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Logan • Utah State plays little Union University on Friday night at the Spectrum.
Call it a family affair.
Last summer, Aggie basketball coach Tim Duryea was returning from a booster event. Football coach Matt Wells was there, too, and they started talking.
During the conversation, Wells told Duryea that his brother-in-law, David Niven, coached basketball at a Division II school in Jackson, Tenn.
It also turned out that Wells' sister, Mandy, had never been to Logan for a football game since Wells' became Utah State's head coach in 2013.
Duryea, who is always looking for nonconference opponents willing to come to the Spectrum and battle one of the most well-known home court advantages in the country, called Niven.
The coaches set up the Utah State-Union game, which will end about 16 hours before Wells and the Aggies play Nevada at Maverik Stadium.
"It's kind of a crazy story,' Duryea said, "but we're happy it all worked out. … I'm glad we could help produce a mini-reunion for the Wells family this weekend."
On the court, Utah State seeks its third straight win in the game against Union, which qualified for the Division II national tournament last season.
"A solid program," Duryea said. "Well-coached. When you watch them play, they're just really solid. Not complicated. They play at a great pace. They don't get in a hurry. They don't turn the ball over. They take good shots. Just the definition of solid."
Utah State continues to find its way without David Collette. The reigning Freshman of the Year in the Mountain West Conference quit last week.
After the Aggies' 83-68 win over Adams State on Monday, Duryea admitted his team is still retooling after losing its best low-post scorer.
On the other hand, redshirt freshman forward Quinn Taylor has played well in expanded minutes. He had 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists against Adams State.
"Quinn has a great feel for the game," Duryea said. "He's a very good complementary guy — a glue guy. He makes everybody better on the floor. I was really impressed with his performance. I thought he gave us a big lift."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State vs. Union
P At the Spectrum, Logan
Tipoff • Friday, 7 p.m.
TV • none
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 95.9-FM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 2-0; Union 3-0
Series • First meeting
About the Aggies • They have beaten Weber State (73-70) and Adams State (83-68). … All-time, they are 34-5 against Division II opponents. … Senior G Chris Smith averages 20 points on 16-for-24 shooting. … Sophomore F Elston Jones' two starts this season were the first of his career. He averages seven points and four rebounds in 18 minutes.
About the Bulldogs • They are a Division II school from Jackson, Tenn. … They finished 20-11 last season and return four starters. … They have beaten LeMoyne-Owen (67-60), Spring Hill College (82-67) and Central Baptist (101-98) this season. … They are led by G Marterrace Brock (18.0), G Jordan Montgomery (16.0) and G Roy Bullock (13.3).