The number five seeded San Diego State Aztecs of the Mountain West Conference have advanced to the Final Four of the Men’s March Madness tournament, a feat that not many thought was possible.
This is the first time that any Mountain West school has made it as far as the Elite Eight, let alone the final four.
The Wyoming Cowboys division counterpart has made quite the “Cinderella run” thus far in the NCAA Tournament, and look to keep going.
So why should Cowboy fans care?
For every game played by Mountain West teams in the NCAA tournament, the conference receives a “unit.”
This season, each unit is worth $342,000, and there will be at least eight games played by the MW in the NCAA tournament. This amount could increase depending on how the Aztecs do against Florida Atlantic.
Those eight games are thanks to San Diego State (five), Nevada, Boise State, and Utah State all having one game played a piece.
If the Aztecs lose in the Final Four, approximately $2.7 million will be split between the conference, and around $3 million if they win.
As it stands now, each Mountain West men’s basketball program will receive approximately $250,000 via March Madness.
As for SDSU’s journey, the Aztecs are set to take on the number nine seeded Florida Atlantic Owls in Houston, on Saturday, April 1.
Their road to glory was by no means easy, beating the number 12 seeded Charleston Cougars 63-57 in the first round.
A blowout win came directly after, beating the fan favorite number 13 seeded Furman Paladins 75-52. Micah Parrish led the way with 16 points off the bench.
They would then take on their biggest challenge of the entire season, Alabama. The number one seeded Alabama Crimson Tide fell short to the Aztecs in the Sweet 16 round, 71-64.
Many have called this the most important win in the history of the Mountain West Conference, as they advanced to the first Elite Eight and Final Four in Mountain West history.
In a nail-biter, the number six seeded Creighton Bluejays fell to the Aztecs 57-56. It came down to the last second, but they were able to get it done.
Pertaining to the Wyoming Cowboys, fans should keep an eye out for the Aztecs, as they have not only had an interesting season, but could also be funding the Pokes next season.
