Complete Release - USU

San José State Notes

STORYLINES

- Utah State is 53-21 all-time against San José State, representing the sixth-longest rivalry in school history. The Aggies have won the last 14 contests and 24 straight at home as part of winning 35 of the last 39 match-ups in the series. USU is 31-4 all-time against the Spartans at home.

- Utah State is 98-27 (.783) during the month of December under head coach Stew Morrill and USU is 4-3 overall on known games played on Dec. 31.

- Utah State has won 24 consecutive conference home openers with its last loss coming in the 1988-89 season as a member of the Big West Conference. USU beat San José State 86-67 in the Mountain West home opener in 2013-14.

- Head coach Stew Morrill is 24-1 all-time against San José State, including a 20-1 record at the helm of Utah State.

- Utah State is 244-29 at home under head coach Stew Morrill, including a 132-17 home record in conference games.

- Utah State has an overall record of 1,525-1,051 (.592) in its 2,576 games played.

- San José State will be without five players due to suspensions for violating team rules, including four of its leading scorers in sophomore guard Rashad Muhammed (12.1 ppg), junior guard Jordan Baker (10.6 ppg), junior forward Frank Rogers (10.4 ppg) and senior forward Jaleel Williams (9.0 ppg). Sophomore center Matt Pollard (0.8 ppg) is also suspended.

- Utah State finished 5-4 in Mountain West games at home last season, including back-to-back wins to begin its home conference slate.

- Utah State has held each of its last five opponents to less than 40-percent shooting from the floor and have gone 4-1 over that stretch.

THIS WEEK

Utah State will open its second season in the Mountain West when the Aggies host San José State on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. (MT). Fans can watch the game online via the Aggie Digital Network or listen to the game via the Aggie Sports Network with Al Lewis on the call.

COMING UP

Utah State will face its first conference road test at Boise State on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 12 p.m. (MT). The game can be seen live on ROOT Sports (Comcast Ch. 52/693HD, Dish Network Ch. 414, DirecTV Ch. 683) or heard on the radio via KVNU (610 AM/102.1 FM) with Al Lewis on the call.

Stew Morrill COACH'S SHOW

Utah State head coach Stew Morrill will sit down with Al Lewis each Monday night from 6:05 to 7 p.m. beginning Nov. 24 for the Stew Morrill Coach's Show. The next show is scheduled for Dec. 29 at A&W Restaurant at 701 N Main in Logan.

MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES LUNCHEONS

The Big Blue Scholarship Fund will host nine men's basketball coaches luncheons throughout the year with the next event scheduled for Monday, Jan. 5. The luncheon will be held at the Elements Restaurant at 640 South 35 East in Logan.

ON THE AIRWAVES

Utah State basketball games are broadcast on the Aggie Sports Network on KVNU (610 AM/102.1 FM) and KLZX (95.9 FM) in Logan, on KZNS (1280 AM) in Salt Lake City, KVEL (920 AM) in Vernal, KRPX (95.3 FM) in Price and KLZX (105.3 FM) in Montpelier, Idaho as well as on the Internet at www.utahstateaggies.com. Al Lewis serves as the play-by-play announcer while former USU head coach and athletics director Rod Tueller serves as the analyst during home games and select road games.

LISTEN LIVE ON THE INTERNET

Fans can also listen to all Utah State men's basketball games on the Internet by clicking on the "Listen Live" link at www.utahstateaggies.com, the official website of USU athletics.

ON TV

Wednesday's game will not be on television, but can be seen online at utahstateaggies.tv.

LIVE VIDEO ON THE INTERNET

Select Utah State home games and road games, where available, are streamed on the internet by clicking on the "Watch Live" link at www.utahstateaggies.com, the official web site of USU athletics.

LIVE STATS

Live stats for all USU home games are available via "GameTracker" links at www.utahstateaggies.com, the official web site of USU Athletics. Road games will be under "live stats" links at www.utahstateaggies.com, which will redirect fans to the home team's stat system.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Utah State men's basketball news and information is available on Twitter @Aggiehoops. Fans can also get USU men's basketball highlights on YouTube at youtube.com/UtahStateAthletics. Aggie fans can follow the Utah State athletic program at Twitter @USUAthletics, on Facebook at facebook.com/USUAthletics, or on Instagram @USUAthletics.

