Men’s b-ball preview: USU hits the road to face San Diego State
Momentum, hype, expectation, victory, defeat are all things associated with the idea of going into a number-four-ranked opponents’ gym. That is what the Aggies men’s basketball team from Utah State have ahead of them, a meeting with one of the countries biggest powerhouses. They are headed to San Diego, where the undefeated San Diego State Aztecs await its next tally in the win column. A couple weeks ago, one might have said this would be an easy contest for San Diego State to emerge victorious. But USU came alive during the last stretch and they look hungry.
Looking back
The last meeting between these two schools was one of the Aztecs’ closest games, which is a rarity for them this season. The Aggies fell by nine points, even with star guard Sam Merrill putting up 26 and Neemias Queta recording 15. The “Spectrum Magic” did not seem to work that night, as everything was falling for San Diego. They shot 45 percent from the 3-point line and 50 percent from the field.
The free throw line was also a big help and they netted 82 percent, earning 14 points from behind the stripe. Everyone knows this team is good, but what is interesting is how much cohesion they appear to have.
During the teams’ last meeting, the Aztecs had four starters in double figures and the other one had nine. A guy who averages 11 points had 19. Their star Malachi Flynn contributed 22, including a clutch-floater late in the game to give his team enough momentum to finish out the win. This is not uncommon either.
Efficiency is the word
The team has three starters averaging double digits, with the other two averaging just under 10 and just over eight. Their opponents average 57 points a game, that’s the fourth best in D-1 basketball. They have not had many close games. The closest so far this season was a mind-blowing two-point-win against San Jose State. Otherwise, the have handled business pretty efficiently.
Efficient would be the word to describe this team from Southern California. With the kind of team stats they have, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field on the season and averaging 75 points a game, efficiency could very well be dubbed their M.O.
So how do you beat them?
How do you beat an undefeated, efficient machine in their home stadium? Well that requires a near-perfect game, which is a feat the Aggies fell grossly short of last time these two met. USU shot a dismal 66 percent from the free throw line, 66 percent! They missed eight foul shots, with some quick math one can determine that, yes, they still would’ve lost, but that one point at the end of the game would’ve made the outcome a lot more questionable.
The Aggies also went 6-23 from beyond the arc, that’s about 26 percent which is quite a bit lower than the team’s season average of 32. Three point shooting has been a problem all year honestly. Averages are down across the whole team from deep range and it’s hurting. However, there are some significant signs of life from Logan to prelude this upcoming battle.
Aggies look to embrace recent return to form
After an embarrassing loss to Boise State, USU has been on a three-game-tear. They routed Air Force and Colorado State at home and then slapped Wyoming in their own gym. Merrill is averaging 19 points the last few games and team rebounding and assists have improved greatly. This is good news, considering the Aggies best rebounder, Justin Bean, was held to only four boards in the last meeting with the Aztecs. In essence, Utah State has a chance, contrary to popular belief.
This game will be all about efficiency. If Utah State can be productive on both sides of the ball and control the tempo, they have a shot. If SDSU does what they do best, and wear the Aggies out with their ball movement and impenetrable defense, it will be another W for the Aztecs.
All eyes on Malachi Flynn
Coach Smith will need to choose, let Flynn have a big night, or suffocate him into passing each trip and see if the other players can beat them. Unfortunately, he allowed both to happen last game. That cannot be the case if Utah State wants to put the first mark in the loss column on San Diego State’s record. On offense, it was proved last meeting that even if Queta and Merrill have a big games, they can still lose.
The role players need to step it up and do their job. Assists need to be higher, rebounds need to more valuable and free throws/three pointers have to be made. Efficiency, who can be more efficient? This question that will be answered tomorrow night.