Aggie fan here.
Here's the scoop on NMSU.
Aggies are a good rebounding team with a rebounding margin of +6.4, good for 21st in the country.
NMSU's FG% is .461. Three point shooting is not NMSU's forte. Aggies have made 135 out of 422 for .320.
NMSU has had turnover problems, but again played better in the WAC Tournament.
Like most good teams, NMSU plays tough defense.
The WAC's RPI issues is due in part to the weakness of the lower division teams. The best teams are NMSU, Denver, LA Tech, Utah State and UT Arlington. NMSU split with all of them in the regular season.
Looking at the players:
NMSU has struggled at the point guard position. KC Ross-Miller is a transfer from New Orleans who had a good WAC Tournament. He's 6-1 and if he can continue his steady play, it will bode well for New Mexico State. His backup is 6-1 Terrel de Rouen who has really helped the team with his outside shooting and agressive play.
Our #2 guard is Daniel Mullings. He is an extremely athletic and exciting player. He's 6-2 but can jump out of the gym and has long arms. He scored a lot off turnovers and his athletic moves to the basket. His outside shooting has improved, but that is not his strength.
Our starting small forward has not played much because of off the court issues, and most recently an injury. Tyrone Watson is 6-5, 225 and has the ugliest jump shot in D-1 basketball. But he's tough and the senior does a lot of other things very well. Not sure how effective he will be, but he brings a lot of experience and hustle to the team.
Starting in his place in the championship game was 6-10, 210 pound Renaldo Dixon. He was in the dog house last year but the junior really emerged. He's been a pleasant surprise. He's long, is a good rebounder and shot blocker.
The best player on the team is forward 6-8 Bandja Sy (pronouced See). He's a senior and has blossomed after four years at NMSU. He is extremely quick, a great leaper, can slash to the basket and can hit the three. He has long arms and is a good defender and a good rebounder.
NMSU's starting center was 6-10 man-child Tshilidzi Nephawe, but he had thumb surgery in December and hasn't played since. The man that was going to be brought along slowly was 7-5, 360 pound Sim Bhullar. Bhullar originally signed with Xavier, but ended up at NMSU. He was considered a project as he lacked some basic basketball skills and was deemed overweight and too slow. Early in the season he was getting pushed around and easily outpositioned by more experienced centers. And he could only go about eight minutes He has been a pleasant surprise. He's lost over 75 pounds. He's got soft hands. He's learned a lot about the game and playing at the D-1 level. He's averaging over 30 minutes a game and creates havoc inside. He is massive, and certainly he's not whippet, but he moves better than you think. He presents a lot of problems for teams.
The reserves getting the most minutes are 6-7 forward Remi Barry and 6-3 guard Kevin Aronis. Barry originally committed to UCLA. He's still developing, but has really emerged in the second half of the season. He has a nice jump shot and is a good rebounder. Aronis is a shooter. He was brought in this year from Santa Rosa Junior College and he's the guy that hit the big shots in the win over UTEP.
NMSU's coach is Marvin Menzies who came to NMSU after serving under Rick Pittino at Louisville. Menzies has been at NMSU for six years and has matured into a saavy coach. NMSU replaced three starters from last year's NCAA team and had several injuries to deal with this season. He's done an excellent job and evidence by the positve team chemistry.
The bulk of NMSU's losses came early in the season when NMSU was still working through new personnel and learning to play together. Aggies are far from a perfect team. The WAC gets no respect and the 13 seed for NMSU is probably fair, based on that. But NMSU will not be intimidated by St. Louis.
Some of you fans are dismissing the Aggies, and that's fine. Go ahead. I'll bet your coaches aren't.
Here's to a good, injury-free game.