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Logan • In Tim Duryea's first season as Utah State's basketball head coach, the Aggies improved from Day 1 to early March as much as any team in the Mountain West Conference.
The Aggies need an encore.
Utah State opens its 2017 league season Wednesday night at the Spectrum against Boise State.
The Aggies went 6-5 in the nonconference portion of their schedule, including last-minute losses to Indiana State (62-61) and Weber State (77-71) that stole their momentum as Mountain West play approached.
The good news?
Utah State's league schedule provides the opportunity for a confidence-building start. The Aggies play three of their first four games at home — and none against teams that have emerged as likely contenders: Nevada, San Diego State or Wyoming.
"It's a wide-open league," said Duryea, who believes the Aggies have proved themselves versatile enough to match up with most of their MWC rivals.
"I think teams are playing smaller," he said. "San Diego State is playing smaller inside. Colorado State is playing a little smaller. Wyoming plays a perimeter-orientated game.
"Overall teams are playing smaller and playing a little more athletic. … Air Force is [even] playing a little faster and pushing the pace a little bit more."
Utah State has been at its best when following the trend. The Aggies average 72.2 points and shoot 20 3-pointers per game, making 33.9 percent.
"That's the mentality in college basketball right now," Duryea said. "With the shot clock down, possessions are up and teams are taking the mentality of getting to 80 every night.
"Offensively, teams want to score points and that's why they are playing a little smaller and using more versatile lineups that shoot the ball from three or four spots."
Hello, Nick Duncan.
Boise State's senior power forward is 6-foot-8. He weighs 265 pounds. He is a deadly 3-point shooter who can't be left alone on the perimeter.
"He makes everyone better," Duryea said. "Not in making plays like a good-passing point guard would, but in terms of how you have to guard him, which opens up a lot of space for [other] guys."
Utah State's players had a quick three-day holiday break before returning for one practice on Christmas night and two on Monday.
According to Duryea, the Aggies are healthy for their conference opener.
"I've been really impressed with our guys' attitudes and mentality," he said. "The holidays are the hardest time of the year for college basketball players and you have to be a mature group and handle the preparation. … We've had really good preparation." —
Utah State vs. Boise State
P At the Spectrum
Tipoff • 7 p.m.
TV • ROOT
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 102.1 FM
Records: • Utah State 6-5, Boise State 7-4
Series • Utah State, 30-12
Last meeting • Boise State, 70-67 (2015-16)
About the Aggies • They are 4-2 at home. … Their top scorers are senior F Jalen Moore (16.6), freshman G Koby McEwen (12.8) and senior G Shane Rector (11.9). … Sophomore C Norbert Janicek shoots 62.7 percent from the field. … As a team, they shoot 67.3 percent from the FT line. … Over the past two seasons, they are 14-1 when opponents score less than 70 points.
About the Broncos • They have won three straight over Loyola-Marymount (80-79), Idaho State (82-59) and Cal State Northridge (79-62). … Their top scorers are junior F Chandler Hutchinson (17.5) and sophomore G Paris Austin (10.8). … They finished 20-12 last season but did not participate in any tournaments.
MWC Power Rankings
The Tribune's Mountain West Conference rankings, heading into league play:
1. Nevada (11-2)
RPI: 34
KenPom: 76
Best win: at Washington, 87-85
Worst loss: vs. Iona, 75-73
Bottom line: Transfers Marshall, Caroline playing well
2. San Diego State (8-4)
RPI: 95
KenPom: 59
Best win: California, 77-65
Worst loss: Loyola-Chicago, 65-59
Bottom line: Back on track after four straight wins?
3. Wyoming (10-3)
RPI: 59
KenPom: 133
Best win: Northern Iowa, 81-73
Worst loss: at Pacific, 73-65
Bottom line: Surprising 'Pokes look like contenders
4. New Mexico (7-5)
RPI: 160
KenPom: 128
Best win: New Mexico State, 72-69
Worst loss: at Illinois State, 79-74
Bottom line: Another disappointing start for the Lobos
5. Boise State (7-4)
RPI: 115
KenPom: 90
Best win: vs. SMU, 71-62
Worst loss: at Evansville, 72-67
Bottom line: Owns a nine-game home win streak
6. Fresno State (8-4)
RPI: 194
KenPom: 146
Best win: at Oregon State, 63-58
Worst loss: Prairie View A&M, 84-78
Bottom line: Two overtime wins (Drake, Pacific)
7. Colorado State (8-5)
RPI: 181
KenPom: 150
Best Win: at Colorado, 72-58
Worst loss: Loyola-Marymount, 69-66
Bottom line: Coming off three consecutive losses
8. San Jose State (7-4)
RPI: 190
KenPom: 209
Best win: at Washington State, 88-76
Worst loss: Denver, 74-69
Bottom line: Spartans no longer an automatic win
9. Utah State (6-5)
RPI: 209
KenPom: 154
Best win: at UC Irvine, 72-56
Worst loss: Indiana State, 62-61
Bottom line: Not competitive vs. Purdue, Texas Tech
10. UNLV (7-5)
RPI: 204
KenPom: 187
Best win: Western Kentucky, 71-61
Worst loss: South Alabama, 76-68
Bottom line: Rebuilding might take a season or two
11. Air Force (6-6)
RPI: 231
KenPom: 190
Best win: Missouri State, 83-70
Worst loss: at Army, 79-71
Bottom line: Comes off a near-miss against Colorado