On the road FTW!!! Aggies win 71-61

Utah State trailed for a grand total of 16 seconds during Thursday night's game. For the rest of the time, the Aggies were pretty solidly in control, which is something that can rarely be said about this year's team in home games, let alone on the road.

At this point now, it's three straight halves of solid basketball between the second half against Idaho and the two halves against San Jose State. If the Aggies can make this five straight halves, there's gonna be one writer from this website who will be happy as all hell!!! (hint: it's me)

Preston Medlin basically continued his reign of terror on the WAC, scoring 26 points against the Spartans. He is now tied with Wendell McKines as the leading scorer in WAC play this season. And even though Pre-Med took it easy on the rebounding and assists tonight (five boards, two dimes), he shot 5-of-8 from behind the 3-point line and pretty much got hot any time the game got close.

As a team, this was the fourth straight game in which USU had double-digit assists and single-digit turnovers. The Aggies had just better than a 2-to-1 A/TO ratio, while San Jose rocked an even 1-to-1. Winning those small battles is encouraging, and if they can avoid getting crushed in rebounding too, chances are the win percentage would skyrocket. Still, it's very encouraging to see those assist numbers rising and turnovers dropping. It makes this team feel that much more like a Stew Morrill basketball team.

Speaking of getting crushed in rebounding though... In the first game against Hawaii this season, USU was outrebounded by 20, yet still managed to win the game (and no, I didn't add an extra zero to that number). You can't bank on that kind of divine intervention a second time. The Aggies will need to fix this rebounding problem for Saturday.

NOTES

• Six assists and only one turnover Brockeith? AND you scored 14 points?!? Sir, if it weren't an NCAA violation, I would buy you a beer! Hell, I'd buy you a whole pitcher (though you would have to be present with me at the bar for them to legally serve us a pitcher due to the State of Utah's liquor laws... but from there, it'd be all you).
• Thursday was the second time this season where Mitch Bruneel shot 4-of-5 from behind the 3-point line... against San Jose State. Odd... But I love it. As do I love his three steals.
• Jordan Stone only had two points and one rebound in 12 minutes. Hopefully he saved plenty for Saturday, because a big game from him could go a long way!
• Ben Clifford actually played fewer minutes Thursday than Stone, but had about the same numbers. Hopefully he saved plenty for Saturday, because the first game against Hawaii was arguable Clifford's best this year.
• Danny Berger was scoreless and only had one rebound Thursday, but his five assists are good to see. Hopefully he saved plenty for Saturday, because last time against Hawaii, Berger made four 3-pointers and was part of the backcourt defense that completely shut down Hawaii's starters.
• Kyisean Reed has not had three straight games of failing to score in double-figures all year. He hasn't scored in double-figures in the last two games. We could really use one of those monster games he has once in a while.
• While I'm dishing out assignments for Saturday, Morgan Grim, you walk into the Stan Sheriff Center believing yourself to be exactly what it says on Samuel L. Jackson's wallet in Pulp Fiction. Then act like that all game. Any rebound near you should be yours. If you get pushed down there, push back. Let it be known early that the paint belongs to you and don't settle for anything else!!! And make free throws.

Player of the Game: Preston Medlin