New Mexico Feels NCAA Fever – Fans Cautious

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — For the third year in a row, New Mexico and New Mexico State are headed to the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

But after two straight early exits, fans say this year they are being more restrained. Fans say they don't want to get their hopes up.

The seventh-seeded New Mexico (27-6) is scheduled Friday to take on 10th seed Stanford (21-12) in the South Region in St. Louis.

Meanwhile, the 13th-seeded New Mexico State (26-9) will face No. 4 seed San Diego State (29-4) on Thursday in Spokane, Wash.

Still, fans from Las Cruces to Albuquerque are pulling out there jerseys, setting up viewing parties and hitting social media to discuss their chances.

A spokesman for Gov. Susana Martinez said the governor plans to attend New Mexico's game in St. Louis.