By Tony Jones

| The Salt Lake Tribune

Logan • It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Six months ago, when Utah State signed a two-for-one deal with Mississippi State, critics lauded coach Stew Morrill for his newfound willingness to go out and play a good team, from a major conference, and on the road at that.

At a glance

—

Utah State at Mississippi State

At the Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Miss.

Tipoff » 1 p.m. MST

TV » None

Radio » 97.5 FM

Records » Utah State 8-5, Mississippi State 12-2

Series record » First meeting

About the Aggies » USU is led by sophomore guard Preston Medlin, who is averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, and is shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range and 73.3 percent at the free-throw line. … Utah State has three other players scoring in double figures, as senior guard Brockeith Pane is averaging 11.2 points and 3.5 assists, junior forward Kyisean Reed is averaging 10.2 points and 4.7 rebounds, and senior forward Morgan Grim is averaging 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

About the Bulldogs » Mississippi State is ranked 14th in the country in this week’s ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and 15th in the Associated Press poll. … Mississippi State is led by junior forward Arnett Moultrie, who is averaging 16.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 56.1 percent from the field and 88.7 percent at the free-throw line. … As a team, MSU is scoring 75.4 points per game and shooting 47.4 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from 3-point range and 69.5 percent at the free-throw line.

	Join the Discussion
	Post a Comment

Now, the Aggies have to actually go to Starkville and play the game.

Saturday’s clash with the Bulldogs will be USU’s most difficult matchup of the season. MSU, ranked nationally, is 12-2, with wins over Arizona, Texas A&M, West Virginia, and a close loss to unbeaten Baylor. They have at least three players pegged as potential NBA talents, and are seen as one of the few SEC teams that have the players to contend with Kentucky.

Good luck, Aggies.

"It would certainly be a happier New Year if I didn’t have to go to Mississippi State," Morrill said. "I’m not sure how much sense this game makes for our team right now. This is a tremendous challenge before league starts. It’s a team that just keeps coming at you with athletes."

Still, Morrill says that he looks at the matchup as an "opportunity," a way to validate Utah State’s recent four-game winning streak and newfound success that’s seen rousing wins over the likes of Kent State in last week’s Gossner Tournament.

On paper, the Aggies will be overmatched up front, as Renardo Sidney and Arnett Moultrie both go 6-foot-11, with skill and athleticism to boot. Moultrie is being pegged as a mid first-round NBA Draft pick by scouts.

But it doesn’t end there. The 6-8 Rodney Hood is one of the best freshmen in the country, Dee Bost is one of the best point guards in the nation and Jalen Steele is a knockdown shooter who thrives off the attention his teammates receive.

"It’s definitely going to be a good test," USU guard Preston Medlin said. "But we’re going to be ready."

The Aggies plan to double Moultrie and Sidney in the paint. They also know that their chances of pulling off what would be a titanic upset hinges on their ability to make shots.

Medlin has developed into USU’s go-to guy on the perimeter, while Morgan Grim and Kyisean Reed have an enormous task ahead of them in the paint. Heading into next week’s Western Athletic Conference opener, a win over MSU would be monstrous. Heck, even a good showing would be cause for optimism going into the conference portion of the schedule.

tjones@sltrib.com

Twitter: @tonyaggieville