This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Logan • Indiana State will always be part of Utah's college basketball history, thanks to a guy named Larry Bird.
In 1979, the Sycamores reached the NCAA Final Four, which was played at the University of Utah's Special Events Center.
Indiana State lost to Michigan State in the championship game, but the battle between future Hall of Fame rivals Magic Johnson and Bird made it one of the most iconic of all time.
On Saturday night, Indiana State is back in Utah.
The Sycamores visit Utah State as part of the Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge.
The series annually matches teams from the two conferences. The goal: improve the home schedules and RPIs of schools which otherwise have difficulty convincing quality opponents to visit.
This year's Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge also includes games between Wichita State-Colorado State, Northern Iowa-Wyoming, Nevada-Bradley, Missouri State-Air Force, New Mexico-Illinois State, San Diego State-Loyola, Boise State- Evansville and Fresno State-Drake.
Last season, Utah State scored a 69-68 victory at Missouri State.
The Aggies are 3-3 heading into the game against Indiana State — their first at home since Nov, 19.
After a 3-0 start, including an 81-55 victory over Idaho State, Utah State has lost three consecutive games, to Purdue (85-64), Texas Tech (75-51) and BYU (77-63).
"Our guys are excited to play," coach Tim Duryea said. "They are anxious to redeem themselves and put on a good performance. The last time we played in this building, our guys played well and played with confidence. I'm expecting that same group to show up."
The Sycamores come off a 62-53 win over Northern Illinois. The victory bumped their record to 3-4.
"Indiana State is a typical Missouri Valley basketball team," Duryea said. "They are athletic, extremely good defensively and take a lot of pride in the defensive side of the ball. That's really the way that whole league is. It is a well-coached league that really values defense. Indiana State is right out of that same cloth."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State vs. Indiana State
P At the Spectrum
Tipoff • 7 p.m.
TV • Mountain West Network
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 3-2; Indiana State 3-4
Series • Utah State, 1-0
Last meeting • Utah State, 97-96 in OT (1972-73)
About the Aggies • They have lost three straight games. … They come off a 77-63 loss to BYU. … During the losing streak, they have been out-rebounded, 122-82. … They are 3-0 at home. … F Jalen Moore (1,225) needs 14 points to pass Max Perry (1,236) and Jim Boatwright (1,238) and move into 22nd place on the all-time scoring list.
About the Sycamores • They come off a 63-52 win over Northern Illinois. … Earlier this season, they narrowly lost to Iowa State (73-71) and Stanford (65-62). … They average 75.3 points and shoot 34.5 percent on three-pointers. … They force 15.6 turnovers per game. … Junior G Scott Brenton is their leading scorer (19.3).