This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
One of the reasons Utah State got beat by Texas A&M last season is because the Aggies failed to match up to the physicality of the game when it counted. When it counted, Texas A&M came out and beat USU with strength. When it counted, Utah State failed to fight back.
Well, different team, different NCAA tournament, same style of play and same conference. The one thing that defines Kansas State is the ability of the Wildcats to play extremely hard. They will fight through every screen, fight for every rebound andtry to overwhelm USU with strength. How the Aggies counter that will be an absolutely huge key to Thursday's game.
The USU players have admitted that an adjustment period was needed last year and the year before against Marquette. There's no excuse for that this season. For Utah State's core group of six seniors, three of them have been in the starting lineup for all three tournament appearances. This will be the last time this group has a chance to win a game on the national stage.
Tony Jones