New Mexico State and defense -- unrequited lovers?

One of the repeated refrains heard in Las Cruces throughout this recently completed season is that New Mexico State needed to be introduced to the concept of defense, both individually and collectively. A 'defense, here's Coach Marvin Menzies' squad -- Coach Marvin Menzies' team, here's defense' pas de deux.

Sure, we're having a bit of exaggerated fun with this but let's seriously explore the charge. We'll present a series of statistics as jumping off points but also need to offer that we saw Marvin Menzies's 9-7 in-the-WAC squad in person but once this season. So heads up given, we are pretty much riding shotgun alongside numbers on this journey.

The Aggies finished last in scoring defense in 2008-2009, allowing 74.2 points per league game, prompting an immediate and probably growing chorus of "shame, shame." In balance, NMSU simultaneously averaged 73.5 points a contest, first in the WAC.

Now it's a given that a fast-paced, high-scoring offensive team (such as NMSU) also allows more points due to the increased number of possessions available in a game. So keep this factor in mind even as it's close to an offensive/defensive scoring numbers push.

As for proficiencies, New Mexico State shot a very commendable .451 from the floor -- third in the conference. The Aggies held opposing teams to a lesser .440, sixth in the WAC.

Now what's also curious in looking at actual numbers is that New Mexico State's conference opponents collectively took 63 more three-point attempts than the Aggies attempted (319 to 256) even though the numbers made are close -- 102 for opposing teams to New Mexico States' 97 -- and the Aggies shot 38% from treyland to 32% for collective opponents.

So what are the foremost factors at play here? Stout Aggie three-point defense in terms of made attempts? In-the-paint 'D' forcing opponents into a greater number of outside shots? More of a NMSU design to protect the inside, thus allowing long distance opportunities that WAC opponents were simply unable to make? A simple imbalance due to other WAC team offenses designed for long distance shooting regardless of proficiency? What else?

Now we're not sure exactly how to quantify this but we believe rebounding is a key factor if the Aggies wish to notch improved defensive numbers in opponent overall shooting. In conference play, NMSU averaged 2.6 less rebounds than the collection of the other WAC teams but most importantly, allowed opponents to grab 108 more offensive boards. Consider that the latter often then result in putbacks and short shots -- obvious high percentage ones -- that inflate the shooting percentages and scoring averages of opponents.

Also, consider (we can hear the respective groans all the way from Las Cruces) the youthfulness and inexperience of the 2008-2009 Aggies. Please bear with us, here's the class breakdown among the New Mexico State players who saw the vast majority of the minutes available:

Jonathan Gibson -- junior

Jahmar Young -- sophomore
Wendell McKines -- sophomore
Gordo Castillo -- sophomore
Robert Lumpkins -- sophomore

Hernst Laroche -- freshman
Chris Gabriel -- freshman
Terrance Joyner -- freshman
Hamidu Rahman -- redshirt frosh
Troy Gillenwater -- redshirt frosh

Minus viewing any actual statistics, any neutral observer of such a team makeup would say this is a composition more than likely in need of defensive improvement but with the age/experience latitude necessary to make such an advancement. In fact, we're ultimately surprised this season's New Mexico State team actually achieved a .440 defensive shooting number especially considering that its three 'bigs' were all freshman.

One factor that would truly benefit the Aggies gaining greater defensive prowess would be the stepping up of one or two of the squad into the role of topflight defender. So who has the mindset to work into such a role? Remember, it doesn't necessarily have to be the extremely athletic -- more the most determined.

Of course, the experience of viewing New Mexico State in 'real time' just once leaves a gaping hole in our framework so what did you witness this season?

Was the above:

On target?
About parallel with the best of Dostoyevsky?
Close but no cigar?
Missed the mark entirely?
Equal to Charles Bukowski's worst?
A waste of your time?