Aggies basketball on ESPN 7 times in 2010-2011
After providing viewers around the nation with a glimpse of one of the nation’s best kept secrets in the college basketball last season, Utah State will once again highlight ESPN’s coverage of Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball, as it was announced that the Aggies will appear on the ESPN family of network at least seven times during the 2010-2011 season.
ESPN 2 is currently slated to carry three USU basketball games this coming season, including a Feb. 2 matchup with Nevada that will be broadcast at 9 p.m. MST from the Glen Dee Smith Spectrum. The Spectrum will also welcome an ESPNU crew on Jan. 22 when New Mexico State comes to Logan. On Dec. 4 Utah State will play on ESPNU when the Aggies travel to play Big East powerhouse Georgetown on the out of conference slate.
The Western Athletic Conference is currently guaranteed at least 22 regular season games on the ESPN family of networks this season, although that number is likely to increase. Not only will ESPN televise the WAC tournament quarterfinal games in March, but ESPN’s annual “BracketBuster” competition could feature a WAC team – including Utah State – in February. Last season Utah State defeated Witchita State in the Bracketbuster competition in a nationally televised game on ESPN.
USU men’s basketball will begin the preseason on October 30 when the Aggies on the Universite Laval in an exhibition game from the Spectrum. The Aggie season will start in earnest when Weber State comes to Logan on Nov 13. The Aggies return four starters from last years regular season WAC championship team, and also return proven bench players Brian Green and Brady Jardine.
The Aggies will play a challenging nonconference slate that will feature five games against in-state schools, and will also travel to play at Denver, Georgetwon and Troy. USU will officially begin conference play on Dec. 29 when Hawaii comes to town, and will finish WAC play during the WAC tournament in Las Vegas between March 9-12. Aggie head coach Stew Morrill, who has a 176-13 (.931) career record in the Spectrum, spoke to the challenges of playing the WAC teams, but said that the league’s competition should make the 2010-2011 season a special one for USU.
“When we get to WAC play we will face the usual tough competition, and with the league ever-changing each team will want to make this season one to remember,” Morrill said.
– adamnettina@aggiemail.usu.edu