Utah State MBB playing for Mountain West Championship
LAS VEGAS — “We’re not just happy to be here,” USU guard Steven Ashworth said after beating Boise State to earn a bid to the Mountain West Championship Game. “We have something still to prove and we know how great they are and we know that we’ve got to play our best basketball.”
For the first time under head coach Ryan Odom and the fourth time in five seasons, Utah State Men’s Basketball will challenge San Diego State for the Mountain West title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, though most projections now have both teams making March Madness regardless.
“We’re happy to be a part of it and happy to be a representative in the championship game tomorrow,” Odom said.
It’s an opportunity the Aggies have been striving for all season to fulfill a goal they made during the offseason.
“These guys had a goal over the summer to compete for a championship in the Mountain West,” head coach Ryan Odom said. “That’s why they lifted weights. It’s why they worked so hard to become a connected group, and they worked on their individual games.”
That goal has been a constant reminder to help the Aggies when they’ve struggled this season.
“We say it every single breakdown that we want to be playing for the Mountain West Championship,” Ashworth said. “We know how good this league is and how much of an accomplishment that is already.”
The team has reiterated throughout the season that “champions always answer.” Utah State did that last night against Boise State outscoring the Broncos 44-26 in the second half to overcome an eight-point deficit for a 72-62 victory. Now they have the opportunity to become champions.
“If you were in the locker room just now, you would see that they’re excited,” Odom said. “But they understand there’s more work to do. They want to go for it. I know San Diego State feels the same way.”
And while Odom is happy that his guys have achieved their goal to play in the final, he’s made it clear that there are no guarantees.
“There’s no guarantees in life. Our guys understand that,” Odom said. “They’re going to have to play really, really well in order to have a chance tomorrow to beat a great San Diego State team. They’ve had an awesome season this year.”
SDSU has seemed like an unmoveable object this season for the Aggies, sweeping the season series 2-0. The Aztecs were the only team to beat Utah State at home in Mountain West play. Ashworth said USU is excited to get a third crack at San Diego State.
“Really excited that at 3 (p.m.) we get 40 more minutes to go out and try to prove ourselves, and once again, as we say, play Aggie basketball,” Ashworth said.
That being said, Utah State has exceeded expectations this season. After losing Justin Bean and Brandon Horvath, USU was voted to finish eighth in the conference in a preseason media poll. Instead, the returning Aggies made huge strides and newcomers Taylor Funk and Dan Akin filled important roles to boost Utah State to a tie for second place. But that isn’t enough for the team who has been striving to prove its worth to the conference and NCAA Tournament selection committee the entire season. They want the ‘ship.
“I think they always feel like, ‘Hey, we haven’t done anything yet,’” Odom said. “There’s always something around the corner for this team, and certainly we’re excited about the opportunity to compete against a great team.”
Utah State and San Diego State tip-off at 4 p.m. MST. The contest will be broadcast on Aggie Radio 92.3 FM.
Featured image by Heidi Bingham.