NIT-Picked 'Cats Face USU for Third Time
3/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
compete in the National Invitational Tournament for the second time ever, and will face UtahState University in Logan, Utah on Tuesday night.The game, set for a 7:05 pm tipoff, will be the third meeting between MSU and the Aggies thisseason. Utah State won 66-51 in Bozeman on November 17, and beat the Bobcats 60-55 inLogan on December 4.This team is deserving of the opportunity to play in the post-season, and I couldn't be moreexcited, said MSU coach Mick Durham, who is taking his team to the post-season for thesecond time. The Bobcats lost to eventual runner-up Syracuse in the 1996 NCAATournament. I'm thrilled that the Big Sky Conference and the state of Montana are sendingtwo teams to post-season tournaments.
Durham said that the 'Cats will be preparing for an outstanding opponent. Utah State is a very
talented team that had an outstanding season. A team that wins 23 games in a good conference
and played in its conference championship game is obviously a very difficult opponent.
The Aggies lost to UC Santa Barbara 60-56 on Saturday in the Big West Championship. Utah
State is 23-7 on the season, and finished Big West play 13-5. USU is making its third straight
post-season appearance, after playing in the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons.
The Bobcats lost to Montana Friday in the Big Sky Tourney, 70-68, and are 19-8. The team
has won 16 of its last 19 games, and are 17-5 since its last meeting with Utah State.
MSU last played in the NIT in 1987, when the 'Cats lost to Washington 98-90 in overtime at
home. The team has also been in three NCAA Tournaments. The winner of the MSU-USU
game is scheduled to play the winner of the Wagner-Richmond game on Friday.
MORE MICK DURHAM QUOTES
On Utah State: Desmond Penigar is an outstanding player that really gives you matchup
problems. Tony Brown is an outstanding shooter, and Ronnie Ross is a good playmaker.
There isn't a lot of time to prepare and scout, it's going to be a matter of working on what wedo and executing it in the game. I'm sure there will be a great crowd there Tuesday night, I wasimpressed with the atmosphere there when we played them in December.
On coming off the Big Sky Tournament: I think this gives us a chance to get the bad taste outof our mouths after the loss last Friday. It's exciting to have the opportunity to play again.
On MSU's season since last playing USU: I've never had a team get on a roll like we werefrom our Christmas tournament on, and it seemed like we did it the same way every time. Thisteam has played well on the road all season.
Durham said that the 'Cats will be preparing for an outstanding opponent. Utah State is a very
talented team that had an outstanding season. A team that wins 23 games in a good conference
and played in its conference championship game is obviously a very difficult opponent.
The Aggies lost to UC Santa Barbara 60-56 on Saturday in the Big West Championship. Utah
State is 23-7 on the season, and finished Big West play 13-5. USU is making its third straight
post-season appearance, after playing in the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons.
The Bobcats lost to Montana Friday in the Big Sky Tourney, 70-68, and are 19-8. The team
has won 16 of its last 19 games, and are 17-5 since its last meeting with Utah State.
MSU last played in the NIT in 1987, when the 'Cats lost to Washington 98-90 in overtime at
home. The team has also been in three NCAA Tournaments. The winner of the MSU-USU
game is scheduled to play the winner of the Wagner-Richmond game on Friday.
MORE MICK DURHAM QUOTES
On Utah State: Desmond Penigar is an outstanding player that really gives you matchup
problems. Tony Brown is an outstanding shooter, and Ronnie Ross is a good playmaker.
There isn't a lot of time to prepare and scout, it's going to be a matter of working on what wedo and executing it in the game. I'm sure there will be a great crowd there Tuesday night, I wasimpressed with the atmosphere there when we played them in December.
On coming off the Big Sky Tournament: I think this gives us a chance to get the bad taste outof our mouths after the loss last Friday. It's exciting to have the opportunity to play again.
On MSU's season since last playing USU: I've never had a team get on a roll like we werefrom our Christmas tournament on, and it seemed like we did it the same way every time. Thisteam has played well on the road all season.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
