Gameweek Central: Everything you need to know before NM State basketball starts the season

Posted by author November 3, 2024 Basketball

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New Mexico State’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will begin their 2024-25 seasons this week.

NM State’s men’s team plays New Mexico Highlands at home on Monday and Utah Tech on the road Saturday to open its season. The Aggies finished 13-19 (7-9 Conference USA) last season in coach Jason Hooten’s first year after he departed Sam Houston. This season, NM State brings in over 10 new players, including recruits and transfers, but returns its leading scorer from last season in senior guard Christian Cook. The Aggies were picked to finish seventh in CUSA this season in a poll from conference coaches.

NM State’s women’s team starts on the road against UC Irvine on Monday and plays its home opener against Utah Tech on Thursday. The Aggies are entering their third season under coach Jody Adams after finishing 13-18 (6-10 CUSA) last season. NM State returns graduate student guard Molly Kaiser and senior guard Jaila Harding after receiving first-team All-CUSA and All-CUSA honorable mention selections, respectively, in 2023-24. The Aggies were picked to finish sixth in CUSA this season in a poll from conference coaches.

Here’s everything you need to know before the Aggies take the court:

Men’s basketball

New Mexico Highlands at New Mexico State

Location: Pan American Center, Las Cruces, NM

Tip-off time: Nov. 4, 7 p.m.

Network: ESPN+

Radio: 99.5 FM KXPZ

New Mexico State at Utah Tech

Location: Burns Arena, St, George, UT

Tip-off time: Nov. 9, 7 p.m.

Network: ESPN+

Radio: 104.9 FM KMVR

Things to know

The Aggies defeated Western New Mexico 77-56 in a home exhibition game on Oct. 28, with four players scoring in double figures. NM State held the Mustangs to 28.3% shooting.
Graduate student forward Peter Filipovity has been injured for around a month and is questionable to play against Highlands. If he plays, Hooten says he “won’t play much.”
NM State last played the Cowboys in November 2022, defeating them 101-52 at home. The Aggies last played the Trailblazers in January 2023, with UT earning its first win in five tries against NM State 89-76.

Women’s basketball

New Mexico State at UC Irvine

Location: Bren Events Center, Irvine, Calif.

Tip-off time: Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.

Network: ESPN+

Utah Tech at New Mexico State

Location: Pan American Center, Las Cruces, NM

Tip-off time: Nov. 7, 6 p.m.

Network: ESPN+

Things to know

The Aggies defeated Division II Cameron 87-54 in a home exhibition game on Oct. 27. All 13 players who entered the game for NM State scored a basket.
The Aggies played the Anteaters last season, falling 61-55 at home. NM State is 3-2 all-time against UCI, and are 1-3 against the Trailblazers since the 2001-02 season.
The Aggies have seven international players on their roster, including four Spanish players. Adams says Dutch senior guard Loes Hozing and Spanish senior forward Fanta Gassama could play key roles this season.