Longtime coming: 2 top mid majors a win away from Sweet 16

In mid-major-dom it’s often an argument if Saint Mary’s and New Mexico are a part of its world…

They have had their fair share of high seeds and 25+ win seasons since the turn of the century, selling out arenas and consistently being ranked in the Top 25. But, neither of them has made the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2010. That was Saint Mary’s. New Mexico, who has been everywhere from a 3 seed to an 11, has never made it in the modern era. But it’s been a flurry of sour stays for each since then and each are a win away from breaking a curse.

If you’re like me, an East Coast guy, it’s a rare opportunity to watch both of them play in the same week, albeit the same day. On the first Friday of the NCAA Tournament in Cleveland, many people alike were granted that opportunity east of the Mississippi. Saint Mary’s tipped off the always popular mid-afternoon slate and was followed by New Mexico against a stout Marquette bunch to tip off the evening.

Safe to say, it was successful, and both had a chance to make program history on Sunday.

SAINT MARY’S 59, VANDERBILT 56

The Gaels of Saint Mary’s have not been to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2010. Its current squad has heard a fair share about that team from 2011 WCC Player of the Year, Mickey McConnell, and hopes to become the 2nd team since the NCAA Tournament expanded to dance into the second weekend.

“I’m tired of Mickey McConnell saying I was on that Sweet 16 team,” said WCC Defensive Player of the Year Mitchell Saxen postgame.”It’s time to put another team in the history books for us.”

It was not a pretty start for SMC on Friday, trailing by seven at the half and opening the game 2-16 from three. One of those three’s was from Saxen. The second of his career. The first since the second game of his collegiate career, which was 158 games ago.

“Better to be lucky than good sometimes,” exclaimed Saxon after the game.

A flip switched though as the second half started, something the Gaels have been known for. A once 12-point lead was tied at 43 with 8:03 left to go and an absolute slobberknocker took over the remainder of the afternoon.

Saint Mary’s would go up six on a Luke Barrett three with 2:01 left to go to put the Gaels up six. But Vanderbilt immediately responded with a three of its own. They traded a couple of buckets to make it 58-56 SMC with 1:01 left to go but a big offensive rebound by Mitchell Saxen with 28 seconds left to go changed everything. It was his 11th rebound of the game, matching Luke Barrett with a double-double. Saxen got fouled, went to the line, and made one of two to put them up three with 27.7 left to go and that’s where SMC had to shine at what they’ve done best with all season… rebounding and playing defense.

“We’re really good defensively, and we came real big on the boards,” said head coach Randy Bennett postgame.

Now the Gaels aren’t your normal good mid-major at those two things. They ranked 2nd in the country in offensive rebounding percentage and 7th in the country in defensive efficiency. Pretty damn good.

Jason Edwards missed the first shot for Vandy to try and tie it up, then an offensive rebound. There was 13.2 left to go and it seemed like nothing with this stout Gaels defense. They trapped Davidson transfer Grant Huffman in the corner, he got the ball out of his hands with little time remaining and the Commodores put up a rough shot, not falling in and advancing the Gaels to the Round of 32 for the third time since 2022.

“It’s a huge win for Saint Mary’s and the West Coast Conference,” said Bennett postgame.

Saint Mary’s will play a Final Four team from last season, Alabama, for a chance at its first Sweet 16 since 2010.

NEW MEXICO 75, MARQUETTE 66

New Mexico has never been to the Sweet 16 in the modern era of the NCAA Tournament. That does not mean that the program hasn’t had a run of history since the field expanded.

The Lobos have been a #3 seed three times since 1997, bowing out in the second round that year and in 2010. In 2013, they had maybe their best team in recent history but lost to Harvard in the first round.

After its win over Marquette on Friday, 75-66, the Lobos helped to make Mountain West history. For the first time since 2010, the Mountain West has sent two non-San Diego State teams to the Round of 32. It was the program’s first win in the NCAA Tournament since 2012.

“We gotta come out and play hard on defense; our defense is our identity. So we come out and play defense, and offense will take care of itself,” Tru Washington said postgame.

New Mexico held control for the first half, trailing for only 49 seconds and taking a lead of as much as eight. Once it was cut down to three heading into the half, Lobos fans started to get worried about another March letdown.

“That’s part of the game. We gotta play hard regardless, specifically in March. We lose, we’re going home. We came here to win games,” said Mustapha Amzil.

In the second half, New Mexico and Marquette went back-and-forth for the first dozen minutes before one of the greatest in Lobo history, Donovan Dent took over, as he has done all season in the second half.

Time and time again, the Mountain West All-Defensive team snub cleared the way, led the Lobos to 8-0 run, and spearheaded multiple big defensive stops. Dent finished with 21 points and 6 assists, his seventh straight game with at least 20 points and 5 assists.

“He’s one of the best point guards in the country,” said Pitino on Dent postgame. “Had to step up and win us the game. In crunch time, he stepped up and made huge plays.”

The Lobos will get their shot at history on Sunday evening against the winner of Bryant and Michigan State.