the ball up and sets the offense into motion I still feel he should at least try the point guard and open the door for Barry into the starting lineup.  He can hit the "3" better than Sy and has been playing better overall. I saw Sy posting up and I think that may be a better area for him to produce. I still feel Watson, Mullings, Barry, Sy and Dixon would be a better starting lineup, but since he's stubborn, then swap TDR for KCRM and Dixon for Bhullar. When it is obvious the substitutes are playing better than the starter I just lose a little faith.

We had 3 posessions to try to score when we were only down 3. If Mullings would have made that 3 the PAC would have went nuts. But it didn't. And he didn't reintroduce Aronis until too late. Play the hot hand the last 5 minutes coach. Not Bhullar and KCRM. Play the hot hand.

And for the record I do not feel this season is a bust because we lose to the loobs.  Of course I want to win, I felt we could have won, but the season is not over because we didn't.  Change the lineups, dominate the WAC, win the tourney and advance in the NCAA's.  That needs to be the new path to chart. But it can only be navigated with the crew that can take you there...

loobh8r wrote: Coach Menzies was visibly upset after the game. I don't buy this crap that he doesn't understand how important this game is to fans. You can't tell me he gets a technical foul if he doesn't care about this game. Was it ill timed...maybe. The loobs made two free throws, then after a defensive stop, Aronis came down and made a "3" cutting the lead to 4. Based on the reaction of the fans and announcers, I'm not even sure it was deserving. I only wish that the players would have responded with the intensity Marvin was showing after he got the technical.  I wish he would have told his players "They'd better win this F'n game!!" after that. And loud enough for the whole stadium and t.v. audience to hear. I don't always agree with his starting lineup, rotations, substitutions and who plays, but had we made our regular percentage of free throws he would have won this game and the tone on this board would be completely different. Then there are those who still wouldn't give him credit. He can't control the team not making its regular percentage of free throws.

We had an 11 point lead at one point which was built with different lineups. But we lost most of it with one lineup which included KCRM, Bhullar and Aronis. Two of these are starters and I'm sorry, but they should not be starting...ever. Somebody posted that our team is soft, coaches and players.  I don't buy the coach being soft nor are all the players but KCRM and Bhullar play soft. I'm glad that Aronis showed us what he can do, he's going to be an excellent sub for Mullings.  Barry played his second good game in a row and I think that is why his playtime has increased, I'm hoping it goes up even more.

I know Watson had an ill timed turnover but his stats were 11 points, 3 assists and 8 rebounds. He is one of the better players on the team (I know a lot of you disagree but I say this http://espn.go.com/mens-colleg...7/tyrone-watson shows otherwise). For some reason our offense now runs through Bhullar. This makes me want to bang my head against the wall.  We can run our offense through Bhullar when he's a Junior, not now. In fact, I'd say you don't play Bhullar against any teams that have a forward 6'10" or taller until he is adjusted to Division I.

I lost some faith when Coach didn't change the starting lineup. Although Dixon isn't Nephawe, I think he earned the starting role over Bhullar. Same with TDR. KCRM has had his chance and hasn't produced, its time to let TDR have a chance. But given the number of times Watson brings the ball up and sets the offense into motion I still feel he should at least try the point guard and open the door for Barry into the starting lineup.  He can hit the "3" better than Sy and has been playing better overall. I saw Sy posting up and I think that may be a better area for him to produce. I still feel Watson, Mullings, Barry, Sy and Dixon would be a better starting lineup, but since he's stubborn, then swap TDR for KCRM and Dixon for Bhullar. When it is obvious the substitutes are playing better than the starter I just lose a little faith.

We had 3 posessions to try to score when we were only down 3. If Mullings would have made that 3 the PAC would have went nuts. But it didn't. And he didn't reintroduce Aronis until too late. Play the hot hand the last 5 minutes coach. Not Bhullar and KCRM. Play the hot hand.

And for the record I do not feel this season is a bust because we lose to the loobs.  Of course I want to win, I felt we could have won, but the season is not over because we didn't.  Change the lineups, dominate the WAC, win the tourney and advance in the NCAA's.  That needs to be the new path to chart. But it can only be navigated with the crew that can take you there...

Your wrong about Dixon.  He stinks.  I don't understand in a night when the inside game was struggling, MM leaves West on the bench.  Stupid technical on MM.  If he was upset about the foul, that's OK but the FT's put the Loobs up by 5.  MM still struggling as a coach after 5 years.  2-10 vs. the Loobs doesn't cut it.  However, we are stuck with him and he better find a way to beat the Loobs and Slimers or other big games during the non-conference schedule.  If MM is only worried about 3 games in March, then we as fans shouldn't care either.  He has a sick attitude on his line-ups, his favoritism, and non-urgency towards rival games or any non-conference game for that matter.

loobh8r wrote: Coach Menzies was visibly upset after the game. I don't buy this crap that he doesn't understand how important this game is to fans. You can't tell me he gets a technical foul if he doesn't care about this game. Was it ill timed...maybe. The loobs made two free throws, then after a defensive stop, Aronis came down and made a "3" cutting the lead to 4. Based on the reaction of the fans and announcers, I'm not even sure it was deserving. I only wish that the players would have responded with the intensity Marvin was showing after he got the technical.  I wish he would have told his players "They'd better win this F'n game!!" after that. And loud enough for the whole stadium and t.v. audience to hear. I don't always agree with his starting lineup, rotations, substitutions and who plays, but had we made our regular percentage of free throws he would have won this game and the tone on this board would be completely different. Then there are those who still wouldn't give him credit. He can't control the team not making its regular percentage of free throws.

