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Christmas Wish Lists: New Mexico needs to improve its marksmanship

Alford Greenwood Adams McCurdy

New Mexico coach Steve Alford checks the scoreboard during a timeout against South Dakota State in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. From left are guard Hugh Greenwood, student coach Kevin McCurdy and forward Chad Adams. South Dakota State won 70-65. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)

AP

Over the course of the next two weeks, College Basketball Talk will be detailing what some of the country’s best, most intriguing, and thoroughly enigmatic teams need. It’s the spirit of the holidays. We’re in a giving mood.

What do other teams have on their Christmas Wish Lists? Click here to find out.

Gotta have it list-topper: Improved shooting
With their lack of a marquee post threat New Mexico asks a lot of players such as Kendall Williams and Tony Snell. But despite their 12-1 record the Lobos are shooting 42.1% from the field and 34.3% from three, numbers that rank eighth and sixth in the Mountain West respectively. New Mexico has shot 45% or better in just three games this season, and in their 70-65 loss to South Dakota State on Saturday Steve Alford’s charges shot 37%. The reason why the shooting didn’t cost them until Saturday: the Jackrabbits were just the third team this season (USC and Valparaiso being the others) to shoot better than 45% against UNM. The Lobos can defend, but if they’re to win another Mountain West crown their best shooters need to knock down shots at a higher rate.

Stocking stuffer: Alex Kirk continues his comeback
Kirk sat out all of last season due to a back injury, and he’s made up for lost time through 13 games. Kirk’s averaging 10.9 points and 7.5 rebounds thus far, essentially doubling his averages as a freshman in 2010-11. Kirk is also averaging 1.2 blocked shots per game, a number that ranks fifth in the Mountain West. With San Diego State adding James Johnson to the fold, UNLV getting Khem Birch and Colorado State having Colton Iverson, Kirk’s play will be one of the keys for New Mexico as they get into conference play. Off to a good start, he’ll need to continue on that path for UNM to be successful.

Planning on re-gifting: Demetrius Walker’s 13 games
With his play in the Mountain West and NCAA tournaments there was the feeling that Walker was beginning to figure things out, and would thus become an even greater weapon for the Lobos. But that hasn’t happened to this point in the season, as Walker is averaging 6.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage (38.8%) is about the same as last year’s mark (38.9%), and while he is making 40% of his shots from beyond the arc Walker is also shooting 56.5% from the foul line. Walker’s had his moments this season, with his 19 points in a win over Idaho being the most notable, but New Mexico needs more from their most athletic asset as the season rolls on.

Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.