This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In the century-old basketball rivalry between BYU and Utah State, rarely have both needed a win more urgently than they do Wednesday night at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
BYU has dropped two straight games, including a shocking 114-101 home loss to neighboring Utah Valley.
Utah State comes off back-to-back blowouts against Purdue and Texas Tech in the Cancun Challenge.
After stumbling so badly, the Cougars and Aggies must quickly regain their footing.
Only one will do so.
"Utah Valley came in and played as well as any team I can remember," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "They played on attack, aggressive, with confidence and we had a really difficult time slowing them down. We got flustered. A real issue with our team in last two games is composure."
Utah State had similar defensive problems on its trip to Mexico, which included losses to Purdue and Texas Tech by a total of 45 points.
The misery didn't end on the court.
On the way home, "six or seven" members of Utah State's travel party became ill, including coach Tim Duryea and five players. A practice scheduled for Saturday was moved back to Sunday.
"We don't know where that came from," Duryea said. "It may have been something we ate or drank. It was more than fatigue because there were too many similar symptoms with [everyone] who got sick."
Duryea knows the Aggies must be on top of their game to defeat BYU, which has won four straight games in the series.
"They are a high-octane team … with multiple weapons," he said. "They like to play fast and they can hurt you inside or outside. They are always a handful. It will be a tall task, as always."
Was he surprised by Utah Valley's victory over the Cougars?
"I'm surprised anytime anybody from anywhere goes into the Marriott Center and wins," Duryea said. "That just doesn't happen very often, especially going in there and putting 114 points on the board. That was a phenomenal showing. …
"Utah Valley had one of those shooting nights that's probably going to be the highlight of the year because of how they played offensively. And if it isn't, then you've got one heck of a basketball team on your hands. They played phenomenally well."
At times, Utah State played well in Cancun.
Against Texas Tech, the Aggies owned a 12-point lead with four minutes left in the first half.
"The biggest thing I was disappointed in, especially the Texas Tech game, was our defensive effort," Duryea said. "For the first time this year, it wasn't where it needed to be in terms of activity level, aggressiveness and competitiveness. … We were just poor defensively."
If it happens again, Utah State will be in trouble.
The Cougars haven't scored less than 81 points in any of their six games. Four players average in double figures, including former Utah State transfer Kyle Davis (10.2).
Said Duryea: "You can do a lot of other things well … but you're not going play in the mid-60s against BYU and win. You've got to score the ball to beat them."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State vs. BYU
P At Vivint Smart Home Arena
Tipoff • Wednesday, 7 p.m.
TV • BYUtv
Radio • 610 AM, 1160 AM, 1280 AM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 3-2; BYU 4-2
Series • BYU, 140-92
Last meeting • BYU, 80-68 (2015)
About the Aggies • They come off losses to Purdue (85-64) and Texas Tech (75-51) at the Cancun Challenge. … Since 2000, they are 46-16 against in-state opponents but only 7-9 against BYU. … They shoot 65.5 percent from the free-throw line. … Senior forward Jalen Moore will play in the 100th game. … Moore (1,209) needs six points to overtake Jay Goodman for 24th place on their all-time scoring list.
About the Cougars • They come off a 114-101 loss to Utah Valley. … UVU made a Marriott Center-record 18 three-pointers. … They are 15-4 at Vivint, including 11-1 since Dave Rose became head coach in 2005… Sophomore center Eric Mika was 8-for-8 for 22 points against UVU. He leads the team in scoring (19.7). … Sophomore guard Nick Emery tied his career-high with 37 points against UVU and is second in scoring (17.7).