We had an 11 point lead at one point which was built with different lineups. But we lost most of it with one lineup which included KCRM, Bhullar and Aronis. Two of these are starters and I'm sorry, but they should not be starting...ever. Somebody posted that our team is soft, coaches and players.  I don't buy the coach being soft nor are all the players but KCRM and Bhullar play soft. I'm glad that Aronis showed us what he can do, he's going to be an excellent sub for Mullings.  Barry played his second good game in a row and I think that is why his playtime has increased, I'm hoping it goes up even more.

I know Watson had an ill timed turnover but his stats were 11 points, 3 assists and 8 rebounds. He is one of the better players on the team (I know a lot of you disagree but I say this http://espn.go.com/mens-colleg...7/tyrone-watson shows otherwise). For some reason our offense now runs through Bhullar. This makes me want to bang my head against the wall.  We can run our offense through Bhullar when he's a Junior, not now. In fact, I'd say you don't play Bhullar against any teams that have a forward 6'10" or taller until he is adjusted to Division I.

I lost some faith when Coach didn't change the starting lineup. Although Dixon isn't Nephawe, I think he earned the starting role over Bhullar. Same with TDR. KCRM has had his chance and hasn't produced, its time to let TDR have a chance. But given the number of times Watson brings the ball up and sets the offense into motion I still feel he should at least try the point guard and open the door for Barry into the starting lineup.  He can hit the "3" better than Sy and has been playing better overall. I saw Sy posting up and I think that may be a better area for him to produce. I still feel Watson, Mullings, Barry, Sy and Dixon would be a better starting lineup, but since he's stubborn, then swap TDR for KCRM and Dixon for Bhullar. When it is obvious the substitutes are playing better than the starter I just lose a little faith.

We had 3 posessions to try to score when we were only down 3. If Mullings would have made that 3 the PAC would have went nuts. But it didn't. And he didn't reintroduce Aronis until too late. Play the hot hand the last 5 minutes coach. Not Bhullar and KCRM. Play the hot hand.

And for the record I do not feel this season is a bust because we lose to the loobs.  Of course I want to win, I felt we could have won, but the season is not over because we didn't.  Change the lineups, dominate the WAC, win the tourney and advance in the NCAA's.  That needs to be the new path to chart. But it can only be navigated with the crew that can take you there...

Nice post.  I put my thoughts in a separate thread.  We had our chances and good looks last night, shots just didn't fall last 3 minutes.  The free throws were our ultimate downfall.  I would still start Sim, but i agree and would also like to see the lineup of Dixon, Sy, Mullings more throughout the game.

I agree on the technical foul issue.   It was a bad call and I do not think this was the tipping point in the game.   What is evident, even after 5 years of experience, is MM's lack of game planning and in game adjustments. If you take talent out of the equation for a moment, it is evident that UNM is a better coached team.  UNM is indeed a more talented team but not by that much more.  We have the talent to beat them on our home court but our schemes and discipline are just not there.  It does not take an expert to observe this.  The aggies play chaotic at best and I do not think you can blame it on this storming, norming crap.  Why is it that Menzie's teams never seem to get to the norming phase in the commonly understood way?  The succes they have had in the past is precisely because indeed they have "normed" into playing street ball.   What they have not normed into is a team that executes a good strategy with some exceptions here and there.   You also cannot fault the players.   Unable to play according to the scheme is not the players fault.  If we assume the talent is there, there is no excuse for the coach's inability to play and execute a game plan.    Its up to the coach to organize them into playing in a coherent fashion.  The play calling is atrocious.   We have perhaps the tallest guy in college basketball and we hardly get the ball to him.  Sim seems to be out of postion on the in-coming pass most of the time.  That is coaching.  When he does get the ball he is afraid to shoot.  I would call a  time out and tell Sim shoot the freaking ball for crying out loud or you will be sitting on the bench.   The coaching has not improved over time and if it has not improved by now it may never happen.  You have to give Menzie's credit for recruiting.  This team I think has more potential than last year's from a raw talent perspective.   He can downright recruit and that is worth something.  Yet, he is a very weak coach on the other fronts.   I wish he would hire a suitable assistant who knows that facet of the game and defer.   Right now, five years later, his teams continue to be ugly to watch and it creates alot of frustration on the fans.   This frustration unfortunately translates into lack of fan support.   Thats my humble opinion in any event.

