This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Despite a 16-15 record and strong enough credentials that would have made it attractive to second-tier postseason tournaments, the Utah State men's basketball stayed home.

According to coach Tim Duryea, the school decided to spent the money that would have been required for tournament participation on a "foreign tour" in August. He did not say where the Aggies will play.

"We made the decision, administratively, that [the tour] is where we would put our resources," Duryea said.

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Duryea endorsed last week's decision by Mountain West Conference school presidents to reverse a previous decision which reduced the field for the league's basketball tournaments to eight starting in 2017.

In December, it was announced the men's and women's tournaments would not include the bottom three teams in the regular-season standings.

Upon further review, the tournament format will stay the same. All 11 teams will go to Las Vegas.

"I was thrilled to see that the correct decision was made in the end," Duryea said. "Everybody feels better about it. … It is best for our players, as opposed to doing something with only financial consideration in mind. I don't think we are that kind of league."

— Steve Luhm