LOGAN, Utah-Tuesday, Utah State men’s basketball (14-6, 3-4 in Mountain West Conference play) hosts Air Force (9-10, 3-4 in Mountain West play) Tuesday at the Spectrum as the Aggies seek to right the ship.
The Aggies have lost four out of their last five games as head coach Craig Smith (42-13, .764 at Utah State; 121-68, .640) and his squad continue to wade through affliction during the conference season.
In the Smith era, the Aggies are 10-2 at home against fellow Mountain West Conference foes.
Despite their present futility, Utah State ranks third nationally in made free throws (351), fifth nationally in total rebounds (824), eighth in total assists (331) and ninth in the country in defensive rebounds per game (29.55).
Presently, the Aggies score 78.6 points per game, ranking Utah State 35th nationally in scoring offense.
Senior guard Sam Merrill (17.7 points per game) remains Utah State’s leading scorer.
Other Aggies to score in double figures on-average include sophomore forward Justin Bean (13.1 points, 10.3 rebounds per game, tied for 11th nationally in total rebounds [206] with Omaha’s Matt Pile and a team-best 21 blocked shots) and sophomore center, Portuguese national Neemias Queta (11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds per game).
Junior guard Abel Porter has a team-best 78 assists to pace the Aggies in that category.
Utah State surrenders 65.6 points per game, ranking the Aggies 92nd nationally in scoring defense.
Air Force is coached by ninth-year head coach Dave Pilipovich (107-141, .431) who led the Falcons to a 79-60 win over Utah State at Colorado Springs, Colo. January 7.
The Falcons presently score 76.7 points per game, ranking Air Force 61st nationally in scoring offense.
Senior forward Lavell Scottie leads the Falcons in scoring (15.2 points per game) and rebounding (5.6 boards per game).
Senior center Ryan Swan (13.9 points, 4.2 rebounds per game) and sophomore guard A.J. Walker (12.3 points per game, a team-best 55 assists) also score in double figures on-average for the Falcons.
Senior guard Caleb Morris leads Air Force with 18 steals and junior guard Keaton Van Soelen has a team-best 11 blocked shots for the Falcons.
The Aggies have traditionally dominated this series, leading the Falcons 18-6 all-time and 11-0 at Logan.
