Friday's WAC links and notes

It's a conundrum surrounding New Mexico State's success of late but wins are wins:

Recent roll has seen Aggies win 10 of 12
Teddy Feinberg, Las Cruces Sun-News Sports Editor
2/05/2010

You wouldn't expect to hear it from a team ranked last in the Western Athletic Conference in points allowed per game.

But the New Mexico State Aggie men's basketball team believes one of the main reasons it has won 10 of its last 12 games, including six of its first eight WAC contests, is because of its defense.

"Just having a defensive mindset," junior forward Wendell McKines said. "Having our buckets come off the defensive end. Overall we're playing harder, playing together."

Head coach Marvin Menzies said that despite surrendering 78.7 points per game, the Aggies have improved on the defensive end of the floor as the season has gone along. And part of their offensive success — the team is averaging 77.7 points per contest, third best in the conference — is because of their defensive efforts...

Go here for the remainder.

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Per Daniel Lyght, Paul George made the flight to Honolulu -- more here.

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Dayton Morinaga offers a lengthy feature -- including a video interview -- on Roderick Flemings. The late George Gobel had a great line: "Did you ever feel life was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?" Well, Flemings' skills set is suited for an up-and-down game, the antithesis of the offensive style UH utilizes and, therefore, his strengths are not maximized. But Bob Nash's style best fits what the other Hawaii players have to offer.

It hasn't been slam dunk for Flemings
'Bow's career marked by injury, inconsistency
Dayton Morinaga
Honolulu Advertiser

Roderick Flemings is fast. Just not as fast as a speeding bullet.

He is strong. Just not more powerful than a locomotive.

He can jump. Just not able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

As good as Flemings has been for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team, he will never be the Superman some expected him to be.

"I hear what the people are saying," Flemings said. "You have to listen to it, but I try not to let it get to me. I still say coming to Hawai'i was the best decision for me, and it's not over yet..."

Go here for the remainder.