GETTING INSIDE
New Mexico State finally got some good news.
It initially appeared that Wendell McKines—who averaged a double-double last season with 12.1 points and 10.0 rebounds—would not regain his academic eligibility for the second semester. But a four-person eligibility committee reviewed McKines’ final grades for the fall … and cleared him to play.
“At the end of the day, I’m a student athlete and class is very important,” McKines told the Las Cruces Sun-News. “I approached it like I was filling up my brain with new knowledge instead of just having to go to a class. That’s what I learned — little life lessons.”
Forward Troy Gillenwater, also ineligible in the fall, had not yet been cleared by New Mexico State, which was 6-6 at Christmas.
McKines and Gillenwater practiced with the team in the fall, so McKines was able to jump right into the starting lineup. The 6-6 junior had eight points and eight rebounds in his season debut against Alcorn State, and then posted a double-double—18 points, 11 boards—against Texas Southern on Dec. 23.
McKines took 18 credit hours in the fall to get eligible.
“My compliments go to Wendell for working so hard,” coach Marvin Menzies was quoted as saying in the Sun-News. “For him to take the load that he took and come out with the grades he did, that was a testament to his effort this semester.”
NOTES, QUOTES
• Sophomore C Hamidu Rahman grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds at Pepperdine on Dec. 18. There figures to be fewer rebounds for him to grab now that Wendell McKines has returned from academic eligibility.
• Junior G Jahmar Young became the 26th player in school history to join the 1,000-point club with a 22-point performance against Alcorn State on Dec. 21. Senior G Jonathan Gibson also has more than 1,000 points.
January At A Glance: The Aggies’ outlook brightened considerably with the return of Wendell McKines, as the starting five is one of the best in the WAC and NMSU no longer has to rely on so many young players. Rejuvenated New Mexico State gets a stiff conference test right off the bat with a home game against Utah State on Jan 2, followed by a home game against Nevada on Jan. 4. Those are the kind of games the Aggies have to win to be a serious league contender. (The Aggies were swept on this homestand last season early in the conference season and never mounted a serious charge.) After opening at home, New Mexico State plays five of its next six conference games on the road.
Quote To Note: “He has just added another spark to the team. He is going to bring it every day and that’s all I ask of him as a teammate. Toughness is always a help and he will bring it.”—G Jahmar Young, in the Las Cruces Sun-News, on the return of F Wendell McKines.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: Much of the nonconference season was a wash because New Mexico State didn’t have F Wendell McKines, who was a double-double performer last season. The Aggies started 3-6, including identical 100-68 road losses to Saint Mary’s and UCLA. Coach Marvin Menzies has been criticized for his in-game coaching and strategy, but the return of McKines could make him much smarter.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—PG Hernst Laroche, G Jonathan Gibson, G Jahmar Young, F Wendell McKines, C Hamidu Rahman. Key Subs—F Tyrone Watson, G Gordo Castillo, G Kelly Merker, F Bandja Sy, F Robert Lumpkins, C Abdoulaye N’doye
Game Review:
New Mexico State 78, Pepperdine 72
New Mexico State 92, Alcorn State 72
New Mexico State 79, Texas Southern 75
Game Preview:
vs. Prairie View A&M, Monday, Dec. 28
vs. Utah State, Saturday, Jan. 2
vs. Nevada, Monday, Jan. 4
at Boise State, Saturday, Jan. 9
at Idaho, Monday, Jan. 11
In Focus: New Mexico State has the highest scoring backcourt in the WAC, with Jahmar Young averaging 20.6 points and Jonathan Gibson putting in 18.8 per game. They won’t have to be as big of a focus of the offense now that Wendell McKines is back, but suddenly, the Aggies have balance and loads of firepower. They will need that against WAC preseason favorite Utah State, which leads the league in scoring defense (61.6 points per game). New Mexico State needs to show a renewed interest in defense as conference play begins; NMSU was allowing teams to shoot 45.1 percent through 12 games.
Roster Report:
• C Hamidu Rahman missed the game against Texas Southern on Dec. 23 because of an ankle injury. B.J. West started in his place, but played just 13 minutes as the Aggies often opted for 6-6 Wendell McKines in the middle.
• F Tyrone Watson was bumped from the starting lineup with the return of Wendell McKines. Watson had replaced Robert Lumpkins, who now seems to be without a spot in the rotation.
