LOGAN — After securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a Mountain West tournament championship last Saturday, the Aggies were looking forward to a stress-free week leading up to Selection Sunday.
But thanks to rapidly growing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, that has been anything but the case.
”Our guys are somewhat disappointed that the NCAA Tournament games will be closed to the public. The pomp and circumstance and pageantry are a big part of the best sporting event in the world — the NCAA Tournament.” — Utah State coach Craig Smith
Wednesday afternoon NCAA President Mark Emmert released a statement saying that attendance at this year’s men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments would be limited to “only essential staff and limited family attendance.”
“While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States,” Emmert said. “This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans, and most importantly, our student-athletes.
“We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.”
Utah State head coach Craig Smith and his players weren’t available to the media after practice Wednesday afternoon at the Wayne Estes Center, but USU Athletic Media Relations released a statement from Smith later in the evening:
”I’m going to preface my comment by saying I have no medical background or experience, except getting a medical procedure for a broken nose. I am far from an expert in any science or medical field. I am a basketball coach and very proud of it,” Smith said.
”Our guys are somewhat disappointed that the NCAA Tournament games will be closed to the public. The pomp and circumstance and pageantry are a big part of the best sporting event in the world — the NCAA Tournament. The spirit and atmosphere in the NCAA Tournament is like no other. We just experienced March Madness to its fullest in winning the Mountain West Tournament Championship.
”That being said our guys are pumped to compete in the NCAA Tournament. We have a group of men that have dreamed of playing in this tournament since the time they were young kids. They have dreamed of winning games at the Big Dance for the majority of their lives.
“‘One Shining Moment’ isn’t just a song to them. They have earned their way into the Big Dance, and now, want to make their dreams reality. We started practice on Sept. 24, that’s five and a half months ago. There has been so much dedication, hard work, and sacrifice that has gone into our season. Our guys can’t wait to represent Utah State University and Aggie Nation in a first class fashion! We have a group that would play in the driveway, the park, the church or anywhere there is a court. They just love to compete.”
The Aggies (26-8) finished second to San Diego State in the regular season Mountain West standings, but Utah State beat New Mexico and Wyoming before upsetting the then No. 5 Aztecs, 59-56, in the championship game Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Senior guard Sam Merrill scored 27 points in the victory, including the game-winning 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left.
It was the second straight MW tourney title for the Aggies, who also won in 2019 before losing to Washington in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.