Utah State Aggies Face Disappointing Defeat Against UCLA in NCAA Tournament

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Utah State Aggies faced a challenging start to the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night, falling 72-47 against the No. 7 seed UCLA, marking one of the largest defeats on the tournament’s opening day.

This loss is significant for Utah State, as it ranks as the third-worst margin of defeat in the first round, with only Southern Illinois University Edwardsville‘s 38-point loss to Houston and Omaha‘s 30-point loss to St. John's being worse. The Aggies struggled offensively, particularly during the second half, finishing the game with a shooting percentage of just 30%, connecting on only 18 of their 60 attempts from the field. From beyond the arc, Utah State shot a dismal 12.9%, hitting only 4 of 31 three-point attempts.

Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun acknowledged his team’s shooting struggles and the impact on the game’s outcome. “We weren’t able to find our rhythm, and that compounded the challenge of facing a team like UCLA,” Calhoun said. “Their defense was relentless, and we were not able to respond.”

The game underscored Utah State’s offensive struggles, which were exacerbated by UCLA’s impressive 41% shooting from three-point range. The defeat not only ends the Aggies’ season but also opens the door for Calhoun to enter discussions regarding the head coaching position at West Virginia.

A source revealed that Calhoun is expected to meet with West Virginia officials in the coming days, which could set the stage for his potential move. Calhoun has familiarity with West Virginia, having served on Bob Huggins‘ coaching staff in the past. He later took the helm at Fairmont State before revitalizing the Youngstown State program, where he caught the eye of the Utah State administration.

While Utah State aims to retain Calhoun, with a new contract reportedly on the table, he expressed a strong affinity for the university. “I have a ton of respect for our athletic director, Diana Sabau, who took a gamble on me,” Calhoun shared after the game. “The scenery here is hard to describe; it all feels like home now.”

The postseason has also been eventful for other teams, notably Drake, which achieved a significant upset against No. 6 seed Missouri, winning 67-57. Despite some offensive inconsistencies, including 15 turnovers and a lackluster free-throw performance (12 for 24), Drake maintained the lead throughout the game. Coach Ben McCollum has emerged as another candidate for West Virginia’s head coaching vacancy.

As West Virginia’s Athletic Director Wren Baker navigates the coaching search, he is keen to secure a quality candidate quickly. Baker, who previously faced a swift search after Bob Huggins’ departure, is drawing from his recent experience to expedite the process. “If I could have this wrapped up in record time, I would,” Baker stated in a press conference. “But with candidates participating in the tournament, that may extend the timeframe.”

Baker’s current options include not only Calhoun and McCollum but also Chester Frazier, the associate head coach at West Virginia. Baker noted that he already has familiarity with many candidates, enabling him to proceed swiftly with discussions. He aims to identify the best coach to lead the Mountaineers, focusing on ensuring they find a leader who can build a lasting program.

The landscape of the NCAA Tournament continues to unfold, presenting challenges and opportunities for both teams and coaches alike as they aim for success in the coming matches.