March 1, 2005
LOGAN, Utah -
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Game #29Idaho (8-20, 6-11) at Utah State (21-7, 12-5)Dee Glen Smith Spectrum (10,270)•Logan, UtahMar. 4, 2005•7:05 p.m. (MST)•Aggie Radio Network
Game Day Headlines
• Utah State is celebrating its 100th season of basketball during 2004-05 and has an overall record of 1,298-956 (.576).
• Utah State has now won 20 games for sixth straight seasons and for the 20th time in school history. As of Feb. 28, Utah State is one of just 10 teams across the country to win at least 20 games in each of the last six seasons joining Arizona, Duke, Gonzaga, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Syracuse.
• Utah State has won 11 straight games on Senior Night and the last time USU lost a game on Senior Night was on Mar. 6, 1993 to Nevada, 97-87. Dating back to the 1957-58 season, USU is 37-10 (.787) all-time on Senior Night.
• Utah State's 21 wins on the year are tied for the 10th-most in school history, while its 12 conference wins are tied for the eighth-most.
• Under Morrill, Utah State is 97-9 (.915) in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum and 54-5 (.915) at home against Big West opponents.
• Utah State has won 37 of it last 40 home games and 72 of its last 77 home games against the Big West. Overall, Aggie teams have won 125 of their last 136 home games (.919) and USU is 391-102 (.793) all-time in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
• Utah State is 19-10 (.655) in March under Morrill, which includes a 6-3 (.667) home record.
• Utah State is 6-2 (.750) in known games played on Mar. 4 and 13-2 (.867) in games played on Friday's under Morrill.
Up Next
Utah State (21-7, 12-5) will conclude its regular season by hosting Idaho (8-20, 6-11) on Fri., Mar. 4 at 7:05 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
Looking At Utah State
Utah State is 21-7 on the season and in second-place in the Big West Conference with a 12-5 league record following home wins against Long Beach State (68-52) and UC Irvine (87-49) last weekend. The Aggies are led by senior forward Spencer Nelson who is averaging 16.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, while shooting 62.2 percent from the field and 78.6 percent from the free throw line. Freshman guard Jaycee Carroll is averaging 14.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from three-point range, and junior forward Nate Harris is averaging 13.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 64.1 percent from the field and 69.1 percent from the free throw line. As a team, USU is averaging 73.1 points and is shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three-point range. Defensively, USU is allowing 57.5 points per game, while its opponents are shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 31.2 percent from three-point range.
Scouting Idaho
Idaho is 8-20 on the season and in seventh-place in the Big West Conference with a 6-11 league record following home losses to UC Irvine (67-62 ot) and Long Beach State (71-58) last weekend. The Vandals, who are 2-12 on the road this year, have lost six straight games and nine of its last 10. Idaho is led by senior guard Dandrick Jones who is averaging 16.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, and junior guard Tanoris Shepard who is averaging 12.1 points and 3.3 assists, while senior forward Anton Lyons averages 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. As a team, Idaho is averaging 62.4 points and shooting 41.4 percent from the field, while its opponents average 65.5 points and is shooting 44.5 percent. The Vandals return two starters and seven lettermen from last year's team that went 14-16 on the year and finished in fourth-place in the Big West with a 9-9 league record. Leonard Perry is 44-70 in his fourth year as a collegiate head coach at Idaho.
Versus The Big West Conference
Utah State is the only team in the Big West to have a winning record against every team in the league. Overall, USU is 232-124 (.652) versus current members of the conference. Over the last six years, USU is 83-20 (.806) against the Big West during the regular season and 11-2 (.846) against the league in postseason play for an overall record of 94-22 (.810) against Big West opponents over the last six years.
Next Week
Utah State will participate in the 2005 Big West Tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena in Anaheim, Calif., from Mar. 9-12.
