Nobody likes to lose. Ever. And it's insulting to claim that losing might be the best thing that could ever happen to a team. Nothing will infuriate a fan base more than some outsider claiming that losing might be the best thing for a team. So let's avoid that cliche right here. Losing is never a good thing. But sometimes you have to look at the bright side of things. Look big picture.
And in the wake of No. 21 Utah State's 10-point loss at Boise State on Saturday night, there might be some good that will come from it.
Let's talk frank Utah State. Your team is not getting into the tournament without winning the WAC tournament. We've all been down this road before. Utah State went 25-4 during the 2003-04 season and spent some time in the Top 25. But the Aggies were left out of the tournament after losing in the Big West tournament.
The reason, of course, was the schedule that is still pillow soft. Utah State could reach the Top 10, it seems, but would still have to sweat it out if it lost in the WAC tournament. There is a hope that things will be different this time around, but you can't assume anything. Never trust the NCAA selection committee.
So here is where Saturday's loss could have a positive effect. The Aggies have seemed to be going through cruise control in recent weeks. The WAC hasn't offered the competition that was promised when Utah State joined the conference. Then the Aggies were dealt a tough break when they drew Patrick Mills-less St. Mary's in the Bracketbuster.
Utah State needed a wake-up call. Something that sleeping walking through the WAC was going to deliver.
Hopefully the loss at Boise State will help this young team refocus and get back to winning. Now, I don't like the way Stew Morrill creates a schedule, but he's a good coach. This loss and the memory of 2003-04 should help him motivate his troops and get them back to basics.
