LAS CRUCES, New Mexico – ACU is back on the road Wednesday night to take on New Mexico State in a non-conference game at the Pan American Center. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. Abilene time.
The Wildcats (5-3) and Aggies (3-4) haven't played since New Mexico State beat ACU, 66-52, in the Western Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament championship game in Las Vegas on March 12, 2022. The teams first played in December 1944, and the Aggies hold a 9-1 series lead. The game will be streamed online on ESPN+ and broadcast on the radio on 101.7 FM The Patriot.
SCOUTING ACU
LAST GAME: The Wildcats blitzed Nebraska-Omaha, 71-55, on the road last Saturday night behind 19 points from Leonardo Bettiol and 14 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals from Quion Williams. The Wildcats trailed 3-2, took a 4-3 lead at the 18:43 mark of the first half, and never trailed again, building as much as a 21-point lead.
ON THE ROAD: The win at Omaha was ACU's first road win of the year against two losses, but the road will not get any easier in the coming days. After Wednesday's game at New Mexico State, the Wildcats will be in Waco to play No. 15 Baylor on Monday, at East Texas A&M on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and at Texas A&M on Dec. 28.
CRASHING THE BOARDS: ACU is second in the WAC in defensive rebounds (28.9), fourth in total rebounds per game (36.9), and second in rebounding margin (+8.0). It is one of only two teams in the league that rank in the top five in all three categories; Utah Valley leads the league in all three. Bradyn Hubbard (5.13 rebounds per game) and Williams (4.86 RPG) rank No. 14 and 15 in the league in rebounds per game, respectively.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The Wildcats are flexing their defensive muscles in the season's early stages, ranking third in the league in scoring defense (allowing 70.8 points per game), third in field goal percentage defense (42.3 percent), fifth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (35.3), fourth in blocked shots (3.13 per game), first in turnovers forced (126) and tied for third in turnover margin (+1.0).
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO STATE
ABOUT THE AGGIES: The Aggies' head coach is Jason Hooten, a familiar face to ACU basketball fans. Hooten was the head coach at former Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State from 2010-23, and before that was an assistant coach for 10 years (1993-2004) at former Lone Star Conference and current WAC rival Tarleton State. The Aggies were 13-19 overall and 7-9 in Conference USA last year as Hooten took over a program in turmoil after the 2021-22 season was canceled in February by the university administration after hazing accusations against three players. Last year, New Mexico State was the only NCAA Division I program that returned zero points, rebounds or assists from the previous season.
THIS SEASON: The Aggies started 3-0 with wins over New Mexico Highlands, Utah Tech, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before going on the road for four straight games, all of which the Aggies lost. New Mexico State lost at Dayton on Nov. 20 and at UNLV on Nov. 23 before playing two neutral-site games against Pepperdine (lost 82-70) and Bowling Green (lost 61-60) on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 in Tempe, Arizona.
TROUBLE WITH THE RIM: New Mexico State's shooting has been the main issue through seven games. The Aggies are hitting just 39.3 percent of their shots from the field, including 32.3 percent from 3-point range. They've also struggled at the free-throw line, making just 63.8 percent of their shots.
LEADING THE WAY: The Aggies have three players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Robert Carpenter, a 6-7 grad student averaging 12.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game from the forward spot. Senior guard Christian Cook averages 11.7 points per game and is the top 3-point threat, hitting 33.9 percent (19 of 56) from long range. Graduate student Peter Fliipovity — a 6-7 forward — averages 10.2 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds per game.
