Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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The BYU Cougars matched the highest NCAA Tournament seeding in school history on Sunday, earning a 3 seed in the Southeast Regional, and opening with the Wofford Terriers on Thursday in Denver (5:15pm MT tipoff, 4:00pm pregame on KSL Radio).
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You can hear post-selection reaction interviews with BYU head coach Dave Rose, and players Jimmer Fredette, Jackson Emery, Charles Abouo and Noah Hartsock by clicking the "play" button in the "Cougar Cuts" box to the right.
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"We're excited," said Rose. "A three seed is very deserving for these players...they've been able to win a regular season championship in a league that is ranked fourth in RPI...and I think we're really pleased that we're able to play in Denver. Hopefully our fans will be able to travel with us."
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On the Southern Conference regular season and tournament champion Terriers, Rose says "We'll get to know a lot more about them, but I do know it's a very competitive team, and (head coach) Mike (Young) does a terrific job with his group."
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Wofford and BYU have met once previously, in the 1998-99 season opener, a game BYU won 73-67 in Provo.
This year's Wofford squad is 21-12, is on an eight-game win streak, and has qualified for the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season. Last year, the 13th-seeded Terriers were tied with 4-seed Wisconsin with 1:17 remaining in their first round tourney matchup, with the Badgers holding on for a 53-49 victory.
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Coming off Saturday's disappointing loss to San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference Tournament title game, Rose said "Monday and Tuesday practices will be really important for us--for preparation, and also for our team to kind of recover from a tough game."
"The mindset first and foremost with our guys is it's an NCAA Tournament game, but it's a bounce back game for us...we have to get back on the winning track."
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