Journey to the tourney: How this plucky Utah State team landed back on the dance floor

The Utah State bench celebrates following a big play in the Aggies' 99-75 win over Memphis on Feb. 14, at the Spectrum in Logan. | Jeff Hunter LOGAN — The Aggies last stepped on an NCAA Tournament court in Lexington, Kentucky, also known as the “Horse Capital of the World.

” Things didn’t go so well for Utah State against UCLA last March at Rupp Arena. The Aggies trailed the Bruins by just two points with 4:37 left in the first half before Mick Cronin’s squad exploded for a 12-0 run that changed the game, a game Utah State eventually lost 72-47. And as often happens in the Bluegrass State, the Aggies rode one of their thoroughbreds hard in a futile attempt to stay in the contest.

But after scoring more points (17), pulling down more rebounds (10) and playing more minutes (37) than another player in the game, sophomore guard Mason Falslev slowly walked off the court in the final moments, both knees battered and bloodied and his chin tucked into his chest. Normally upbeat with a quick smile, it was an exhausted and very somber Falslev who quietly answered questions from the media after USU’s season-ending loss. “I obviously got a little taste last year with one win (over TCU at the 2024 NCAA Tournament), and I was hoping we’d get another one.

And even another one after that,” Falslev said quietly. “But you know, I’m definitely motivated, and I want to get back here next year and make a run. That’s the dream.