State your Case: Men’s basketball
The Aggies have 8 games left in the year. I am more than confident that they will finish over .500, and you should be too.
Of the eight games remaining, the only game that concerns me is the next game at New Mexico. I know what you’re thinking, what about the game at Wyoming? UNLV? Colorado State?
I’ll start with Wyoming. If you were at the Wyoming game earlier this year, you know that they were not as good as advertised. Even if all 50 of Wyoming’s residents attend the game, I don’t think it will be enough to impact the game.
Well, what about UNLV? The game came down to the wire at the Thomas and Mack and the Aggies lost in OT. This time, they will play in the Spectrum. The Hurd will be in full effect, and the Rebel’s luck will run out.
I was admittedly a bit nervous about our match up against Colorado State. They are one of the few teams in the Mountain West that could come out of the Spectrum with a win.
Unfortunately for them, they will be in Logan for Stew Morrill’s final game at Utah State. Stew has been coaching here forever. He is as important to this school as Old Main. All 10,000 seats will be full, and the Spectrum will be louder than ever. There is no way we lose Stew’s last game. I actually wouldn’t be too surprised if Colorado State doesn’t show up.
— joebaraiolo@gmail.com
Twitter: @joefish_2
Utah State basketball will not win half its games in the Mountain West if play continues as is.
The Aggies need to be tougher and play better.
After Tuesday night’s loss to Boise State, the Aggies are 5-5 in conference play. It was the first time the Broncos have ever beat the Aggies at the Spectrum in 19 visits. If USU lets Boise beat them at home, how are they supposed to stay above .500?
The Aggies have eight Mountain West games left this season. In order to finish above .500 they will need to win five of the next eight games, and that is not going to be easy. The team’s lack of rebounding and inability make free throws has lead them to multiple loses.
The Aggies have finished multiple games by chucking the ball for a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the game.
This has only lead to success one time this season, yet they continue to do it. Because they have let their lead slip in the final minutes of the game, they are ultimately forced to take these shots. It is going to be hard for the team to get the wins they need if they keep going soft in the second half.
It is not impossible for the Aggies, but if they don’t start making adjustments, they will end the season not winning half of their MW games. They need to figure it out before playing New Mexico on Saturday.
— bellbk81@gmail.com
Twitter: @Br00keKennedy