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LOCATION: Las Cruces, NM
CONFERENCE: Big West (Eastern Division)
LAST SEASON: 23-10 (.697)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 12-4 (t-1st)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 1/4
NICKNAME: Aggies
COLORS: Crimson & White
HOMECOURT: Pan American Center (13,071)
COACH: Lou Henson (New Mexico State '55)
record at school 214-93 (11 years)
career record 704-353 (36 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Russ Bradburd (North Park '80)
Thomas Trotter (Wisconsin-Parkside '84)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 25-11-19-18-23
RPI (last 5 years) 43-207-78-150-71
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in NCAA first round.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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The desert bloomed last season in Las Cruces. New Mexico State was supposed to struggle. The Aggies were picked to finish fifth in the Big West's East Division, ahead of only another pathetic North Texas team. That prediction looked safe in November, when they managed to lose by seven points to . . . Alaska-Fairbanks? Then suddenly everything came up roses. The Aggies, behind the discovery of a dynamic new backcourt, built their team throughout the season and then routed Boise State in the Big West championship game. The 23-win season was New Mexico State's first since 1995. This season the team is going to be even better. The Aggies return eight of their top nine players, bring in three new players that they are excited about and boast the best backcourt in the conference. Even their usually reserved coach, the venerable Lou Henson, admits that this team could be something special. "With four starters back and the additional players we have signed, we should have a very strong team," he said. "I'm pretty excited to coach these guys." He should be, especially given the potential of his starting backcourt. The leader is Billy "The Kid" Keys (13.7 ppg), a 6-2 senior who looks a lot like Isiah Thomas, and does a pretty good Zeke impression on the court, too. New Mexico State is touting Keys as an All-America candidate, and that's not far-fetched. He was honored as the league's tournament MVP after averaging 19.7 points, 6.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds in three games. He's a great leader, can break most defenders down off the dribble and plays with an exuberance and determination that is fun to watch. New Mexico State will be in every game because Keys won't let the Aggies let down. It's that simple.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT B+ BENCH/DEPTH C+
FRONTCOURT C INTANGIBLES B-
The Aggies are clearly the cream of the Big West. That's especially true this season, as East Division rivals Boise State, Idaho, Nevada and Utah State all look to rebuild from teams that really weren't that good last year anyway. In fact, at this point New Mexico State would almost have to drop basketball to not grab the first seed in the East. Henson describes the non-conference schedule as "maybe the most difficult in the history of the school," but that will only serve to strengthen the Aggies for the weaker Big West. NMSU faces Colorado, New Mexico (twice), Southern Methodist, Texas Tech, Washington and UTEP (twice) before the conference schedule starts. The Aggies' thin frontcourt might lead to a some early struggles against that type of a schedule, but when the big guys come around later in the season, it will be easy pickings in the Big West. Henson did it with smoke and mirrors last season. This time around, he has talent to work with. Bottom line: New Mexico State was good last season. This year it will be at least five points better every single night. |
"I expect Billy to be a better player," Henson said. "He is one of the finest leaders that I've had the privilege of coaching." Keys' backcourt running mates are 6-2 senior Brad Bestor (8.9 ppg) and 6-4 sophomore Eric Channing (10.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg). Both started last season and proved to be among the league's best three-point shooters. Bestor and Channing give defenses severe problems when teamed with Keys. Too often opponents found themselves completely broken down at the point by Keys, who would penetrate and then dish to Bestor and Channing for easy three-pointers when the rest of the defense collapsed. Bestor made 39 percent of his three-pointers. Channing, who also excelled defensively, hit 47 percent from beyond the arc. Bestor and Keys are both former Northeastern Illinois players who came to Las Cruces last season after Northeastern Illinois dropped its basketball program. The Aggies also return another swingman to provide depth in athletic 6-3 junior Zach Norvell (6.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg), who can back up Bestor at shooting guard or spell Channing at small forward. Norvell should be more comfortable this season. Last year he joined the team late because of academic difficulties. He's the quickest player on the team and is the third big gun who came to NMSU from Northeastern Illinois. Backing up Keys at point guard is 5-11 freshman Dennis Desmond, a Massachusetts high school star who is likely to play right away. The question lies in the frontcourt, where Henson must replace the versatility, scoring and rebounds of departed Big West first-teamer Charles Gosa. Henson has some options, but all will be filling new roles and might take a little bit of time to adjust. One returning starter is 6-9 senior Aaron Brodt (5.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg), the likely starter at center even though that isn't his natural position. Brodt is limited offensively, but he's a good rebounder and gives the team a certain toughness inside. The other starter will come from 6-10 freshman Simon Bredenberg, 6-6 junior Daveeno Hines (2.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and 6-9 sophomore Ryan McDermott. Bredenberg is the only true center on the roster. He's added 40 pounds since he arrived as a reed-thin freshman last year. He redshirted last season and is expected to battle for a starting spot this time around. Hines is a former freshman All-American at Northeastern Illinois. Henson calls him an "excellent rebounder and defender" who should play more this season. A strong, powerful player, he averaged 12.1 points on 57 percent shooting at Northeastern Illinois. McDermott was an absolutely brilliant player in high school, where he finished as New Mexico's Player of the Year and was tabbed as the country's 94th-best prospect by analyst Bob Gibbons. He signed with Arizona State, then decided to instead play professional baseball. An auto accident sidelined his baseball career and now, after three years away from the game, he is picking up basketball again. He's going to be little rusty to start, but he has some serious talent to eventually offer. The Aggies are hoping he'll be ready to contribute big this season. Frontline depth will be provided by 6-6 freshman Kelsey Crooks, a big-time scorer in high school; 6-8, 265-pound Stephan Green, a junior transfer from Northeast Oklahoma A&m; 6-6 senior Gerald Moore (4.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg), who will probably see more playing time at small forward this season; and 6-7 junior Mikko Noopila (2.2 ppg, 1.0 rpg), a 37 percent three-point shooter.
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