The New Mexico State men's basketball team continues WAC play on the road at Seattle, Thursday, Jan. 10 in Seattle, Wash., at 8 p.m. and Idaho, Saturday, Jan. 12 in Moscow, Idaho at 8 p.m.  The games can be heard on the Aggie Sports Network and KGRT 104 FM in Las Cruces with the 'Voice of the Aggies' Jack Nixon, and the pregame show starts 30 minutes prior to tip. Thursday's game at Seattle is shown on ROOT Sports.

New Mexico State Aggies

The Aggies are 8-8 and 2-2 in the WAC after a 78-67 win over Texas State, Jan. 5. Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings is leading the team with 15.1 points per game. Both senior forward Tyrone Watson and freshman center Sim Bhullar are contributing 9.8 points per contest.  

Scouting Seattle

The Redhawks are 5-8 overall and 0-3 in the WAC after falling at San Jose State, 76-71, Jan. 5. Seattle has two players in double figures with redshirt freshman forward Deshaun Sundershaus posting a team-high 11.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Redshirt junior forward Clarence Trent supplies 10.5 points per game. 

Series Notes

The Aggies and Redhawks are tied 1-1 in the all-time series. The teams haven't played since the 1970-71 season with each team winning at home.

Scouting Idaho

The Vandals have a 6-7 overall record and 2-1 conference record after suffering their first league loss at Utah State, 82-75, in overtime, Jan. 5. Idaho hosts Denver, Jan. 10, before meeting the Aggies. Senior center Kyle Barone leads Idaho with 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Junior forward Stephen Madison and sophomore guard Connor Hill are also helping the offense with 14.9 and 10.3 points per game, respectively.

Series Notes

The Aggies have a 20-4 all-time lead in the series with Idaho. Last year, the teams split the series with each program winning on its home court. NM State won 80-68, Jan. 14, 2012 in Las Cruces, and Idaho won, 59-58, Feb. 9, 2012 in Moscow, Idaho.

Previous Meeting

The Aggies suffered a one-point loss at Idaho, 59-58, Feb. 9, 2012, to snap a five-game win streak over the Vandals. Forward Wendell McKines and center Hamidu Rahman led the team with 12 points each. Guard Hernst Laroche and forward Tyrone Watson supplied nine points each. Watson also had a career-high eight assists. NM State had a late lead but Idaho inched its way back and pulled within one, 58-57, with 1:53 to play. The Aggies were without Laroche for the final 2:08 after he fouled out on an offensive foul. NM State maintained a lead until Idaho hit a jumper with five seconds to go.

Mullings Lights up Opponents

Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings is leading the Aggies in scoring in 2012-13 with 15.1 points per game and 19.5 points per game in WAC games. He has posted nine consecutive games in double figures.

Ross-Miller Right on Target

Sophomore point guard K.C. Ross-Miller is learning on the job this season. He has a team-high 49 assists. Ross-Miller has three six-assist games this season. In WAC games, he is averaging 4.0 assists per game.

Bhullar Filling the Gap in the Paint

Since entering the starting lineup, Dec. 15, Bhullar is averaging 13.7 points per game. He has seven double-digit games this season and has two 20-point games. He scored a career-high 25 points against Missouri State, Dec. 22, and 20 versus Texas State, Jan. 5.

National Rankings for the Aggies

The Aggies are currently 29th in the NCAA in rebounding margin (+7.8). NM State has out-rebounded opponents in 12 games. The Aggies are 52nd in blocked shots per game (4.8). Individually, sophomore guard Daniel Mullings is ranked 40th in field goal percentage (55.1) as of Jan. 6.

Against the WAC Competition

Currently, the Aggies rank second in the conference in field goal percent defense (39.5), rebounding defense (30.6) and blocked shots (4.81 per game). NM State is third in scoring defense (62.9), rebounding margin (+7.7) and defensive rebounds (26.75).

Individually, freshman center Sim Bhullar ranks first in the league in field goal percentage (67.4) and sixth in blocked shots (1.69 per game). Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings ranks fourth in field goal percentage (55.1), fifth in steals (1.81), seventh in scoring (15.1) and ninth in free-throw percentage (74.4). Senior forward Bandja Sy is tied for eighth in rebounding (6.8).

