(02-02-2021 01:14 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-02-2021 12:08 PM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  What does peaking too early mean anyways? NMSU went 16-0 in the WAC last year. Did they peak too early? Did anyone expect them to lose in the WAC tourney? If GCU just stays the status quo of what they have been all year, they stand a good chance to run the table in the WAC regularly season and give anyone fits, including NMSU, in the WAC tourney.

Peak too early means your team has maximized the talent level and skill of the players playing the most minutes. Once that is achieved it falls on the other teams (coaches) with similar or greater talent to play catch up within the remaining timeline; before they ultimately meet again. The goal is to optimize your team's talent and performance by the time it matters in the WAC tournament. Case in point, two years ago, everyone knew what NMSU starting five brought to the table... AJ Harris, Terrell Brown, Clayton Henry, CJ Bobbitt, and Eli Chuha were known quantities and playing at an expected level. But did anyone know what Trevelin Queen was capable at the time? He peaked at the right time. Its about having extra gas in the tank... players who have another gear not yet reached. With GCU, I see a very strong starting five playing near the top of their respective games. In my mind, only Blacksher could take his game to still another level. The rest are pretty much known quantities. If there is another player on the GCU bench better than the starters, you will have to show me. This is not the case with NMSU. Our players are still recovering from injuries and try to get more more organized by getting more games under its belt; after long stoppages. The Aggie team that played last weekend still hasn't peaked. So the term "peaked too early" simply means you have shown your best hand too early and now it is on the others playing the game to make adjustments to put out their best hand when it truly matter. The game is about putting out your best hand near the end of the season; not allowing the other coaches/players enough time to compensate accordingly for any new variables.

GCU beating a downtrodden NMSU team does not imply that GCU has peaked. If both teams were at full strength, I absolutely believe that GCU has the team to beat NMSU. As I stated, if GCU does not improve one bit the rest of the season, they have enough to win the regular season and WAC tourney.

I am also pretty sure everyone on this board, especially the GCU posters, know what NMSU is capable of if they ever get to full strength and can get some experience. But what if that never happens? What if Henry continues to get injured as he has the past 2 years? What if Kiir and Watson never see the court? Doakes has been with us for all of 2 weeks. NMSU has a lot to overcome to get anywhere near GCU's level.