If New Mexico is to take anything away from Saturday’s Cherry vs. Silver scrimmage, it is this: the defense needs to improve.
UNM was out warming up early Saturday morning in anticipation of playing a live game against its male practice opponents. However, the men of the Silver team had no trouble moving the ball around against the Lobos’ defense in a 90-57 route over the Cherry squad.
“There’s going to be times when you’re not going to be able to put the ball in the basket. That happens to every team,” head coach Yvonne Sanchez said. “But if your defense isn’t there to make up the difference, then you’re going to be in a little bit of trouble.”
Granted, New Mexico was without one of its best defenders down low, with forward Khadijah Shumpert being sick. Sanchez said she gave her preseason all-conference player the day off because Shumpert needed to be ready for Wednesday night’s preseason opener against Western New Mexico.
Sanchez said she took the decision out of Shumpert’s hands because she knew her senior starter would do whatever it took to get out on the court. However, some good may have come from Shumpert’s absence.
The Lobos got a good look at one of their blossoming freshmen, center Jaisa Nunn, whose near-double-double was the best performance on the Cherry squad.
“I definitely thought it was intense, fast-paced and not what I’m used to,” Nunn said. “But I am getting adjusted to it.”
Despite being a freshman, Nunn is getting acclimated to collegiate-level play quickly. Her 14 points and nine boards on the day was the best of any member for Cherry.
Nunn is also auditioning for a starting role come opening day. Sanchez has said all offseason that the number of minutes and form in which they come will be earned because Sanchez said she is comfortable playing anyone at any time.
“Obviously, Khadijah is going to be (starting),” Sanchez said. “I mean, Kianna (Keller), Whitney (Johnson), and Jaisa--it’s going to be one of those three (as well),” Sanchez said. “I just don’t know.”
Sanchez said she applauded Keller’s 4-of-8 shooting and six boards. But with Alexa Chavez, last year’s starting forward, battling a foot injury, Sanchez is giving plenty of attention to those who want to claim the spot.
The head coach added that she does not know if the team could use the experience that Keller brings, or if she should instead try out one of her freshman centers, the only true centers on the team.
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While Sanchez is blessed with the problem of selecting which of her talented posts will get the starting gig, the head coach is also looking for someone to step in at shooting guard in place of Antiesha Brown, last year’s starting guard.
That decision won’t be an easy task for Sanchez either, with her abundance of new and returning shooters.
Offense likely won’t be the deciding factor for who fills in as Brown’s replacement, as Sanchez runs a defense-oriented team.
“Our guards have to do a much better job defensively,” Sanchez said. “We just started working on the zone, so I didn’t expect the zone to be stellar by any means, but our man-to-man defense has to be better.”
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistantsports@dailylobo.com or on twitter @Liam_CE.
