The Aggie men's basketball team played their first road game of the season last night and after getting down by 17 points in the first half at 31-14, scratched and clawed their way back into the game and were down by just five points late in the second half but in the end lost 73-60.

Despite the loss there were several encouraging factors about last night's performance. One, this very young Aggie team played well for their first time on the road and they were playing a very good Top 25 team, one that should contend with UCLA for the title in the Pac-10. Secondly, the Aggies shot their free throws well for the most part shooting 13-18 from the stripe. One thing to remember is that USC is a very tough defensive team, last season the Trojans held high flying Memphis to just 62 points. Third, the Aggies were able to force 16 turnovers on the Trojans and held Daniel Hackett and freshman standout DeMar DeRozan to just 17 points combined.

The Aggies had a couple of opportunities to cut the lead to a one possession game late but were unable to do so. We felt going in that the Aggies had a very good chance to be competitive in this game and they were. The Aggies had a bit of trouble handing the pressure of USC in the middle part of the first half and that part of the game was very reminiscent of what happened against Texas last season in the Legends Classic when the Aggies started turning the ball over in bunches which led to a large Texas lead. Just like that game last year, the Aggies outplayed (in our opinion) USC for much of the game with the lone exception of that one stretch.

There is plenty to build off of with this loss and we're sure the next time the Aggies take the floor that we'll see some more improvements from the team. Up next for the Aggies is a home game on Friday night at 7:30 against Pepperdine.

Be sure to check out this week's interview with Aggie head volleyball coach Mike Jordan. We talked with coach about last week's sweeps and also about what he thought the team's biggest improvement, best improvements have been this season. The Aggies are in Hawi'i this week for the WAC tournament which will kick off tomorrow morning. The Aggies will play the winner of the play-in match between Louisiana Tech and Fresno State. The Aggies match is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. MST.

If you didn't get a chance to yesterday, be sure to read the latest entry in David Holbrook's blog A View From The Stands. This weekend's game will be the final home game for David's son, Chase as well as the other 17 seniors on this Aggie team. As a reminder, all tickets are just $2, all concession items are just $2 and the game starts at 2:00 p.m. Get your tickets and come say goodbye to this amazing senior class.

Finally, we apologize for the very late notice (a mental slippage on our part) but the Aggie Gals, Las Cruces' very own girls only Aggie fan club will be meeting at My Brother's Place tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. Their guest will be tight ends/Kicking coach our buddy Bobby Willcox. For more information about the Aggie Gals call Karen Reed at 525-9851 (home) or 644-5493 (cell).

On to today's links... VB Links Fixed

Aggie Men's Basketball
The Associated Press recaps last night's 70-63 loss to #19/20 USC.

Dan Weber of The Press-Enterprise recaps last night's loss to USC.

Beth Harris of the Hanford Sentinel recaps last night's game.

ESPN recaps last night's game.

Phil Collin of the Whittier Daily News recaps the Aggies battle with the Trojans.

The USC website shares the AP photos from last night's game.

Aggie Football
Teddy Feinberg of the Las Cruces Sun-News provides an update on the Coach Mumme coaching situation as Dr. Boston has called the reports incorrect and also said, "People have taken a cavalier approach into what is a serious process and approach. A lot of people's lives could be impacted in the decision I make. To not talk to the appropriate people about that, to not find out where we are at, it is wrong."

Aggie Volleyball
Cindy Luis of the Honolulu Star Bulletin writes that the pressure is on Hawai'i as the WAC tournament is held at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Honolulu Star Bulletin takes a look back at 'The Greatest Match Ever'.

Aggie Signings
The NMSU athletic website reports on the Aggie softball team's early signings.

The NMSU athletic website reports on the swimming and diving teams three signees.

The NMSU athletic website reports on the 2009 women's basketball signees.

Around the WAC
The WAC website recaps last night's 0-4 performance by WAC women's basketball teams.

The WAC website previews this week in WAC men's basketball.

The WAC website previews this week in WAC women's basketball.

The WAC website previews this week in WAC volleyball.

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