What: Game Fifteen 
Who: NM State (9-5, 2-2 CUSA) vs Middle Tennessee (9-6, 3-1 CUSA) 
When: Saturday, Jan. 10, 6:00 p.m. MT 
Where: Las Cruces, N.M. – Pan American Center (12,200) 

THE OPENING TIP 

• Coming off a decisive 80–64 victory over Western Kentucky to improve to 7–0 at home, NM State looks to close out its homestand with another Conference USA test, hosting Middle Tennessee on Friday, Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. inside the Pan American Center. 

• Friday's contest marks the 13th all-time meeting between the Aggies and Blue Raiders. The two programs split the season series a year ago, with each team winning on the road. In the most recent matchup on Feb. 27, Middle Tennessee edged NM State 71–66 in Las Cruces. 

PROTECT THE PAN AM 

• With the win over Western Kentucky, the Aggies improve to a perfect 7-0 inside the Pan American Center and are now on an eight-game home winning streak dating back to last season. The Aggies 7-0 record at home also marks the program's best start since the 2016-17 season, when Paul Weir guided the Aggies to a 12-0 start on Lou Henson Court. 

OFFENSIVE IN RHYTHM 

• NM State's offense has found its groove since the start of Conference USA play. 

• The Aggies rank second in CUSA in scoring offense at 80.8 points per game through the first four 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 21st nationally in bench points per game, averaging 34.8 points per contest from their reserve unit. 

• The Crimson & White bench produced at least 38 points in four consecutive games, a stretch that began against Sam Houston and concluded against Missouri State. 

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

THE SPARK PLUG 

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

• Through four conference games, Elliott is averaging 15.0 points per game while shooting an efficient 49% from the field and 44% from beyond the arc. 

• Elliott currently ranks 14th in Conference USA in scoring during league play and continues to provide instant offense 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 some of his best performance of the season so far. Against Missouri State Mims finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds – just one point shy of his career high – while recording his third double-double of the year. 

• In their last contest against Western Kentucky, Mims concluded the game with a career-best 15 rebounds to mark the most rebounds by an Aggie in a single game since Peter Filipovity hauled in 17 boards on Jan. 25, 2025. 

DEFENSIVE DISRUPTION 

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

• The Aggies rank 17th in the country in field-goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 38.4% shooting.  NM State also sits 39th nationally in three-point percentage defense, limiting opponents to 29.6% shooting from beyond the arc. 

SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS 

• Middle Tennessee enters the matchup with a 9–6 overall record and a 3–1 mark in Conference USA play. The Blue Raiders are coming off an 83–80 overtime loss at UTEP, marking their first league defeat of the season. 

• The Blue Raiders are led by head coach Nick McDevitt, who is in his eighth season at the helm in Murfreesboro. 

• Middle Tennessee is one of the nation's premier perimeter defensive teams, ranking 24th nationally by holding opponents to just 28.8% shooting from three-point range. 

• Offensively, the Blue Raiders are equally dangerous from beyond the arc, ranking 39th nationally with 10.2 three-pointers made per game, while junior Alec Oglesby ranks 14th in the nation in three-point percentage at 46.2%. 

• Middle Tennessee features a balanced scoring attack, with five players averaging double figures. Senior guard Kamari Lands leads the way, averaging a team-high 12.9 points 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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