What: Game Twenty-Eight
Who: NM State (15-12, 8-6 CUSA) vs Middle Tennessee (18-9, 9-5 CUSA)
When: Thursday, Feb. 27, 7:00 p.m. MT
Where: Las Cruces, N.M. – Pan American Center (12,572)
THE OPENING TIP
• NM State enters its final homestand of the 2024-25 season riding the momentum of a successful road trip, having secured a hard-fought 60-49 win over Kennesaw State to complete the sweep of Jax State and KSU. Now, the Aggies turn their attention to a crucial conference showdown against Middle Tennessee on Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Pan American Center.
• Thursday's matchup marks the 10th all-time meeting between the two programs, with NM State holding a slight 5-4 edge in the series. In their most recent battle, the Aggies emerged victorious on the road in Murfreesboro, edging out the Blue Raiders 61-57 in a defensive slugfest.
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 best field goal percentage defense in the league, holding opponents to just 39.6% shooting - a mark that also ranks 15th nationally. They also sit second in CUSA in scoring defense, allowing just 66.0 points per game.
• The Aggies are particularly effective at defending the perimeter, ranking second in the conference and fifth nationally in three-point percentage defense (28.4%). They also excel on the offensive glass, ranking third in CUSA with 11.6 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 14th in CUSA with 13.0 points per game. He also ranks seventh in the league in total three-pointers made, knocking down 62 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.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
• For his recent outstanding performances, Peter Filipovity was named Conference USA Player of the Week, marking the first CUSA weekly honor of his career. The graduate forward averaged 19.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across NM State's road sweep.
• Filipovity's dominant return not only helped NM State become the first team to sweep the Jacksonville State-Kennesaw State road trip in conference play but also showcased his ability to take over games. Against Jax State, he posted a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, securing his sixth double-double of the season and third in conference play – propelling him to second in CUSA in total double-doubles this year.
ON THIS DATE IN AGGIE HISTORY
• NM State boasts an impressive 18-6 all-time record in games played on February 27, highlighted by a dominant 12-1 mark at home and a 6-5 record on the road.
• In their last seven home games on this date, the Aggies have gone 6-1, with their most recent victory coming in 2010 - a thrilling 95-92 shootout win over Boise State.
NOTHING COMES EASY
• Defense has been the backbone of this NM State squad, and over the last three games, the Aggies have taken it to another level. During this stretch, they have held opponents to just 49.6 points per game, limiting them to 31% shooting from the field and an icy 17% from beyond the arc.
• In their most recent matchup against Kennesaw State, NM State's defense stole the spotlight, holding Conference USA's highest-scoring team to a season-low 49 points—well below the Owls' previous low of 59 points in a loss to UC Irvine.
JACKSON'S RESURGENCE
• Lately, senior guard Zawdie Jackson has found his offensive groove, turning in a series of standout performances over the past two weeks. During his last four games, he's averaging 17 points, three rebounds, and shooting an efficient 44% from the field and 47% from beyond the arc.
• Versus Kennesaw State, Jackson delivered a standout performance just outside his hometown of Stone Mountain, Georgia. He led the Aggies with 20 points, grabbed five rebounds (marking just his third game this season with at least five boards), and went 7-9 from the free-throw line while shooting 46% from the field. This also marked his third 20+ point outing of the season this far.
BENCH BOOST
• The Aggies' scoring depth has been a key factor in their success, as they lead CUSA in bench points, averaging 25.0 per game. Graduate forwards Peter Filipovity and Robert Carpenter have been instrumental in this effort. Filipovity, who has started 17 games this season, recently returned to action after missing time due to illness and has come off the bench in the last two contests, maintaining a strong scoring average of 12.3 points per game. Meanwhile, Carpenter provides a significant boost as well, contributing 9.9 points per game off the bench for NM State.
• In each of their last three wins, the Aggies have dominated in bench production, outscoring their opponents by at least 15 points. Their most commanding performance came on the road against Jax State, where they held a staggering 29-5 advantage in bench points en route to victory.
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 BLUE RAIDERS
• Middle Tennessee comes to Las Cruces boasting an 18-9 overall record and a 9-5 mark in league play. The Blue Raiders are fresh off a tight 74-70 home win over Sam Houston in their last outing.
• The Blue Raiders are led by Head Coach Nick McDevitt, who is in his seventh year at helm holding a 101-115 record in his time.
• Senior guard Jestin Porter leads the charge offensively, averaging a team-best 15.8 points per game. A proven deep threat, Porter ranks fifth in the conference with 72 made three-pointers this season.
• Graduate forward Essam Mostafa anchors the paint, leading both Middle Tennessee and Conference USA in rebounding with 8.7 boards per game - just ahead of NM State's Peter Filipovity (8.3 RPG). Mostafa has been a force inside, ranking first in CUSA and 23rd nationally with 11 double-doubles, while also sitting 23rd in the country in field goal percentage (58.9%).
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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