WAC/Summit Challenge: North Dakota State vs. New Mexico State

College Basketball

WAC/Summit Challenge: North Dakota State vs. New Mexico State

• Matchup: North Dakota State Bison (0-0, 0-0) vs. New Mexico State Aggies (0-0, 0-0)
• Date: Nov. 6, 2018
• Time: 9:30 p.m. (est)
• Network: Aggievision (local)
• Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
• Venue: Pan American Center
• Seating Capacity: 12,482

The second of two Western Athletic Conference (WAC) vs. Summit League matchups features the North Dakota State Bison traveling to the difficult environment hosted by the New Mexico State Aggies. The Aggies fell short in last year’s NCAA Tournament, losing to the Clemson Tigers by 11 points. North Dakota State was unable to secure a Summit League tournament bid, with in-state rival South Dakota State winning the Summit League tournament.

It’s a fresh start for both of these programs, each going through a phase in which their top players are no longer there. This game will be more of a ‘test the waters’ matchup for both teams, as each is now looking for reliable offensive weapons that they can potentially lean on.

New Towers Rise

What made New Mexico State so dangerous last season was their ability to rebound and limit the opposition’s scoring. The Aggies ranked 13th in the country in points allowed per game (64.2). They also ranked fifth in the nation in rebounds per game (41.2). A large factor in those dominant stats was the presence of big man Jemerrio Jones. Jones was the team’s leading rebounder a season ago, along with finishing second in points scored.

Now it will be up to Eli Chuha and Johnny McCants to take over the paint for Jones and the Aggies. McCants did more damage last year on the defensive end than many might think, leading the Aggies in blocks with 24. Chucha also contributed heavily last season, recording over 200 points with 159 rebounds. With point leader and rebound machine Zach Lofton also gone, Chucha and McCants will need to step up on both sides of the court.

Out With Miller, In With Ward

The Bison also see their point leader from a season ago depart in Paul Miller. Miller was the only Bison to record over 600 points last season, along with the only player to record over 1,000 minutes. The Bison will look towards junior guard Tyson Ward to step up and take over as the new offensive leader.

Ward can take the burden, as he was the only North Dakota State player to play in 32 games a year ago. Ward was also second in points last year but led the team in rebounding. North Dakota State was ranked lower than 200 in terms of rebounding a season ago, so the Bison will need to make their shots. The Bison do not want to get into a paint battle with the Aggies, because if they do then they will lose.

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Photo Credit: New Mexico State Basketball via Twitter