Nearly two decades ago, the Utah State men’s basketball team was a lowly 12 seed but defeated Ohio State in overtime, guard Tony Brown becoming legend in Utah’s Cache Valley for pump-faking his way to the game-tying bucket 1.8 seconds before all hope dissolved. That was before the Aggies ran away with it in overtime. Led by coach Stew Morrill, USU would make the NCAA Tournament six more times in just the next 10 years. But they never got higher than an 11 seed, and they had to go to the tournament four more times and have spent time nationally ranked upon getting that not-recognition recognition.

Utah State coach Stew Morrill led the Aggies to eight NCAA Tournament berths in 12 seasons, six followed a tournament victory and sometimes, USU was ranked or recently had been. But his program was never given better than an 11 seed — and once were not put into the tournament at all. (ABC4.com)

And, just three seasons after their Cinderella win, they were 25–3 and nationally ranked but were kept out of the tournament. (They were also a 30-win, nationally-ranked team in 2011, but only got a 12 seed.)

Then this year, the Aggies got an eight seed. It was deserved this year, as USU went 28–6 before the seeding, beat nationally ranked Nevada and won both their regular season and conference titles. Regardless of USU’s loss against Washington, many in Aggie country considered the news of the eight seed to be overdue (and this is probably how most folks in the area felt).

It is unique to see the Aggies in the front half of the seeds in a bracket and have even been favored by many against the Huskies. Folks should tip their hats to USU coach Craig Smith, players Sam Merrill and Neemias Queda, a reportedly resurged Spectrum crowd and the Aggie program.

A Utah State student section was behind an Aggie basketball program as it turned out seasons where it was nationally ranked but could never get higher than an 11 seed. (USUStats.com)

During their run where they hardly saw seed improvement, the Aggies were propelled by a Dee Glen Smith Spectrum student section that become notorious even nationally for their hostility. Matt Sonnenberg, a USU graduate, voluntarily wrote a newsletter called The Refraction that pointed out the worst in opposing players. He did this every game for some seasons. The crowd’s “I believe that we will win!” chant was later seen in various sporting events across the country. For a handful of years, they had a mascot of sorts in “Wild Bill” Sproat, who would dress in various costumes — like a tea pot costume.

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