Nevada (26-2) at Utah State (23-6)
When: Saturday, March 2nd, 2019
Where: Dee Glen Smith Spectrum,
Logan, Utah
Time: 8:30 ET | TV: CBS Sports Network
Opening Odds: Nevada -2/140.5
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The Nevada Wolf Pack have had a terrific season thus far, ranked 13th in the country and have just two losses. But, they still have one more obstacle to overcome before becoming Mountain West Conference regular season champs. The Utah State Aggies stand in their way with first place on the line Saturday night in front of a raucous crowd in Logan. A win by the Wolf Pack would clinch at least a tie for the conference title and a No. 1 seed in the Mountain West tournament in Las Vegas, but the Aggies would overtake Nevada if victorious. The Wolf Pack’s 26-2 record is the best after 28 games in school history and is just three wins away from matching the school record for wins in a season at 29. Nevada is coming off back-to-back home wins over Fresno State and UNLV after dropping a 65-57 decision at San Diego State on February 20th. Utah State has won five-straight including a 70-54 win over the Aztecs to improve to 13-1 at home this season. The first meeting between these teams was all Nevada back on January 2nd – a 72-49 blowout.
Nevada has not had much success in Logan over the years, going just 5-19 all-time, but have won two of the last three games there. Jordan Caroline recorded one of his 16 double-doubles this season in the first meeting with Utah State when he scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the easy victory. Caleb Martin leads the team in scoring at 19.4 per game followed by Caroline (18.4), while Caleb’s twin brother Cody is averaging 11.2 points per contest. Cody Martin also leads the Mountain West at 5.3 assists per game including six against Utah State earlier this year.
Junior guard Sam Merrill leads the Aggies in scoring (20.2) and had 19 points versus San Diego State but was just 1-of-9 from three-point land and was limited to 16 points against Nevada in the first meeting. The Aggies snapped a 12 game losing streak to San Diego State on Tuesday with an impressive showing on defense (San Diego State 35 percent shooting) and on the glass (44-30 rebounding edge). Forward Quinn Taylor led the way with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Freshman Neemias Queta averages 11.6 points a game and a team-high 8.9 rebounds and is a force on defense.
This should be an exciting game in Logan and I expect the teams to go back and forth. Nevada’s experience will ultimately prevail behind Caroline and the Martin brothers. Utah State is great at home, but the Wolf Pack have won two of the last three trips there and won’t be intimidated.
Pick: Nevada -1.5
Wolf Pack are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win.
Wolf Pack are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Wolf Pack are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 road games.
Wolf Pack are 25-12-2 ATS in their last 39 games following a ATS loss.
Wolf Pack are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Aggies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Aggies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Aggies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Mountain West.
Aggies are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Aggies are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Aggies are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-1 in Wolf Pack last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Wolf Pack last 5 vs. Mountain West.
Under is 17-5-1 in Wolf Pack last 23 Saturday games.
Under is 16-5-1 in Wolf Pack last 22 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-1 in Aggies last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-2 in Aggies last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 19-8 in Aggies last 27 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Wolf Pack are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Home team is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Utah St..
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Wolf Pack are 3-8 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Utah St..
