New Mexico State Aggies
Record: 23-10, 13-1 WAC
Head coach: Marvin Menzies (8th season)
Season summary: The Aggies secured their 22nd trip to the NCAA tournament by winning the WAC tournament title in a relatively weak league this season. Menzies’ team was efficient on offense, shooting 46.6 percent, which ranks 49th in the country. The WAC champions were also impressive on defense, giving up just 59.3 points per game—which was 19th in the country—despite the loss of 7-footer Sim Bhullar from last year's team. This might partially be due to the fact that the Aggies play at one of the slowest tempos in the country, according to basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy.
How they make a run: New Mexico State had a great run to get to the tournament, but it would take the squad's best defensive performance of the year to take out Kansas.
How they falter: The Aggies play an athletically gifted team that the WAC didn’t prepare them for. Unfortunately for New Mexico State, that’s exactly what the Jayhawks are.
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