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Logan • A 24-3 record. A national ranking. A high RPI.

With those kind of credentials, it seems downright silly to label No. 24 Utah State's BracketBuster matchup with No. 23 St. Mary's a must win. But that just may be the state of the Aggies come Saturday.

Certainly, the chance to win the premier game of the event against another nationally ranked foe is enticing. Utah State, however, needs, at the very least, a good showing on national television, lest it wants to sweat out its at-large NCAA tournament hopes on selection Sunday.

"We know that it's a very important challenge for us," senior guard Tyler Newbold said. "We went up there two years ago, and it didn't go so well for us. This is a game where we need to play well."

As good as USU's been this season, the Aggies don't have a win against a team in the RPI top-100. As good as the Aggies have been this season, they remain the only team in NCAA history to be ranked at the end of a season and not make the Big Dance.

For Utah State fans, visions of 2004 dance in their heads. The Aggies' strength of schedule is weak. The Western Athletic Conference was a disaster during the nonconference portion of the season, and USU lost its two highlighted matchups early on against BYU and Georgetown.

Even if the Cougars and the Hoyas are ranked in the top-10 nationally, the computer still says that the Aggies haven't beaten anyone of note.

That's why the matchup against St. Mary's shapes up as the most important of the season for Utah State. The Gaels will likely win the West Coast Conference. They are one of the best teams out West, and they are fresh off a 2010 Sweet 16 run in the NCAA tournament.

"It's a unique game for us," USU coach Stew Morrill said. "We've played three top-25 teams in a year before, but usually, we're lucky enough to get at least one of those at home. It's been an obvious challenge to play at BYU, at Georgetown and now at St. Mary's. It's going to be a great challenge to play a great Gaels team."

And a challenge that's been beyond the Aggies in the past two seasons. St. Mary's crushed Utah State two years ago. Last season the Gaels marched into the Spectrum and squashed the Aggies lengthy home winning streak.

Omar Samhan, one of the best big men in the country for the past few seasons, is gone. But Mickey McConnell and Matthew Dellavedova form one of the finest backcourt tandems in America. Matching up with those two will be a key for Pooh Williams and Newbold, two of the best defenders in the WAC.

"We are obviously familiar with them, and the games that we've had with them in the past have been tough matchups for us," Morrill said. "The main thing is that our guys approach this as a big opportunity and are excited to compete."

tjones@sltrib.comTwitter: @tonyaggieville —

Utah State at St. Mary's

P At the McKeon Pavilion, Moraga, Calif.

Tipoff • 7 p.m. MST

TV • ESPN2

Radio • 1320 AM, 610 AM

Records • Utah State 24-3, St. Mary's 22-5

Series record • Utah State leads 4-3

Last meeting • St. Mary's, 68-63 (Dec. 5, 2009)

About the Aggies • The Aggies have lost to St. Mary's in each of the past two seasons. … USU is 33-19 against current members of the West Coast Conference. … Utah State has two players from California on its roster in James Walker and E.J. Farris.

About the Gaels • St. Mary's is coming off a loss to San Diego on Wednesday night. … The Gaels are the top team in the West Coast Conference. … The Gaels allow just 65 points per game. … Mickey McConnell averages 16.9 points and 6.2 assists per game.