Jason Groves takes us through the Aggie season

Credit Jason Groves for making game-by-game predictions for each Aggie contest in 2009-2009. That along with a great cultural reference.

COMMENTARY: Buckle up for a wild ride
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
11/15/2008

Potential.

Last year, New Mexico State couldn't live up to it.

This year, the Aggies roster is full of it.

The group that opens the 2008-09 season this afternoon against UC Riverside is extremely athletic and talented, but only three players have any significant playing experience and two of those players, Wendell McKines and Jahmar Young, are sophomores.

This team is going to be fun to watch at times, and they will most certainly be hard to watch at times. Only normal for a team comprised on one junior, four sophomores and five freshmen.

One thing is for certain, the Aggies will be competitive once again in an average Western Athletic Conference, with hopes of an NCAA Tournament berth on the horizon for next year...

Go here for the remainder.

No Terrance Joyner til January, if then

Jason Groves, right on top of matters as always, has the word on New Mexico State recruit Terrance Joyner:

Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
November 14, 2008

Terrance Joyner was not granted initial eligibility by the NCAA...

Go here for the remainder.

La’Shard Anderson will play this season

It was my ol' buddy Willie Shakes who first pondered the question of "to play or not to play" and now it is a matter referencing BSU's La’Shard Anderson. The sophomore junior college transfer apparently is playing too well and the need for his talents too great so he will not be redshirting in 2008-2009.

Anderson will play this season
Idaho Press-Tribune
November 14, 2008

BOISE — Boise State sophomore guard La’Shard Anderson will not redshirt this season, head coach Greg Graham said Thursday...

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Anthony Thomas to lead

Being a junior and yet the sole veteran on the team is the position Boise State's Anthony Thomas find himself this season. He needs to lead but that doesn't mean attempting to dominate or take on too much. His points per game numbers will definitely be higher in 2008-2009 and his assist totals should drop because he'll be doing more shooting and his teammates this season will be less proficient. Thomas will be a great example this go-around of how a player cannot be judged solely on numbers -- after all, how can leadership be quantified?

Battle-tested Boise State guard Anthony Thomas needs to avoid trying to do too much for BSU men
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
11/14/08

Anthony Thomas has to do a lot of things for the Boise State men's basketball team if the Broncos are going to come close to matching last season's success.

But the one thing that coach Greg Graham doesn't need his point guard to do, though, is try to do too much.

That's the biggest challenge for Thomas, the only starter back from last season's WAC championship team. The good news is Thomas is fully aware of this challenge, which starts Friday when the Broncos open their season at home against Pacific University of Oregon.

"It's me knowing that I don't have to do too much for the team to be successful," Thomas said. "It's mainly just staying in the system and everything will take care of itself. Or like coach Graham says, 'Make sure this machine is operating correct.' "

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Yonas Berhe to the rescue at the point in Ruston?

We haven't a clue if LA Tech's new player -- point Yonas Berhe -- has the ability and experience to help in 2008-2009 but Kerry Rupp was short in that department with the dismissals earlier of J.C. Clark and Jamel White. We fully expect Berhe to be immediately 'adopted' as a best friend by Kyle Gibson because Gibson can primarily remain at the 2 or the 3 if Berhe can produce immediately.

Here's some cut-n-pastes we located on Berhe:

First, comes the Louisiana Tech official announcement -- "...The Bulldogs have also added Yonas Berhe out of Father Henry Carr School in Toronto. Berhe is a point guard who graduated in 2007 after averaging 18 points, six assists and three steals per game his senior season. He also led FHC to the No. 1 ranking in Canada two years in a row.

"Yonas is an outstanding point guard who possesses excellent speed and quickness, along with the ability to handle and distribute the basketball," Rupp said. "He will be a tremendous leader both on and off the court."

Berhe also was coached by Russell during his AAU days and is described as an "under recruited, hungry player."

"It's an anomaly that he was passed over for couple of years," Russell said. "He always played with other really good players that over shadowed him. He's getting a great opportunity to prove himself, and he's very excited to take it by the horns. He's a very good, crafty point guard who makes good plays..."

and

Here's something from a message board and dated from back in 2006 -- "Yonas is one of the top ranked senior point guards in Canada. As a junior, Yonas averaged 19 points, 8 assists, 8 steals and 5 rebounds. Last season, he was named to the Tournament All Star Teams at 7 tournaments: the adidas Early Bird, Southern Ontario Shootout, the Xavier Rimrocker, the CityTV-Jarvis Invitational, the Guy Vetrie Invitational, the Ontario Catholic Classic, and the St Mikes Invitational, where he was also named Tournament MVP. Post season accolades: 2006 Toronto High School All Star Team 2006 Canada West High School All Star Team During the summer AAU season, Yonas played for the Toronto Mission AAU team that played in the Washington Charlie Webber Classic and the Indiana Hoosier Classic. Yonas is being recruited by East Tennessee State, Montana State, North Dakota University, and Bluefield College..."

