Utah State stands 2-1 (wins against Idaho State and Texas A&M CC and a loss to St. Mary's) but pre-season MVP fave Preston Medlin is shooting just 42% (50% last season). As a team, the Aggies are at .438%.
On the plus side, center Jarred Shaw is at 54% plus 86% at the foul line. Kyisean Reed has started very strong at 62% shooting.
The rest of the Aggies are subpar in aiming and firing but it is a team with inexperienced newcomers and one in the midst of learning to play together.
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As for 1-3 New Mexico State (losses away from home to Oregon State, Bucknell and Niagara, a victory over SE Louisiana), the southern Aggies are being out-shot .427% to .441% and are sinking just 68% of free throw attempts. Coach Marvin Menzie's crew is also underwater in turnovers, 15.0 to 11.5.
But NMSU is a team in search of an identity, with new players plus returnees asked to play different roles, plus talents transitioning from being secondary defensive targets to foremost ones.That's a whole different level of pressure.
Daniel Mullings has started strong but Bandja Sy is shooting 28% and 17% from the floor respectively plus K. C. Ross-Miller is at 18% overall.
+++++
Denver lost at Iona, fell at home to Cal and handled Texas A&M CC, Currently, the Pioneers are shooting .426% but allowing opponents to make .476% of shot attempts. Coach Joe Scott's squad is also down five in rebounding, 27.7 to 32.7.
These early-on vulnerabilities of the predicted top teams give hope to those consigned to the second division in the WAC pre-season polls. But do remember that conference play is still weeks away and changes, individually and collectively, will occur, both positive and negative in all the conference teams.
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