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Big 12 Basketball Impacts Local Teams.
Both the WAC and Conference USA placed teams in the NCAA tournament and a lot was on the line. Besides the prestige of winning against the top competition in the nation money was also a factor. The farther that NMSU and Nevada from the WAC and Memphis from CUSA went toward the Final Four the more money the conferences and our local teams receive.
Standing in the way of both NMSU and Memphis were two of the hottest teams in the nation and both were from Texas in the Big 12 conference.
NMSU was in unfamiliar territory as they made a rare appearance at the Big Dance. But Texas, the Big 12's freshman overachieving team along with freshman phenome Kevin Durant were going to take their Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde brand of up and down basketball to Spokane WA to take on this upstart Aggie... NMSU Aggie... team.
Coach Reggie Theus of NMSU was sending out messages to the Texas team during an interview... "They have the great player and that's always an issue," Theus said. "But at the same time, when you've got one guy that leads you in everything, it can go south on you if he's having a tough night."
Texas was clearly moved out of their rhythm by the tough defense that Coach Reggie Theus cooked up but, Durant would hit 15 of 16 free throws to seal the deal after NMSU had taken the lead late in the second half.
Memphis would have to wait until the second round to take on the tough Aggies from Texas A & M now coached by former Miner coach, Billy Gillespie. This team of Aggies were one of the most seasoned Big 12 teams to make it to the NCAA tournament in years.
That game would go down to the wire and this time the Aggies super senior and All-American Acie Law IV did not come up big as he had in so many great last minute shots and the Aggies went down.
Memphis lost to Ohio State which has had the number 1 ranked team for most of the season.
(Photos: File- Valley Publishing Company)
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