What: Game Twenty-Seven
Who: NM State (14-12, 7-6 CUSA) vs Kennesaw State (16-11, 8-6 CUSA)
When: Saturday, Feb. 22, 3:00 p.m. MT
Where: Kennesaw, Ga. – KSU Convocation Center (3,805)
THE OPENING TIP
• After taking down CUSA frontrunner Jacksonville State with a 61-52 victory—handing the Gamecocks their first home loss of the season—the Aggies aim to close out their road trip on a high note as they travel to Georgia to face Kennesaw State at the KSU Convocation Center on Saturday, Feb. 22.
• Saturday's matchup marks just the second meeting between the two programs. Kennesaw State holds the series edge after securing a 69-56 win at the Pan American Center earlier this season.
THE SECOND GO AROUND
• In his debut season leading the Aggies, Coach Hooten guided the Aggies to a 7-9 record in league play and helped deliver several memorable highlights, including a thrilling win over I-10 rival UTEP, a remarkable 23-point second-half comeback to defeat eventual CUSA Tournament Champion Western Kentucky, and an impressive 12-3 record on their home court at the Pan American Center.
• NM State's home support was unmatched, as the Aggies led all Conference USA programs in average home attendance, drawing 5,638 fans per game. Hooten wrapped up his first season with a 13-19 overall record, bringing his career head coaching total to 274-188 and setting a strong foundation for the program's future.
• After leading NM State to a 6-9 record in non-conference play last season, the Aggies improved that mark this year and will begin CUSA competition with a 7-6 record.
BY THE NUMBERS
• NM State ranks among the top teams in Conference USA across some key statistical categories. The Aggies boast the second-best field goal percentage defense in the league, holding opponents to just 39.8% shooting - a mark that also ranks 21st nationally. They also sit second in CUSA in scoring defense, allowing just 66.6 points per game.
• The Aggies are particularly effective at defending the perimeter, ranking second in the conference and eighth nationally in three-point percentage defense (28.9%). They also excel on the offensive glass, ranking third in CUSA with 11.7 offensive rebounds per game.
• On the individual side, graduate forward Peter Filipovity is second the conference in defensive rebounds per game (5.9) and is second in total rebounds per game (8.3). He also ranks second in CUSA for double doubles, recording six this season, including three in league play.
• Senior guard Christian Cook has been a consistent scoring presence for the Aggies, ranking 12th in CUSA with 13.4 points per game. He also ranks sixth in the league in total three-pointers made, knocking down 61 on the season.
STATEMENT WINS
• NM State recorded its third 20+ point victory in conference play with a commanding 28-point win over FIU - the most in Conference USA this season. The Aggies' other dominant victories came against Louisiana Tech and UTEP. Liberty is the only other team in the conference with multiple 20+ point wins, tallying two.
ON THIS DATE IN AGGIE HISTORY
• NM State holds an 11-5 all-time record in games played on Feb. 22, including a dominant 7-1 mark at home and an even 4-4 record on the road.
• The Aggies last took the court on this date in 2024, falling 79-58 at home to Sam Houston. However, they have found success in recent years, winning four of their last five games played on Feb. 22.
TOUGH CONFERENCE, TIGHT RACE
• As of February 19, Conference USA stands as one of the most competitive leagues in the nation. Currently ranked as the ninth-best conference out of 31, CUSA sits above notable leagues like the American Athletic Conference and Missouri Valley Conference.
• The race for the top spot is razor-thin, with six teams just three or less games behind first place in the standings - showing the league's depth and competitiveness, making every game a crucial battle for position down the stretch.
JACKSON'S RESURGENCE
• Senior guard Zawdie Jackson has rediscovered his offensive rhythm, delivering standout performances in back-to-back games last week.
• Against Liberty, Jackson led the Aggies with 18 points, shooting 5-11 (45%) from the field and 3-5 (60%) from beyond the arc. He also made five of six free throws and contributed four rebounds.
• He followed that up with an even more efficient outing against FIU, pacing NM State with 21 points and four assists while shooting a stellar 8-11 (72%) from the floor and 4-5 (80%) from three-point range. This marked his second 20+ point performance of the season, with his first coming in a season-high 24-point showing against Utah Tech on Nov. 9.
BENCH BOOST
• The Aggies' scoring success is a true team effort, as they lead Conference USA in bench points per contest, averaging 24.8 per game. Leading the charge is graduate forward Robert Carpenter, who contributes 10.1 points per contest, providing energy and valuable production off the bench for NM State.
MEET THE NEWCOMERS
• With the evolution of college sports through the transfer portal, teams are increasingly embracing yearly roster overhauls — and NM State is no exception, welcoming seven new players through the portal this season.
• The incoming group includes Dionte Bostick, Carl Cherenfant, Peter Filipovity, Zawdie Jackson, Edward Nnamoko, and brothers Emmanuel and Nate Tshimanga. In the backcourt, Bostick, Cherenfant, and Jackson will add depth and energy, joining returning guards Christian Cook and Jaden Harris to maintain NM State's backcourt play. Meanwhile, in the frontcourt, the Aggies have intentionally added size and versatility with Filipovity (6'7"), Nnamoko (6'10"), Nate Tshimanga (6'10"), and Emmanuel Tshimanga (7'0").
