New Mexico State basketball: Aggies seek improvement after disappointing 2023-24 campaign

New Mexico State is looking for a bounce-back year.

The Aggies went 13-19 in coach Jason Hooten’s first season, finishing sixth in Conference USA with a 7-9 CUSA record. NM State traded wins and losses throughout the campaign and went on a six-game losing streak in CUSA play at one point.

Hooten has been given a fresh hand this season with 11 new players. They include three-star recruits in freshman guard Gabe Pickens and forward Jae’coby Osborne, Memphis transfer and sophomore guard Carl Cherenfant and Maine transfer and graduate forward Peter Filipovity, who made the all-America East second-team last season. Cal State Northridge transfer and senior guard Dionte Bostick could also be one to watch as Hooten looks for new players to fill key roles.

But the roster turnover presents challenges, as Hooten has been forced to his teach his system in consecutive offseasons.

“It’s from the ground level,” Hooten said. “Anytime you have (many) new players, it’s basically like starting over. Every day you come in, it’s something new for them and they’re just trying to learn. We’re working on everything from our chemistry, to our culture, to our offense and our defense and in-game situations. It’s not any one particular thing. We’re still just trying to continue to build a team.”

CUSA is loaded with potential conference winners, as Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky, Sam Houston, Middle Tennessee and Liberty all received first-place votes in a preseason poll from conference coaches. Those coaches appear to have low expectations for NM State, as the Aggies were predicted to finish seventh in CUSA this season.

More: New Mexico State men’s basketball: Aggies announce full schedule for 2024-25 season

Hooten is hopeful NM State takes its challenges from CUSA adversaries head-on.

“There’s a lot of really good players and a lot of really good coaches, and there’ll be some great teams in this league,” Hooten said. “I expect it to be extremely competitive from day one. It’s a great basketball league, and you just got to get your team ready to play. You have to hope that at the end of the year, you’re right there in the mix.”

The Aggies play an exhibition at home on Oct. 28 against Western New Mexico before starting their season at home against New Mexico Highlands on Nov. 4. NM State’s non-conference schedule also includes road trips to Dayton, New Mexico and Texas, all of whom made the NCAA Tournament last season.

After two seasons without a tournament appearance themselves, Hooten hopes to get the Aggies back where they’ve usually been.

“We’re trying to strive to win a conference championship, go to the NCAA Tournament and always try to win in 20 games. I think those things are always goals for me as a coach,” Hooten said. “You just really keep your eyes focused on the end prize… and just try to make that tournament in whichever way.”

Hooten continuing to ‘build culture’

Since arriving in Las Cruces, Hooten has attempted to build a better environment for the Aggies.

Hooten hopes to build his culture off players who “handle themselves the right way.” He hopes NM State’s players prioritize academics, get involved in community service and work to build camaraderie between teammates.

Hooten hopes his team becomes a “family” by “caring… and loving each other” and believes those efforts are still “ongoing.”

“We have culture guys here now,” Hooten said. “I think culture is about what you accept. It’s about what you preach and about what you believe in. I think the culture is ever-changing, so you have to continue to work on your culture every day.”

The Aggies hope a new culture improves their reputation after their 2022-23 season ended early due to allegations of hazing, harassment and sexual assault amongst teammates.

Hooten bullish on Cook

One of NM State’s returning players is senior guard Christian Cook, and Hooten will lean heavily on him this season.

The Oklahoma City, Okla. native was the Aggies’ sole representative on the preseason All-CUSA team, which was decided by conference coaches. Cook played his first season at NM State last year after transferring from Northeastern State, leading the Aggies with 11.3 points per game and 59 made three-pointers.

Hooten has high hopes for Cook, believing he’ll establish himself as one of CUSA’s best players.

“He’s pushing toward being one of the best players in the conference,” Hooten said. “I think he’s going to play a big, integral part for us this season. He’s had a really good fall and had a really good summer.”

Hooten hasn’t decided on a starting lineup yet, but mentioned graduate forward Robert Carpenter and senior guard Jaden Harris as two others who could play a vital role for the Aggies this season.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Aggies seek improvement after disappointing 2023-24 campaign