NCAA Basketball: Houston, Arizona, Auburn rise in latest top 25 power rankings
By Joey Loose
23. Utah State (17-2)
This Utah State team has come out of nowhere in their first season under head coach Danny Sprinkle. This program has been in fine shape in recent years but the Aggies were firing on all cylinders early in the season, with an overtime loss to Bradley their only blemish before this week. Utah State learned this week just how tough this Mountain West is going to be this year.
In their first road test against one of the strong teams in the league, the Aggies fell 99-86 at New Mexico against a hot Lobos team. Ian Martinez had 22 points while Mason Falslev added 19 points and 9 rebounds in a tough road loss. Saturday was far kinder to the Aggies, who responded with an 83-62 win at home over Fresno State. Things looked much better back home for Utah State, who outplayed the Bulldogs, getting 20 points from Great Osobor in the victory.
The story on this Aggies team is still being written, but they certainly look formidable more than two months into this season. They were never going to be perfect against this suddenly strong conference, but we won’t punish them too much for a tough performance in New Mexico. The Aggies look like one of the very best teams in this MWC and get to put that to the test at Boise State next weekend.