New Mexico State Aggies: NCAA Tournament Profile

7-5 Sim Bhullar is a sight to see. (Albuquerque Journal)

New Mexico State Aggies (26-9, 12-4 WAC)-The Aggies are one of the must-watch teams in this NCAA Torunament, if for no other reason than 7-5, 355 pound freshman (you read that right) Sim Bhullar. He’s so big that his sneakers almost take up the entire space between the free throw line and the top of the key. Bhullar isn’t a stiff, either, as he averages 10.3 points, 7.9 boards and 3.4 blocks per game, which ranks fifth in the country.

This isn’t your older brother’s WAC, as most of the teams are new to the league. Frankly, the WAC sucks. Six of the nine teams finished under .500, and several of them finished well below that mark. New Mexico State was hammered by Arizona, 76-49, in December. They played Gonzaga well on Dec. 7, falling 80-68.

Four Aggies average in double figures in scoring, led by 6-2 junior guard Daniel Mullings at 16.8 per. Big man Tshilidzi Nephawe (he’s from South Africa) averaged 11.1 points and 7.8 boards per.

This is a team that could conceivably pull off a first-round upset. But it’s not one that’s going to go on a run to the Sweet 16. The best thing the Aggies have going for them is their ridiculous size up front, and the productivity of their big guys.

KEY STATS:

9th Field Goal Percentage (.491)

39th Points per Game (77.2)

55th Rebounds per Game (37.3)

7th Blocks per Game (6.3)