New Mexico State Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Aggies

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Head coach Chris Jans of the New Mexico State Aggies hold up the net after defeating the Grand Canyon Lopes 72-58 in the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Antino Jackson #3 of the New Mexico Lobos covers his face after causing a foul against the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. San Diego State won 82-75. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Non-conference schedule

Nov. 6 (H) – North Dakota State

Nov. 9 (H) – UTEP

Nov. 14 (H) – Saint Mary’s

Nov. 17 (A) – New Mexico

Nov. 21 (H) – Eastern New Mexico

Nov. 28 (A) – UTEP

Dec. 1 (H) – Washington State

Dec. 4 (H) – New Mexico

Dec. 8 (N) – Kansas in Kansas City

Dec. 17 (H) – Northern Colorado

Dec. 19 (H) – CSUN

Dec. 22-23 (N) – Continental Tires Las Vegas Classic (Drake, then either Washington State or San Diego

Dec. 30 (A) – Colorado State

Feb. 19 (H) – Texas A&M International (D-2)

Because of the shorter conference schedule, New Mexico State is able to have the rare home and home non-conference series with rivals UTEP and New Mexico. Last season, the Aggies swept both series in somewhat dominant fashion.

However, expect the games between the rivals to be much closer, as both the Miners and the Lobos have revamped their respective rosters with talented transfers eligible to play. New Mexico State also may have multiple cracks at the rebuilding Cougars of Washington State depending on how the tournament goes.

An early matchup that should tell us how good the Aggies will be is the one versus Saint Mary’s. The Gaels handled New Mexico State in Moraga but will travel down to Las Cruces. Although they have also lost a ton of talent, the slow-paced style and tactical strength of their program will be a great test for New Mexico State.

Of course, Kansas is the crown jewel of the schedule but that’s a pipe dream in terms of an upset. But between the rival games and the intriguing mid-major battles, the Aggies have plenty of potential storylines before the start of the new year. The consistent intensity of the games will also help the team deal with being the “hunted” in conference play.