2022–23 New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball team

The 2022–23 New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball team represented New Mexico State University in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Aggies were led by first-year head coach Greg Heiar and played their home games at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico as members of the Western Athletic Conference.

2022–23 New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball
ConferenceWestern Athletic Conference
Record9–15 (2–16 WAC)
Head coach
Associate head coachDominique Taylor
Assistant coaches
  • Brian Merritt
  • Chad Myers
Home arenaPan American Center
2022–23 WAC men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Utah Valley15–3 .83328–9  .757
Sam Houston14–4 .77826–8  .765
Southern Utah12–6 .66724–13  .649
Grand Canyon †11–7 .61124–12  .667
Seattle11–7 .61120–12  .625
Stephen F. Austin11–7 .61119–13  .594
Tarleton*9–9 .50017–17  .500
California Baptist8–10 .44417–16  .515
Abilene Christian7–11 .38913–17  .433
UT Rio Grande Valley6–12 .33315–17  .469
UT Arlington6–12 .33311–21  .344
Utah Tech*5–13 .27814–19  .424
New Mexico State**2–16 .1119–15  .375
* Ineligible for the NCAA tournament due to transition from Division II
** Season cancelled on February 11, 2023.
† Conference tournament winner

On November 19, 2022, reports of a shooting involving a student from the University of New Mexico and an Aggie basketball player ended with the student dead, with the player, later identified as Mike Peake, wounded on the UNM Main Campus in Albuquerque.[1] On November 20, New Mexico State Police release details of the shooting, including the arrest of 17-year old Mya Hill. The next day, the New Mexico State Police confirmed a second arrest relating to the shooting, arresting 19-year old Jonathan Smith.[2]

The Aggies and Lobos were slated to renew the Rio Grande Rivalry on the night of the shooting, but the game was postponed. Three days later, both schools decided to cancel the Rio Grande Rivalry for the season due to safety concerns.[3] On December 5, NM State Athletic Director Mario Moccia announced the indefinite suspension of the 21-year old Mike Peake.[4] No charges have been filed against Peake in what was called a "self-defense situation",[5] but there are two investigations surrounding the shooting.[6][7]

On February 10, 2023, New Mexico State announced it would suspend operations of the men's basketball team based on new allegations including potential violations of university policy.[8] Its entire coaching staff was placed on administrative leave as a result.[9] KTSM reported that the season was suspended because of allegations of hazing by at least three different players multiple times.[10]

The rest of the team's games were canceled and later deemed forfeits by the WAC on February 13. They will not take part in the WAC Tournament.[11]

The NCAA does not recognize the forfeited games as part of the team's overall record.

On February 14, head coach Greg Heiar was officially fired by NMSU.[12] On March 24, the school named Sam Houston head coach Jason Hooten the team's new head coach.[13]

Previous season

The Aggies finished the 2021–22 season 27–7, 14–4 in WAC play to finish in a three-way tie for the regular season championship, alongside Seattle and Stephen F. Austin.[14] They defeated Grand Canyon[15] and Abilene Christian to win the WAC tournament title and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.[16] They received the No. 12 seed in the West Region,[17] where they upset No. 5 seed UConn in the First Round,[18] before losing to No. 4 seed Arkansas in the Second Round.[19]

Roster
2022–23 New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G 0 Anthony Roy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg) SoWenatchee Valley College Oakland, CA
F 1 Marchelus Avery 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg) SoNorthwest Florida State Richmond, VA
F 2 Issa Muhammad 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg) RS JrNorthwest Florida State Atlanta, GA
G 3 Xavier Pinson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)175 lb (79 kg) SrLSU Chicago, IL
F 4 James Beck 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg) RS SrMiami (OH) Grand Rapids, MI
G 5 Kyle Feit 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrIndian River State College Boca Raton, FL
G 11 DaJuan Quaye Gordon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) JrMissouri Chicago, IL
F 13 Doctor Bradley 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)205 lb (93 kg) SoSalt Lake CC Los Angeles, CA
G 14 Shahar Lazar 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)200 lb (91 kg) FrHapoel Tel Aviv Academy Emunim, Israel
F 15 Mike Peake 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)218 lb (99 kg) JrAustin Peay Chicago, IL
G 21 Ziri Blackwood 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)170 lb (77 kg) SoWestern Oklahoma State Killeen, TX
G 22 Deuce Benjamin 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg) FrLas Cruces HS Las Cruces, NM
F 23 Ethan Anderson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg) FrFarmington HS Kaysville, UT
F 24 Kim Aiken Jr. 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)215 lb (98 kg) RS SrArizona Redlands, CA
G 25 Jaden Alexander 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)200 lb (91 kg) FrScotland Campus Vallejo, CA
F 31 Isaac Shingange 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)180 lb (82 kg) FrThe Phelps School New York, NY
F 34 Shakiru Odunewu 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg) RS SoUniversal Academy Providence, RI
F 35 Vuk Vucevic 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrMontverde Academy Paris, France
G 42 Deshawndre Washington 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)205 lb (93 kg) JrNorthwest Florida State Chicago, IL
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: January 6, 2023

