Last Night Showed the Future For Utah Valley

3.23.2023

Karter Baughan

THE STREAK LIVES ON!!! @UVUmbb will be playing the NIT semifinals in Vegas on Tuesday! If UVU makes it to the final I will fly to Vegas. 🫡🫡 @Jared_Sumsion https://t.co/udkMQ9jCFF pic.twitter.com/QhYgRjLAjR
— Karter Baughan (@karterb8) March 23, 2023

Utah Valley defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats in the NIT quarterfinals at the UCCU center in Orem, Utah, last night for a spot in the NIT Final Four in Las Vegas. I've been to several games at the UCCU Center, but none quite like this.

On their feet here at the UCCU Center! pic.twitter.com/OLGxobuWnl
— WACHoopsDigest (@WACHoopsDigest) March 23, 2023

Madsen had this to say on the atmosphere last night

pic.twitter.com/7GHViXQ4kt
— KarterKast (@KarterKast) March 23, 2023

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Last night was a great example of what could be here at Utah Valley, and there's no better person to lead them than Mark Madsen. Utah Valley has a student body of over 43,000, but attendance could have been better at home games besides rivalry games like Southern Utah or BYU.

Cincinnati coach Wes Miller had nothing but praise for Madsen and Utah Valley.

@GoBearcatsMBB Coach Wes Miller on UVU’s atmosphere last night (@WACHoopsDigest) pic.twitter.com/RD0N6oxOXk
— KarterKast (@KarterKast) March 23, 2023

After last night, that should change. Anybody who was in attendance last night could feel how special it was. Hopefully, last night's magic spurs a great run of attendance and new traditions in Orem.

There is a firm argument that having the national exposure of being on ESPN2, being the only college basketball game on TV, and winning against a future power five team to book their trip to the NIT Final Four is more valuable than a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament.

The legend pic.twitter.com/D5XksoJedu
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 23, 2023

Madsen has this team rolling right now, and there's a chance they could return the majority of this roster. The Wolverines are going nowhere as long as Madsen is running the show.

Trey Woodbury with the SLAM pic.twitter.com/OWVAenTNPY
— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) March 23, 2023

Having watched this team all season, last night was not a surprise. If the Wolverines had made the NCAA Tournament, it would not have surprised me to see them playing in the second weekend.

Justin Harmon with the pass from down town to Tim Fuller for the DUNK pic.twitter.com/kVYpAr5gTA
— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) March 23, 2023

Behind the senior leadership in Trey Woodbury, the explosiveness of guard Justin Harmon, and one the best rim protectors in the nation in Aziz Bandaogo, this team can win the NIT. Depending on who returns next season for UVU, this team will be very dangerous in March next year. Do not sleep on the Wolverines!

Last night was magical for Utah Valley, and it could not happen to better people. You will never find one person that could say a negative thing about the great people at UVU. Let's hope this is the beginning of long-standing success for Utah Valley.

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