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Logan • For Utah State, this year's Global Sports Hoops Showcase presented by Gossner Foods is all about rebounding.
Not rebounding, as in go after the basketball.
But rebounding, as in recover from two straight losses.
The Aggies open their traditional pre-Christmas tournament Monday against Texas-Rio Grande Valley in the Spectrum. North Dakota State and Idaho State meet in the first game of the round-robin event, starting at 5:30 p.m.
"We're excited for the Gossner," Utah State coach Tim Duryea said. "… I think it's a good chance for people to see teams from other parts of the country — teams from conferences they don't always get to see."
This tournament, however, could be the last one hosted by Utah State for a long time.
With the help of national television, the number of lucrative tournaments available to college teams in November and December have exploded. The games are usually played in warm-weather locations, too. The combination has made it increasingly difficult for the Aggies to import teams for the Gossner.
As a result, Utah State under Duryea is re-thinking its scheduling. The Aggies have already signed up for a tournament next year in Cancun, Mexico, where they will be joined by Purdue, Texas Tech and Auburn.
"We have loved the Gossners over the years and it has been phenomenal for our program," Duryea said. "It has been phenomenal for the community. To be able to watch college basketball around Christmas, I think, is a real luxury. … But this will give us a chance to go out and play in other events."
Back to this year's tournament.
Duryea's immediate concern is getting Utah State on track after back-to-back losses to BYU (80-68) and UC Irvine (73-63).
The Aggies struggled to score for long stretches against the Cougars and Anteaters, partly because they don't have a consistent back-to-the-basket threat after the preseason departure of David Collette.
"We are continuing our makeover as a team, as far as the way we want to play offensively," Duryea said. "We have to get more efficient. Our shooting percentage, overall, is not where we want it to be. Our assists need to go up. We need to get more assisted baskets and move the ball a little better."
Utah State might not be at full strength against Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Idaho State (Tuesday) and North Dakota State (Wednesday).
Sophomore center-forward Elston Jones suffered what Duryea called "a slight shoulder separation" in practice last week.
"Hopefully he'll be able to play," the Aggie coach said. "He may not be back 100 percent. But he'll be working his way back through the tournament."
Asked about losing another post player, Duryea said, "That spot has kind of been cursed [but] we've adjusted [by] playing smaller. We've experimented with some different lineups in practice and with some things we may have to do in the event Elston can't play.
"On the other hand, [now] we can give the opponent a different look and make them adjust to us offensively by going really small. … We are throwing some things around at that spot."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley
P At the Spectrum
Tipoff: 8 p.m.
TV: none
Radio: 610 AM, 95.9 FM, 97.5 FM, 102.1 FM
Records: Utah State 5-3, Texas-Rio Grande Valley 3-7
Series: First meeting
About the Aggies: They have played only two games since a 69-68 win at Missouri State on Dec. 1. … After going 19 for 48 in recent losses to BYU and UC Irvine, they're shooting 34.7 percent on 3-pointers . … Their top scorers are junior F Jalen Moore (13.3) and senior G Chris Smith (12.8).
About the Vaqueros: They are 0-5 on the road. … They have beaten Angelo State (76-75), Southeast Missouri (83-74) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (78-56). … Opponents average 77.8 points per game. … They are led by F Shaquille Hicks (15.7), G JJ Thompson (13.0) and G Antonio Green (12.1). Showcase schedule
Monday
5:30 p.m. • Idaho State (3-5) vs. North Dakota State (7-3)
8 p.m. • Utah State (5-3) vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley (3-7)
Tuesday
5:30 p.m. • North Dakota State vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley
8 p.m. • Utah State vs. Idaho State
Wednesday
5:30 p.m. • Idaho State vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley
8 p.m. • Utah State vs. North Dakota State