Utah State Basketball: Aggies Look to Maintain Momentum Against San Diego State
The Utah State Aggies (23-4, 13-3) are set to clash with the San Diego State Aztecs (18-8, 12-4) on Wednesday at 8 p.m. MST at Viejas Arena, broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and 760-AM. This Mountain West Conference battle is crucial for both teams as the regular season winds down and tournament seeding looms large.
Series History & Recent Form
While San Diego State historically leads the all-time series 20-12, the recent trend favors Utah State. The Aggies have won three consecutive games against the Aztecs, including a close 71-66 victory in Logan on January 31st and a 67-66 win at Viejas Arena last season. San Diego State’s last win against Utah State was an 86-70 triumph in the 2024 conference tournament semi-finals.
Utah State experienced a minor setback with an 80-77 loss at Nevada on Saturday, despite a remarkable shooting performance from beyond the arc (15 three-pointers). Despite the loss, their advanced metrics remain strong, ranking 23rd in Kenpom and 24th in the NET. This is largely due to a strategic scheduling approach focusing on top mid-major opponents rather than power conference teams.
Aggies Key Players to Watch
Guard Mason Falslev is a leading contender for Mountain West Player of the Year. He currently leads the conference in Kenpom rating and averages an impressive 16.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Transfer MJ Collins (from Vanderbilt) is also a significant scoring threat, averaging 17.9 points per game. Forward Karson Templin had a standout performance in the first meeting between these teams, contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Notably, Utah State is the only team in the Mountain West to rank within the top 50 nationally in both offensive (21st) and defensive efficiency (35th), showcasing their well-rounded game.
Aztecs Fight for Championship Contention
San Diego State remains mathematically in contention for at least a share of the Mountain West regular-season title. Even if they fall short, securing favorable seeding for the conference tournament is paramount. The Aztecs are currently tied for second place with New Mexico (12-4), holding the tiebreaker due to a head-to-head win. They have a two-game advantage over Nevada and Grand Canyon, who are tied for fourth at 10-6.
Recent back-to-back losses against Grand Canyon and Colorado State represent a rare dip in form for the Aztecs. Their NCAA Tournament prospects are currently on the bubble. According to Bracket Matrix, which aggregates 112 projected brackets, SDSU appears in only four projections. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi currently lists New Mexico as the last team in and SDSU as the third team out. A strong finish, particularly with upcoming Quad 1 opportunities, could significantly improve their chances.
Looking Ahead
Following this crucial matchup, San Diego State will travel to New Mexico on Saturday (11 a.m. PST, CBS). Kenpom currently projects a narrow 74-73 victory for Utah State in Wednesday’s game. This promises to be a thrilling contest with significant implications for both teams’ postseason aspirations.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune
