Utah State looks to avenge its only loss to a Mountain West team Wednesday when UNLV takes the floor in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah.
The Aggies (18-2, 8-1 MWC) traveled to Las Vegas and lost to UNLV, 65-62, on Jan. 15. The Rebels (11-9, 5-4) took advantage of 12 turnovers and got 19 points from the bench in the win.
Aside from that one hiccup and a close call against Boise State, Utah State has been unstoppable this season. The Aggies lead the Mountain West with a .499 team field goal percentage and a .376 3-point percentage. They also lead the conference with 382 assists and rank No. 2 with 82.7 points a game.
They look well on their way to a second-straight regular-season Mountain West title and another NCAA Tournament berth despite replacing three of their top five scorers from last season, including Mountain West Player of the Year Great Osobor.
Utah State also had to replace head coach Danny Sprinkle, who left to take over at Washington. Jerrod Calhoun took the reins in Logan after he spent seven seasons as head coach at Youngstown State.
UNLV logged a win over San Diego State just a few days after knocking off the Aggies, but the Rebels have lost back-to-back close games. They lost to Wyoming, 63-61, on Jan. 21 and fell to New Mexico, 75-73, on Saturday.
UNLV at Utah State Betting Odds
Utah State is a 10.5-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM, and the Over/Under is at 144.5. The Moneyline is at -550 for Utah State and at +400 for UNLV.
Utah State is 12-8 against the spread in its past 20 regular-season games as the favorite at home. UNLV is 13-7 ATS in its past 20 regular-season games as an underdog on the road.
UNLV at Utah State on TV
The Mountain West game featuring UNLV and Utah State will be televised on FS1.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
UNLV at Utah State Prediction
I predict Utah State wins 67-64.
This is a prove-it game for the Aggies. They need to prove their loss to the Rebels was a fluke. They need to prove they’re the best team in the Mountain West, and they could certainly use a dominant win heading into a big showdown against New Mexico on Saturday. The winner of that game will be in first place in the Mountain West.
Utah State doesn’t usually turn the ball over the way it did against UNLV. The Aggies rank No. 2 in the conference with a +3.75 turnover margin. They will take better care of the ball this time and veteran guards Ian Martinez and Mason Falslev will lead Utah State to a momentum-building win heading into what may be its biggest game of the season.
The Aggies also have a big-time homecourt advantage at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. They’re 10-1 at home this season, and they went 14-1 at home last season.