Schedule and results
Date
time, TV		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
November 2, 2022*
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 Western New Mexico W 99–75  –
  21 – Washington  8 – Muhammad  9 – Washington  Pan American Center (4,146)
Las Cruces, NM
Non-conference regular season
November 7, 2022*
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ+		 New Mexico Highlands W 101–52  1–0
  20 – Muhammad  10 – Washington  10 – Washington  Pan American Center (5,178)
Las Cruces, NM
November 12, 2022*
7:00 pm, CUSA.tv		 at UTEP
Battle of I-10		 L 64–67  1–1
  20 – Pinson  12 – Washington  4 – Pinson  Don Haskins Center (11,315)
El Paso, TX
November 19, 2022*
5:00 pm, MW Network		 at New Mexico
Rio Grande Rivalry		 Canceled[20] The Pit 
Albuquerque, NM
November 25, 2022*
7:30 pm, BeTheBeast		 vs. San Diego
Las Vegas Holiday Classic Semifinals		 W 90–77  2–1
  25 – Pinson  8 – Bradley  9 – Washington  Orleans Arena 
Paradise, NV
November 26, 2022*
7:30 pm, BeTheBeast		 vs. UC Irvine
Las Vegas Holiday Classic Championship		 L 68–85  2–2
  20 – Roy  9 – Gordon  4 – Washington  Orleans Arena 
Paradise, NV
November 30, 2022*
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ+		 UTEP
Battle of I-10		 W 95–70  3–2
  23 – Roy  8 – 2 Tied  5 – Washington  Pan American Center (6,332)
Las Cruces, NM
December 3, 2022*
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ+		 New Mexico
Rio Grande Rivalry		 Canceled[20] Pan American Center 
Las Cruces, NM
December 5, 2022*
7:00 pm, ESPN+		 Simon Fraser W 77–35  4–2
  23 – Odunewu  10 – Odunewu  5 – Washington  Pan American Center (4,346)
Las Cruces, NM
December 7, 2022*
8:00 pm		 at Santa Clara L 65–66  4–3
  20 – Washington  8 – Washington  7 – Pinson  Leavey Center (1,039)
Santa Clara, CA
December 11, 2022*
2:00 pm, ESPN+		 at Duquesne W 73–60  5–3
  17 – Muhammad  11 – Gordon  6 – Pinson  UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse (1,834)
Pittsburgh, PA
December 14, 2022*
8:00 pm, WCC Network		 at Saint Mary's L 68–81  5–4
  20 – Washington  4 – 2 Tied  1 – Pinson  University Credit Union Pavilion (2,844)
Moraga, CA
December 18, 2022*
4:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 Northern New Mexico W 95–53  6–4
  26 – Avery  10 – 2 Tied  7 – Washington  Pan American Center (4,460)
Las Cruces, NM
December 21, 2022*
5:30 pm		 vs. Kent State
Sun Bowl Invitational		 L 63–73  6–5
  17 – Muhammad  10 – Muhammad  4 – Pinson  Don Haskins Center 
El Paso, TX
December 22, 2022*
5:30 pm		 vs. North Carolina A&T
Sun Bowl Invitational		 W 85–76  7–5
  20 – 2 Tied  10 – Avery  6 – Washington  Don Haskins Center (1,225)
El Paso, TX
WAC regular season
December 28, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ+		 Southern Utah L 75–79  7–6
(0–1)		  18 – Washington  12 – Washington  4 – 2 Tied  Pan American Center (4,942)
Las Cruces, NM
December 31, 2022
4:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 Sam Houston L 62–75  7–7
(0–2)		  12 – 2 Tied  5 – Avery  5 – Washington  Pan American Center (4,705)
Las Cruces, NM
January 4, 2023
5:30 pm, ESPN+		 at Stephen F. Austin L 60–69  7–8
(0–3)		  20 – Pinson  10 – Avery  7 – Pinson  William R. Johnson Coliseum (2,644)
Nacogdoches, TX
January 7, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 California Baptist L 61–70  7–9
(0–4)		  20 – Washington  9 – Muhammad  3 – Pinson  Pan American Center (5,092)
Las Cruces, NM
January 12, 2023
8:00 pm, ESPN+		 at Seattle L 66–69  7–10
(0–5)		  11 – 2 Tied  7 – 2 Tied  8 – Pinson  Climate Pledge Arena (2,265)
Seattle, WA
January 14, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 UT Arlington L 55–66  7–11
(0–6)		  12 – Pinson  7 – 2 Tied  2 – 2 Tied  Pan American Center (4,864)
Las Cruces, NM
January 19, 2023
4:00 pm, ESPN+		 at Southern Utah L 76–111  7–12
(0–7)		  17 – Pinson  4 – 3 Tied  4 – Pinson  America First Event Center (2,093)
Cedar City, UT
January 21, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+		 at Utah Tech L 76–89  7–13
(0–8)		  20 – Roy  5 – 3 Tied  4 – 2 Tied  Burns Arena (1,878)
St. George, UT
January 28, 2023
2:00 pm, ESPN+		 at Utah Valley L 72–77  7–14
(0–9)		  23 – Roy  11 – Washington  5 – Washington  UCCU Center (2,915)
Orem, UT
February 1, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 Stephen F. Austin W 73–67  8–14
(1–9)		  15 – Gordon  11 – Muhammad  6 – Pinson  Pan American Center (5,107)
Las Cruces, NM
February 4, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 Seattle W 82–75  9–14
(2–9)		  15 – Roy  6 – Roy  7 – Pinson  Pan American Center (4,948)
Las Cruces, NM
February 8, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+		 at Grand Canyon L 67–78  9–15
(2–10)		  22 – Pinson  10 – Washington  5 – Washington  GCU Arena (7,076)
Phoenix, AZ
February 11, 2023
8:00 pm, ESPN+		 at California Baptist L 0–2 Forfeit[11]  9–15
(2–11)		   –     –     –    CBU Events Center 
Riverside, CA
February 15, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 Abilene Christian L 0–2 Forfeit[11]  9–15
(2–12)		   –     –     –    Pan American Center 
Las Cruces, NM
February 18, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 Texas–Rio Grande Valley L 0–2 Forfeit[11]  9–15
(2–13)		   –     –     –    Pan American Center 
Las Cruces, NM
February 22, 2023
7:00 pm, ESPN+/BSAZ		 Grand Canyon L 0–2 Forfeit[11]  9–15
(2–14)		   –     –     –    Pan American Center 
Las Cruces, NM
March 1, 2023
6:00 pm, ESPN+		 at Abilene Christian L 0–2 Forfeit[11]  9–15
(2–15)		  - –     –     –    Moody Coliseum 
Abilene, TX
March 3, 2023
6:00 pm, ESPN+		 at Tarleton L 0–2 Forfeit[11]  9–15
(2–16)		  - –     –     –    Wisdom Gym 
Stephenville, TX
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Mountain.

