LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State men's basketball team is set to entertain Washington State inside the Pan American Center this Saturday, Dec. 1. It'll also serve as the first time the Aggies have hosted a Power-5 program on Lou Henson Court since Arizona came to town on Nov. 29, 2011.
WHERE TO WATCH
Aggie fans that can't make it to Saturday's game against Washington State can catch the game on the
WAC Digital Network.
GET CONNECTED
Get up to the minute information and news about the NM State men's basketball team all season long 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 contest against the Cougars can catch the game by listening to NM State Athletics/US Bank Hall of Famer
Jack Nixon and former Aggie Justin Hawkins on 99.5 Zia Country and affiliate stations on the Aggie Sports Network listed below or via
TuneIn.
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
GAME DAY PROMOTIONS
Saturday will serve as the second opportunity Aggie fans can get their hands on another exclusive Aggie snapback hat. The second hat in the series features a retro design.
In addition, students in the attendance will also be automatically entered in a drawing to earn a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship courtesy of the University Advancement Office. A lucky student in attendance will be chosen and given an opportunity to make a half-court shot to win.
JUNIOR AGGIE DAY
In addition to facing off against a Pac-12 team at home, Saturday's contest will also be Junior Aggie Day. To join the Junior Aggie Club, contact
Nicole Gomez at 575-646-8050 or by email at nicolemg@nmsu.edu.
JAC Member Benefits for Saturday's game includes…
- VIP seating at the game
- Hang out at the Aggie bench during warms up
- Line the court for the team intro
- Video board recognition
- Postgame autographs in the locker room
IN THE NATION
Heading into Saturday's game, the Aggies as a team are ranked in the top-25 nationally in a couple categories…
Category National Rank Value
Fewest Turnovers 16
th 63
Turnovers per Game 18
th 10.5
PULLMAN MEETS CRUCES
When New Mexico State and Washington State take Lou Henson Court Saturday night, it'll be the first time these two teams have squared off in program history. The Cougars come into the Pan American Center with a three-game winning-streak and 4-1 overall record to open the 2018-19 season.
Wazzu recently took down CSUN at home 103-94. The Aggies are scheduled to take on the Matadors on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at home as part of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic.
WSU has seen a lot of offensive production this year thanks to five players averaging in double-figures. Robert Franks leads all players, averaging a whopping 26.8 points, which is good for fifth-most in the nation, and 8.8 rebounds while shooting at a .569 clip from the floor. The 6-9 forward has also dished out 11 dimes on the year, good for fourth-best on the team.
Isaiah Wade checks in with 13.0 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game for the Cougars while CJ Elleby is averaging 11.4 points and 7.8 boards. Elleby has pulled down a team-high 13 rebounds on the offensive glass while his 39 total rebounds is good for a team-best. Ahmed Ali (11ppg) and Viont'E Daniels (10ppg) rounds out the list of double-digit scorers for Washington State.
Daniels (26) and Ali (20) as well as Elleby (17) have been the biggest proponents behind WSU averaging 20.2 assists. Daniels has also been the Cougars' biggest 3-point threat, knocking down 13 so far on the year. However, Ali and Carter Skaggs is right behind with 11 triples apiece.
LAST TIME OUT
Defense ruled the night in the Battle of I-10 this past Wednesday in the Don Haskins Center as NM State held on for the 62-58 win over UTEP. As a team, the Aggies forced 21 turnovers, including a handful of charges throughout the game as well as late in the game that were pivotal to the victory.
Ivan Aurrecoechea led the Aggies with 15 points and six rebounds while
Clayton Henry chipped in with nine points, five rebounds and two assists.
Keyon Jones added eight points of his own on 3-of-5 shooting with a pair of boards and assists.
The win marked NM State's ninth-straight win over the Miners and also the fourth-straight season the Aggies have swept UTEP. Aggie head coach
Chris Jans also became just the second head coach in program history to sweep UTEP in his first two seasons at the helm – joining Lou Henson.
UP NEXT
Head coach
Chris Jans and the Aggie men's basketball team remain at home the following week as they play host to Battle of I-25 rival New Mexico on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. (MT). NM State will go for its fifth-straight victory against the Lobos and sweep of UNM for the second-straight year.
++NM State ++
