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Utah State vs. Colorado State Preview & Score Prediction
Check out the Utah State vs. Colorado State game preview and score prediction
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Utah State (10-7, 3-1 MW) vs. Colorado State (8-9, 1-3 MW) Game Preview
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Game Info
Date: Wednesday, January 10th
Tip-off: 7:00pm MT
Venue: Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, Logan UT
TV: WatchStadium.com & Watch Stadium app
Projected Utah State Lineup
G Koby McEwen
G Sam Merrill
G Diogo Brito
F Dwayne Brown Jr.
F Quinn Taylor
Projected Colorado State Lineup
G Prentiss Nixon
G J.D. Paige
G Anthony Bonner
F Nico Carvacho
F Che Bob
Why Utah State Will Win
The Aggies turned some heads last week, beating both Fresno and UNLV in dramatic fashion to kick off conference play with 3-1 record. Down several big men and still unsure about senior Julion Pearre’s status, sophomore guard Koby McEwen has stepped in as a serious all-MW contender, averaging 22.3 ppg against conference opponents.
McEwen’s heroics have effectively neutralized big nights from some of the Mountain West’s best scorers, and USU will need him to answer the call again Wednesday night to fend off CSU’s Prentiss Nixon. If McEwen’s scoring frenzy continues, an Aggie team roaring with confidence should be able to lock down CSU on the defensive end — the Rams are shooting just 32 percent from beyond the arc this season, and averaging just 70.2 ppg.
Despite a lack of size in in the paint, Utah State has found a groove early in the season and may prove increasingly difficult to beat in front of a growing Spectrum crowd.
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Why Colorado State Will Win
Records can be deceptive — CSU’s conference losses have been against SDSU and Boise (a pair of the MW’s best) and an OT heartbreaker to Fresno. True, the loss of two First Team All-Conference players in the offseason has the Rams searching for an offensive identity, but they remain a dangerous team hungry to get their season back on track.
Prentiss Nixon is a reliable scorer averaging 17.5 ppg this season, and Utah State is always vulnerable to periodic scoring droughts and players who can drive the lane. It’s possible the Aggies dress just eight healthy players Wednesday night, making this an opportune time for the Rams to snap their 2-game losing skid.
KenPom Line
USU -7, o/u: 141
Score Prediction
Utah State 78, CSU 72