This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Albuquerque, N.M. • Despite the fact Utah State and New Mexico own identical 9-6 records, the Mountain West Conference rivals are headed in opposite directions going into Saturday's game at WisePies Arena.
The Lobos are hot.
The Aggies are not.
New Mexico is 2-0 in the league after opening with convincing victories over Fresno State and Nevada. The Lobos averaged 82.5 points and shot 49.5 percent from the field in those games.
Utah State is 1-2 in the Mountain West after back-to-back home losses to San Diego State and Boise State. The Aggies committed 27 turnovers and made 11 of 42 3-point shots in those losses.
A bigger problem is Utah State's defense, which must improve for a chance of snapping its losing streak against the high-powered Lobos.
In Boise's 76-61 win over the Aggies on Tuesday, the Broncos scored 45 points and shot 70 percent in the second half. They scored 18 points in one 10-possession stretch to break away after Utah State came within a point.
"We have to go [into New Mexico] with the mindset of making a defensive stand and letting the offense take care of itself," coach Tim Duryea said. "We have to focus on getting stops. We have to get a defensive mentality going."
Duryea is concerned how his players' offense seems to be impacting their defense. Specifically, he thinks when the Aggies struggle to get shots, protect the ball and score, their energy level on the other end of the floor drops.
"Right now, we're too offense-oriented in our thought process," Duryea said. "We have too many guys trying to base their game on their offensive production — their offensive output. As a player, you have to think about defending your position and rebounding. That's what you need to base your game on. When you have those kind of thoughts, you're usually a better offensive player. … That's what we have to get."
According to Duryea, the Aggies had "no chance" of beating Boise because of their defense, "which was as poor as it could possibly be."
Utah State has had a pleasant surprise in senior forward Grayson Moore.
Against Boise State, Moore finished with eight points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes. In the Aggies' conference opener at San Jose State, he scored a career-high 12 points.
Asked if the players still believe a successful run in conference play is possible despite the defeats, Moore nodded.
"For sure," he said. "We're all on the same page. As players, we have to come together and find a way to rally each other. We're the ones on the floor. … We just have to come out and put it on ourselves to get the next one. I think we'll do that."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State at New Mexico
P At WisePies Arena, Albuquerque, N.M.
Tipoff • 4 p.m.
Online • ESPN3
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 95.9 FM, 97.5 FM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 9-6, 1-2; New Mexico 9-6, 2-0
Series record • Utah State leads 20-7
Last meeting • Utah State, 63-60 (2014-15)
About the Aggies • They are 2-2 on the road this season, including losses to Duke (85-52) and BYU (80-68). … All-time, they are 6-2 at New Mexico. … Their top scorers are junior F Jalen Moore (14.9) and senior G Chris Smith (12.9). … Moore has reached double figures in nine straight games. … He needs 144 points to become the 37th player in school history to reach 1,000 in their career.
About the Lobos • They are 7-1 at the Pit this season. … They average 77.5 points per game. … They shoot 35.7 percent from the three-point line. … Their top scorers are sophomore G Elijah Brown (19.4), junior F Tim Williams (16.2) and sophomore G Cullen Neal (14.7). … In his third season, head coach Craig Neal is 51-29.