Utah State isn't what it was

The 2014-15 Utah State squad is not worthy of their Western Athletic Conference and Big West Conference predecessors. A bold and even provocative statement for sure, but an accurate one. The crew the Spartans will be facing on New Year's Eve doesn't possess a Jaycee Carroll, a Gary Wilkerson, a Tai Wesley or even a Preston Medlin. Aggie recruitment has fallen off and this has unfortunately coincided with a move into a tougher conference.

Even the homecourt advantage in The Spectrum has diminished as the deafening noise and bold cleverness has dissipated. Wild Bill is absent, no longer baring his remarkable torso. Heck, just look at the Logan-ites to-date shooting stats: 42%, 35% and 71% -- very un-Aggie like.

Upfront for Coach Stew Morrill are 6-foot-8 redshirt freshman David Collete (14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 20 blocks)and 6-foot-8 sophomore Jalen Moore (15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds). Both are playing out of position as Collette is really a power forward and not a center while Moore is a wing and not a grinder inside. Of late, Collette has performed more consistently but Moore has yet to reach that sweet spot. Rebounding, annually a USU strength, is lacking this season.

Outside the paint, it's Chris Smith, JoJo McGlaston and Darius Perkins. Smith, a 6-foot-4 transfer from Yuba College, is averaging 11.1 points per contest but shooting a unique 40% overall yet 41% from long distance. He is a clever scorer inside and draws fouls very well plus he uses screens outside to get open looks. McGlaston is a 6-foot-5 sophomore out of Dublin High in the East Bay and a tremendous athlete but inconsistent with translating that into production. He'll go for 15 points one game but three the next. His accuracy aiming the basketball at the hoop is paltry: 27%, 36% and 59%. Perkins averages 10.3 points and a team best 3.0 in assists but owns a 36/29 assist-to-turnover ratio.

If you do watch the game, make sure to check out Sean Harris (on the right), another transfer from Yuba College. He has the best hair in college hoops although Jalen Moore is a close second:

USU is 7-5 on the season, 5-2 at home. As for the best opponents thus far, it has been a 10-point home loss to BYU plus a seven point road loss to UC Davis. The schedule isn't an impressive one but Morrill knew what he would have this season and targeted opponents carefully

The Aggies can be taken but not with the Spartan squad they will be facing.

Below is Utah State beat reporter Shawn Harrison on the Aggies:

"Nonconference wrap-up: Having been in every game, the Aggies (7-5) exit the nonconference portion of the schedule thinking they should have a few more wins, particularly two overtime losses (at UC Davis and home against South Dakota State) to teams they feel they should have beat. However, Utah State has had to rally for most of its victories, so the record could be worse. Four players are averaging double-digits in scoring in Jalen Moore (15.3), David Collette (14.6), Chris Smith (11.1) and Darius Perkins (10.3). For the first time this year, the Aggies outrebounded an opponent in their last outing. Normally a strength, allowing opponents to own the glass has been a problem, especially on the offensive end. Utah State has been rock solid on defense, holding nine opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field.

Emerging player: When redshirt freshman forward David Collette stays out of foul trouble, he is a force. He has highs of 32 points and 14 rebounds and is averaging 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks a game.

Best-case scenario: The Aggies start rebounding like teams of the past and improve their shooting percentage to go along with their solid defense. Improved play off the bench compliments four starters who are averaging double figures in the scoring department. The Spectrum continues to be unkind to visiting teams, and Utah State finishes in the top half of the league.

Worse-case scenario: Bigger and more athletic teams expose the rebounding deficiencies that cropped up during the first months of the season. A young and inexperienced group gets blown out a few times and gets intimidated as the conference portion of the season wears on. Collette continues to struggle with foul trouble and there is very little relief from the bench."