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LOGAN -- The WAC champion Utah State University Aggies will face Kansas St. (22 -10) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a 12 seed.
Related:
BYU gets #3 seed, to play Wofford in Southeast region
The BYU Cougars (30-4) earned a No. 3 seed in the Southeast region of the NCAA Tournament where they will face Wofford on Thursday in the second round.The Aggies will play the Wildcats Thursday March 17 in Tucson, Arizona.
And while the Aggies don't sound too worried about the opponent, they were obviously miffed at what they call disrespect.
"I like the opponent we're playing," said WAC Player of the Year Tai Wesley. "I think we have a good chance to beat them. I think our seed is a slap in the face."
"A little bit of a surprise," said head coach Stew Morrill. "Hopefully our guys will feel a little motivated like they were slighted a little bit in terms of the seed and get ready to go."
After Utah State beat Bosie State on Saturday to claim their second WAC title and automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the Aggies expected a higher seed, something in the No. 7 or 8 range, but certainly not a No. 12 seed.
"Anything that can help us, to motivate us a little more is good," said Aggie guard Tyler Newbold. "And if that can help us to be a little more on edge and determined to do what it takes to get a victory then great. And so we're gonna do what we need to do and go perform well."
Wesley agrees the disrespect now turns into motivation.
"This just adds fuel to the fire," he said. "To go prove them wrong - show them that they messed up with the seed."
The Aggies had 30 wins this season and only lost three games all season and just one in conference play. USU's losses were all road games at Idaho, at Georgetown and at in-state rival BYU.
USU managed to get a bid last season despite losing in the WAC tournament championship game. The Aggies played the Aggies of Texas A&M in the opening round of the tournament and lost 69-53.
This year the Aggies get a tough Kansas State team and All-Big 12 selection, guard Jacob Pullen.
"One thing I do know about (Kansas State) is that they rebound the basketball - they are physical," said Morrill. "And they have a premier guard (Jacob Pullen)."
Pullen scored 34 points last year when Kansas State knocked BYU out of the tournament in the second round.
"I feel like we can impose our will on them (Utah State) with our pressure and really rebound the ball - I think we can do a good job of that," said Pullen after learning the Wildcats' seed and opponent.
"He's (Pullen) a good player," said Newbold. "I've seen him play a lot and am excited for that challenge. Hopefully I'll be able to guard him a little bit and do my best to slow him down."
