Jason Hooten calls out struggling NMSU basketball offense, Filipovity remains ill

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Jason Hooten has had enough.

New Mexico State’s coach has watched his team struggle offensively this season. The Aggies (12-11, 5-5 Conference USA) rank last in Conference USA in both field goal percentage (42.2%) and points per game (71), and they’ve shot below 40% from the field in four of their last six games.

Five of NM State’s last six games have been defeats, most recently to UTEP 66-63 last Saturday where it recorded a 30.4% shooting mark and a 23.3% mark from 3-point range.

With eight games left and the margin of error thinning, Hooten is putting his players on the spot.

“I’m never going to throw my team under the bus, because that’s not who I am or what I do,” Hooten said. But, I’m going to call them out in front of their face today, just like I’m going to call them out right here. It’s time to make shots, and if you don’t make shots, you’re going to sit down.”

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Hooten says he isn’t afraid to reach into the Aggies’ bench to find production. NM State’s second-year coach has started senior guards Dionte Bostick, Zawdie Jackson and Christian Cook alongside graduate student forwards Peter Filipovity and Emmanuel Tshimanga for all 10 conference games, but that may change soon.

Graduate student forward Robert Carpenter, senior guard Jaden Harris and younger players like sophomore guard Carl Cherenfant and freshmen Gabe Pickens and Jae’Coby Osborne could get their chances should the Aggies remain in their slump.

“Those are all guys that have all had a chance here or there, one way or the other,” Hooten said. “If these other guys can’t start performing, then they’re going to get their chance again… Those guys sitting over there need to (be ready).”

NM State’s next opponent, Liberty (19-5, 7-4), was its first CUSA loss and the one that started its cold streak. Thursday’s home 7 p.m. contest provides another chance for the Aggies to rebound.

“I think they scored 68 points (during the previous…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jason-hooten-calls-struggling-nmsu-220402394.html

Author : Las Cruces Sun-News

Publish date : 2025-02-10 22:04:00

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