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LAS VEGAS— Utah State is learning quickly how tough it is to win in the Mountain West Conference.
For many years in the WAC, the Aggies could be excused for having an off night either offensively or defensively, as more often than not they still found a way to win in spite of struggles. In the Mountain West Conference, though, Utah State hasn’t been able to afford off nights because the MWC features a top-ten program (San Diego State) and a program that knows what it’s like to be elite (UNLV).
On Wednesday night in Las Vegas, the Aggies learned just how hard it can be to beat a middling team like the Runnin’ Rebels. UNLV has lost at the Thomas and Mack Center this season to Division-II Dixie State; lost to a UC-Santa Barbara team that Utah State beat not once, but twice; and lost at home to Air Force — a surprising contender in the Mountain West this season. Yet, UNLV and coach Dave Rice, who was an assistant coach under USU's Stan Morrill almost a decade ago, showcased the talent on its roster, with Deville Smith scoring 18 points and Roscoe Smith earning his 13th double-double of the season.
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Utah State played a strong game defensively, holding UNLV to 38.2 percent shooting from the floor (21-of-55) and only 17 free throw attempts. However, offensively, the Aggies struggled badly, making only 16 shots in the 62-42 loss to UNLV.
Overall, the Aggies posted season lows in several key categories, including points (42), field goals made (16), field goal percentage (30.8 percent), three-point field goal percentage (11.8 percent) and assists (four), while tying season-lows for three-pointers made (two).
The loss to UNLV highlighted a theme that has been consistent throughout Utah State’s inaugural campaign in the Mountain West Conference — lack of a second scoring option, a lack of bench scoring, or both. Wednesday night, Jarred Shaw was the only Aggie to reach double-digit numbers for scoring with 14 points. The bench combined for only seven points in the loss.
In their recent 78-74 road loss to Boise State, the Aggies had three double-digit scorers (Shaw, Preston Medlin and Spencer Butterfield) but had only 13 points from their bench, while Boise's bench scored 25 points. In 62-54 loss to Nevada on Jan. 11, Shaw again was the only double-digit scorer.
The learning curve can be painful, especially on the road. Last year in the WAC, Utah State was playing opponents such as Idaho, Seattle and Denver. Now, Utah State is playing well-known programs like UNLV, New Mexico and seventh-ranked San Diego State, which will travel to Logan for a conference game in the Smith Spectrum on Saturday.
For Utah State, home has always been the cure for any type of ailment. The Aggies are 2-0 at home in Mountain West play, averaging four double-digit scorers per game and 21.5 bench points.