and

Here's a scouting report on Berhe --

"Jeff Borzello
NBE Basketball Report
July 15, 2008

Yonas Berhe: Berhe is extremely quick with the ball, but he also tends to make mistakes by trying to do too much. He beat his defender on multiple occasions, but also was out of control inside the lane and committed turnovers and offensive fouls. Still, he has a very good handle and is really quick when driving to the lane. He has a decent shooting stroke and pushes the ball in transition effectively..."

and

From a November 13, 2008 article by Jim Thomas who operates the premiere Canadian basketball information site -- "...Former Henry Carr H. S. players Yonas Berhe, Amen Osayande and Curtis Trotter are still looking for scholarships south of the border...Berhe has interest from several Division I schools and is qualified but will have to wait for a scholarship opportunity to open in January..."

Louisiana Tech's signees + a new 2008-2009 point

Kerry Rupp has signed a pair of prep players (if we are anything at all it is alliteration) for next season but of immediate importance is the signing of a Canadian point who is eligible to play right away.

Louisiana Tech men sign two, add guard for 2008-09
News-Star news services
November 13, 2008

RUSTON — Louisiana Tech head coach Kerry Rupp and his staff have been hard at work in piecing together another fine class in the early signing period.

The Bulldogs received national letters of intent from high schoolers Kadeem Coleby and Darius Redding to headline the 2009 recruiting class...

Go here for the remainder and the information on the new Tech backcourter.

Idaho signs two junior college backcourters

Idaho Coach Don Verlin is bringing in two junior college transfer backcourters:

(top photo is Jeff ledbetter, photo above is Shawn Henderson)

MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho men’s basketball program began the early-signing period with a bang as Shawn Henderson signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Idaho and play basketball for the Vandals next season.

Henderson, a 6-3 guard from Renton, Wash., currently averages 25 points, six rebounds and four assists as a sophomore at North Idaho College. As a freshman, Henderson was a second team All-Scenic West Athletic Conference selection and averaged 11.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, a 1.1 steals per game...

go here for more of the official announcement on Henderson.

+++++

6-3, 190 shooting guard Jeff Ledbetter, a sophomore at Irvine Valley Community College (southern California), has signed with Idaho. The Orange Lutheran High graduate was an honorable mention selection to the All Orange Empire Conference team last season.

As of late January of last season, Ledbetter's stats were:

*** 9.3 ppg., fourth on the team behind three sophomores
*** a 42.9 three-point shooting percentage (33 of 77)
*** an 88.0 free throw percentage (44 of 50)

They're back...somewhat

Chris Murray reports that the Nevada Three are inching their way back to full-fledged membership on the Wolf Pack team.

Pack basketball: Nevada trio returns to practice, but still suspended
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
November 12, 2008

Nevada basketball coach Mark Fox has allowed the three suspended players on his team to resume practicing, but no timetable was set for the players to return to game action.
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“I have allowed those kids to come back and practice some,” Fox said during a press conference Wednesday. “I watched them run until I was tired of seeing them run, and they’re trying to grow and learn. Will they ever play? I don’t know. If you see them play, then the suspension is over, and that’s all I’ve got to say.”

Brandon Fields, Ahyaro Phillips and London Giles — all cited for petty larceny on Oct. 15 — apologized for the position they put the university in...

Go here for the remainder.

Tai - ing one on for the Aggies

Some Aggie fans want more fire in the belly from Gary Wilkinson and somewhat less from Tai Wesley. Maybe they can distribute it evenly among themselves...but that would be socialism and...oh wait, the presidential election is over.

We have one question: will Wesley now take the place of the departed Matt Gibson (Hawaii) as the opposing player home fans love...to hate?

We think Wesley has the highest 'ceiling' of any Aggie player.

USU: Aggies hope to play it forward
Wesley a budding star on the rise
Martin Renzhofer
The Salt Lake Tribune
11/13/2008

In favorably offering the comparison of Tai Wesley with a couple of Utah State basketball icons of the recent past, coach Stew Morrill has high hopes for his sophomore forward.

One thing for sure, if last season means anything, there already has been a strong student reaction to Wesley's rugged style. Morrill also likes the 6-foot-7, 240-pounder's ability to score, rebound and handle the ball - like a point forward.

"We've had a lot of good [power forwards]," said Morrill, referring to former Aggies Spencer Nelson and Nate Harris. "Tai's potentially another one. A player has to earn the right to do these things..."

Go here for the remainder.

There's medical boards, licensing boards and Aggie boards

Ahhhh, to rebound or not to rebound, that is the question. Here's the answer for New Mexico State men's basketball in particular.