In WAC games only, the Aggies lead the conference in field goal percentage (50.0), rebounding defense (30.0) and blocked shots (7.00). NM State is second in rebounding margin (+7.7), rebounding offense (37.8) and defensive rebounds (27.75).

Individually, sophomore guard Daniel Mullings ranks second in scoring (19.5) and steals (2.50) and fifth in field goal percentage (60.4). Freshman center Sim Bhullar is first in field goal percentage (75.0), fourth in blocked shots (2.75) and seventh in scoring (14.0). Senior forward Bandja Sy ranks sixth in rebounding (7.3) and 10th in field goal percentage (52.8). Sophomore guard K.C. Ross-Miller is tied for fifth in steals (1.75), sixth in assists (4.00) and ninth in assist to turnover ratio (1.78). Also, junior forward Renaldo Dixon is sixth in blocked shots (1.75) as of Jan. 6.

Aggies Control the Glass

NM State has consistently out-rebounded opponents this season. NM State is averaging 38.3 boards per game with a +7.8 rebounding margin. The Aggies have out-rebounded teams in 12 games.

Aggies Outlast Texas State

With three players in double figures, NM State beat Texas State, 78-67, Jan. 5 in Las Cruces. Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings led the Aggies with 22 points. Freshman center Sim Bhullar posted his second 20-point game of his career on a 9-for-9 shooting performance. Senior forward Bandja Sy recorded his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. With the win over the Bobcats, the Aggies improved to 7-1 inside the Pan American Center. For the second straight game, NM State used a quick start to the second half to take control of the game.  The Aggies opened the half with a 12-2 run and didn't trail in the period.

Aggies Notch Double-Doubles

NM State has recorded five double-doubles in 2012-13 with junior center Tshilidzi Nephawe and senior forward Bandja Sy leading the way with two double-doubles each. Nephawe's first double-double of the season occurred at Niagara, Nov. 18, with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He also had a double-double against Louisiana, Nov. 23, with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.  Sophomore guard Daniel Mulling had his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds against Southern Miss, Dec. 1. Senior forward Bandja Sy posted a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds at South Alabama, Dec. 4, and 16 points and 10 rebounds against Texas State, Jan. 5.

Aggies Set School Record in 82-62 Win

With a strong second-half start, the Aggies defeated UTSA, 82-62, Jan. 3. The Aggies broke the school record for team field goal percentage, which stood for 39 years. NM State shot 68.6 percent from the field (35-of-51) and broke the previous record of 66.2 percent from Jan. 19, 1974. The Aggies were also one shy of tying the school record for blocked shots with 11 against the Roadrunners. Senior forward Bandja Sy scored a career-high 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting. He also had eight rebounds, three blocks and two assists. Freshman center Sim Bhullar added 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting along with three blocked shots. He helped the Aggies to a 30-point advantage in points in the paint, 48-18. Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings was also in double figures with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting. He added four steals and four assists. NM State posted a season-high 21 assists.

Ready, Aim, Fire

The Aggie offense is strong with a team field goal percentage of 45.8 percent. NM State has four players shooting over 50 percent this season including freshman center Sim Bhullar (67.4), sophomore guard Daniel Mullings (55.1), junior forward Renaldo Dixon (51.9) and junior center Tshilidzi Nephawe (51.1). The Aggies have a better shooting percentage than their opponents in nine games. 

Aggie Aggressiveness Leads to the Line

The Crimson and White are continuing the trend of getting to the free-throw line in 2012-13. In 16 games, the Aggies are averaging 24.1 attempts per game, 5.6 more attempts than their opponents.

Crimson and White Defense is Stifling

The Aggie defense has been imposing in 2012-13. NM State is only allowing 62.9 points per game and has held opponents to 60 or fewer points in seven of the 16 games.

Defense in the Menzies Era

In head coach Marvin Menzies' six seasons, the Aggie defense has continued to improve during his tenure. This year NM State has already held opponents to 60 or fewer points seven times. Here's a look at how this year's team compares to previous squads.