Utah State-Idaho Series
Utah State and Idaho will be meeting for the 34th time this weekend with the Aggies holding a 21-12 all-time advantage, which includes an 8-1 record at home. The first game played in the series was during the 1945-46 season with the Vandals recording a 55-33 win. The last time the two teams met was on Dec. 23, 2004 in Moscow with Idaho notching a 69-62 win. The last time the two teams played in Logan was on Jan. 3, 2004 with Utah State winning 69-56. Overall, USU has won 16 of the last 19 games played in the series, and the only time Idaho has won a game in Logan was on Mar. 1, 2003 by a final score of 52-51. USU head coach Stew Morrill is 11-3 against Idaho at USU and 14-13 against the Vandals all-time.
Utah State-Idaho Connections
Senior forward Spencer Nelson was the Idaho A-1 Player of the Year as a prep senior in 1998 at Pocatello High School as he averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks per game. Idaho head coach Leonard Perry was an assistant coach at USU from 1996-98 under former UI and USU head coach Larry Eustachy. Anton Lyons of Idaho played with Jason Williams of Utah State at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College and both players reside from Vallejo, Calif. Both Utah State and Idaho will be leaving the Big West Conference at the end of the year to join the Western Athletic Conference.
Aggies Suffer Yet Another One-Point Loss At Home In League Play
Utah State has lost five Big West games at home in seven years under head coach Stew Morrill and all five of those losses have been by one point (UC Santa Barbara 66-65 ot, UC Irvine 67-66, UC Irvine 59-58, Idaho 52-51, Pacific 64-63). In fact, the last Big West opponent to defeat USU in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum by more than one point was Long Beach State (70-51) on Feb. 17, 1996.
Did You Know?
Utah State leads the country in field goal percentage at 53.8 percent and has shot over 50 percent from the field 23 times this year, while not allowing a single opponent to shot 50 percent. In fact, IPFW has the highest field goal percentage against the Aggies this year at 47.3 percent and only three opponents have shot over 45 percent from the field against USU.
Utah State Ranked 11th In Latest Mid-Major Poll
Utah State is ranked 11th in the latest CollegeInsider.com mid-major top-25 poll. Gonzaga is first in the poll, followed by Pacific, Southern Illinois, St. Mary's, Davidson, Old Dominion, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wichita State, Wintrhop, Oral Roberts and Utah State.
Nelson Among Elite Company
Senior forward Spencer Nelson is among some elite company at Utah State as he is one of just two players in school history to score 1,000 points and record 700 rebounds and 250 assists in a career, joining Greg Grant (1983-86) who had 2,127 points, 1,003 rebounds and 308 assists. In his career, Nelson has 1,227 points, 773 rebounds and 291 assists.
Nelson Seventh All-Time At Utah State In Rebounding
With his five rebounds against UC Irvine, senior forward Spencer Nelson now has 773 career rebounds, which ranks seventh all-time at USU. Nelson is now 68 rebounds shy of moving ahead of Brian Jackson (840 rebounds) and into sixth-place on the all-time list. During his career, Nelson has recorded double-digits in rebounds in 27 games and has 20 career double-doubles, including eight this year. His career-high in rebounds is 14 versus Idaho State on Dec. 28, 2002, while his season-high is 13 against Pacific.
Nelson 10th All-Time At Utah State In Assists
Senior forward Spencer Nelson has 141 assists thus far this year and 291 during his career, which is 10th all-time at Utah State. Nelson is now just four assists shy of moving ahead of Jeff Tebbs (294 assists) and into ninth-place on the all-time list. Nelson is one of 19 players in Utah State history to record 200 assists in a career. This year, Nelson is averaging 5.04 assists per game, which ranks third in the Big West Conference.
Nelson Fifth All-Time At Utah State In Blocks
Senior forward Spencer Nelson has 13 blocks thus far this year, giving him 58 in his career, which ranks fifth all-time at Utah State. Nelson is now six blocks shy of moving ahead of Greg Grant (63) and into fourth-place on the all-time list.
