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Logan • Utah State coach Tim Duryea probably feels like a parent who's sending his kid to college.
So far, so good — but the real challenges are still ahead.
The Aggies have jumped out to a 3-0 start this season, after convincing wins over UC Irvine, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Idaho State.
Utah State takes a giant step up the competition ladder, however, when it plays at the Cancun Challenge in Mexico. The Aggies open Tuesday night against Purdue. They play Auburn or Texas Tech on Wednesday.
"I think our players are excited to go on a national stage and see where we are — see where we are away from the Spectrum [and] see where we are against Power 5 teams," Duryea said. "… I think they are really looking forward to that."
According to senior point guard Shane Rector, the Aggies won't be distracted by their tropical surroundings.
"It's a business trip," he said. "We're going there for business. We're going to try and handle our business. And then I think we have a day off, so we'll focus on that when the time comes. But business before pleasure. We've got our eyes on the money right now and the money is those two games."
Purdue, ranked 15th in the country, brings a 2-1 record into its game against Utah State. The Boilermakers' only loss was a last-minute, 79-76 defeat to defending national champion Villanova.
"They're a top-25 team," said Utah State senior Jalen Moore, "but we have to go in with the mindset we can beat them. … I'm going to go out there with that mindset."
Said Rector: "They're a good team. I think we're a good team. We know who they are but we're playing really well right now and I think we'll be able to compete with them. It will be a fun game."
Balance has been a key to Utah State's early success. Duryea has used a nine-player rotation.
Moore is the Aggies' leading scorer. He averages 18 points a game. But freshman guard Koby McEwen (15.0), Rector (12.0) and junior college transfer Norbert Janicek (11.0) all average in double figures.
"We have good quality players coming off of the bench," Moore said. "It feels good to know that your backup can come in and affect the game. You always need bench points to have a good team."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State vs. No. 15 Purdue
P At the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico
Tipoff • 6:30 p.m. MST
TV • CBS Sports Network
Radio • 610 AM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 3-0; Purdue 2-1
Series • First game
About the Aggies • They have beaten UC Irvine (72-56), NJIT (93-84) and Idaho State (85-51). … C/F Norbert Janicek averages 11 points and 4.7 rebounds. He has made 11 of 14 shots (.785). … F Jalen Moore has reached double figures in 16 straight games, going back to last season. … Freshman G Koby McEwen averages 15 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
About the Boilermakers • They have beaten McNeese State (109-65) and Georgia State (64-56) while losing to reigning national champion Villanova (79-76). … Sophomore F Caleb Swanigan averages 20.7 points, 13 rebounds and 4.3 assists. … Against Georgia State, they scored the final 20 points of the game. They trailed, 54-41, with 8:31 remaining in the game.