Allowing 60 points or less

2012-13                7 games

2011-12                9 games

2010-11                8 games

2009-10                2 games

2008-09                3 games

2007-08                6 games

Mullings Fuels the Offense

In his second season, sophomore guard Daniel Mullings has scored in double-figures 12 times. He recorded his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds versus Southern Miss, Dec. 1. Mullings has had six 20-point games this season and eight in his career. His shooting has improved from a season ago with 40 percent or better in every game but one this season. Mullings is shooting 45.8 percent from the 3-point line. He also has three or more assists in eight games.

Nephawe Sidelined

Junior center Tshilidzi Nephawe has missed the last seven games with an injury. He had surgery on his right hand, and his return to action is unknown at this time.

Second-Half Comeback Falls Short at Louisiana Tech

The Aggies concluded their WAC opening road trip with an 81-72 loss at Louisiana Tech on New Year's Eve in Ruston, La. The loss snapped a seven-game win streak over the Bulldogs. Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings tallied a game-high 21 points for the second straight game. He was 8-of-16 from the field. Senior forward Tyrone Watson contributed 14 points, and he was 10-for-14 from the free-throw line, hitting 10 in a row. The Aggies shot a season-high 37 free throws and made 23 free throws, which tied the season-best mark.

Aggies Falter in WAC Opener

For the first time in a WAC opening game, NM State suffered a 68-47 loss at UT Arlington, Dec. 29. The Aggies are 5-1 in conference openers under head coach Marvin Menzies. Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings scored a game-high 21 points for the Aggies with his fourth 20-point effort of the season. Freshman center Sim Bhullar was also in double figures with 14 points and a career-high five blocked shots. The Aggies struggled offensively and shot 33.3 percent from the field (17-of-51), and were out-rebounded for only the fourth game this season, 44-37.

Watson's Senior Campaign Going Strong

In his final season in the Crimson and White, senior forward Tyrone Watson is taking over a leadership role for the Aggies. He scored a career-high 24 points in the home opening win over Southeastern Louisiana, Nov. 15. He made two 3-pointers in back-to-back games for the first time in his career against Bucknell and Niagara. Watson has scored in double-figures in seven of the Aggies' games and has shot 44.4 percent or better in 10 contests. The senior is second on the team in assists with 46 including two five-assist and one six-assist games.

Sy Shoots and Scores

Senior forward Bandja Sy has been in double-digits in scoring for the Aggies in seven games and in double-figures in rebounding in four games. In the win at South Alabama, Dec. 4, he posted his second career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Sy recorded his third career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds versus Texas State, Jan. 5. That performance followed a career-high 25 points against UTSA, Jan. 3.

Young Aggies Set Career Highs

The Aggie underclassmen are contributing to the team this season. Freshman center Sim Bhullar has seven double-digit games this season with a career-high 25 points against Missouri State, Dec. 22. He now has two 20-point games in 2012-13. Sophomore guard K.C. Ross-Miller had a career-high 11 points versus Louisiana, Nov. 23. Sophomore guard Terrel de Rouen scored a career-high 10 points at Louisiana Tech, Dec. 31. 

Aronis Finds Long Range Touch

Junior guard Kevin Aronis is making an impact for the Aggies in his first season. He has a team-high 12 3-point field goals this year, and has made at least two 3-pointers in four games. He scored a career-high 12 points against Louisiana, Nov. 23, and then again versus No. 16/17 New Mexico, Dec. 19.

Menzies is the Fifth Winningest Coach at NM State

Head coach Marvin Menzies has recorded 110 career wins in five seasons at NM State. He ranks fifth in school history, and directed the Aggies to their third 20-win season in his tenure in 2011-12.

All-Time Winningest Coaches (by victories)

Lou Henson-289

Neil McCarthy-229

Jerry Hines-157

Presley Askew-135

Marvin Menzies-110

Looking Ahead

The Aggies return home for a three-game home stand beginning with Utah State, Jan. 17 and San Jose State, Jan. 19.