The Utah State Aggies, currently ranked 24th in the NET rankings, are riding a 3-game win streak, with their most recent victory coming by a 15-point margin. Meanwhile, the Memphis Tigers, with a 12-11 overall record and a 7-4 conference record, are looking to bounce back from a loss in their last outing. The Aggies' impressive 3-2 record in Quad 1 games and 5-0 mark in Quad 2 games have them projected as a top-4 seed in the tournament, while the Tigers need quality wins to improve their 0-4 Quad 1 record and 2-5 Quad 2 record.
Utah State Aggies Have Held Opponents to 38.5% Shooting from the Field This Season
The game is scheduled to take place on February 14th at 8:00 PM ET at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, with the broadcast available on CBS Sports Network.
The Memphis Tigers, with a NET ranking of 104, have been inconsistent this season, compiling a 12-11 overall record and a 7-4 conference record. They have struggled against top-tier opponents, going 0-4 in Quad 1 games and 2-5 in Quad 2 games, but have fared better in Quad 3 and Quad 4 games, with records of 4-1 and 6-1, respectively. The Tigers are averaging 73.4 points per game, while allowing 71.1 points per contest, resulting in a +2.3 point differential. Over their last 5 games, Memphis has gone 3-2, with wins by an average margin of 8.3 points.
The Utah State Aggies, with a 21-3 overall record and a 12-2 conference mark, have been one of the most dominant teams in the Mountain West Conference. They boast a NET ranking of 24 and have compiled an impressive 3-2 record in Quad 1 games and a 5-0 record in Quad 2 games. The Aggies are averaging 81.4 points per game, while allowing just 64.5 points per contest, resulting in a +16.9 point differential. Utah State has been particularly stingy on defense, holding opponents to 38.5% shooting from the field and 31.4% from beyond the arc. Over their last 5 games, the Aggies have gone 5-0, with wins by an average margin of 18.2 points.
Key Matchups
The Utah State Aggies' top-25 defense will face a stiff test against the Memphis Tigers' offense, which has been averaging 73.4 points per game. However, the Aggies' defense has been exceptional, allowing just 64.5 points per contest, and has held opponents to 38.5% shooting from the field. The Tigers must find a way to penetrate the Aggies' defense, which has been limiting opponents to just 31.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Utah State's offense, meanwhile, has been clicking on all cylinders, averaging 81.4 points per game, and want to exploit Memphis' defense, which has allowed 71.1 points per contest. The pace of the game will also be a key factor, as the Aggies prefer to play at a slower pace, averaging just 67.3 possessions per game, while the Tigers have averaged 72.1 possessions per contest.
CHD Scout Prediction
Memphis
66
Utah State
84
For the Memphis Tigers, guard Alex Lomax has been on a hot streak, averaging 15.3 points per game over his last 5 contests, while shooting 42.1% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. Forward DeAndre Williams has also been a key contributor, averaging 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game over his last 5 outings. For the Utah State Aggies, guard Steven Ashworth has been a standout, averaging 14.5 points per game over his last 5 contests, while shooting 45.5% from the field and 41.9% from beyond the arc. Forward Justin Bean has also been a key player, averaging 13.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game over his last 5 outings.
Tournament Stakes
The CHD Scout prediction has the Utah State Aggies winning by a margin of 17.3 points, with a 91.9% win probability. This prediction is based on the Aggies' dominant defense and the Tigers' struggles against top-tier opponents. The Aggies' ability to limit opponents' scoring and their own high-powered offense make them a formidable opponent, and the prediction reflects this.
A win for the Utah State Aggies would further solidify their position as a top-4 seed in the tournament, while a loss would be a significant blow to their resume. For the Memphis Tigers, a win would be a much-needed quality victory, improving their 0-4 Quad 1 record and 2-5 Quad 2 record. However, a loss would make it even more difficult for the Tigers to build a tournament-worthy resume, given their current NET ranking of 104. The game is classified as a Quad 1 game for the Tigers and a Quad 3 game for the Aggies, making it a crucial matchup for both teams.