I saw a scrappy team that seemed to lull UTEP to sleep, then towards the end....played like an old Niel McCarthy team, that is, always finding a way to win. I've got to give Mezies a lot of credit, especially what he reported to the reporters at the end of the game. He knew UTEP was weak and had just lost their previous game and Marvin studied how UTEP was beaten. He said it was worth a try, "and it worked". MM is turning out to be a really great asset to NMSU. Keep in mind that basically, the turn-around the last few minutes the Aggies were able to amazingly reverse a 9 point deficit and win with 4 or 5 more points was done without a single SENIOR in the line-up. This means Our Aggies will end the season well, but more importantly, come back next season with a tourney bound-quality team. I am really impressed by MM's recruiting, development of players and tactics. I also respect Tim Floyd and always have. He is UTEP's class act..much like Marvin is for NMSU! Goooooo Aggies! YSS
Oh...Did I mention Aronis's 11 points when we needed them the most? Mullin's awsome defense and a team playing with great team-work? I know Banja SY had an off night, which will happen. YSS

I liked the way we finished with a really young team. Remi Berry looks a lot better than he had previously. Aronis is shooting with a lot of confidence. Bhullar played a ton of minutes. We looked good on defense for most of the game and when we needed it the most. Impressed with the way that we've handled all of the diversity.

However, Mulling's and Sy's offensive efficiency has to be concerning. Sy has to get back to shooting the mid range jumper. Mullings really needs to develop a pull up jumper. The bench scoring close to 20 points bailed us out.

You said it all Northern Aggie. YSS

Can you imagine the battles that Bhullar and Nephawe will have during practice this next year? Two of the biggest bodies in college basketball will fight it out for the starting position. I'd pay some money to see them go at each other. Size and power against power and size.

Part I.
northernaggie wrote: I liked the way we finished with a really young team. Remi Berry looks a lot better than he had previously. Aronis is shooting with a lot of confidence. Bhullar played a ton of minutes. We looked good on defense for most of the game and when we needed it the most. Impressed with the way that we've handled all of the diversity.

Part II.
However, Mulling's and Sy's offensive efficiency has to be concerning. Sy has to get back to shooting the mid range jumper. Mullings really needs to develop a pull up jumper. The bench scoring close to 20 points bailed us out.

Right on, Northern Aggie!  

Sy is playing hurt, and he may have gotten hurt on that intentional, hard foul at the end of the game.  He has another week to get better (I hope).  I think that has had an affect on his game.

Daniel's jumper wasn't working Saturday night and credit UTEP for not allowing him to get his usual inside points.   But Mullings did a lot of other good things.   He's had to handle the ball more lately, and he's done a better job of not turning it over.  But it was his defense that I thought was very good against UTEP.  ADD ON:  He also snagged 8 rebounds.

When your scorers are having an off night, are hurt or are being bottled up, then others need to step up and that is what has been happening.  Aronis was HUGE.  Barry hit a big shot.  So did de Rouen.  And the big guy got some nice points.

Aggies have come a loooong way this season.  It was not pretty early in the year as NMSU was trying to adjust after losing three starters from the prevous season's NCAA team.  Again, credit Menzies for developing this team and handling the ever-changing personnel due to injuries and a suspension.

When all the injuries have healed,the aggies may just win the tourney. it would be nice to see both victories and sell out crowds this week

YosemitySamRAR wrote: I saw a scrappy team that seemed to lull UTEP to sleep, then towards the end....played like an old Niel McCarthy team, that is, always finding a way to win. I've got to give Mezies a lot of credit, especially what he reported to the reporters at the end of the game. He knew UTEP was weak and had just lost their previous game and Marvin studied how UTEP was beaten. He said it was worth a try, "and it worked". MM is turning out to be a really great asset to NMSU. Keep in mind that basically, the turn-around the last few minutes the Aggies were able to amazingly reverse a 9 point deficit and win with 4 or 5 more points was done without a single SENIOR in the line-up. This means Our Aggies will end the season well, but more importantly, come back next season with a tourney bound-quality team. I am really impressed by MM's recruiting, development of players and tactics. I also respect Tim Floyd and always have. He is UTEP's class act..much like Marvin is for NMSU! Goooooo Aggies! YSS
Oh...Did I mention Aronis's 11 points when we needed them the most? Mullin's awsome defense and a team playing with great team-work? I know Banja SY had an off night, which will happen. YSS

Great write up Yosimite.