Nelson 20th All-Time At Utah State In Scoring
Senior forward Spencer Nelson has 1,227 points in his career to rank 20th all-time at Utah State in scoring. Nelson, who is one of 30 players in school history to score 1,000 points, is now just 10 points shy of moving ahead of Max Perry (1,236) and into 19th-place on the all-time list.
Nelson Sixth All-Time At Utah State In Games Played
Senior forward Spencer Nelson is sixth all-time at Utah State in games played with 116. Nelson is now two games shy of tying Jeff O. Anderson (118) for second-place all-time.
Nelson Second All-Time At Utah State In Field Goal Percentage
Senior forward Spencer Nelson is second all-time at Utah State in career field goal percentage at 62.6 percent (421-672), trailing only teammate Nate Harris who is shooting 64.7 percent (349-539) in his career.
Nelson Tied For 10th All-Time At Utah State In Double-Doubles
Senior forward Spencer Nelson recorded his eighth double-double of the season against Long Beach State to give him 20 for his career, which is tied with Leo Cunningham for the 10th-most in school history. Nelson also has 27 10-rebound games which is tied with Ed Gregg for the 10th-most all-time at USU in that category.
Harris Second In The Country In Field Goal Percentage
As of Feb. 21, junior forward Nate Harris was second in the country in field goal percentage at 65.2 percent, trailing Bruce Brown of Hampton who was shooting 65.5 percent. As of Feb. 28, Harris is shooting 64.1 percent from the field.
Nelson 10th In The Country In Field Goal Percentage, 48th In Assists
As of Feb. 21, senior forward Spencer Nelson ranked 10th in the country in field goal percentage at 61.7 percent and 48th in the country in assists per game at 5.08. As of Feb. 28, Nelson is shooting 62.2 percent and averaging 5.04 assists per game.
Carroll 50th In The Country In Field Goal Percentage
As of Feb. 21, freshman guard Jaycee Carroll ranked 50th in the country in field goal percentage at 54.4 percent. As of Feb. 28, Carroll is shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from three-point range which would have ranked third in the country last week, behind Salim Stoudamire of Arizona (56.0) and Will Whittington of Marist (50.3).
Carroll 10th In The Country In Scoring Among Freshmen
As of Feb. 28, freshman guard Jaycee Carroll ranks 10th in the country in scoring among freshmen at 14.8 point per game. Aaron Bruce of Baylor is the top scoring freshman at 18.0 points per game, followed by Toney Douglas of Auburn (17.1), CJ Anderson of Manhattan (16.7), Ricky Woods of Southeastern Louisiana (16.6), Richard Roby of Colorado (16.2), Darius Washington of Memphis (15.6), Reggie Williams of VMI (15.5), Trey Pearson of Murray State (15.3), Joe McCray of Nebraska (15.1), and Jaycee Carroll of Utah State (14.8).
Aggies In The NCAA Statistics
As of Feb. 21, Utah State was leading the country in field goal percentage at 53.8 percent. USU also ranked second in personal fouls committed per game (14.0), eighth in scoring defense (58.0), eighth in scoring margin (+14.8), 13th in assists per game (17.3), 15th in rebounding margin (+7.0), 15th in three-point field goal percentage (40.1), and 17th in field goal percentage defense (39.3).
Utah State Leads The Nation In Field Goal Percentage
As of Feb. 21, Utah State was shooting 53.8 percent from the field this year to lead the country, which includes a school-record breaking 77.8 percent night against UC Davis on Nov. 27, and a 71.1 percent shooting performance at UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 5, which ranks second all-time. USU is ahead of Utah who was shooting 52.0 percent from the field. As of Feb. 28, Utah State is shooting 53.8 percent from the field. On the season, Utah State has shot over 50 percent from the field in 19 of its last 21 games, and in 23 games on the season, along with shooting over 60 percent five times. At home, USU is shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three-point range in 14 games. In 14 home games, USU has shot 50 percent or better 12 times. Last year, USU finished third in the country in field goal percentage at 50.9 percent.
