Aggies and Miners clash on hardwood tonight

By: Anthony Esparza

New Mexico State men’s basketball coach Marvin Menzies admits he tried downplaying the rivalry with UTEP when he first became the Aggies’ head coach.

Menzies, now in his fifth season at NMSU, said he and former UTEP coach Tony Barbie both approached the Battle of I 10 as if it were just another game on the schedule. However, Menzies eventually realized the significance and history of the rivalry. 

Although Menzies has become familiar with the annual home-and-home series with UTEP, he said he hopes his team is also well aware of what’s at stake when the Aggies and Miners clash.

“They do need to be educated as to what this rivalry means to the community and they do need to be educated as to the ramifications of winning these games,” Menzies said. “It does mean more than just another game.”

The Aggies travel to the Don Haskins Center in El Paso tonight for the first game of the season against Miners. The two teams split the series last season, with each team winning on its home court.

UTEP enters the contest with a 1-4 record and on a three-game losing streak. However, the Miners have played stiff competition thus far. UTEP’s losses were to No. 9 Arizona, Oklahoma, Clemson and Vanderbilt, teams with a combined record of 11-4.

NMSU is looking for its first win away from Las Cruces. After starting the season 1-3, the Aggies have won two straight home games to improve to 3-3. 

Although both teams have size in the paint, it will be interesting to see how the young Aggie backcourt performs against the more experienced UTEP guards, especially at the point guard position. NMSU sophomore point guard KC Ross-Miller will take on UTEP senior point guard Jacques Streeter.  

The Aggies will also need to prevent the Miners from getting off to a hot start. In last season’s game in El Paso, UTEP got off to a quick start and led by as many as 16. However, the Aggies would cut the lead but ultimately fell 73-69.

Another intriguing matchup tonight will between UTEP junior forward Julian Wasburn and NMSU senior forward Bandja Sy. The two have plenty of similarities to their games on both ends of the floor.

“That’s a good one to watch because they’re both long, athletic guys with pretty good mid-range games,” Menzies said. “Hopefully we have an edge there with the experience.”

After tonight’s contest, the two teams will not meet again until Feb. 23 in Las Cruces.