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Logan • Utah State coach Tim Duryea isn't worried about his team's 3-point shooting.
Not yet, at least.
Heading into Tuesday night's game against Utah Valley, the Aggies have made only 21 of their 72 3-point shots in wins over Weber State, Adams State and Union (Tenn.) University.
The Aggies made a school-record 233 3-pointers last year, when they led the Mountain West Conference in long-range shooting.
After going 13 for 52 against Division II Adams State and Union, however, Utah State is shooting only 29.2 percent on 3-pointers this season.
"Offensively, we're trying to do the right things," Duryea said. "We just can't get the ball to go in the basket. We shot 26 threes [against Union] and, as a coaching staff, we thought 20 or 21 of them were quality, quality shots. We just couldn't get the ball in the basket."
Among Utah State's starters, sophomore guard Julion Pearre is 1 for 14 on threes. Junior wing Jalen Moore is 3 for 14.
"We've got to keep grinding," Duryea said. "As long as we're doing the right thing and sharing the ball, I think that will take care of itself."
The good news: Utah State had 20 assists on 27 field goals in the lopsided win over Union. Duryea used 11 players. Everyone scored and handed out at least one assist.
"We're trying to make the right play," Duryea said. "… We've just got to be more determined to get more paint touches. Last year, when we got into such a good groove in the Mountain West and became hard to guard, it's because that ball was getting into the paint.
" We were determined to drive the ball. From there, we'd kick it out and makes threes. So far we haven't been quite as determined to get the ball into the lane. That's something we're going to have to work on. .. [But] we're still a work in progress — more than we thought we'd be when we started."
The reason?
Last year's No. 2 scorer, David Collette, quit two days before the start of the season. The Aggies continue to retool their offense, which lacks his one-on-one low-post scoring ability.
"David leaving brought us together as a team," senior guard Chris Smith countered. "We all got closer. We're more dialed in. Everybody is stepping their game up."
Enter Utah Valley.
The Wolverines are 2-2 under first-year coach Mark Pope, the former BYU assistant. According to Duryea, UVU plays a lot like the high-scoring Cougars.
"Utah Valley looks a lot different than Utah Valley has looked in a long time," Duryea said. "You can see a lot of the BYU influence in the style of play — the speed their trying to play and a lot of the things they do. ... You see BYU's up-tempo philosophy."
Utah Valley at Utah State
P At the Spectrum, Logan
Tipoff • Friday, 7 p.m.
TV • None
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 95.9 FM, 97.5 AM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 3-0, Utah Valley 2-2
Series • Utah State, 10-0
Last meeting • Utah State, 50-47 (2014-15)
About the Aggies • They are 31-2 in their last 33 home games against in-state opponents. … They have outrebounded their first three opponents by an average of 8.3 per game. … They are led by senior G Chris Smith (167), junior F Jalen Moore (14.0), junior F Lew Evans (10.0) and junior G Shane Rector (10.0). … Opponents average only 62.3 points per game.
About the Wolverines • They are 0-2 on the road, with losses at BYU (85-54) and Denver (75-62). … They are led by junior F Konner Frey, who averages 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. He played in four games for Utah State last season before transferring. … Another Utah State transfer, senior G Marcel Davis, averages nine points and four assists.