Lobos coach Ritchie McKay says New Mexico State guard Elijah Ingram "has New York City confidence."
But Ingram and his Aggies teammate Shaun Davis appear to be heading toward some Albuquerque confidence - coming from Lobos Mark Walters, a product of Highland High ball.
Walters said when Lobos meet Aggies tonight he doesn't expect Ingram and Davis to reach their combined averages of 24.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game this season.
"They are really quick and hard to contain," Walters said. "But with our team defense, I think we can hold them under their averages."
UNM forward David Chiotti is expected to outclass the Aggies' posts. That means containing Ingram and Davis, and making sure ex-Sandia star Ted Knauber doesn't go off from 3-point range, are the top priorities for the Lobos.
It might be a battle of speed vs. strength.
Ingram (6-foot-1) and Davis (5-11) are quick off the dribble. Walters will be joined in this defensive matchup by Kris Collins. Walters and Collins, both 6-2, are bigger and stronger.
Ingram has coach McKay a lot more worried than Walters. The transfer from St. John's quickly has grown comfortable in his role as leader of a revived Aggies team coming off a six-win season.
"Ingram is a great scorer," McKay said. "He has New York City confidence. He really believes in himself, thinks he is one of the best guards in the country. His confidence is a great strength.
"Davis is a great knock-down shooter. There's a savvy and a swagger to him. The only negative is that they're both about 6-feet."
This marks the first Lobo-Aggie game for Ingram and Davis.
"We both have a lot of experience," Ingram said. "We both played at a high level of basketball. I feel confident. I have a lot of experience. I'm comfortable out there. I've been there and done that."
The arrival of first-year coach Reggie Theus and a busload of transfers have infused Las Cruces with a sense of optimism. Aggies and Lobos alike talk of changing times at the Pan American Center.
The warning from the Lobos: This won't be like last season, with two easy wins.
"New Mexico State in general is a better team than last year," Collins said. "Their record might not show it, but they play hard and have the right players on their team."
The warning from the Aggies: Don't overlook us, or look down on us.
"This season, everybody plays harder," Ingram said. "We have better players who are willing to do what it takes to win. We play harder."
The game has added significance for Knauber, who wanted to play for the Lobos but never received an offer from McKay.
"This was the one game on the schedule I was really looking forward to because I know all the guys on the team and coach McKay," Knauber said. "I am pretty excited about this game as well as the one at The Pit on the 13th."
But Ingram and his Aggies teammate Shaun Davis appear to be heading toward some Albuquerque confidence - coming from Lobos Mark Walters, a product of Highland High ball.
Walters said when Lobos meet Aggies tonight he doesn't expect Ingram and Davis to reach their combined averages of 24.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game this season.
"They are really quick and hard to contain," Walters said. "But with our team defense, I think we can hold them under their averages."
UNM forward David Chiotti is expected to outclass the Aggies' posts. That means containing Ingram and Davis, and making sure ex-Sandia star Ted Knauber doesn't go off from 3-point range, are the top priorities for the Lobos.
It might be a battle of speed vs. strength.
Ingram (6-foot-1) and Davis (5-11) are quick off the dribble. Walters will be joined in this defensive matchup by Kris Collins. Walters and Collins, both 6-2, are bigger and stronger.
Ingram has coach McKay a lot more worried than Walters. The transfer from St. John's quickly has grown comfortable in his role as leader of a revived Aggies team coming off a six-win season.
"Ingram is a great scorer," McKay said. "He has New York City confidence. He really believes in himself, thinks he is one of the best guards in the country. His confidence is a great strength.
"Davis is a great knock-down shooter. There's a savvy and a swagger to him. The only negative is that they're both about 6-feet."
This marks the first Lobo-Aggie game for Ingram and Davis.
"We both have a lot of experience," Ingram said. "We both played at a high level of basketball. I feel confident. I have a lot of experience. I'm comfortable out there. I've been there and done that."
The arrival of first-year coach Reggie Theus and a busload of transfers have infused Las Cruces with a sense of optimism. Aggies and Lobos alike talk of changing times at the Pan American Center.
The warning from the Lobos: This won't be like last season, with two easy wins.
"New Mexico State in general is a better team than last year," Collins said. "Their record might not show it, but they play hard and have the right players on their team."
The warning from the Aggies: Don't overlook us, or look down on us.
"This season, everybody plays harder," Ingram said. "We have better players who are willing to do what it takes to win. We play harder."
The game has added significance for Knauber, who wanted to play for the Lobos but never received an offer from McKay.
"This was the one game on the schedule I was really looking forward to because I know all the guys on the team and coach McKay," Knauber said. "I am pretty excited about this game as well as the one at The Pit on the 13th."