I agree with what you are saying here. The no Senior was a key point I would have otherwise missed. Great insight.

A nice win by our Aggies in a tight game. The will to win is a strong force and will serve us well in Vegas.

JT

Being at the game, I really keyed in on how Bhullar was playing. The first 10 minutes he was playing out of his mind. He looked fresh and was extremely active on defense. It was amazing to watch the impact he was having on The UTEP offense. The second half however, he disappeared defensively and struggled to get his hands up on the most obvious interior shots. I was perplexed as to why MM wasn't giving him a breather. it all worked out in the end, but man he was red lining almost the entire second half. i never saw the dominance that I saw in the first 10 minutes again. If he can get in shape by next year, this kid will lead NMSU far. Good times ahead! Go Aggies!

CrimsonDisciple wrote: Being at the game, I really keyed in on how Bhullar was playing. The first 10 minutes he was playing out of his mind. He looked fresh and was extremely active on defense. It was amazing to watch the impact he was having on The UTEP offense. The second half however, he disappeared defensively and struggled to get his hands up on the most obvious interior shots. I was perplexed as to why MM wasn't giving him a breather. it all worked out in the end, but man he was red lining almost the entire second half. i never saw the dominance that I saw in the first 10 minutes again. If he can get in shape by next year, this kid will lead NMSU far. Good times ahead! Go Aggies!

Next year opponents will have to contend with two experienced centers as Chili will return to the NMSU line up.    Chili was still learning the nuances of D-1 basketball but was making great progress when he had his thumb surgery.   He's more mobile than Bhullar and will allow NMSU to play a faster temp when he's in.  As to who starts, I hope it doesn't matter to Chili or Bhullar because together they present a formidible tandem at the center position.

Next year is going to be a challenge for Coach Menzies. He will have 4 big men that can start in Bhullar, Nephawe, Dixon and Barry. Add Mullings and TDR/KCRM and the problem becomes more serious. If these guys play with the defensive mindset that Coach Menzies requires then its gonna be an interesting year. Then you have the wildcard player(s) who do the work in the off season and its going to be quite a problem. A BIG problem...no pun intended.  :)

Maybe we can full court press a little more next year? We should have a very balanced team debth wise. Hopefully Sim can lose another 25 to 40 pounds and practice free throw shooting in the off season.

loobh8r wrote: Next year is going to be a challenge for Coach Menzies. He will have 4 big men that can start in Bhullar, Nephawe, Dixon and Barry. Add Mullings and TDR/KCRM and the problem becomes more serious. If these guys play with the defensive mindset that Coach Menzies requires then its gonna be an interesting year. Then you have the wildcard player(s) who do the work in the off season and its going to be quite a problem. A BIG problem...no pun intended.  :)

I don't think it'll be a problem.

Nephawe/Bhullar, centers.
Dixon/West, power forwards.
Barry/Buovac, small forwards.
Mullings/Aronis/Weary, shooting guards.
KCRM/de Rouen, point guards.

We have a shooting guard and a point guard coming in also, hopefully they buy into the team concept and dont get upset over lack of playing time in their first couple years.

KrimsonKrazy wrote:

loobh8r wrote: Next year is going to be a challenge for Coach Menzies. He will have 4 big men that can start in Bhullar, Nephawe, Dixon and Barry. Add Mullings and TDR/KCRM and the problem becomes more serious. If these guys play with the defensive mindset that Coach Menzies requires then its gonna be an interesting year. Then you have the wildcard player(s) who do the work in the off season and its going to be quite a problem. A BIG problem...no pun intended.  :)

I don't think it'll be a problem.

Nephawe/Bhullar, centers.
Dixon/West, power forwards.
Barry/Buovac, small forwards.
Mullings/Aronis/Weary, shooting guards.
KCRM/de Rouen, point guards.

I would do the lineups / rotations different if I were running the team next year.

I would have this starting lineup:

Center Sim
Power Forward Chili
Small Forward Barry
Shooting Guard Mullings
Point Guard KCRM

Backup Center Dixon
Backup Power Forward West
Backup Small Forward Buovac or one of the new guys
Backup Shooting Guards Aronis, Weary Jr., new guy
Backup Point Guards TDR, new guy

The main point here to me is that next year both Chili and Sim should start together. Chili is versatile enough to play power forward next year, given an entire summer to work on it. He is not far enough on the development curve to be locked into a Center only mode in my book. A lineup with Chili and Sim on the court together in the starting lineup / playing starters minutes for the next two years equals great things in my book.