Aggies Losing Close Games
Utah State has had a tough time closing out games this year as they are 0-5 in games decided by five or fewer points and just 1-7 in games decided by seven or fewer points. Last year, USU was 6-2 in games decided by five or fewer points and 9-2 in games decided by seven or fewer points. Over the last six years, USU is 29-21 in games decided by five or fewer points and 40-25 in games decided by seven or fewer points.
Aggies Have Hard Time In One-Point Games
Utah State has not had a lot of luck during the last couple of years in one point games as USU has lost each of the last four games decided by one point. The last time a Utah State team won a game that was decided by one point was against Cal State Fullerton on Jan. 25, 2003 (61-60). Under head coach Stew Morrill, Utah State is 6-8 in games decided by one point, which includes a 4-5 home record, a 2-1 road record, and an 0-2 record on neutral courts.
Player Notes
#1 Marques Crane - Scored a season-high 10 points against Central Florida... Shooting 42.1 percent from the field... Averaging 4.0 points on the year... In his last four games since returning from an injury he was averaging 0.5 points in 8.3 minutes off the bench.
#2 David Pak - Scored a season-high 19 points at Long Beach State... Had a season-high eight assists at UC Irvine... Shooting 42.5 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range, which ranks seventh in the Big West... Averaging 6.4 points and 2.9 assists per game... Over his last five games he is averaging 7.0 points and 4.0 assists, while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 15.4 percent from three-point range.
#3 Cass Matheus - Scored a season-high 16 points against UC Davis and had a season-high seven rebounds against UC Irvine... Averaging 5.9 points and 2.6 rebounds and is shooting 60.2 percent... Ranks ninth in the league in blocks shots (0.61)... Averaging 7.0 points and 4.7 boards over his last six games, while shooting 63.6 percent.
#4 Nate Harris - Has scored in double-figures 20 times this year and tied his career-high with 26 points against BYU... Had a career-high 15 rebounds against Cal State Northridge... Has scored 20-plus points seven times in his career and in double-figures 45 times... Is third on the team in scoring and ranks 10th in the Big West at 13.0 points... Ranks first in the league in field goal percentage (.641), and eighth in rebounding (6.3) and blocks (0.64)... Over his last five games he is averaging 10.6 points and 5.8 rebounds, while shooting 54.8 percent from the field.
#20 Jaycee Carroll - Is second on the team in scoring at 14.8 points per game, which ranks fifth in the Big West... Scored a season-high 28 points against UC Santa Barbara... Recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds against Brigham Young in Logan... Shooting 55.1 percent from the field, which ranks fourth in the league and 50.0 percent from three-point range, which ranks first in the Big West... Over his last six games he is averaging 15.7 points and 2.5 rebounds and is shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from three-point range.
#21 Calvin Brown - Scored a career-high six points against Weber State and had a career-high five assists against UC Riverside... Shooting 30.8 percent from the field, while averaging 1.3 points and 1.7 assists per game... Has 41 assists and just 15 turnovers on the year.
#23 Chris Huber - Scored a career-high 14 points against Cal Poly and tied his season-high with five assists against UC Irvine... Averaging 4.0 points and 2.3 assists and is shooting 37.0 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three-point range... Averaging 3.0 points and 2.8 assists during his last four games, while shooting 30.8 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from three-point range.
#25 John Neil - Had a career-high seven rebounds against Pacific and tied his season-high with nine points at Cal Poly... Averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.0 percent... Averaging 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds over his last six games.
#30 Jason Williams - Tied his season-high with 12 points at UC Santa Barbara and had a career-high eight rebounds at Long Beach State... Averaging 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three-point range... Over his last six games, he is averaging 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds, while shooting 56.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range.
#31 Ian McVey - Averaging 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds in 6.2 minutes off the bench... Tied his season-high with four points and three blocks at UC Riverside... Shooting 57.7 percent from the field.
