Who’s Playing
New Mexico St. @ Connecticut
Regular Season Records: New Mexico St. 25-6; Connecticut 23-9
What to Know
The #21 Connecticut Huskies and the New Mexico St. Aggies are set to clash at 6:50 p.m. ET March 17 at KeyBank Center in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies will be strutting in after a win while UConn will be stumbling in from a defeat.
The Huskies were close but no cigar this past Friday as they fell 63-60 to the Villanova Wildcats. UConn got double-digit scores from four players: guard Tyrese Martin (19), forward Adama Sanogo (15), guard R.J. Cole (11), and guard Andre Jackson (10). That makes it four consecutive games in which Adama Sanogo has had at least 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, New Mexico St. earned some more postseason success in their contest this past Saturday. They enjoyed a cozy 66-52 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats. The top scorer for New Mexico St. was guard Clayton Henry (15 points). Henry hadn’t helped his team much against the Grand Canyon Antelopes this past Friday, so this was a nice turnaround for him.
Two defensive stats to keep an eye on: UConn have been holding their opponents to a field goal percentage of 40.10%, which places them 30th in college basketball. But the Aggies are even better: they have been holding their opponents to a field goal percentage of 39.10%, which places them 16th in college basketball. We’ll see if that edge gives New Mexico St. a route to victory.
How To Watch
- When: Thursday at 6:50 p.m. ET
- Where: KeyBank Center — Buffalo, New York
- TV: TNT
- Follow: CBS Sports App
Series History
This is the first time these teams have played each other within the last seven years.