Aggies Aim to Corral Blue Raiders in Pan American Showdown
As the New Mexico State Aggies prepare to host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at the Pan American Center, fans are looking forward to what promises to be a riveting encounter. The Aggies, coming off a mixed bag of performances, are set to take on MTU in a game that could very well dictate their momentum for the rest of the season.
In their last outing on December 21 against Troy Trojans, NMSU fell short by 15 points. Despite putting up a valiant effort and showcasing some solid free-throw shooting at 79 percent accuracy, they were outmatched in terms of field goal percentage and points from turnovers. The Trojans capitalized on NMSU's turnovers with 14 points off them compared to just nine by the Aggies. Moreover, with an assist-turnover ratio of only 0.44 for NMSU versus Troy's 1.27, it was clear that ball handling and distribution were areas needing improvement.
However, not all is bleak for NMSU as they have shown flashes of brilliance this season. A notable performance was against Utah Valley Wolverines on December 16 where they emerged victorious with a comfortable margin of victory – winning by 31 points at home ground. Their field goal percentage stood at an impressive 53 percent and their three-point shots were falling at an even more remarkable rate of 46 percent.
The defensive prowess displayed in that game was also commendable; they managed nine steals and forced UVU into turning over the ball twenty-three times which led to them scoring twenty-eight points off those turnovers – showcasing their ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes.
Against MTU, it will be crucial for NMSU to replicate this defensive intensity while also tightening up their offense – reducing turnovers and improving shot selection will be key factors if they wish to secure another win under their belt.
The Blue Raiders should not be underestimated though; any team can rise above expectations on any given day. It is essential that NMSU does not let complacency seep into their game plan as every match counts towards building towards postseason success.
Fans eager for action can mark their calendars for February 15 when these two teams clash at Pan American Center in Las Cruces starting at 6:00 PM local time (8:00 PM ET). For those unable make it person but still wishing catch all excitement live can tune into broadcast coverage available through local sports networks or streaming platforms offering access college basketball games.