USU Men's Basketball to Join BYU, Weber State and Utah in Beehive Classic
(Graphic illustration from Athletics website)
Utah State [University] men’s basketball will begin competition in the Beehive Classic, a college basketball showcase at Vivint Smart Home Arena, facing Utah in 2017, Weber State in 2018 and BYU in 2019, as announced by Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment on Thursday [July 21, 2016].
The Beehive Classic, presented by Zions Bank, will feature four teams playing in an annual doubleheader each December from 2017-19. The schools will rotate opponents in a round-robin format over the three years in the soon-to-be renovated home arena of the Utah Jazz in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Aggies will open the classic in 2017 by facing Utah, a team that hasn’t appeared on the USU schedule since the 2010-11 season, a 79-62 Utah State victory in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. USU is 95-128 all-time against the Utes and have won eight of the last 13 matchups, in what was a yearly occasion from the 1944-45 season to the 2010-11 season. The Aggies have a 60-51 advantage in Logan, but trail the Utes on the road, 35-77. The teams have never met on a neutral court, despite having the second-longest rivalry in Utah State basketball history with 223 games.
Utah State and Weber State have met annually, since the 1995-96 season, with the series dating back to the 1970-71 season. The Aggies lead the Wildcats, 42-26, and have won 15 of the last 18 contests, including four straight. The teams have met twice on a neutral court, with each team capturing a victory.
Utah State and BYU have the longest rivalry in USU men’s basketball history, facing off 232 times since the 1905-06 season. USU trails the all-time series 92-139. The teams are well accustomed to the floor of Vivint Smart Homes Arena, having played in the venue during the 2008-09 and 2013-14 seasons.
The Aggies have played at the Utah Jazz home venue six times in program history and carry an overall record of 3-3, with victories over Southern Utah (76-63) during the 1994-95 season, Wyoming (73-72) during the 1996-97 season and San Diego State (64-61) during the 1997-98 season.
Utah State Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell will be available for interviews following the official announcement at 1 p.m., Thursday [July 21] at Vivint Smart Homes Arena.
“We are excited to participate in the Beehive Classic,” Hartwell said. “It is a tremendous way to promote college basketball in our basketball-crazed state. It will be a tremendous addition to our schedule here at Utah State. The opportunity for our men’s basketball student-athletes to compete on this stage, and for our fans to attend it, will be a great experience.”
Utah State men’s basketball news and information is available on Facebook and on Twitter. Fans can also get USU men’s basketball highlights on YouTube. Aggie fans can follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, on Facebook or on Instagram.
Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.
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