EL PASO, TEXAS -- New Mexico State University overcame the odds in Reno, Nev., Saturday and came home Sunday with the Western Athletic Conference championship.

"You have to win that game to get in, we don't get in otherwise," said head coach Marvin Menzies.

By winning the WAC they received and automatic bid in the NCAA tournament, but will face a tough Michigan State University. The Aggies are a No. 12 seed and Michigan State is a No. 5 seed.

"Our mantra right now is one more win, one more win, we've been preaching that for the last few games and it's been working so far," said Menzies.

As for the University of Texas El Paso Miners, they've been on the edge of their seat since not winning the Conference-USA tournament.

Nonetheless, they were certain to still get an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament and hundreds of fans packed the Don Haskins Center Sunday to support their team when it was announced who they would face in the first round of the tournament. Turns out it would be the No. 5 seeded Butler.

"We happen to be in the (No.) 12 seed which is fine with me, we're in there. It's just time to make some noise now," said Junior forward Derrick Caracter.

"Now that we're in , we've got to prepare ourselves," said UTEP coach Tony Barbee.

And if anyone believes in this Miner team, it's the fans.

"I'm honestly disappointed if they don't make the sweet sixteen," said UTEP fan Joshua Johnson.

UTEP will be playing Butler Thursday in San Jose, Calif. NMSU will be playing Michigan State on Friday in Spokane, Wash. The University of New Mexico received a No. 3 seed and it's the first time all three schools along the Rio Grande have been in the NCAA tournament at the same time.