This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Tucson, Ariz. • Even if the responses were different, the circumstance is the same for Utah State's six seniors.

This is the third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for the Aggies. Three of the six — Tai Wesley, Pooh Williams and Tyler Newbold — were in the starting lineup when USU lost to Marquette in 2009's first round. The No. 12 Aggies are experienced. They are successful. The six seniors, in terms of winning, are the best group in Utah State history with a combined 108 victories.

And yet much of their legacy is tied to the fact that they haven't won a tournament game.

"Obviously, this is our last chance," Newbold said.

That final opportunity comes on Thursday night against No. 5 Kansas State University at Tucson's McKale Center in a Southeast Region first-round matchup.

For a team that's been to eight NCAA Tournaments in 12 years, USU has seen precious little respect on a national level.

And with a group that has more experience than any other in school history, the pressure is on to finally break through what has been a brick ceiling.

"I think there's always going to be a little pressure playing on a big stage like this," Wesley said. "But more than anything, you know, we're going to have fun. We're the 12th seed, the pressure should be on Kansas State."

The preparation started for the Aggies last season after a loss to Texas A&M ended yet another unfulfilled tournament run. Utah State, led by its rising senior class, resolved to make noise this season and never shied away from it publicly.

With each question, the team never backed down from its mission, which was to dominate the Western Athletic Conference, to win the league tournament, to make the Big Dance and to play well enough to advance.

The Aggies have accomplished much of what they've wanted. With 30 wins, a victory on Thursday would give USU a school record.

The Aggies were so dominant in the WAC that it took their worst effort of the season for Idaho to win in Moscow and become the only league team to beat USU.

Utah State climbed the national rankings and found itself with its highest RPI ranking, 15, in school history. The Aggies beat St. Mary's on the road, came very close to beating BYU and hung with Georgetown for 30 minutes before the Hoyas pulled away.

"The success has made us hungry," Williams said. "I mean, we understand the situation. It's win or go home, and I'm pretty sure that nobody on this team wants to go home yet. You know, we want to keep this thing going for as long as we can. It's been a fun year, and none of us are ready to be done yet."

That perfectly embodies Utah State's attitude. The Aggies feel, in part, that the season won't be complete without success in the tournament. Even with a 12 seed that many felt was undeserved, Utah State was a loose, confident bunch on Wednesday, as it went through its news conference and practice that was open to the public.

But will it be enough against a powerful Kansas State team?

We'll all know the answer on Thursday night.

"One of the reasons we wanted to play a Georgetown was to get a look at what we might see in the tournament," Stew Morrill said. "We know it's going to be a real step up in size and strength, so it's going to be up to us to adjust." —

No. 12 Utah State vs. No. 5 Kansas State

P Southeast Region, first round,

Thursday, 30 minutes after 5:27 p.m. Wisconsin-Belmont game ends.

TV • truTV (see inside for Salt Lake City channel listings). —

Channel numbers in Salt Lake City

CBS • Comcast 2 SD/654 HD; DirecTV 2; Dish 2

TBS • Comcast 32 SD/674 HD; DirecTV 247; Dish 139

TNT • Comcast 39 SD/667 HD; DirecTV 245; Dish 138

truTV • Comcast 44 SD/736 HD; DirecTV 246; Dish 204.