NM State Men’s Basketball Set to Face Pepperdine in Arizona Tip-Off Tournament
NM State Men’s Basketball is gearing up to face Pepperdine in Game Six of the season on Friday, Nov. 29, at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz. After a challenging road swing with losses to Dayton and UNLV, the Aggies are eager to bounce back in neutral territory for the Arizona Tip-Off. NM State holds a 2-1 edge in the all-time series against Pepperdine, with their last meeting resulting in a 78-72 victory for the Aggies in 2009.
Under the leadership of Coach Jason Hooten, the Aggies are emphasizing defense and rebounding this season, ranking 8th in the nation in field goal percentage defense and 6th in rebounds per game. Despite significant losses from last season, including key players like Femi Odukale and Kaosi Ezeagu, NM State is optimistic about the talents of new transfer and freshman recruits. The roster overhaul includes seven new players, with standout additions like Dionte Bostick, Carl Cherenfant, and Zawdie Jackson expected to make an immediate impact.
Heading into the matchup against Pepperdine, NM State is aiming to build on their promising start to the season, with a KenPom ranking of 154 and recognition from the preseason poll. The Aggies are focused on containing Pepperdine’s top scorers, like senior guard Stefan Todorovic, as they look to secure a victory in the Arizona Tip-Off Tournament.
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Photo credit nmstatesports.com