USAFA — The Air Force men's basketball team kicks off their postseason run on Wednesday in the Mountain West Conference tournament in Las Vegas.
The Falcons play in the No. 8 vs. No 9 game against Fresno State, a team they lost to both time in conference play.
Air Force finished the year with a 11-19 records, 5-13 in Mountain West play. The disappointing season has created rumors that Air Force head coach Dave Pilipovich may be out of a job after the end of the season, ending a 8-year run with the Falcons.
"I am just focused on the team and that's a fair question to ask, but I am just focused on the team," said Pilipovich on Monday. "I am excited about these guys and giving one last run wth our seniors."
Seniors Lavelle Scottie and Sid Tomes echoed their coach as well.
"He means a lot to me. He has helped me grow tremendously on the years, on and off the court," said Tomes. "He is the rock behind this program. He leave the outside noise as outside noise. Everyone has something to say. That is just the world we live in."
"I appreciate everything he has done for me," added Scottie. "I do pray that he does keep his job. He keeps coaching and finishes out his contract. You do not want someone to lose their job."
As for the tournament in Vegas, the Falcons are feeling loose and good heading into the tournament. Air Force's only shot at March Madness is winning the whole thing.
"Part of Division I basketball is controlling what you can control," said Tomes. "This is a really tight group and we are excited to make this run."
"I just want to make sure our guys have a great experience," said Pilipovich. "I want us to be the most focused team in the Mountain West this week. I want us to be the most aggressive and I want our team to have the most fun out there. If we do those things some good things will happen."
Air Force is 5-20 overall in the Mountain West tournament and 3-4 as a No. 9 seed.
