Saint Louis vs. New Mexico State: Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread and Predictions

The surging Saint Louis Billikens head into the 2013 NCAA tournament having won 15 of their last 16 contests, including two wins against both Butler and VCU.

Saint Louis' opponent in the Round of 64, New Mexico State, sports a 24-10 record (14-4 WAC) but ranks 120th in strength of schedule, according to TeamRankings.com. The Aggies won their last five games en route to the WAC title.

Saint Louis is the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Regional, while New Mexico State is the No. 13 seed. Here's a breakdown of the matchup, complete with schedule and spread information.

Don't forget to print out your bracket and follow along with the live bracket. Make your picks for the 2013 NCAA tournament here with the Bracket Challenge Game.

All stats via ESPN.com and TeamRankings.com.

Where: San Jose, Calif.

When: Thursday, Mar. 21, at 2:10 p.m. ET

Watch: TNT

Live Stream: March Madness On Demand

Betting Line: -9 (via Vegas Insider)

Saint Louis Injuries (via USA Today): none

New Mexico State Injuries (via USA Today): F Tyrone Watson (ankle), questionable; C Tshilidzi Nephawe, out

What's at Stake?

After making it to the third round of the NCAA tournament in 2012, Saint Louis has soared this season in memory of former head coach Rick Majerus, who passed away on Dec. 21.

After a 25-7 record in 2011-2012, the Billikens went 21-5 (10-2 A-10) en route to the Atlantic-10 championship this season. They are looking to get past the Round of 32 for the first time in school history. If they defeat the Aggies in the Round of 64, they face the winner between Oklahoma State and Oregon.

New Mexico State made it to the NCAA tournament as a No. 13 seed last year, too. The Aggies ended up losing in the Round of 64 to Indiana. They made it to the Sweet 16 in 1992.

Players to Watch

Saint Louis: Dwayne Evans, Forward

Junior forward Dwayne Evans is averaging 13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 54 percent from the field this season.

He averaged 21.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in three games against Charlotte, Butler and VCU in the A-10 tournament.

This has been Evans' breakout campaign as the Billikens' leading scorer.

New Mexico State: Daniel Mullings, Guard

Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings is averaging 14.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals this season. He's shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from downtown. He's scored in double figures in four of his last five games.

The Aggies rank 46th in the nation in field-goal percentage, but they rank 67th in defensive efficiency (points allowed per possession). Mullings is important for them if they want to advance past the Round of 64.

Key Matchup: New Mexico State Offense vs. Saint Louis Defense

Saint Louis ranks ninth in the country in defensive efficiency. It's going to be a tall order for New Mexico State to upset the Billikens.

New Mexico State's third-leading scorer, Tyrone Watson, probably won't be 100 percent if he plays (ankle), so Mullings and company have to step up big time to come away with the victory.

Senior forward Bandja Sy (averaging 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds) will have to help out in that regard. He's scored in double figures in 17 of his past 20 games since the loss to Louisiana Tech on Dec. 31.

Prediction: Saint Louis Wins

Saint Louis has simply been on a roll, winning 15 of its last 16 matchups.

While the Billikens don't shoot the ball as well as the Aggies overall, they actually lead them in offensive efficiency. Part of the reason is that the Aggies rank 284th in turnover rate, coughing up the ball in more than 21 percent of possessions this season. On the other hand, Saint Louis ranks 46th in that category. New Mexico State also ranks 235th in three-point percentage.

The Aggies do have an advantage on the glass, but the Billikens have been rebounding better lately. I expect Saint Louis to advance to the Round of 32.