New Mexico State has moved on from starting sophomore guard Christian Kabongo, with coach Marvin Menzies giving him a release from scholarship last week.
The Aggies (11-5) won their first two games without him, but Kabongo's athleticism and ability to get into the lane at virtually any time was seen as a key to a potential NMSU run at the WAC title. He averaged 14.6 points in 11 games for the Aggies this season.
His replacement in the lineup is freshman Daniel Mullings, but point guard Hernst Laroche has to pick up some of the scoring slack, and more pressure goes to the talented frontcourt of Wendell McKines and Hamidu Rahman.
"I am disappointed to lose Christian at this point in our season," Menzies said in a statement.
"He is a tremendously talented player who has shown a lot of growth in his time here. However, I agree that a fresh start somewhere else may be the best thing for him right now. He has a very bright future, and I wish him nothing but the best."
Mullings does seem to have a bright future, too, scoring a career-high 21 points in a 73-72 win at Cal State Bakersfield on Jan. 2. He had eight points and 10 rebounds (as well as four turnovers) in a conference-opening 83-73 win at Louisiana Tech on Jan. 7.
Mullings, from Toronto, had played some backup minutes behind Laroche earlier in the season before having to replace Kabongo at shooting guard.
"Growing up, I used to play point guard because I was short," the 6-foot-2 Mullings told the Las Cruces Sun-News. "I'm still short, but after I got into high school, I took over the two spot. I'm still familiar at the one."
NOTES, QUOTES
--Kabongo released a statement through the university as he was released from his scholarship last week with his intent to transfer.
"I am grateful for the chance to come to New Mexico State and getting to be an Aggie," Kabongo said. "I loved my time here and will always cheer for this team. But right now it is best to find a new opportunity and get a fresh start where I can continue working on being the player and person I want to be. For those I have disappointed I am sorry, and I hope all my teammates have a great season. I know they will."
--With its 83-73 victory at Louisiana Tech on Jan. 7, New Mexico State leads the series against the Bulldogs 13-3. NMSU has won the past five games in the series.
--Entering the week, New Mexico State had made more free throws (379) than any other WAC team had attempted, which is a testament to the Aggies' attacking style and their athleticism in terms of being able to get to the hoop. NMSU had attempted 566 free throws through 16 games.
--Senior PF McKines enters the week with 918 career rebounds,
closing in on Slab Jones, who is No. 2 in school history with 951
boards). McKines was leading the WAC with 18.4 points per game through
Jan. 7.
--Freshman G Terrel de Rouen suffered a torn ACL in the home win over
McNeese State on Dec. 21 and is out for the season. He's a local kid
from Las Cruces who appeared in half of the team's first 12 games,
averaging 2.2 points and filling some backup point guard minutes.
BY THE NUMBERS: 78.3 -- New Mexico State's scoring average through games of Jan. 7, leading the WAC in that category.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The way the conference is set up right now on paper, the guys that do well on the road are going to be the ones that end up rising to the top." -- Coach Marvin Menzies, in the Las Cruces Sun-News.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
--vs. Utah State, Jan. 12
KEY MATCHUPS: The Las Cruces Aggies are running into angry and desperate Aggies from Logan, Utah. Utah State is coming off a home loss to Nevada, and a second early loss in conference play would not bode well for its chances in the league race. NMSU, meanwhile, is hoping to rule the glass with double-double man Wendell McKines going against a Utah State front line that is less formidable than in recent seasons. Utah State was out-rebounded by 10 against Nevada and had only three offensive rebounds. It's McKines' time to dominate and further make a case for WAC Player of the Year.
--vs. Idaho, Jan. 14
KEY MATCHUPS: New Mexico State's pressure defense has to take the lead against an Idaho team that entered the week ranked last in the WAC in turnover margin (minus-3.44) per game. The Aggies' task is to make the game frenetic and not let the Vandals settle into a half-court game. Led by post Kyle Barone and some sharp-shooting guards, Idaho can be deadly when it is allowed to run its offense.
FUTURES MARKET: Even after the Aggies's depth took a hit with the mid-season dismissal of Kabongo, Menzies said he wouldn't take out any players from planned redshirt seasons. Junior big man B.J. West is being saved for next season (when Hamidu Rahman and Wendell McKines are no longer around), while sophomore guard KC Ross-Miller (a transfer from New Orleans who is eligible) and freshman guard Eric Weary also are sitting out.
