Jason Groves on the Aggies minus Wendell McKines & Troy Gillenwater

Jason Groves has something today on how New Mexico State will compensate for not having Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater available for at least the first semester. Apparently, it's not a lock that either will return for the second semester:

Aggies hope reinforcements step up with McKines, Gillenwater out
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
10/18/2009

LAS CRUCES — With the absence of Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater for at least the first seven games of the 2009 season, there appears to be a gaping hole in the paint for the New Mexico State men's basketball team.

"My role is going to be more important this year than last year," said redshirt sophomore center Hamidu Rahman. "Troy is not going to be here and (former center) Chris (Gabriel) transferred. I'm going to be the most experienced guy so I'm going to have to step it up more."

Rahman is one of six players who will fill in at the power forward and center positions this year.

In a best case scenario for Aggies fans, Gillenwater and McKines will be eligible after the final day of classes on Dec. 11. McKines — the leading rebounder in the Western Athletic Conference a year ago — and Gillenwater could return to the lineup at UTEP on Dec. 13...

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