Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Wildcats started their reign as the new no. 1 team in the country this week. The Wildcats have not been on top of the college basketball world since 2003. The first contender to try and knock the Wildcats were the New Mexico State Aggies.
The Aggies dropped their first game to a directional Michigan team, but bounced back to win seven games in a row. Their seven-game winning streak was snapped by Colorado State, followed up quickly with a blow out loss to in-state rival New Mexico. Three days later, the Aggies continued their skid with a loss to no. 19 Gonzaga. In order to avoid a four game losing streak, the Aggies would have to venture across state lines and beat the best team in the country.
Pulling off the upset in Tucson, Ariz. is a tall task for any team, but a monumental task for the Aggies. New Mexico State has struggled on the road this season, going 2-3. In the first half, it seemed plausible that the Aggies could hang around with Arizona, but the second half was a much different affair.
New Mexico State was consistent with their scoring output, scoring 24 points in each half. Defensively, New Mexico State held their own in the first half by holding the potent Arizona offense to 32 points. Much like many underdogs, New Mexico State faded away in the second half. Arizona flat out busted the hinges off the barn door, scoring 42 points. For those struggling with the math, the final score was 74-48. Ouch.
The Aggies attempted to muster a fight, but were inevitably just a minor bump in the road for the Wildcats. There is no more rest for the weary as the Aggies will have to travel to Des Moines, Iowa to face the Drake Bulldogs. If the Aggies can’t get back on track against Drake, they run the risk of losing six consecutive games being that they face New Mexico again next Tuesday.
Jack Dooley is a Big 12 Basketball writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JackDooleyOCS or Facebook.
