New Mexico State Aggies

2024-25 Record: 18-16 (10-8)

Head Coach: Jody Adams (3rd season) has six NCAA Tournament appearances at three different schools, over 210 wins in the bag, and is already making history in the patch of grass between El Paso, TX and Albuquerque, NM. Women’s Basketball Invitational wins matter around Las Cruces. With only five returners but an influx of talented junior college transfers and high school standouts, NMSU looks to climb the standings and make a return trip to the postseason.

The lone returning starter from last year's most common lineup, Loes Rozing provides steady ball-handling and perimeter defense. She averaged 3.3 PPG last season but could push toward double figures with more opportunities now that top scorers like Molly Kaiser (20.5 PPG) have departed. Lucia Lara's size (7.1 RPG) and range (39% 3PA) off the bench address the depth issues though. 

Lara could change games by crashing the glass, turning misses into second-chance points (NMSU ranked mid-pack in offensive rebounding at 9.8 per game). The Spanish international brings experience in the backcourt and could be a stabilizing force in ball-handling, perimeter defense, and secondary scoring. Her ability to distribute, manage transition, and defend opposing guards will be important, especially in matchups where New Mexico State must contend with quick guards or pressure defenses.

Nikki Stanic shot an efficient 42.9% from the field in 29 games last year. Her scoring punch and 39.5% three-point shooting make her a natural fit at shooting guard, adding the outside threat NMSU lacked at times (team 3PT% of 31.8%). Stanic arrives from St. Petersburg Community College with a sniper's touch, having shot 39.5% from beyond the arc and 42.9% from the field over 29 games last season. As a freshman at East Central CC, she notched 185 points and 84 rebounds in just 15 appearances. Stanic's perimeter efficiency could stretch defenses and open driving lanes for teammates, making her a prime candidate for instant-impact minutes off the bench.

Imani Warren steps into a bigger role as a combo guard after logging 119 minutes across 20 games last year. Her defensive tenacity (part of a unit that held opponents to 63.6 PPG) and high school pedigree (27.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG at Rufus King HS) suggest breakout potential. Iyana Beh transfers in from Snow College, where she tallied 410 points over two seasons, averaged 5.1 rebounds per game, and swatted 44 shots in her final year there. A decorated high schooler at Murray HS (earning All-State honors, All-Region nods, and sixth in Utah history for career blocks), Beh also captained her JUCO squad.

5wins Crystal Ball Call: Losing Fanta Gassama's 8.7 RPG hurts, but JUCO additions like Lucia Lara (7.0 RPG, 38.2% 3PT) and Iyana Beh (5.1 RPG) plus returning Lucia Yenes (2.5 RPG) project a +3 RPG boost. Last year's 29.5 team RPG ranked 200th nationally; improved glass work will flip at least two conference games that NMSU would have lost last season.