Utah State Claims Mountain West Championship in Dominant Fashion, Securing Record NCAA Tournament Berth
The Utah State Aggies are concluding their tenure in the Mountain West Conference with a resounding statement, clinching the conference tournament title and securing a program-record fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. In a hard-fought victory over San Diego State at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Aggies emerged victorious with a 73-62 score, capping off an impressive season that also saw them claim the regular season championship. This marks Utah State’s third Mountain West Tournament title, with their previous wins coming in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2020. The Aggies are set to transition to the Pac-12 Conference this summer, making this championship a fitting farewell to their current league.
Stellar Performances Lead the Way
Leading the charge for the Aggies was MJ Collins, who delivered a stellar offensive performance with 20 points. He was instrumental in pulling away from the Aztecs in the final minutes, showcasing his scoring prowess. Mountain West Player of the Year Mason Falslev contributed 16 points and six assists, demonstrating his all-around impact on the game. Drake Allen also played a crucial role, adding 13 points and six assists to the winning effort.
Collins’ shooting efficiency was a key factor in his 20-point output. He shot 8-of-15 from the field, including an impressive 4-of-10 from beyond the three-point arc. His contributions extended beyond scoring, as he also recorded three steals, disrupting San Diego State’s offensive flow.
“It means the world, but it also shows how good our team is,” Collins remarked after the game. “Mason got Mountain West Player of the Year, and then I can come and get the MVP. This is a team accolade. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them, so I’m thankful for them and Coach Calhoun, of course.”
Drake Allen echoed the sentiment about Collins’ crucial role: “He’s MVP for a reason. That’s what he does. Whenever we need a big shot down the stretch, he was ready to take them. We’re very confident putting the ball in his hands. We know he’s going to make big shots. He’s been doing it all year. And we need him to score 20, like Coach said, in the tournament in a couple — a week, I guess. Yeah, it’s a week away.”
Defensive Prowess Seals the Victory
In a contest that remained tightly contested for much of the game, with neither team establishing a lead of more than six points until the closing minutes, Utah State’s matchup zone defense proved to be the decisive factor. The Aggies effectively stifled the San Diego State offense, holding them to a mere 41 percent shooting from the field and forcing 14 turnovers.
After trailing 35-34 at halftime, Utah State began to assert control in the second half. A pivotal five-point play with just over five minutes remaining in the game ignited their surge. Collins sank a corner three-pointer, and Zach Keller drew a foul in the paint, converting both free throws. This sequence gave Utah State a commanding 63-54 lead, capping off a crucial 12-2 run. Mason Falslev then followed up with back-to-back baskets, extending the lead to 12 points and effectively sealing the championship.
Garry Clark provided a significant spark off the bench for Utah State, contributing 11 points and six rebounds to the victory.
A “Redemption Tour” Comes Full Circle
The Aggies’ path to the championship was a testament to their resilience, as they avenged three regular-season losses in the Mountain West Tournament. Their journey included victories over UNLV, Nevada, and ultimately, San Diego State.
Head coach Jerrod Calhoun described the tournament run as a “redemption tour.” “UNLV beat us twice, Nevada beat us at Nevada, and obviously got embarrassed a couple weeks ago by the Aztecs,” Calhoun stated. “We were coming in here to be the bully, we were coming in here for a redemption tour, and it certainly was accomplished.”
Mason Falslev reflected on the turning point of their season: “For me personally, I think it all started with UNLV. I think that’s where we came together as a team. UNLV was throwing punches at us, and we saw one another step up for each other. And it just kind of continued into game after game. I think that’s what we saw tonight.”
For San Diego State, Reese Dixon-Waters led the scoring with 20 points, and BJ Davis added 14 points in the championship game.
NCAA Tournament Bound
With their Mountain West Tournament title secured, Utah State earns the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This marks the fourth consecutive appearance in “The Big Dance” for the Aggies, a new program record. This will be Utah State’s 26th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in school history, with 14 of those coming since the turn of the century.
This season represents the sixth time in the last eight years that USU has participated in the NCAA Tournament. Including the 2020 tournament that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the seventh time in eight years they’ve qualified. The Aggies are anticipating a potential seeding as high as a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournament, with their official seeding, opponent, and destination to be revealed on Sunday.
“Tomorrow is just a celebration,” Coach Calhoun concluded. “It’s a celebration, but it’s go time. It is go time. We need a day off, maybe two. I’ve got to call some coaches, get a good game plan on that. But we need a good seed.”
