Game Day Vitals: Utah State vs. Boise State - 01/18/14

Taco Bell Arena will be the scene for a rather important basketball game tonight. While it's still early in the basketball season, the Broncos need as many wins as they can get (after that Wyoming debacle) to help bolster their case for an NCAA Tournament bid. If they win against the Utah State Aggies, it would represent their best win of the season in terms of RPI. It is also important because the football team has a bevy of recruits in town and it would be great to put on a good show to help sway those prospective student athletes.

The Aggies do two things really well that could present a challenge for the Broncos: defense and sharing the basketball. The Aggie defense only yields 64.1 points per game, good for third in the MWC. As the Broncos saw against the MWC's top-ranked defense, San Diego State, teams that focus on lock-down defense pose a threat to the vaunted Boise State offense. Just like in that game against the Aztecs, adjusting to the defensive intensity will be a key for Boise State. When they have the ball, Utah State shares the rock, averaging 17.9 assists per game. That ranks fourth... in the country.

So, they play good defense and they like to pass. It seems like they resemble an old school basketball team.... LAME. We like dunks, threes and fast breaks. Get the Hoosiers nonsense out of here.

If you aren't doing anything tonight, go catch the game at The Bell. Coaches Rice and Harsin will appreciate it!

Game Information

Time: 7:00pm MST
Internet Audio: Link
Radio: KBOI (670 AM)
TV (Internet Only): ESPN3

Boise State

Record: 12-5 (2-2 MWC)
Best Win: vs Fresno State (RPI: 112)
Worst Loss: vs Wyoming (RPI: 96)
RPI: 59
Points Per Game: 79.3
Points Allowed Per Game: 68.1
Top Player: Anthony Drmic - 19.2ppg, 5.1rpg,

Utah State

Record: 12-4 (2-2 MWC)
Best Win: vs UC Santa Barbara, @ UC Santa Barbara - Twice (RPI: 72)
Worst Loss: @ Air Force (RPI: 215)
RPI: 95
Points Per Game: 74.1
Points Allowed Per Game: 64.1
Top Player: Jarred Shaw - 15.5ppg, 8.1rpg

Mountain West Standings