New Mexico

Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s win over New Mexico in the NCAA Tournament

Published

7 months ago

March 24, 2025

Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s win over New Mexico in the NCAA Tournament

For the second time in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Michigan State basketball took a major punch in the first half from a feisty opponent but was able to pull away in the second half. In the Round of 32, the Spartans beat New Mexico 71 to 63 after going into halftime down to the Lobos.

Below, you can see our three key takeaways from the game:

Tom Izzo adding Coen Carr to starting lineup in the second half was brilliant

After heading into halftime down two to New Mexico, the Spartans emerged in the second half with a different opening lineup. Tom Izzo made the decision to switch out Jaxon Kohler for Coen Carr at power forward. There was one very clear reason why he did this: Mustapha Amzil. Amzil went off for 12 points in the first half when being guarded by Kohler, so Izzo put one of his lockdown defenders, Coen Carr, in the game to shut him down. Amzil only scored two more points the rest of the game, and Coen Carr added eight points, six rebounds, and a massive block along with his defense.

MSU’s veteran guards lead the way

In a night where freshman phenom Jase Richardson struggled from the field, Michigan State was carried on the offensive end by their veteran guards Tre Holloman and Jaden Akins. Those two led the Spartans in scoring with a combined 30 points, hitting the Spartans’ only made three-pointers on the night.

Frankie Fidler was a hero for MSU in this win

Frankie Fidler might not be the 20-point-per-game scorer some hoped to see this year, but he has been a vital piece off the bench, routinely helping the Spartans find some steady scoring when things get tight. While he hasn’t shot the ball well this year, he has found a great role in the offense with his willingness to drive to the basket and draw contact. Fidler had 10 points in this one.

Carson Cooper might deserve a starting spot

No matter what, I know that Carson Cooper will end up getting minutes every game with the way MSU uses their center rotation, but I am starting to wonder if Cooper has earned a starting spot for the rest of the tournament. He is very active on defense, sets good screens on offense, and has been rebounding the ball really well (he had a team-high eight rebounds against New Mexico and nine rebounds against Bryant). It might be time to give him the honor of starting the game at center.

I am not worried about Jase Richardson

Jase Richardson had one of his worst games as a starter against New Mexico, only scoring six points on 1-for-10 shooting. However, I am not concerned about Richardson. For one, he scored 15 points against Bryant and looked unbelievable in the second half of that win. But I also think it was clear that New Mexico was overplaying Richardson, and playing him very physically, to try and make other Spartans beat them instead. Even as he struggled to make shots, Richardson played a huge role in putting New Mexico in foul trouble, as the Lobos ended up committing twice as many fouls as MSU.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

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New Mexico

Can New Mexico prohibit ICE centers? Chief deputy AG says some contracts pose challenges

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3 hours ago

October 21, 2025

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Can New Mexico prohibit ICE centers? Chief deputy AG says some contracts pose challenges

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New Mexico

CAMINOS Brings New Hope for Treating Addiction in New Mexico Hospitals

Published

23 hours ago

October 20, 2025

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CAMINOS Brings New Hope for Treating Addiction in New Mexico Hospitals

When patients are admitted to The University of New Mexico Hospital, they are usually there for something like an infection, a surgery or another medical emergency. But many of those same patients also live with substance use disorders. Until recently, that aspect of their health often went untreated during their hospital stay.

Now, a program called CAMINOS is changing that.

“We are an addiction medicine consult service,” said Sergio Huerta, MD, medical director of CAMINOS. “Anybody with an addiction in the hospital, we can see, even if it hasn’t been diagnosed yet. The whole concept is to meet people where they’re at when they’re most vulnerable and most in need.”

CAMINOS, which stands for Coordinating Addiction Medicine with Inpatient and Outpatient Services, connects patients with treatment during their hospital stay and helps them transition into ongoing care once they leave.

Huerta, who is board-certified in both addiction medicine and internal medicine, explained how the program works.

“We go talk to the patient, offer them treatment services, including medications, and refer them to treatment,” he said. “We also have a peer on our team with lived experience in recovery. Patients who are seen by peers tend to do better. They’re more adherent to their medications and treatments when they leave the hospital.”

It’s a reachable moment when patients are here. By offering treatment, we help them feel more comfortable, we help them stay and complete their care, and we give them a better chance at recovery. That’s what makes this work so meaningful.

– Sergio Huerta, MD, Medical Director, CAMINOS

For Chris Smith, MD, director of operations for CAMINOS and section chief of Hospital Medicine, the impact is evident.

“Almost every patient we see is not here primarily for their substance use disorder,” Smith said. “They’re admitted for something else. Before our service, these problems weren’t always addressed. Now, the primary team can call us to see the patient, and we can start them on treatment during their stay.”

Before CAMINOS, patients with addictions often left the hospital with little more than a referral sheet.

“There wasn’t really much help for patients with substance use disorders,” Huerta said. “We treated the admitting diagnosis, like pneumonia, and then gave them a list of resources for when they left. That really wasn’t the best way to do things.”

The stakes in New Mexico are especially high. The state has the highest alcohol-related death rate in the country and is consistently ranked among the worst for drug overdose deaths. Huerta estimates that about one in 10 New Mexicans lives with a substance use disorder.

At UNM Hospital, that means a large share of inpatients also need addiction treatment. In its first year, CAMINOS logged more than 1,200 consults, making it one of the busiest consult services at the hospital. Of those patients, more than 450 were newly started on proven medications like buprenorphine or methadone for opioid use disorder.

Substance use disorders are everywhere. No matter what you end up doing as a physician, you’re going to see patients with this. Having that background makes you a better provider.
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– Chris Smith, MD, Director of Operations, CAMINOS & Section Chief, Hospital Medicine, UNM Hospital

“Even if only half of those patients continue treatment after discharge, that’s a huge success for a population that can be very difficult to engage,” Smith said.

The program’s impact is visible every day, Huerta said.

“These patients are always the most appreciative and the most thankful,” he said. “Just showing them that there’s somebody here who cares goes a really long way.”

Smith noted that patients who start treatment for addiction are less likely to leave the hospital against medical advice. They are also more likely to follow through with other treatments for conditions like diabetes, infections or chronic disease.

“It has a dramatic change on their whole hospital stay,” Smith said.

The program is also shifting how hospital staff think about addiction. Huerta shared how some clinical teams that were once hesitant to start addiction medications are now more comfortable doing so thanks to CAMINOS.

“Our goal is that the primary teams feel more comfortable identifying and treating substance use disorders,” Huerta said. “We’re beginning to change the culture.”

CAMINOS is also an educational hub. Medical students, resident physicians, and trainees in their fellowship now rotate through the service, learning to treat substance use disorders alongside experienced providers and peer support specialists.

“Substance use disorders are everywhere,” Smith said. “No matter what you end up doing as a physician, you’re going to see patients with this. Having that background makes you a better provider.”

Huerta and Smith see CAMINOS as a model for the future. They hope to expand the program to serve more patients, strengthen outpatient connections and eventually help people across the state through call-in support lines and partnerships with other hospitals.

“It’s a reachable moment when patients are here,” Huerta said. “By offering treatment, we help them feel more comfortable, we help them stay and complete their care, and we give them a better chance at recovery. That’s what makes this work so meaningful.”

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New Mexico

No Kings protest comes to New Mexico

Published

2 days ago

October 19, 2025

Press Room

Our state’s protests were part of a nationwide movement with more than 2,600 rallies held across the country.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — From the metro to Taos and Truth or Consequences, people came together for Saturday’s No Kings Rally.

Many New Mexicans made signs and protested, upset with the direction that they say the country is heading.

The protests were part of a nationwide movement, with more than 2,600 rallies held across the country. The No Kings rallies took place in the backdrop of a seemingly never-ending government shutdown, as lawmakers on Capitol Hill are at a standstill.

Protesters KOB 4 spoke with Saturday say that they hope for better days.

“Our avenues are narrow. We can do this peacefully, and we can vote,” said a protester.

“Obviously, Congress isn’t going to help us out. So we have to do this grassroots stuff. We have to come out and show the king that wants to be that we don’t want a king,” said another protester.

Some of our elected leaders were also there, including Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury. Crowds came together for a peaceful rally.

“Just the fact that this many people are going back to the fundamentals and standing for them. If we don’t have a king or a third-term president, democracy can return,” said a protester.

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