This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
On a national scale, the Gossner tournament won't create much buzz. It won't be looked at like the Maui Classic, or the preseason NIT, tournaments that generate excitement within respective fan bases.
For Utah State, however, Gossner's three-day World Vision Invitational tournament, starting Tuesday night at the Spectrum, is annually one of the most important junctures of the season.
For three days, the Aggies get to test themselves under postseason tournament conditions. One game after the next over a 72-hour stretch. USU gets to fight physical and mental fatigue, play against teams with different playing styles and stretch its rotation to the limit.
It's all one big dress rehearsal for March postseason basketball.
"It's a tournament that's important to us," Stew Morrill said. "It's a chance to get us ready for what we will see in the WAC tournament. It's a chance to get extra games in, and it really helps us in the long run. With conference play coming up, we need to be sharp, and this is an excellent opportunity for us."
There are some differences. The Gossner tournament has a schedule that's already been determined, while the WAC tournament is obviously not formatted that way. And this season, should the Aggies do well in regular-season conference play, the chance for a bye is there.
But Morrill loves to try to simulate the pressure of postseason play as best he can. That's why the Gossner tournament is a fixture in Utah State's schedule.
The Aggies play at 8 o'clock each night. Idaho State is first, while Troy and Western Michigan follow in that order of the round-robin format.
"I know that Idaho State has some size and athleticism," Morrill said. "They are a team that we have to pay attention to. Troy has a 1-9 record, but that's because they've played so many 'guarantee' games on the road against big conference opponents. They are a team that's really better than their record suggests."
The Aggies are 8-2 on the season with losses only to No. 23 BYU and No. 10 Georgetown. USU is coming off a blowout win against Utah Valley University. Morrill said that it was the best his team had played on the road this season.
"We're going to be ready," senior forward Tai Wesley said. "We're trying to gain consistency, and playing three games in three days is a good way to do that."
Twitter: @tonyaggieville —
Idaho State at Utah State
P At the Spectrum, Logan
Tipoff • 8 p.m. MST
TV • None
Radio • 610 AM
Records • Utah State 8-2, Idaho State 3-6
About the Bengals • Idaho State is 0-6 on the road this season and unbeaten at home … The Bengals are averaging 62 points per game … Idaho State returns just one starter from last season.
About the Aggies • USU is on a three-game winning streak … The Aggies are averaging 78 points per game in their past three … USU is led by Tai Wesley, who is averaging 14 points and eight rebounds per contest.