LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State men's basketball team looks to bounce back this Saturday, Dec. 9, when the Aggies take on Battle of I-25 rival New Mexico at 7 p.m. inside Dreamstyle Arena.
 
Trey Bender will have the call for the 220th meeting between the two rivals while Richie Schueler (@RichieSchueler) serves as the analyst on the ESPN3 broadcast.
 
GET CONNECTED
Get up to the minute information and news about the NM State men's basketball team all season on Twitter and Instagram by following @NMStateMBB and on Facebook at FB.com/NMStateMBB.
 
LISTEN UP!
Aggie fans that can't make it to Saturday's rivalry contest can catch the game by listening to NM State Athletics/US Bank Hall of Famer Jack Nixon on 99.5 Zia Country and affiliate stations on the Aggie Sports Network listed below.
 
Alamogordo      103.7 FM KNMZ
Albuquerque     1150 AM KNMM
Carlsbad           1240 AM KAMQ
El Paso             1380 AM KHEY
Gallup               1230 AM, 94.9 FM KYVA
Las Vegas         107.1 FM KMDS
 
BRING OUT THE BROOMS?
Heading into Saturday's game against the Lobos, first-year head coach Chris Jans has an opportunity to etch his name into Aggie lore with a victory. With a win, Jans could become just the second first-year head coach to sweep both New Mexico and UTEP since John G. Griffith did so in 1917-18. However, Griffith only had to play the Miners once that season.
 
The last time New Mexico State swept both rivals in the same season occurred during the 2002-03 campaign under none other than legendary head coach Lou Henson. It also happened to be that season where the Aggies last won three-straight against UNM. The last NM State first-year head coach to sweep the Lobos was Weldon Drew (1979-80). NM State's last win on the road in the "The Pit" was on Dec. 17, 2013 (67-61).
 
AGGIES/LOBOS ROUND 2
When NM State and New Mexico take the hardwood floor on Saturday, both teams will be vying for a win during a critical juncture in their non-conference schedule. The Aggies are coming off their first home loss of the year and looks to sweep their rivals to start the winter break from school before taking off for a tough 37-day road stretch.
 
The Lobos are on a two-game skid and have dropped six of their last seven games. UNM's only wins have come at home against Northern New Mexico, Omaha and Evansville. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on which side of the divide you fall, Saturday's game will be in Dreamstyle Arena aka "The Pit." The Lobos have shot significantly better at home than on the road or on a neutral floor, posting a .503 shooting clip at home compared to the 34.3-percent away from home.
 
Sam Logwood leads all scorers with 14.9 points per game and 5.1 boards per game. Logwood was kept in check the last time UNM came to the Pan American Center as NM State held him just to eight points, including two in the second-half.
 
Chris McNeal isn't far off from Logwood, averaging 14.3 points and 2.4 boards while owning a team-best 31 assists. Anthony Mathis rounds out the list of players averaging in double-figures with 11.1 points off the bench. The 6-3 junior is also a threat from, knocking down 26-of-52 (.500) shots so far on the year.
 
Troy Simons, who was ejected the last time the two rivals met, is fourth in scoring for UNM at 8.8 points per game with a team-high 21 steals. Joe Furstinger is second on the team behind Logwood on the boards, averaging 5.0 rebounds with 16 blocks.
 
BAKER NOTCHES FIRST PRO POINTS
Former Aggie All-American and 2017 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year Ian Baker recorded his first points a pro this past Tuesday (Dec. 5) with the South Bay Lakers. Baker finished with two points in his first game pro game off the bench.  
 
IN THE NATION
Through games on Dec. 7, NM State is ranked ninth nationally with an 11.5 rebounding margin. Individually, Jemerrio Jones is averaging 4.63 offensive rebounds – which is good for fourth in the country. Meanwhile, his 11.8 rebounds per game ranks him sixth in the country. The 6-5 forward's five double-doubles this year ties him for 10th amongst Division I players while his 94 total rebounds is tied for 18th in the nation.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Aggies saw their five-game win-streak snapped this past Wednesday against a defensive minded San Diego squad at home. In a game where there were 11 ties and 15 lead changes, some untimely missed shots and turnovers down the stretch saw NM State fall to the Toreros 65-60.
 
Sidy N'Dir led the team with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting while Jemerrio Jones picked up his fifth double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with three assists. Las Cruces local Johnny McCants went perfect from the floor (4-for-4) for eight points and three rebounds. Eli Chuha added five points with a season-high nine rebounds while Zach Lofton was held to eight points and six rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
New Mexico State returns home for the final time of the 2017 calendar year next Tuesday, Dec. 12, when it hosts Eastern New Mexico for a 7 p.m. (MT) tip-off. After Tuesday's game, the Aggies will embark on a road-stretch that'll last 37 days against eight teams – including three games to kick off conference play.