After a short break for Christmas, Utah State and San Diego State will square off in a must-watch matchup between Mountain West Conference foes at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) Saturday in San Diego, with the game broadcasted on Fox.
It’s an early-season matchup of the top two teams in the conference, with both teams ranked in the top five of the latest Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll.
Utah State
Utah State, ranked fifth in the latest Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll, is coming off an impressive seven-point road victory over Saint Mary’s after suffering its first loss in the game prior.
The Aggies (11-1, 1-0 MWC) have been a model of consistency in recent years despite three coaches in three years. Coach Jerrod Calhoun has done an impressive job in his first year at the helm after taking over for Danny Sprinkle, who left for Washington after leading the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament in his only season.
The Aggies are averaging 85.3 points per game on 49% shooting. They are an average 3-point shooting team, making 34.2% of their attempts.
Utah State features an impressive backcourt duo, anchored by two dynamic guards.
Sophomore Mason Falslev leads the team with 17.3 points per game, showcasing remarkable efficiency with a 55.6% shooting clip, including 45.2% from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-3 guard contributes across the board, averaging 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Complementing him is fifth-year standout Ian Martinez, who delivers 17.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per contest, providing veteran leadership and consistent production. Together, they form one of the most potent guard tandems in the conference.
San Diego State
San Diego State, ranked third in the latest Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll, is riding a five-game winning streak, including a victory over Houston. The Aztecs’ only losses came against Gonzaga and Oregon.
The Aztecs (8-2, 1-0 MWC) have established themselves as one of the premier mid-major programs in college basketball. Under the leadership of eighth-year head coach Brian Dutcher, they have made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2023.
The Aztecs take pride in their stifling defense, pairing it with a respectable offense. They average 75.2 points per game while limiting opponents to just 63.2 points per contest, a defensive mark that ranks 22nd nationally.
This season, the Aztecs have a balanced scoring attack with seven players averaging at least seven points per game. They have three players averaging in double figures, headlined by senior guard Nick Boyd, a transfer from Florida Atlantic. He leads the team with 13.4 points per game on 41.5% shooting, including 42% from beyond the arc.
Sophomore guards Miles Byrd averages 13 points and BJ Davis adds 11.2 points per game. Both guards can knock down 3s and are quality rebounders.
