Busting Brackets
Fansided

Mid-major Basketball power rankings: Dayton, Gonzaga and ETSU rises up

By Tristan Freeman

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs steals possession of the ball in the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena on February 01, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs steals possession of the ball in the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena on February 01, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 25
Next
Utah State
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 21: The Utah State Aggies celebrate (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

16. Utah State Aggies (25-8, 12-6 Mountain West)

The health of center Neemias Queta has been the focal point of Utah State’s season, dealing with an offseason knee injury. The Aggies have lost several games in league play that have hurt their at-large chances, including a devastating loss to New Mexico at the end of the regular season. Former Conference Player of the Year Sam Merrill has played well overall but not to last year’s level, while the defense without Queta fell off noticeably.

They got revenge against the Lobos in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament and then had to stave off upset-minded Wyoming, who had become the first “Cinderella” in March this season. That creates the final battle with San Diego State, who Utah State lost twice to in the regular season. The Aztecs haven’t looked great lately though so the Aggies have a better shot at getting the win than maybe originally thought.

That New Mexico defeat makes the title game on Saturday a must-win for Utah State to make another trip to the NCAA Tournament, or else having to sweat on the bubble with a lackluster resume. But if they can get by the Aztecs, they’ll be a team with all the pieces necessary to win a game or two in the Big Dance. They just have to put it together for one night to get there.

Home/Mid Major Conferences