Wow, I didn't see this coming.

Hawaii was a dead program last season. There was little life, little talent other than Hiram Thompson and Roderick Flemings and little hope for the future.

Enter Gib Arnold.

Regardless of what happens the rest of the year, Arnold has gone a long way towards turning that program around. That team has depth, size, length, athleticism, and the shooting of Zane Johnson. In fact, I can seriously make an argument for the Warriors being the second best team in the WAC. They have a lot of talent.

That being said, Utah State won this game because it had the best player on the floor in Tai Wesley. And guess what? Wesley actually STAYED on the floor, not getting into foul trouble, as is his habit. He really carved Hawaii up inside with 27 points and 13 rebounds. The point total ties a career-high. The 38 minutes sets a career-high.

"I never want to come out of a game," Wesley said. "I'm just glad I stayed out of foul trouble and on the floor."

The Aggies needed every minute he provided. Utah State is heavily reliant on Wesley, maybe too much so. But the depth and experience for the Aggies really carried them in this one.

Many teams would've crumbled under the Warriors' hot shooting. But Utah State never panicked, to its credit. The Aggies never wavered, and that's why they won their seventh consecutive game.

Tony Jones