As Utah State welcomes Fresno State to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, the Aggies are riding a three-game win streak and boasting a 25th-ranked NET rating. With a Quad 1 record of 3-2, Utah State is solidifying its position as a top seed in the tournament. Meanwhile, Fresno State is desperate for quality wins to build its resume, currently sitting at 139th in the NET rankings with a dismal 0-5 record against Quad 1 opponents.
Fresno State's Quad 1 Struggles
Key Matchups
The CHD Scout prediction favors Utah State by 20.4 points, with a whopping 94.6% win probability for the Aggies. This matchup falls under Quad 1 for Fresno State, making a potential upset crucial for their tournament aspirations. Utah State's impressive quad record, including 5-0 marks in Quad 2 and Quad 4 games, demonstrates its ability to dominate across different levels of competition.
CHD Scout Prediction
Fresno State
64
Utah State
84
Given the significant gap in talent and recent form, it's hard to envision Fresno State pulling off the upset. Utah State's strong defense and balanced offense should prove too much for the Bulldogs to handle. With a 19.5-point spread in their favor, the Aggies are expected to cruise to victory.
Tournament Stakes
I predict Utah State will win comfortably, covering the 19.5-point spread and further solidifying its tournament positioning. The Aggies' depth and experience will be too much for Fresno State to overcome, leading to a decisive victory for the home team.