While the more popular in-state New Mexico Lobos receive more praise, the New Mexico State Aggies are not a team to sleep on. At 24-10 they are the champions of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and are one of the hottest teams in the country entering the tournament.
Let’s take a look at five facts surrounding the Aggies:
1. All-WAC everything. New Mexico State’s senior forward Bandja Sy, sophomore guard Daniel Mullings and freshman center Sim Bhullar earned All-WAC honors this season. Sy was named a first-team selection after averaging 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Mullings was voted to the second team All-WAC and all-defensive team, after he supplied 14.7 points, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game in conference games. Bhullar was named the WAC Freshman of the Year and to the third team All-WAC and All-Newcomer team after averaging 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game in WAC play.
2. These are the three that make the Aggies go. While Sy averages 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and Bhullar averages 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and an impressive three blocks per game, it is Mullings that is the true leader of the WAC champions. Mullings averages 14 points and 5.2 rebounds on 47 percent shooting. Mullings has nine games over 20 points this season.
3. The Aggies field six international players on their roster; four from Ontario, Canada, and two players hailing from Paris, France. Sophomore guard, K.C. Ross-Miller, is the only domestic starter.
4. They say it can be bad to live or die by the three, so New Mexico State chooses to ignore it completely. No team in the field makes fewer 3-pointers than the Aggies (4.0 per game). If they fall behind early, it’s going to be a tough climb back.
5. The Aggies are making their second consecutive tournament appearance and gave the Indiana Hoosiers a fit in the first round last year. They are 18-2 since the start of January and have the potential to shake up the brackets with an upset over St. Louis in the first round.
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