Logan • With two games remaining in the regular season, Utah State has one last opportunity to make an impact away from the Spectrum.
Those who take stock in trends shouldn't expect success this week.
Heading into Thursday's matchup at San Jose State, the Aggies have endured one of their worst seasons on the road under Stew Morrill. USU has won two games outside of Logan this year. One of them came against Big Sky foe Idaho State.
But the Aggies are nothing if not optimistic, even in the face of the most difficult road swing of the season in terms of travel.
"We saved the longest for the last," Morrill said. "Anytime you go on this trip, you know what you're getting with the travel. We need to feel like we can go on the road and give ourselves a chance to win. Maybe the averages will catch up."
With the Western Athletic Conference tournament kicking off next week, this is an important stretch for USU. Confidence is key in any single-elimination scenario, and wins this week could well carry over into the postseason.
With Utah State's rousing win Friday over Idaho, Preston Medlin has firmly established himself as the best player on the team, for better or worse. As a sophomore, coaches have had to prod Medlin to take over more of a leadership role.
And with his 32 points against Idaho, and Morrill openly comparing his shooting guard to former USU great Jaycee Carroll, the Aggies have started to run their offense through Medlin. He responded last week. The question is whether he can keep it up. —
Utah State at San Jose State
P At the Event Center (San Jose, Calif.)
Tipoff • Thursday, 8 p.m.
TV • None. Radio • 97.5 FM
Records • Utah State 15-14, 6-6; San Jose State 9-19, 1-11
Series • Utah State leads 48-21
Last meeting • Utah State, 82-65 (Jan. 28)
About the Aggies • They are 1-4 on the road in WAC play this season. ⦠They sit in fifth place in the conference. ⦠Preston Medlin is coming off a career-high 32-point performance against Idaho.
About the Spartans • They are last in the WAC, at 1-11. ⦠San Jose State's Wil Carter is a former Salt Lake Community College star.