• Bostick, Filipovity, and Jackson are expected to be immediate impact players, each having excelled at their previous schools. Bostick arrives from Cal State Northridge, where he averaged 15.4 points and four rebounds per game while leading the team with 49 three-pointers, earning an All-Big West Honorable Mention.
• Filipovity, joining from the University of Maine, was a standout for the Black Bears, putting up 14.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He also recorded nine double-doubles and earned America East All-Conference Second Team honors.
• Jackson brings an impressive resume from West Georgia, where he posted one of the program's best seasons, averaging 22 points, 5.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game with an elite shooting split of 51% from the field, 45% from three, and 85% from the line. His contributions were pivotal in leading his team to a GSC regular season and tournament championship and a South Region semifinals appearance. Jackson's stellar play earned him titles as both the GSC and South Region Player of the Year, along with First Team All-American honors.
LOOK WHO'S BACK
• This season, the Aggies welcome back four returners from last year's roster: Christian Cook, Robert Carpenter, Jaden Harris, and Christopher Biekeu. Despite significant roster changes, these returning players bring valuable experience and key contributions to NM State's lineup.
• Head Coach Hooten managed to retain a substantial portion of last season's three-point shooting prowess with the return of Christian Cook, Robert Carpenter, and Jaden Harris, who collectively accounted for 58% of the Aggies' three-point field goals. Leading the charge from beyond the arc, Christian Cook was last season's top scorer for the Aggies, averaging 11.3 points per game and sinking 59 three-pointers — the most on the team. Harris proved himself a reliable shooter, hitting 36% from deep, while Carpenter was highly efficient, shooting 35% from three-point range and 47% from the field overall. Together, they were responsible for 38% of the team's scoring last season, combining for 810 points.
• Also returning is forward Christopher Biekeu, who showed promise before a season-ending injury limited him to only six minutes in his lone appearance against Cal Baptist. Biekeu's comeback adds depth to the Aggies' frontcourt, and his return from injury provides the team with an additional physical presence inside.
THE BROTHERLY CONNECTION
• Amidst the roster changes, Coach Hooten successfully brought a pair of brothers, Emmanuel and Nate Tshimanga, to play together in the Crimson and White. This marks the first time the Tshimanga brothers will share the court at the Division I level. Their arrival brings a unique family bond to NM State, adding depth and chemistry to the Aggie lineup.
• Emmanuel Tshimanga joins NM State after two seasons at UC San Diego, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to impact the game off the bench. In the 2023-24 season, Emmanuel averaged 14.1 minutes over 22 games, ranking third on the team with 5.0 rebounds per game and setting a personal best of two steals against Pepperdine. In his previous season (2022-23), he was recognized as the UCU Athlete of the Week and put up impressive performances, including a career-high 13 rebounds in a win at Eastern Michigan and an 18-point effort against UC Santa Barbara. He appeared in 24 games, making ten starts, and was the team's second-leading rebounder with 6.2 boards per game.
• Nate Tshimanga arrives in Las Cruces following a season at Utah Valley, where he played in all 32 games, made six starts, and contributed an average of 13.4 minutes per contest. Known for his efficiency, he shot 46% from the field, averaging 2.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Prior to Utah Valley, Nate spent the 2022-23 season at Troy University, where he played in 21 games, made four starts, and finished second on the team in field goal percentage (50%). He posted a season-high 12 points and nine rebounds against Montevallo.
ACCORDING TO OTHERS
• In the Conference USA preseason poll announced on Oct. 10, the Aggies were picked to finish seventh, with Christian Cook as their sole representative on the Preseason All-Conference Team. This projection follows a 2022-23 season where NM State posted a 13-19 overall record and a 7-9 record in conference play.
• Louisiana Tech emerged as the preseason favorite, securing three first-place votes and 87 points. Western Kentucky followed closely in second place with 85 points and two first-place votes, while Sam Houston was projected third with 83 points and three first-place nods. Middle Tennessee landed in fourth with 69 points and one first-place vote, while UTEP and Liberty tied for fifth at 62 points, with Liberty also receiving one first-place vote.
• NM State holds the seventh position with 39 points in the coaches' poll, followed by Jacksonville State with 29 points. FIU and Kennesaw State rounded out the standings, tied for ninth place with 17 points each.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
• Kennesaw State enters Thursday's matchup with a 16-11 overall record, including an 8-6 mark in conference play. In their most recent outing, the Owls secured an 83-73 home victory over UTEP.
• The Owls are led by head coach Antoine Pettway, who is in his second season at the helm and holds a 31-27 record with the program.
• Offensively, Kennesaw State is powered by freshman guard Adrian Wooley, who leads the team with 18.6 points per game, and Simeon Cottle, who averages 18.0 points per contest. NM State will need to limit Cottle's perimeter shooting, as he ranks seventh in the nation in three-point attempts this season with 248.
• On the boards, forward Rongie Gordon anchors the Owls with a team-high 6.2 rebounds per game. Controlling the glass will be a key battle, as Kennesaw State ranks fourth nationally in rebounding, averaging 41.5 boards per game.
For complete coverage of NM State Men's Basketball, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateMBB), Instagram (@NMStateMBB), and like us on Facebook (NMStateMBB).
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