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Logan • In part because Utah State has always been the superior team, and in part because the field has traditionally been so weak, the Aggies have never lost a game in the Gossner Tournament, a yearly three-day test of endurance in preparation for their conference schedule.

But this season, things promise to be different.

There's a strong possibility that Utah State could suffer its first loss in the tournament's history, especially on Thursday when the Aggies face Kent State, a top-50 type team that beat West Virginia on the road earlier in the year.

"There is no doubt that this is the best field we've ever had," USU coach Stew Morrill said. "Obviously, Kent State is a very good team, and we're going have our hands full with them. So we can honestly say, for the first time, that we aren't the favorite this year."

Utah State opens on Tuesday night with Texas-Arlington. The Aggies face St. Peter's on Wednesday night, before finishing with the Golden Flashes in Thursday's finale.

USU is playing better, having evened its record at 5-5 with a convincing win over Seattle last Saturday. Slowly, Morrill's rotation is coming into focus. Roles are being defined and guys are starting to play better on a more consistent basis.

Junior forward Kyisean Reed looks to have solidified a starting role at power forward, and Danny Berger, a few months off an LDS mission, is fast gaining a hold at small forward. His length and shooting have given Morrill an answer he has been seeking on the perimeter.

"We need to take it one night at a time and see if we can get some wins," Morrill said. "Rebounding has been a real concern. We have to rebound by committee; we don't have a dominant rebounder right now." —

UT-Arlington at Utah State

P At the Spectrum, Logan

Tipoff • 8 p.m. MST

Radio • 97.5 FM

Records • Utah State 5-5, UT-Arlington 4-4

Series record • First meeting

About the Mavericks • They are 0-3 on the road this year. … Led by senior forward LaMarcus Reed, who is averaging 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds. … Junior forward Kevin Butler is averaging 12.1 points and 5.4 rebounds, and senior forward Bo Ingram is averaging 10.1 points per game. As a team, UT Arlington is scoring 78.4 points per game. … UT Arlington returns eight players, and all five starters, from last year's team that went 13-16 and finished in fifth place in the Western Division of the Southland Conference with a 7-9 record.

About the Aggies • Utah State is 5-5 on the season after defeating Seattle, 78-53, Saturday. … USU is led by sophomore guard Preston Medlin, who is averaging 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. … Senior guard Brockeith Pane is averaging 12.3 points and 3.2 assists per game.