Teddy Feinberg on Big Wen

He isn't 6-8 but nobody tops Wendell McKines in fire and heart. Here's Teddy Feinberg giving some much needed time away from the keyboard and the pixels to Jason Groves. Actually, we imagine Jason is working on another NMSU article.

Wendell McKines returns to Las Cruces with refined game
Teddy Feinberg
Las Cruces Sun-News Sports Editor
10/28/2008

LAS CRUCES — Wendell McKines didn't understand what Las Cruces meant to him until he actually left town.

"It's funny how it works," McKines said. "During last season, I was homesick, missing family and friends. But then when I went home, I missed Las Cruces more than I missed home when I was at school last year. It was then that I realized it was time to come back."

The New Mexico State basketball team couldn't have been happier with his decision. McKines was a solid find for the program, as one of coach Marvin Menzies' first recruits to see substantial minutes last year as a freshman.

He averaged 6.4 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per contest, doing much of the dirty work as a young player on a senior-heavy squad. McKines became a fan favorite for his style of play and was a reliable contributor that could be counted on down low.

Over the summer, however, McKines asked for his release from the program, citing the need to return to his home of Oakland, Calif., to be closer to his roots...

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