7. No. 12 New Mexico State Aggies vs No. 5 UConn Huskies in West Region
WynnBET odds: Huskies favored by 6 points
Few mid-major teams have been to the NCAA Tournament as much as New Mexico State, which continues to dominate the WAC no matter who stays or goes in the league. But one thing this program has yet to accomplish is winning a game in the NCAA Tournament, partly due to the fact that they tend to get a 13-16 seed placement.
This time though, the Aggies are a 12. And they have a former power conference star in Teddy Allen, the WAC Player of the Year (19.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg), more than capable of going off in any game. And this is a roster that has plenty of experience and talent, with Sir’Jabari Rice (12.2 ppg) the other double-digit scorer on the roster.
West Region Round of 64 lines (@WynnBET):
— BetSided (@BetSided) March 14, 2022
Georgia St vs. Gonzaga -23, 148.5
Memphis vs. Boise State +2.5, 133.5
NM State vs. UConn -6, 133.5
Vermont vs. Arkansas -4.5, 140
Montana St vs. Texas Tech -14.5, 131
Davidson vs. Michigan St -1.5, 140
CS Fullerton vs. Duke -17, 143
New Mexico State has plenty of depth and size and it’ll be tested against UConn, which has a center in Adama Sanoga that will be very difficult to stop. Guards RJ Cole and Tyrese Martin are double-digit scorers and quality defenders and the Huskies as a team is one of the better defensive units in the country.
If the Aggies don’t have an answer for Sanogo down low, this game could get ugly. But UConn’s offense at times goes on long droughts and one here could be costly. This is one of New Mexico State’s best chances at winning a first-round game and they have possibly the best overall player in Allen but the Huskies have the next best 4-5 guys, which very well could give them the edge.