#32 Spencer Nelson - Is averaging 16.3 points per game which is first on the team and third in the Big West... Ranks first in the league in rebounding (8.1) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.93), second in the league in field goal percentage (.622), third in assists (5.04), and fifth in free throw shooting (.786)... Has scored in double-figures 25 times this year and had a career-high 26 points at BYU... Had a season-high 13 rebounds against Pacific... Has 20 career double-doubles... Is averaging 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists over his last five games, while shooting 61.7 percent from the field and 75.0 percent from the free throw line.
Nelson Doing It All For Utah State
Senior forward Spencer Nelson seems to be doing it all for Utah State as he leads the team in scoring (16.3), rebounding (8.1), assists (5.0), and steals (1.2). As of Feb. 28, Nelson is the only player in the country that averages at least 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
Nelson Having Outstanding Senior Season
Senior forward Spencer Nelson has scored in double-figures in 25 games this year, including each of his last 12 games. Overall, Nelson has scored in double-figures in 31 of his last 35 games and in 60 games during his career. He also has eight 20-point games this year and 10 in his career. Nelson also has eight double-doubles on the season and 20 in his career, not to mention 27 career double-figure rebounding games. Over his last 12 games, Nelson is averaging 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists, and is shooting 67.2 percent from the field.
Harris Continues Steady Play
Junior forward Nate Harris has scored in double-figures in 18 of his last 24 games, including nine straight at one point in the season. Overall, he has scored in double-figures 20 times this season and 45 times in his career. He has scored 20-plus points four different times this year and has seven career 20-plus point games.
Carroll Shining As A True Freshman
Freshman guard Jaycee Carroll has scored in double-figures in 21 games this season, including 11 straight at one point. He also has six 20-point games.
Carroll Having Prolific Freshman Season
Freshman guard Jaycee Carroll is on pace to have one of the best freshman seasons in Utah State history as he is currently averaging 14.8 points. The USU freshman record for scoring average is currently held by Greg Grant who averaged 14.7 points during the 1982-83 campaign. As of Feb. 28, Carroll has scored 413 points, which ranks second all-time at USU among freshmen trailing only Grant who scored 462 points during his freshman season. Carroll also set a new single-game freshman scoring record against UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 6 with 28 points, breaking the old mark of 24 points set by Brian Jackson against BYU on Nov. 24, 1990.
Utah State's Triple Threat
Utah State's top three players (Jaycee Carroll, Nate Harris and Spencer Nelson) are all having outstanding seasons for Utah State, and all three hail from within two hours of Logan. Carroll is from Evanston, Wyo., Harris is from Smithfield, Utah, and Nelson is from Pocatello, Idaho. As of Feb. 28, the trio is accounting for 60.2 percent of the team's points (1,233 of 2,048), 54.1 percent of the team's rebounds (516 of 954), and 51.8 percent of the team's steals (85 of 164). Furthermore, the trio is shooting a combined 60.2 percent from the field (457-759). Individually, all three rank in the top 10 in the Big West in scoring and the top four in field goal percentage.
Matheus Continues To Improve
After scoring in double-figures in just one of his first 13 games, junior center Cass Matheus has recorded six double-figure scoring games in his last 15 outings, including four in his last nine games. Over his last nine games, he is averaging 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds, while shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 71.0 percent from the free throw line. In his last two games as a starter, he is averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds, while shooting 63.6 percent from the field.
Aggies Bench Coming To Life
Since getting just four points from its bench in a 73-66 double overtime loss at Pacific on Jan. 13, Utah State's bench had scored in double-figures in eight straight games before scoring just three points in USU's one-point home loss to the Tigers. In its seven losses, USU's bench is scoring just 9.0 points, while producing 19.2 points in its 21 wins.
Utah State Among The Best In The Country
Over the last six years, Utah State has been one of the best basketball programs in the country, recording a 149-40 (.788) record. Those 149 wins are tied for the eighth-most in the country, while the 78.8 percent winning percentage is fifth-best. USU has also been among the top-13 teams in the country in points allowed in each of the last five years, and among the top-35 teams in the country in winning percentage in each of those years.
