COLUMN: USU finally gets media attention

The Aggies surprised a lot of people, including many of their own fans, with their successful run in the NCAA Tournament this year. Despite the loss to UCLA last Saturday, euphoria still abounds, as was evident by last night’s tribute to the team in the Spectrum.

After the Aggies upset Ohio State in the first round of the NCAAs, the most positive outcome was probably the attention they received in the national press. And, most importantly, they gained much-deserved respect.

One of the best vignettes of the Aggies during tourney time came from CBS Sportsline columnist Dan Wetzel. Wetzel said though USU doesn’t come from a power conference and “Logan is not exactly a famed hoops town … this is a very good team, with very good players and an exceptional head coach.”

Glad the media started finally noticing a team that didn’t exactly get much national coverage during the regular season. But if there’s any time to get noticed, it’s during the NCAA Tourney.

This year will hopefully be a stepping stone. Last year the Aggies lost in the first round. This year they made it to the second round. With that experience under their belt, will they be able to make a longer run next year? Let’s hope so.

Media darlings

USU point guard Bernard Rock’s 18-point performance against the Buckeyes made him one of the most sought after interviews in Greensboro, N.C. Stories abounded in the national press on his unlikely route to Utah State from New York by way a of a prep school in Arizona and the New Mexico Military Academy. The media mentioned things like his nine tattoos, his football scholarship and a writer for the Los Angeles Times even mentioned his resemblance to NFL star Jerry Rice.

Forward Shawn Daniels was