The Utah State Aggies delivered a resounding 99-75 victory over the Memphis Tigers, led by MJ Collins Jr.'s impressive 24 points. This decisive win marked the Aggies' 22nd victory of the season, with their record now standing at 22-3. The 24-point margin of victory was just shy of the CHD Scout's predicted margin of 21.4 points, demonstrating the accuracy of the pre-game forecast. Utah State's strong performance was fueled by their high-scoring first half, where they amassed 48 points, compared to Memphis's 34 points.
MJ Collins Jr. Scores 24 Points, Marking His 10th 20-Point Game of the Season
The Utah State Aggies took control of the game from the outset, outscoring the Memphis Tigers 48-34 in the first half. This 14-point halftime lead proved insurmountable for Memphis, as Utah State continued to dominate in the second half, scoring 51 points to Memphis's 41. The Aggies' balanced offense was on full display, with three players scoring 20 or more points: MJ Collins Jr. with 24, Mason Falslev with 20, and Karson Templin with 20. Memphis's Sincere Parker put up a valiant effort, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the Aggies' onslaught. Utah State's 99 points marked their highest scoring output in their last 5 games, showcasing their ability to put up big numbers against formidable opponents.
The standout performers of the game were undoubtedly MJ Collins Jr. and Sincere Parker. Collins Jr. led the Aggies with 24 points, while Parker paced the Tigers with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Mason Falslev and Karson Templin also made significant contributions for Utah State, scoring 20 points each. For Memphis, Curtis Givens III added 18 points, and Dug McDaniel chipped in with 10 points. The Aggies' top performers combined for 64 points, accounting for nearly 65% of their total scoring output. Parker's double-double was his 5th of the season, highlighting his consistency as a key contributor for the Tigers.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
A closer examination of the box score reveals several key statistical takeaways. Utah State outscored Memphis by 24 points, with a significant disparity in their first-half scoring: 48-34 in favor of the Aggies. The Aggies also outshot the Tigers from the field, with a 55.7% field goal percentage compared to Memphis's 41.9%. Additionally, Utah State committed only 12 turnovers, while Memphis struggled with 18 turnovers, leading to 20 Aggie points off those mistakes. The 18 turnovers marked a season-high for the Tigers, emphasizing the need for improved ball control in future games.
The CHD Scout's pre-game prediction proved accurate, forecasting a Utah State victory by 21.4 points. The actual margin of 24 points was remarkably close to the predicted outcome, demonstrating the model's effectiveness in assessing the teams' relative strengths. The predicted score of 86-64 was slightly off, but the overall forecast correctly captured the essence of the game. This correct prediction marked the 15th time this season that the CHD Scout has accurately forecasted a Utah State game, highlighting its reliability as a predictive tool.
This non-conference matchup had real consequences for both teams' resumes. For Utah State, the win marked a Quadrant 3 (Q3) victory, as Memphis is currently ranked 105 in the NET rankings. The Aggies' strong performance will likely bolster their NET ranking, currently sitting at 23. Conversely, the loss was a Quadrant 1 (Q1) game for Memphis, which may negatively impact their tournament prospects. With a record of 12-13, the Tigers must string together several wins to improve their chances of securing a postseason berth. The 24-point loss marked Memphis's largest margin of defeat this season, underscoring the need for improved performance against top-tier opponents.
The Utah State Aggies want to build on this momentum in their next game, while the Memphis Tigers will aim to bounce back from this disappointing loss. Utah State's next matchup is scheduled for February 17th against the San Diego State Aztecs, while Memphis will face the Tulane Green Wave on February 19th. Both games promise to be exciting contests, with real consequences for the teams' conference standings and tournament prospects. The Aggies will seek to extend their 5-game winning streak, while the Tigers will attempt to snap a 2-game losing skid.