Sources[21][22]

References
  1. Grammer, Geoff; Reisen, Matthew (November 19, 2022). "UNM student killed, NMSU basketball player injured in shootout on UNM campus". Albuquerque Journal.
  2. Peerman, Lucas; Groves, Jason (November 21, 2022). "Details emerge: Police identify UNM student killed in shootout with NMSU basketball player". Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, New Mexico).
  3. Schacht, Spencer (November 22, 2022). "UNM-NMSU men’s basketball games canceled following shooting". KOB (Albuquerque, New Mexico).
  4. Groves, Jason (December 5, 2022). "New Mexico State basketball player Mike Peake suspended indefinitely". Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, New Mexico).
  5. Medcalg, Myron (November 19, 2022). "New Mexico State-New Mexico basketball game postponed after shooting". ESPN.
  6. Boetel, Ryan (December 6, 2022). "DA’s office investigating NMSU staff and players". Albuquerque Journal.
  7. "NMSU hiring 3rd party to investigate events surrounding deadly UNM shooting". Associated Press. KFOX-TV (El Paso, Texas).
  8. Hill, Glynn A. (February 11, 2023). "New Mexico State men’s basketball season suspended, staff put on leave". The Washington Post.
  9. "NMSU men's hoops halted amid 'new allegations'". ESPN. February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  10. Deaver, Colin (February 10, 2023). "New Mexico State men’s basketball shuts down program indefinitely; sources cite hazing incidents". KTSM (El Paso, Texas).
  11. "Remaining New Mexico State 2022-23 WAC Men's Basketball Games Deemed Conference Forfeits" (Press release). Western Athletic Conference. February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  12. Groves, Jason (February 14, 2023). "Greg Heiar fired as NMSU Aggies basketball coach amid athlete hazing investigation". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  13. "Sam Houston's Hooten to coach New Mexico St". ESPN.com. March 25, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  14. "2021-22 WAC Men's Basketball Standings". Western Athletic Conference. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  15. "Aggies end Lopes' WAC tourney repeat bid". Grand Canyon University Athletics. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  16. "Back to the Big Dance: NM State Handles ACU, 66-52, in WAC Tournament Title Clash". New Mexico State University Athletics. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  17. "New Mexico State earns 12-seed in NCAA Tournament, will face 5-seed UConn Thursday in Buffalo, N.Y." KTSM 9 News. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  18. "No. 12 seed New Mexico State shocks No. 5 UConn in NCAA Tournament bracket-buster". USA Today. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  19. "Arkansas survives scare from New Mexico State, advances to NCAA Tournament Sweet 16". Fort Smith Times Record. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  20. "New Mexico, New Mexico State call off men's basketball games". ESPN. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  21. "2022-23 Men's Basketball Schedule". New Mexico State University Athletics. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  22. "2022-23 New Mexico State Aggies Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
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