Former Ag assistant finally able to win against Utah State
It seemed like it would never happen. Former Utah State assistant coach and current Idaho Head Coach Leonard Perry wasn’t sure if a win against the Aggies under his leadership was possible.
No matter how good his squad played, the Aggies always seemed to fair slightly better.
Saturday was different though.
The Vandals were clearly the better team, and Perry knew it.
Although Idaho struggled down the stretch, Perry said the key was holding Utah State and keeping them from finding the basket.
It isn’t like the Vandals have a bad relationship with the Aggies though — in fact, Perry would like to consider the two teams friends.
The programs are the only schools in the Big West Conference outside of California.
“We work together a lot,” he said. “I have the utmost respect for them, but tonight it was a battle.”
Not only does Perry have respect for the program at Utah State, but also the men leading it.
He said he is good friends with all of the coaches at USU.
Things might not be as friendly when Perry returns home though, especially with his wife.
“This is a special place to me,” he said of Logan. “I’m on the outs with my wife because I didn’t let her come on the trip. She wanted to drive, but look at the weather conditions. I’m glad I didn’t let her. It will be cold at home though.”
Quotables
“We usually play well after losses. We lost in double overtime at [Cal State] Fullerton. This was the biggest win of my short career.”
— Perry said following the game.
“We played eight to 10 minutes of aggressive basketball and they played 40. They deserved to win. That’s basically the way it was.”
— USU Head Coach Stew Morrill
By the Numbers
7,448 — paid attendance for Saturday’s
game.
1999 — prior to Saturday, the last time
Idaho had won against the
Aggies. The Vandals captured a
77-58 win.
27 — coaches in Idaho’s 96 years of
existence. Perry is a 1994 graduate
of UI and the starting point guard
on the school’s 1990 Big Sky
championship team.
19-11 — series record against the Vandals.
2 — traveling calls made against Cardell
Butler.
2 — remaining home/regular season
games. The Aggies host CS
Northridge and Pacific on Thursday
and Saturday respectively.
1 — time the Utah State band broke out
the “Three Blind Mice” song.
–juag@cc.usu.edu