Parsing the Aggies?

No, the name of this blog hasn't been changed but it sure seems more items get posted about New Mexico State men's basketball than any other WAC member.

Here comes a bunch more.

Jason Groves has been busy today with a couple of items-turned-into-articles. It always astounds us when seniors -- the supposed leaders on a team -- fall down in their respective commitments to academics. It's not like they have a couple more years to get back on the court.

Hawkins, Passos, Carter face eligibility issues
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
12/20/2007

LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State University men's basketball coach Marvin Menzies confirmed reports on Thursday morning that three players were not with the team as it traveled to Louisville for a game on Saturday.

Senior starters Justin Hawkins and Hatila Passos and junior Paris Carter returned to Las Cruces following the Aggies' 83-69 loss at the University of New Mexico on Wednesday night.

"They have to clear up some academic stuff before they can go out and play," Menzies said. "I am hoping they can get on a plane this afternoon. I found out after the game lastnight. Nothing is official. I am waiting to get some response from the academic people at our place."

NMSU Compliance Officer Braun Cartwright said NMSU is in the process of evaluating fall semester grades for student athletes. He said grades were made official on Thursday morning.

"We haven't made any final determinations," Cartwright said. "After each semester, we have to review that term's grades and GPA for the following semester."

This lengthier article followed:

COMMENTARY: New staff's honeymoon period ends
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
12/20/2007

LAS CRUCES - If there were any questions about when the honeymoon period for New Mexico State University men's basketball coach Marvin Menzies would end, those questions were answered in front of 17,243 Lobo fans on Wednesday night.

After an 83-69 loss to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, Menzies said that the blame fell on him for not having his players ready for the road, where the Aggies fell to 0-6 on the year and 5-8 overall.

The Aggies were down one at the half and took a brief lead on the first possession of the second half before being outscored 16-0 and outclassed the next seven minutes, not to mention the porous defense that allowed UNM sophomore Roman Martinez to go off for a career-high 24 points - 19 more than his average coming in. Martinez, who is a player noted for making hustle plays, found openings in the Aggies' zone and man defense.

The Aggies have also unraveled on a more important front - the classroom.

On Thursday, Menzies confirmed senior starters Justin Hawkins, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and center Hatila Passos, along with junior transfer guard Paris Carter, were not with the team as it traveled to Louisville for another stiff road contest on Saturday afternoon. Menzies was hopeful that the three players would clear up their academic issues and join the team before Saturday's tipoff, but it's become irrelevant in a season where eligibility issues were among Menzies' largest concerns during the first semester. NMSU freshman forward Herb Pope was on hand in Albuquerque to support his teammates even as he waits to be declared eligible by the NCAA...

Go here for the remainder.