What: Game Fourteen 
Who: NM State (8-5, 1-2 CUSA) vs Western Kentucky (9-5, 2-1 CUSA) 
When: Thursday, Jan. 8, 7:00 p.m. MT 
Where: Las Cruces, N.M. – Pan American Center (12,200) 

THE OPENING TIP 

• After a challenging opening Conference USA road swing, NM State returns to the Pan American Center to begin a homestand with another league test, hosting Western Kentucky on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. 

• Wednesday's contest marks the 16th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Western Kentucky holding a 12–3 advantage in the series. Last season, the Aggies and Hilltoppers split the season series, with each team defending its home floor. Head Coach Jason Hooten is 2–3 against WKU during his tenure in Las Cruces. 

OFFENSIVE IN RHYTHM 

• Despite recent road challenges, NM State's offense has found its groove since the start of Conference USA play. 

• The Aggies rank third in CUSA in scoring offense at 81.0 points per game through the first three league contests. NM State are also tied for second in conference play in field-goal percentage, shooting 49% from the floor against league opponents. 

  

BOOST FROM THE BENCH 

• NM State continues to feature one of the deepest and most productive bench units in the nation as the Aggies rank 19th nationally in bench points per game, averaging 35.1 points per contest from their reserve unit. 

• The Crimson & White bench outscored Missouri State 38-12, continuing a trend of strong reserve production for the Aggies and marks their fourth straight contest with 38+ bench points 

• The Aggie bench features six players who have scored in double figures off the bench at least once this season.  

• The reserve unit is led by Elijah Elliott (9.8 ppg) and Jayland Randall (8.5) who have been the main scoring punches for NM State off the bench.  

THE SPARK PLUG 

• Elijah Elliott has emerged as a key offensive spark for the Aggies since the start of Conference USA action. 

• Through three conference games, Elliott is averaging 16.0 points per game while shooting an efficient 55% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. 

• Elliott currently ranks 13th in Conference USA in scoring during league play and continues to provide instant offense off the bench for the Crimson & White. 

CUSA OWNING THE GLASS 

• Conference USA features some of the nation's most aggressive rebounding teams, with league opponents averaging 12.4 offensive rebounds per game — the third-most among all Division I conferences. 

• In conference play, CUSA teams rank second nationally, averaging 12.3 offensive rebounds per game, placing an increased emphasis on controlling the glass in league matchups. 

THE "JUICE" MAN 

• Julius "Juice" Mims is coming off his best performance of the season so far, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds – just one point shy of his career high – while recording his third double-double of the yearagainst Missouri State. 

• Through the first three CUSA games, Mims ranks fourth in the league in rebounds per game (8.7) and fifth in field-goal percentage at 58%. 

DEFENSIVE DISRUPTION 

• NM State continues to establish itself as one of the top defensive teams in Conference USA and nationally. 

• The Aggies rank 29th in the country in field-goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 39% shooting.  NM State also sits 49th nationally in three-point percentage defense, limiting opponents to 30% shooting from beyond the arc. 

HISTORIC START  

• The Aggies' 6-0 opening this season marked their best start in more than 50 years. The last NM State team to begin a season this fast was the 1969–70 Final Four team, linking this year's group to one of the most storied runs in program history. 

SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS 

• Western Kentucky enters the matchup with a 9–5 overall record and a 2–1 mark in CUSA play. The Hilltoppers are coming off a 66–61 home victory over LA Tech at E.A. Diddle Arena. 

• WKU is led by head coach Hank Plona, who is in his second season at the helm of the program. 

• The Hilltoppers are one of the nation's top rebounding teams, ranking 14th nationally with 42.5 rebounds per game and eighth in offensive rebounds per game at 14.5. 

• Western Kentucky also thrives at the free-throw line, ranking 11th nationally in free-throw attempts per game (27.5). 

• Redshirt sophomore Teagan Moore leads the Hilltoppers offensively, averaging 18.2 points per game – the second highest in Conference USA. Moore also leads the free throw success for WKU as he ranks 23rd nationally in free throws made with 87 this season. 

• On the glass, graduate forward Bryant Selebangue anchors the rebounding effort, averaging a team-best 6.9 rebounds per game. 

For complete coverage of the 2025-26 season 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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