But it was also an unnecessary logistical mess, shipping the winner of that First Four game from Dayton, Ohio, to Portland, Ore., when the NCAA could have sent it to Buffalo, to meet Connecticut while New Mexico State stayed out West and played Saint Mary’s without compromising any bracket principles. A really strong Saint Mary’s team moved on, as it should have. And so it unfolded, the fifth-seeded Gaels pulverizing Indiana, 82-53, in Portland, Ore., on Thursday. Randy Bennett’s team is that good, and the Hoosiers (who didn’t play well for five weeks before winning twice in the Big Ten tournament) and the Cowboys (who beat one tournament team - Cal State Fullerton - outside of Laramie,) were debatable picks.
With that, the Mountain West became just the seventh league to land at least three bids to an NCAA tournament and go winless, and the first to go 0-for-the-tourney with at least four teams since the SEC in 1989.Ĭollege sports Chances are, under nearly any circumstances, Saint Mary’s was going to pound whoever came out of the Indiana-Wyoming First Four game. And then to close out the showing, San Diego State wasted a 14-point lead and fell, 72-69, to Creighton in overtime. Boise State got overwhelmed by Memphis in the first half, trailing by 19 at the break and never getting closer than five. Colorado State wasted a 15-point lead against Michigan and lost in Thursday’s first game of the day. But then Wyoming lost said First Four game to Indiana. And Wyoming was a feel-good choice for a play-in game. San Diego State, a defensive menace, had tournament experience. Colorado State, led by conference player of the year David Roddy, earned a No.
Boise State won the regular season and the tournament.
The league produced a four-bid contingent for the first time since five teams made it in 2013. But one of the biggest losers is already clear: the Mountain West. College sports It’s a long way until everyone knows who the winner of the NCAA tournament is.