The 2016–17 New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball team represented New Mexico State University during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Aggies, led by first-year head coach Paul Weir, played their home games at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico as members of the Western Athletic Conference. They finished the season 28–6, 11–3 in WAC play to finish in a tie for second place. They defeated Chicago State, UMKC, and Cal State Bakersfield to win the WAC tournament. As a result, they received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Baylor.
On April 11, 2017, head coach Paul Weir resigned to become the head coach at New Mexico. On April 17, the school hired Chris Jans as head coach.
Previous season The Aggies finished the 2015–16 season 23–11, 13–1 in WAC play to win the WAC regular season championship. They defeated UMKC to advance to the championship game of the WAC tournament where they lost to Cal State Bakersfield. As a regular season conference champion who failed to win their conference tournament, they received an automatic bid to the National Invitation Tournament where they lost in the first round to Saint Mary's.
On April 16, 2016, head coach Marvin Menzies left the school to accept the head coaching position at UNLV. On April 26, the school hired Paul Weir, an assistant coach under Menzies, as head coach.
Departures Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes Harold Givens 1 F 6'7" 200 RS Freshman Norcross, GA Transferred to Pearl River CC Rashawn Browne 10 G 6'1" 170 RS Freshman Toronto, ON Transferred to California (PA) Jose Campo 14 F 6'11" 206 RS Freshman Riohacha, Colombia Left the team for personal reasons Rene Esparza 15 G 6'3" 175 Junior Ciudad Juárez, Mexico Left the team for personal reasons Pascal Siakam 43 F 6'9" 230 Sophomore Donala, Cameroon Declare for 2016 NBA draft
Incoming transfers Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Previous School Chance Ellis 3 G 6'3" 223 Sophomore New York, NY Junior college transferred from New Mexico Military Institute Jemerrio Jones 10 F 6'6" 190 Junior Memphis, TN Junior college transferred from Hill College A. J. Harris 12 G 5'9" 157 Sophomore Dayton, OH Transferred from Ohio State. Under NCAA transfer rules, Harris will have to sit out for the 2016–17 season. Will have three years of remaining eligibility. Marlon Jones 23 F 6'7" 218 Junior Chicago, IL Junior college transferred from South Plains College
2016 Recruiting Class
Roster
Schedule and results
!colspan=9 style=| Regular season
!colspan=9 style=| WAC tournament
!colspan=9 style=| NCAA tournament
References