Add in a sharpshooter Aronis, a Superstar in Daniel and sprinkle with Dixon, West, and Weary and you have the makings of something special.

Chili has Power written all over him. And he can put the Power back in Power Forward for us for the next two years. You gotta start the Big Guy in the middle. 7'5" is a given starter from now until the NBA calls. This leaves Chili to move to the Power Forward slot. I sure hope the Coaches see this and make it happen between now and November, which is plenty of time to make the switch, given the current learning curve of each player and team chemistry.

That is my take and I am sticking to it.

JT

Thanks JT...Very well thought out for next season. I hope Marvin reads your post.Keep up the great contributions you make for this board. Go Aggies! YSS

FeedLotJoe...I would really like to see our Aggies in the NCAA"S this season. I think they might have a chance. GOOOOO AGGIIES! YSS

What I see is a lot of combinations that Menzies can play depending on what the situation calls for---defense, offense, speed it up, slow it down.  Zone defense; man to man; full court press.  Run and gun; half court offense.   Pound it inside; look for the trey.  Get physical?  OK.  Oh yeah!

Maybe that's why Morrel has no interest and Alfred is trying to back away from playing the little Aggies from down south.

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--- Aggietude wrote:

What I see is a lot of combinations that Menzies can play depending on what the situation calls for---defense, offense, speed it up, slow it down.  Zone defense; man to man; full court press.  Run and gun; half court offense.   Pound it inside; look for the trey.  Get physical?  OK.  Oh yeah!

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--- jtnmsu wrote:

KrimsonKrazy wrote:

loobh8r wrote: Next year is going to be a challenge for Coach Menzies. He will have 4 big men that can start in Bhullar, Nephawe, Dixon and Barry. Add Mullings and TDR/KCRM and the problem becomes more serious. If these guys play with the defensive mindset that Coach Menzies requires then its gonna be an interesting year. Then you have the wildcard player(s) who do the work in the off season and its going to be quite a problem. A BIG problem...no pun intended.  :)

I don't think it'll be a problem.

Nephawe/Bhullar, centers.
Dixon/West, power forwards.
Barry/Buovac, small forwards.
Mullings/Aronis/Weary, shooting guards.
KCRM/de Rouen, point guards.

I would do the lineups / rotations different if I were running the team next year.

I would have this starting lineup:

Center Sim
Power Forward Chili
Small Forward Barry
Shooting Guard Mullings
Point Guard KCRM

Backup Center Dixon
Backup Power Forward West
Backup Small Forward Buovac or one of the new guys
Backup Shooting Guards Aronis, Weary Jr., new guy
Backup Point Guards TDR, new guy

The main point here to me is that next year both Chili and Sim should start together. Chili is versatile enough to play power forward next year, given an entire summer to work on it. He is not far enough on the development curve to be locked into a Center only mode in my book. A lineup with Chili and Sim on the court together in the starting lineup / playing starters minutes for the next two years equals great things in my book.

Add in a sharpshooter Aronis, a Superstar in Daniel and sprinkle with Dixon, West, and Weary and you have the makings of something special.

Chili has Power written all over him. And he can put the Power back in Power Forward for us for the next two years. You gotta start the Big Guy in the middle. 7'5" is a given starter from now until the NBA calls. This leaves Chili to move to the Power Forward slot. I sure hope the Coaches see this and make it happen between now and November, which is plenty of time to make the switch, given the current learning curve of each player and team chemistry.

That is my take and I am sticking to it.

JT

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I agree with you in starting Chili and Sim but think West would be better backing up Sim and Dixon Nephawe as Dixon has a better outside shot. I also feel that TDR has overtaken KCRM...especially on the defensive side of the ball.

One other thing...I was watching Eric Weary's video's last night and the kid has an outside shot. One video showed him making 10 3's in one game. I would really like for him to meet with the coaching staff and find out what it would take for him to work his way into a point guard role. I think he has a better shot at breaking into a starting role in that position and with his height would be a problem defensively for opposing point guards. If he can work on his ball control, setting up the offense, shut down defense then I think he would be quite a nice point guard.

I think TDR has shown that he has all these intangibles and really like how he is shooting the 3-ball. If Weary can do the same I think his height would give him an advantage. For those that don't know, he is 6'5".