I think we are being way too hard on MM. 

He may not be perfect, and maybe still has a lot of learning to do, but he is doing a whole lot of things right, and working for a third of what Alford gets paid.  

He recruits players with good character, who are good students and represent NMSU well, who have the promise of improvement to be excellent players.  His teams are always in the hunt for a WAC championship and play their best at the end of the season.   2 NCAA's in the past 3 years.  

It would be nice of course if he could beat UNM and UTEP more, but all in all, given where NMSU is now in the grand scheme of college athletics, I think he is doing very well.

My assessment is a little different. What I think this team is lacking is confidence. Early in the game we saw this team shoot the ball with confidence. Watson, Sy, Ross-Miller, De Rouen, Aronis, Barry and even Dixon all hit threes but the key was they all hit them in rhythm. Rhythm is key when you are a shooter and I think this is were Sy and Ross-Miller get in trouble, to often you see to much dribbling and poor late shot selections because we lose our rhythm and confidence. Someone needs to tell Sy it's normal to miss shots and it's okay to shoot wide open threes, Ross-Miller an early uncontested jumper is a great shot selection. Also not to be bashing Sy so much but I see no good reason why he should be playing the whole game, 5 points, 2-9 from the line and 3 turnovers in 40 min? Not Exactly lighting it up. Remi deserves more playing time and I feel he can give us just as much if not more than Sy, especially in the scoring department.

Also if Kendall Williams would have stayed hurt! we would not be having this conversation.

Aggiesurge wrote: Also if Kendall Williams would have stayed hurt! we would not be having this conversation.

Know that's low, your desire that he was hurt, really solidifies my view of some aggie fans....

I was glad to see Williams return. Had he not returned and the Aggies won Loobs fans would never admit defeat. Our Aggies were without their starting center for both games, you dont see us crying about it. Kirk and Barestow are not bangers in the post, Chili would have man-handled them both.

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--- NMSkin wrote:

Aggiesurge wrote: Also if Kendall Williams would have stayed hurt! we would not be having this conversation.

Know that's low, your desire that he was hurt, really solidifies my view of some aggie fans....

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AggieInSoCali wrote: I was glad to see Williams return. Had he not returned and the Aggies won Loobs fans would never admit defeat. Our Aggies were without their starting center for both games, you dont see us crying about it. Kirk and Barestow are not bangers in the post, Chili would have man-handled them both.

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--- NMSkin wrote:

Aggiesurge wrote: Also if Kendall Williams would have stayed hurt! we would not be having this conversation.

Know that's low, your desire that he was hurt, really solidifies my view of some aggie fans....

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Who's crying?? Okay chili was out, man-handled them both, guess you'll have to wait and see "next year"? I just don't see fan bases wishing injury on opposing team members like aggiesurge.

I'm not wishing injury on no one Mr Skin, I just stated the facts, Kendall is the sole reason why UNM won this game. The kid was a sniper all night long. So go ahead and take your panties out of a wad and stop saying I was wishing injury on him. Simply not true!

Agree with Aggiesurge.....the way Kendal was shaking on the floor I was afraid if was a season ending injury for him.....dont wish that on anyone. But the truth is, if he wasnt able to come back in the game the Aggies win running away. Big play of the game to me that I have not seen mentioned here is with the Aggies up 25-14 with about 7 minutes left in the half, Kendal drives the lane and shoves his elbow into Mullings and Mullings get called for the foul (Mullings 2nd) and is sitting while the Lobos go on their 11-0 run to tie up the game. The ref that called that one (the shorter, darker one) also gave MM the Technical as well as many other very questionable calls in the game.

Lobos have won 9 out of the last 10 in basketball. That is total domination. They need to play this game only once a year. Playing the Aggies twice a year is killing our RPI.

AlbuquerqueVike wrote: Lobos have won 9 out of the last 10 in basketball. That is total domination. They need to play this game only once a year. Playing the Aggies twice a year is killing our RPI.

OK...once a year...in Pan Am.

Never in a million years. You have to play the game in the big city ...............ALBUQUERQUE, NM. By far the largest city in the state.

AlbuquerqueVike wrote: Lobos have won 9 out of the last 10 in basketball. That is total domination. They need to play this game only once a year. Playing the Aggies twice a year is killing our RPI.

LOL.....weve won 75% of the football games in the last four years.....drop the Lobos from the football schedule.

We've won 3 of the last 4 in football....let's play every year at AMS...

Btw you are paying alf 3 times what MM gets and basically getting the same return the Ags are getting come march madness. Typical.

AlbuquerqueVike wrote: Lobos have won 9 out of the last 10 in basketball. That is total domination. They need to play this game only once a year. Playing the Aggies twice a year is killing our RPI.

Lobos are killing Aggie's RPI.  Yup, one game per year in the Pan Am!