New Mexico State Aggies
WAC (30-4, 15-1)
No matter what conference one is in, going 30-4 is extremely impressive. And two of those losses came against NCAA Tournament teams Saint Mary’s and Kansas. However, it was a pretty easy schedule otherwise, but the Aggies took care of business and reached their seventh NCAA Tournament in the last eight years.
Big Wins: 11/6 North Dakota State (73-56), 1/19 at Utah Valley (83-78), 2/9 at Grand Canyon (67-64)
Bad Losses: 11/14 St. Mary’s (58-73), 12/22 vs Drake (63-66), 1/3 at Cal Baptist (76-82)
Coach: Chris Jans
Why They Can Surprise:
As usual with the Aggies, they are amazingly tough on the glass. This is not as big of a group as we have seen in years past, but that has not stopped them from becoming one of the best rebounding teams in the country. Eli Chuha and Ivan Aurrecoechea are the top rebounders, but it is really a team effort, especially since Coach Chris Jans can go 12 or 13 deep if necessary. The Aggies are not a consistent shooting team, but they are not afraid to hoist up quite a few three-pointers. Terrell Brown is the most prolific shooter and A.J. Harris and JoJo Zamora are dangerous as well. If New Mexico State is going to win a tournament game, those three must make their shots.
Why They Can Disappoint:
When New Mexico State lost games this year, it was largely because of their poor shooting. The exception was against Kansas when the Aggies were right at their season average of 45.5 percent from the floor and only lost 63-60. If they can shoot that well again, the Aggies can beat a solid team like Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. The other potential problem is the lack of a shot blocking threat in the paint. NMSU may be tough on the glass, but this year there is nobody who will be a consistent shot blocker. New Mexico State will still play tough defense, but some teams could find it relatively easy to attack the basket.
Probable Starters:
AJ Harris, Junior, Guard, 9.6 ppg, 3.4 apg
Terrell Brown, Junior, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 1.3 apg
Clayton Henry, Junior, Guard, 5.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg
C.J. Bobbitt, Junior, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Eli Chuha, Senior, Forward, 9.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Key Role Players:
Ivan Aurrecoechea, Junior, Forward, 9.5 ppg, 5.a rpg
Johnny McCants, Sophomore, Forward, 5.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Shunn Buchanan, Junior, Guard, 2.1 ppg, 2.5 apg
JoJo Zamora, Senior, Guard, 7.5 ppg
Trevelin Queen, Junior, Guard, 7.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.5 (62nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.6 (29, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.5 (115, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.9 (76, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.0 (56, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.9 (253, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.4 (288, 7)
Rebound Margin: 9.0 (5, 1)
Assists Per Game: 14.6 (81, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (80, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Clemson |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Baylor |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Kansas |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to San Diego State |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Saint Louis |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Indiana |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Michigan State |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Texas |
| 2000 | NIT | First Round loss to Arizona State |
| 1999 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Kentucky |
| 1995 | NIT | First Round win over Colorado |
| 1995 | NIT | Second Round win over UTEP |
| 1995 | NIT | Quarterfinal loss to Virginia Tech |
*all team stats through 3/10