Aggies In The Big West Conference
Utah State has had unparalleled success in the Big West Conference over the last five years, winning three regular season conference championships, three tournament championships, and advancing to five straight postseason tournaments (NCAA-3, NIT-2). Over the last five years, USU leads the Big West in overall titles won with six, postseason appearances with five, and all-conference selections with seven. USU has also dominated the conference's post-season tournament with an amazing 11-2 record over the last five years.
Scouting Utah State's Offense
Utah State is shooting 53.8 percent from the field, which ranks first in the Big West, 69.2 percent from the free throw line, which is sixth in the league, and 40.0 percent from three-point range, which is also first in the league... Utah State is averaging 73.1 points per game, which is third in the league, and has a scoring margin of plus 15.6 to lead the Big West... Over its last five games, USU is averaging 70.2 points and is shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range... Utah State has shot over 50 percent from the field in 19 of its last 21 games and in 23 games on the year... In the first half, USU has shot over 50 percent 19 times... The Aggies have made 27 more free throws than its opponents have attempted this year... USU also leads the Big West in assists per game at 17.5... USU has won 18 straight games and 19 of 20 on the year when scoring 70 or more points, but is just 2-7 when scoring less than 70... Over its last four games, USU is averaging 21.5 assists per contest.
Scouting Utah State's Defense
Utah State is limiting its opponents to 57.5 points, which is first in the Big West, 39.4 percent shooting from the field, which is first, and 31.2 percent shooting from three-point range, which is also first in the Big West... USU has committed 389 fouls on the year for an average of 13.9 per game... Utah State has held nine of its last 11 opponents under 60 points and 25 opponents under 45 percent shooting... Over its last five games, USU's opponents are shooting 39.8 percent from the field, 27.7 percent from three-point range and averaging 55.4 points... USU has out-rebounded 11 of its last 12 opponents and is 20-2 on the year when out-rebounding its opponent.
Aggies On The Road
Utah State is 46-25 (.648) on the road over the last six years and 48-34 (.585) on the road under Morrill. In Big West games, USU is 36-16 (.692) on the road over the last six years and 37-23 (.617) on the road in league play under Morrill. Utah State finished the regular season with a 6-5 road record (5-4 in league), marking the sixth straight year that USU has had a winning road record . It is also the 18th time in school history.
Aggies Magic Number Is 70
Utah State's magic number this year appears to be 70, because the Aggies are 19-0 when scoring 70 or more points in a game and 2-7 when scoring less than 70 points. Furthermore, USU is 9-0 when scoring 80-plus points. The last time an Aggie team scored 70 or more points 19 times during a season was during the 2000-01 season as they scored 70-plus points 20 times, and the last team to score 80 or more points nine times was the 1993-94 team as they accomplished the feat 12 times.
Utah State Trends
Utah State is 83-7 under Stew Morrill when holding its opponents below 60 points, including a 15-1 record this year... USU is 125-13 over the last six years when leading at the half and 19-26 over the last six years when trailing at the half... This year, USU is 20-5 when leading at the half and 0-2 when trailing at the half... Utah State is 29-7 (.806) over the last six years following a loss and 34-14 (.708) following a loss under Morrill... This year, Utah State is 6-1 in games following a loss... Over the last six years, Utah State has lost back-to-back games just seven times.
Aggies Struggling From Three-Point Range
Despite shooting 62.5 percent from three-point range against UC Irvine, Utah State has been struggling with its three-point shot as the Aggies are shooting just 32.6 percent (28-86) from three-point range over its last six games. During that stretch, Jaycee Carroll is shooting 45.7 percent (16-35), while Chris Huber is 3-16 (.188) and David Pak is 2-15 (.133) from behind the arc.
