This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Logan • Utah State starts its Drive for Five on Wednesday night at the Spectrum against Colorado State.
Although they are clearly long shots after a recent five-game losing streak, the Aggies are still alive for a fifth-place finish in the Mountain West Conference.
The No. 5 team earns the final first-round bye in the league's postseason tournament in March.
The Aggies are 12-11 overall and only 4-8 in the Mountain West, but four of their final six opponents are lumped within three games of each other in the race for fifth.
Utah State also plays two teams it has already defeated — Air Force and San Jose State.
Significantly, the Aggies don't have any games remaining against the Mountain West's three best teams — San Diego State, New Mexico and Boise State.
While it will likely take a 5-1 finish for Utah State to get into the Mountain West's top five, the Aggies come off a 80-72 win over New Mexico last week. They led almost all the way and made of big plays down the stretch — something that was missing during their losing streak.
"We need to keep riding on the energy we have right now," Utah State freshman Quinn Taylor said after the game. "… I think we were just really tired of losing."
Utah State coach Tim Duryea plans to stick with a bigger starting lineup, which he debuted versus New Mexico.
Darius Perkins will be the point guard with Smith at shooting guard, Jalen Moore at small forward, Lew Evans at power forward and Taylor at center.
"That lineup, night in and night out, gives us our best chance to defend and rebound," Duryea said. "… I like the way that group communicates and I like the way they play together. I think that's a big part of being good defensively."
Another advantage is that Moore is a natural small forward. By sliding him over from power forward, he avoids defensive matchups against bigger opponents.
"Offensively, it doesn't change much for him," Duryea said. "Our 'threes' and 'fours' are pretty interchangeable. But where it helps Jalen is defensively. He goes from being out-manned physically on certain nights into a spot where he will be physically in control of the matchup, with his size and strength. I think that helps his frame of mind."
Duryea added that Moore, a junior, will play small forward from the start next season.
"… Why not start now and give him a little head start?" he said.
For Moore, the Colorado State game might be one to remember. He needs only 15 points to become the 37th player in school history to reach 1,000 in his career.
Moore, who averages 14.7 points per game, is on track to be one of Utah State's top-10 all-time scorers by the end of his senior season.
Twitter: sluhm —
Utah State vs. Colorado State
P At the Spectrum, Logan
Tipoff • 7 p.m.
Broadcast • ESPN3.com
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 95.9 FM, 97.5 FM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 12-11, 4-8; Colorado State 14-11, 6-6
Series history • Utah State leads 56-36
Last meeting • Utah State 96, Colorado State 92 (Jan. 16)
About the Aggies • They haven't played since an 80-72 victory over New Mexico on Feb. 9, which snapped a five-game losing streak. … They are 4-1 in their past five against CSU. … Their top scorers are junior F Jalen Moore (14.7) and senior G Chris Smith (14.7). … In the past four games, Smith averaged 17.8 points on 25-of-43 shooting (.581). … In the past seven games, F Lew Evans is 9 for 17 on 3-pointers.
About the Rams • They have won two of their past three. … They are 3-5 in true road games … They are 3-1 in games that have gone to overtime or double overtime, including wins over Boise State (97-93), San Jose State (85-84) and Abilene Christian (108-100). … They shoot 37.2 percent on three-pointers. … Their top scorers are senior G Antwan Scott (16.3) and junior G John Gillon (12.3).