came across this article below talking about the nm state - cal baptist game tonight. looks like its going to be a much different lineup for the aggies tonight than what they've put on the floor lately.
LAS CRUCES ? The New Mexico State men's basketball team is all set for its two-game home series against Cal Baptist.
The Aggies (3-3, 0-2 WAC) are scheduled to face the Lancers (8-5, 3-3 WAC) on Friday and Saturday at Eastwood High School in El Paso, Texas, which is the home site for New Mexico State this season. Tipoff time for both games is 7 p.m. MT.
Here's everything you need to know about the matchup.
New Mexico State is still in search of its first Division I win of the season after getting swept by Grand Canyon in its WAC-opening road series.
One positive from the pair of losses was the return of Jabari Rice and Clayton Henry, though. Both players missed time due to foot injuries, but they made unexpected appearances against the Lopes.
Rice averaged 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in the two contests, while Henry averaged 6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1 steal per contest.
With both players not at full strength, New Mexico State leaned on its supporting cast. Wilfried Likayi cracked the starting lineup once again, and the redshirt junior averaged 11 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor.
But, even with the strong outings by Likayi, the Aggies are still in search other players who can provide depth.
One option that's now on the table is Marcus Watson. The 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman gained eligibility on Monday after transferring from Oklahoma State in February of 2020, and he should immediately contribute as one of the more versatile players in the second unit.
New Mexico State is also hoping to see the return of Mayan Kiir. The South Florida transfer has missed the Aggies' past three games with a bruised tailbone, but his status is looking optimistic after practicing with the team this week.
Regardless of who suits up for New Mexico State this weekend, the team needs to start knocking down its shots. The Aggies shot a combined 25-for-104 (24 percent) from the floor and 12-for-61 from deep (19.7 percent) in their two games against the Lopes.
Lancers breakdown
Cal Baptist enters the two-game series with plenty of firepower.
The Lancers are averaging a WAC-best 83.5 points per contest this season, and they're led by Ty Rowell. The 6-foot-2 redshirt junior is averaging team highs of 15.5 points and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 40.2 percent from distance.
Rowell is a lethal 3-point shooter who can score either off the dribble or in a catch-and-shoot situation, and he also thrives as a facilitator. He boasts an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.6.
Rowell isn't the only sniper on the squad.
Reed Nottage is a 6-foot-6 sophomore who's averaging 15.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 47.9 percent from behind the arc.
Cal Baptist is shooting 39.9 percent from 3-point range as a team, which ranks eighth in the country, but one player who provides a post presence is Gorjok Gak.
The 6-foot-11 graduate transfer from Florida University is averaging 12.7 points to go along with team highs of 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest. Gak is a bruising finisher around the rim, and his field goal percentage of 61.8 ranks first on the team.
Projected starting lineups
New Mexico State
PG: Evan Gilyard II, 5-foot-10 senior
SG: Jabari Rice, 6-foot-4 redshirt junior
SF: Clayton Henry, 6-foot-4 redshirt senior
PF: Donnie Tillman, 6-foot-7 redshirt senior
C: Johnny McCants, 6-foot-7 redshirt senior
Cal Baptist
PG: Ty Rowell, 6-foot-2 redshirt junior
SG: Tre Armstrong, 6-foot-5 sophomore
SF: Elijah Thomas, 6-foot-5 graduate transfer
PF: Reed Nottage, 6-foot-6 sophomore
C: Gorjok Gak, 6-foot-11 graduate transfer
Keys to success
The defensive key to success for New Mexico State is to run Cal Baptist off the perimeter.
A whopping 39 percent of the Lancers' points come from 3-point range, which ranks 22nd in the country. Meanwhile, only 40.4 percent of their points come from inside the arc. That ranks 345th in the nation.
Rotating is going to crucial for New Mexico State if it wants to contain a Cal Baptist team that moves the ball around as well as anyone. The Lancers rank second in the country in assist percentage on made field goals (66.2 percent).
Meanwhile, the offensive key to success for the Aggies is to capitalize off turnovers.
Cal Baptist turns the ball over on 21.1 percent of its possessions, which ranks 272nd in the country. In the Lancers' most recent loss to Dixie State, the Trailblazers converted 23 Cal Baptist turnovers into 24 points.