Aggies welcome new crop of rebounders
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
11/13/2008

LAS CRUCES — In an inconsistent on-the-court performance last year, rebounding was a constant for the New Mexico State men's basketball team.

The Aggies finished the season No. 2 in America with an 8.9 rebounding margin per game.

"Usually stats like that are based on personnel," Aggies head coach Marvin Menzies said. "Obviously it is one of the things that we emphasized and we will emphasize it again this year."

North Carolina led the nation with an 11 rebounds per game margin last year. The Aggies were also second behind North Carolina with 41.7 rebounds per game while their opponents pulled down 32.8 boards per game..

. Go here for the remainder.

Will Roderick Flemings be a one-and-done?

The young man does have a history of shall we say 'shallow roots' and if he performs at a consistent level in a manner equal to his athleticism and potential, well...

But all Bob Nash cares about, at least right now, is for a healthy Roderick Flemings.

Flemings is UH's answer to 'NBA-type'
Dayton Morinaga
Honolulu Advertiser
November 13, 2008

How good is Roderick Flemings?

It is the most asked question surrounding the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team during this preseason.

The opening statement to the answer will come tomorrow when the Rainbow Warriors host San Francisco in the first game of the 2008-09 season.

"I feel like I have the weight of the team on me, along with the fans, boosters," Flemings said. "But that gets me going. I like thinking about that to get my day started..."

Go here for the remainder.

Nate Bendall proves you can go home again

In this case, Thomas Wolfe gets proven wrong by former Aggie Nate Bendall.

Bendall returning
Shawn Harrison
Logan Herald-Journal
November 13, 2008

A former Aggie is returning to Logan.

Nate Bendall made it official Wednesday, signing a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for the men’s team at Utah State. He was an Aggie during the 2005-06 season.

“You can’t complain about the Spectrum, you get a great fan turnout,” Bendall said. “That was one of the things I was looking for now coming out of a junior college. ... The homecourt is huge and obviously them going undefeated at home last season was a big attraction...”

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Utah State pursuing a top Arizona high schooler

Nick Markovich is one of the very few solid talents still unsigned in the Arizona high school ranks and Utah State is hosting him in late December, thus making sure he has no idea about the state of USU football -- (we bad and also snarky) The Aggies host Utah on December 22 and The Spectrum will be rollicking so we wouldn't be surprised if a commit doesn't take place right after the game. Note: we have no insight into the thinking of Markovich -- it's just that a game in Logan, an in-state rivalry matchup to boot, is sure to make a mighty powerful impression.

Anthony Ray
ArizonaPreps.com Recruiting Analyst
November 13, 2008

The top remaining uncommitted recruiting target in the state of Arizona has been Basha High School's 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior guard Nick Markovich.

Markovich has seen his college recruitment begin to soar as of late, especially after being selected as this year's Tournament Most Valuable Player from last weekend's Arizona Preps Fall Showcase.

Markovich has received numerous visits to his school by college coaches as of late, including visits from assistant coaches from such schools as Iowa, Colorado State and Utah State...

Go here for the remainder and a Rivals subscription is required.

Kill + Mode = Cheese

No were not typing in code with the above headline. It is actually the mantra of former Nevada center JaVale McGee and let him explain:

Wizards' McGee keeps focus on success
Mike Jones
November 12, 2008

A strip on the size-18 Nikes of Washington Wizards rookie JaVale McGee bears a peculiar phrase, written neatly in black Sharpie.

"Kill + Mode = Cheese."

Uh, come again?

Ask the 7-foot center the origin and he shrugs it off. "Oh, it's just a saying," he says dryly. But what does it mean?

Go here for the remainder.

The concluding article on Hawaii basketball

Here's Brian McInnis with the final part of his series on Hawaii's 2008-2009 basketball roster.

Flemings leads the way
The Rainbows' wings want to prove they are more than hype and inexperience
Brian McInnis
Honolulu Star Bulletin
November 12, 2008

On one hand, you've got the player Hawaii basketball coaches and fans hope can bring the Rainbow Warriors back to their glory days. On the other, three eager freshmen desire to chip in any way they can.

One of the biggest challenges for the Rainbows this season might be bridging the gap between its more seasoned wing players and its novices on the perimeter.

Junior college transfer Roderick Flemings has shown in practice flashes that he can live up to the hype surrounding his arrival from Weatherford (Texas) JC, where he picked up first-team All-America honors.

Meanwhile, redshirt freshmen Conrad Fitzgerald and Beau Albrechtson have displayed a willingness to learn and contribute. True freshman Adam Jespersen, of Ontario, Canada, arrived somewhat familiar with the team's flex-motion offense because his team ran a similar one at H.B. Beal Secondary School.

Versatile returnee Adhar Mayen earned spot duty off the bench last year and falls somewhere between the two categories after working hard in the offseason...

Go here for the remainder.