@New Mexico State

[Beardown]

Big challenge tonight. The Aggies have two players over 7foot. One is 7 foot 5 inches tall and he can play.

http://www.nmstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=9579&SPID=585&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=1900&ATCLID=205311976&Q_SEASON=2013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Bear Fiend]

Game is on ROOT.

 

[Bear Fiend]

Game is on ROOT.

Now Altitude... And very un-HD.

 

[Brian]

Game is on ROOT.

Now Altitude... And very un-HD.

Still better than the BigSky stream. Just got back from the Caps-Pens game (shit show by the Caps so I left early). In time to watch the 2nd half. Looks like the Bears are doing well.

 

[Brian]

Well shit, there goes our #3 ranking.

Heck of a battle by the Bears, just missed the final shot at the end. :clap:

 

[UNCbears6]

I thought coming into tonight, this game was a good barometer to see just how far this team has come in the last two years. I remember NMSU coming into Greeley in the season opener of 2011-2012 against a Bears team that hit the refresh button from the NCAA Tournament run a year prior and had to count on a bunch of freshmen and sophomores and throw them into the fire.

What I remember from that game two years is ago is New Mexico State were leaps and bounds ahead of UNC in terms of pure athleticism. The final score was a 14-point defeat, but the margin felt significantly larger.... Fast forward to now, and I think we are seeing the development of individual players, as well as the impact of the new players brought in since that time.

I always thought of New Mexico State as perennially one of the most athletic teams in "mid-major" territory year in year out. And tonight, UNC matched up with them blow-for-blow in that department....

- I really like the additions of Corey Spence and Jordan Wilson. While their scoring prowess isn't there (at least not right now), they bring a speed and quickness in getting into the lane offensively--and staying in front of their man defensively--that hasn't been here since Will Figures/Bonner/Lloyd.

- Another thing I like about those two is it puts Svihovec in his more natural role as off-ball 6th man scorer. I know he technically started tonight, but he no longer has to worry about setting up an offense as much as he can just play the game more freely. Not only was he successful offensively, he hit some big shots when the team really needed it... Just wished he fouled harder in the final seconds, so the Aggie player couldn't get a shot up for the dagger 3-point play (but again, UNC probably wouldn't have even been that close if it wasn't for Tevin).

- I think we're witnessing Huskisson making "the leap". Awesome to see.

- I'll keep saying it, I've only watched the team for about 6-7 years, but I really believe Barden may be the most talented/skilled player in the program I've seen in that time frame.

- Beating a tournament-bubble Big 12 team then taking a team who will probably win the WAC to the last shot, both on the road.. I'll take that. Bring on CSU.

 

[beardevil39]

I like how this team came back from 11 points down and stayed in the game to the end. I really thought they were going to pull it off. Take away a couple of mistakes and some abnormal bad 3 point shooting and we win hands down ! Also like the confidence this team shows when they can come back like they did. I think we will be a force in the BS.

 

[Bearsfan24]

I think if you eliminate the mistakes, shoot a little better, UNC wins this game. But I do like what I saw, they definitely look a lot better than when I watched them last year.