Utah State's basketball journey is on fire! They're in their 24th NCAA Tournament appearance, making it two years in a row and the fourth time in six years. This team has been on a roll since the 2000s, hitting the court for 12 NCAA Tournaments, including the unforgettable 2021 and 2023 games. Remember the 2020 tourney? They were set to play but got sidelined by COVID-19. Talk about a suspenseful start!
But let's zoom in on their recent victory against TCU, where they broke a 10-game NCAA Tournament losing streak with an impressive 88-72 win. It's been a while since they tasted that victory, not since they took down Ohio State in 2001 with a nail-biting 77-68 overtime win.
Their showdown with TCU wasn't just any win—it was historic! Their 16-point victory marked their largest win ever in an NCAA Tournament game, outdoing their 10-point win against UTEP way back in 1970. Now, that's what we call stepping up their game!
Utah State hasn't seen the round of 32 often since seeding began in 1980, with only one prior appearance. In 2001, they faced UCLA and fell short with a 75-50 loss. But let's rewind to 1970, the last time they made a splash past the first round. They triumphed over UTEP, then edged out Santa Clara 69-68, before bowing out to No. 2 UCLA 101-79. What a wild ride!
Fast forward to 2024, and Utah State is dominating the Mountain West, clinching their first outright regular-season title in their 11-year league history. They've racked up an impressive 18 conference championships, showing they're a force to be reckoned with.
The accolades keep rolling in for Utah State's players and coaches. Danny Sprinkle snagged the Steve Fisher Coach of the Year title, while Great Osobor swept up Player and Newcomer of the Year. Josh Uduje also made his mark as Co-Sixth Man of the Year. Talk about a dream team!
Great Osobor's star shines bright, earning him an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American spot. He's the eighth player in Aggie history to receive this honor, following in the footsteps of Neemias Queta in 2021.
Darius Brown II and Ian Martinez also earned their stripes with first-team all-MW honors and an honorable mention, respectively. Brown further solidified his status by making the defensive team.
Brown didn't stop there. He tied the single-season assist record with 224 assists in the 2023-24 season, just one shy of breaking the all-time record set by Kris Clark in 2007-08.
Utah State's dominance extends beyond home court, with 14 wins away from home this year, tying for the most in the Mountain West and fourth in the nation. They're showing they're a force to be reckoned with wherever they play.
What makes their success even more remarkable? They're one of just three teams in the nation returning zero points to their 2023-24 roster, alongside New Mexico State and Northwestern State. They also have the second-fewest returning rebounds and assists, proving they're building a new legacy from scratch. Watch out, college basketball—Utah State is on the rise!
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