Point Guards Not Turning It Over
Utah State got solid play from its two main point guards last weekend in juniors David Pak and Chris Huber. Over its last two games, the duo combined for 16 assists and just two turnovers as Pak had 10 assists and one turnover, while Huber had six assists and one turnover. The bad news is, the duo combined to shoot 1-10 from three-point range during the weekend as well.
No Charity Tosses Here
Utah State has struggled from the free throw line shooting just 55.6 percent (25-45) from the charity stripe over its last two games. The good new is, USU's opponents are just 39-56 (.696) from the line during the last five games, for an average of 7.8 made free throws and only 11.2 attempts per game.
On The Boards
Utah State has been out-rebounded just six times this year and is 1-5 in those games. The largest margin Utah State has been out-rebounded by this year was 11 (37-26) against Idaho on Dec. 23, 2004 in Moscow.
Shooting Above 50 Percent
Utah State has shot above 50 percent from the field in 19 of its last 21 games. During that stretch, which dates back to USU's game at IPFW on Dec. 7, the only team to hold USU under 50 percent is Pacific as the Aggies shot a season-low 33.3 percent in its 73-66 double-overtime loss at Pacific and then shot 42.0 percent in its 64-63 home loss to the Tigers.
Did You Know?
Utah State has had three different players score 20 or more points 18 times this year as Spencer Nelson has eight 20-point games, Jaycee Carroll has six 20-point games, and Nate Harris has four 20-point games. Conversely, USU has allowed an opponent to score 20 or more points in a game just three times as Joe See of UC Santa Barbara had 26 points, while Austin Ainge of BYU had 21 points, and Fowzi Abdelsamad of UC Davis had 20 points.
Utah State Note-ables
• Utah State's five losses this year when leading at the half is the most in a single-season under head coach Stew Morrill.
• Utah State's seven losses this year are by an average of 4.3 points per game and by a combined 30 points.
• Utah State has held nine of its last 11 opponents to less than 60 points. However, the two teams that scored more than 60 points during that stretch defeated USU.
• Utah State has made 164 three-point field goals thus far this year which currently ranks fourth all-time at USU for a single-season, while the 410 three-point attempts currently ranks sixth. USU is also shooting 40.0 percent from three-point range which currently ranks fifth in school history for a single-season.
• Utah State has 489 assists on the year which is the second-most under head coach Stew Morrill and the fifth-most in school history. In fact, USU is just 23 assists shy of setting a new school record, breaking the old mark of 511 assists set by the 2000-01 team. USU is also averaging 17.5 assists per game, which currently ranks first all-time at USU for a single-season ahead of the 1976-77 team that averaged 17.4 assists.
• Utah State is shooting 53.8 percent from the field, which is the best shooting percentage in school history ahead of the 1982-83 team that shot 52.9 percent.
Utah State Player Note-ables • Freshman guard Jaycee Carroll is shooting 50.0 percent from three-point range on the year making 70-140 three-point attempts. Carroll is now eighth on USU's single-season three-pointers made chart with 70. As of Feb. 28, his 50.0 percent shooting from three-point range would set a new single-season school record breaking the record set by Justin Jones who shot 49.6 percent during the 1997-98 season.
• Freshman guard Jaycee Carroll is looking to become just the fifth player in the history of the Big West Conference to shoot at least 50 percent from three-point range for an entire season.
• Senior forward Spencer Nelson has 141 assists this year which ranks 10th all-time on Utah State's single-season assists list. Nelson also has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.93 which currently ranks sixth on USU's single-season charts.
• Senior forward Spencer Nelson is just 43 points shy of becoming the 40th player in school history to score 500 points in a season as he currently has 457 points this year. Nelson also needs just 41 more rebounds to tie for 20th on the single-season rebounds list at 267.
• Junior forward Nate Harris is shooting 64.1 percent from the field on the year which currently ranks fifth on Utah State's single-season field goal percentage charts, while Spencer Nelson is shooting 62.2 percent which currently ranks sixth.
