Eyes on NMMI for 2006

This time of year, junior college basketball teams like to be preparing for post-season tournaments, or at least a run at them. That's not the case for New Mexico Military Institute this season.

"We just haven't put it all together," said head coach Reggie Franklin. "Turnovers have been killing us. Either that, or free throws."

NMMI has lost 10 of its last 12 games and has had a tough season in general. They did beat New Mexico Junior College 85-71 last time out, though.

"We'd just like to finish up on a three game win streak," Franklin said. "We won the other night, put it all together for the first time in a long time."

The struggles have been teamwide. Sophomore Bruce Davenport looked like a Division One player at the beginning of the year.

"Bruce Davenport is the most athletic guy on our team and he got some looks early," Franklin said. "But he's been in a severe slump the second semester. He hurt his ankle about a month ago and he has just been slowly coming back from that."

Franklin says there's still an outside shot Davenport could sign on at the D1 level, but Division II looks more likely. But the future looks a little brighter for NMMI.

"O'Ryan Antoine is a 6-6 kid. He's got to get a little stronger, but I think he can really really help us next year," Franklin said. "We have another shooter, Hakiem George, he was ineligible at Christmas. He's got his grades up now and he's working hard. He had a great first semester, and we're looking for him to help a lot next year."

2005 has been tough, but 2006 could hold a couple of good ones for the Broncos.

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