The first time Utah State played Nevada, the Aggies went on the road and took a 72-49 drubbing. Since that day, each team has lost just twice, and Utah State is looking for revenge on its home court on Senior Night.
Nevada has tons of athleticism and ability, but it is Utah State that ranks fifth among Division I teams in total rebound rate. A lot of this is thanks to freshman center Neemias Queta, who also averages 2.5 blocks per game and had five blocks in the first meeting.
Though both of these teams rank near the top of the Mountain West in a lot of offensive categories, Nevada is 10th among Division I teams in defensive efficiency and Utah State 16th. In February, the Aggies allowed just one team to exceed 70 points in regulation and ranked third in the country in opponents’ 2-point shooting percentage.
Part of that also has to do with each team having great ball movement: Nevada ranks seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio and Utah State 21st.
Utah State has a clear home-court advantage, entering Saturday 9-4 against the spread at home and second in the country in team assists per possession when playing at home. This is in a spot in which the Aggies need a signature win to help their NCAA Tournament résumé, and they figure to shoot much better than the 16-of-61 mark they had in the first showdown.
The play: Utah State, +2.