TICKETS

Utah State men's basketball season ticket renewals and new season tickets are now on sale. For more Aggie men's basketball ticket information, fans can contact the USU Athletics Ticket Office over the phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or 435-797-0305 during regular hours of operation. Fans can also buy their tickets in person at the USU Ticket Office inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or online by clicking on the "Buy Tickets" tab at www.UtahStateAggies.com.

PRESEASON POLL

Utah State men's basketball team has been selected 10th in the 2014-15 Mountain West Preseason Media Poll.

Defending 2013-14 champion San Diego State was a near unanimous pick to win the conference after garnering 34 of 35 first-place votes and 383 points. Boise State followed with one first-place vote and 275 points, picked just ahead of New Mexico and UNLV with 270 and 269 points, respectively.

Colorado State, Wyoming and Fresno State made up the middle of the group after being picked fifth, sixth and seventh with 258, 256 and 232 points, respectively. Nevada (126) and Air Force (102) were picked ahead of the Aggies (98) in eighth and ninth and San José State rounded out the poll in 11th with 41 points.

LOOKING AT UTAH STATE

Utah State is currently 7-5 on the year and have won four of its last five games. The Aggies bounced back from a loss to South Dakota State (68-65) with a 75-63 victory over Wayland Baptist on Saturday night.

The Aggies have been led offensively by sophomore wing Jalen Moore with 15.3 points per game and a team-best 7.2 rebounds per game. Moore has scored in double figures in all but one of Utah State's 11 games this season, leading the Aggies with 15 against Santa Clara, 17 at UC Davis, 14 at Utah Valley, 20 against Idaho State and 17 points against Wayland Baptist. He is followed by redshirt freshman forward David Collette with 14.6 points per game after leading the Aggies with 22 against Weber State, 20 at Illinois State, a freshman single-game record of 32 at USC, 18 against CSU Bakersfield and 19 against South Dakota State.

They are followed by junior guards Chris Smith and Darius Perkins with 11.1 and 10.3 points per game, respectively. The duo are also tops on the team behind the 3-point line with 21 and 24 makes this season and an average of 41.2 (21-of-51) and 38.7 (24-of-62) percent, respectively.

As a team, Utah State is shooting 42.0 percent from the field (264-of-628), 35.1 percent (80-of-228) from behind the 3-point line and 71.0 percent (198-of-279) from the free throw line.

LAST TIME OUT

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State men's basketball had four players in double figures and two with near double-doubles as the Aggies posted a 75-63 victory over Wayland Baptist on Saturday night. The win moves USU to 7-5 on the year and punctuates the team's non-conference schedule. The Pioneers suffered just their second loss in 2014-15, falling to 11-2 with the defeat.

Utah State scored the first basket of the game and then held the Pioneers to less than 40 percent shooting during the night, marking the fifth consecutive contest the Aggies have held an opponent to less than 40 percent from the floor. Wayland Baptist finished the night shooting 37.3 percent (22-of-59), including 21.1 percent (4-of-19) from deep and added a 71.4 percent (15-of-21) showing at the free throw line.

Jalen Moore put the first points on the board as the sophomore wing opened the scoring less than one minute into the game to give the Aggies a lead that would stay with the home side throughout the game. Junior guard Darius Perkins gave Utah State its first double-digit lead of the night when his jump shot at 4:50 put USU up 10, 28-18. A five-point push by the Pioneers trimmed the margin to six, 33-27, going into the break.

The gap was whittled to three early in the second half as senior forward Royal Crouch scored seven of WBU's first 11 points, putting the score at 41-38 a the 16:00 mark. Utah State answered with a five-point swing minutes later to put the lead back into double-digits, 53-42, on an offensive put back by senior forward Sean Harris. The difference grew to as much as 15, 69-54, when freshman guard Julion Pearre hit a 3-pointer with 4:33 to play, giving the home side its largest lead of the game. The double-digit lead held down the stretch as back-to-back free throws by sophomore guard JoJo McGlaston capped the Utah State victory, 75-63.

Moore led four Aggies in double figures with 17 points and was followed by redshirt freshman forward David Collette with 14, McGlaston with 12 and Harris with a career-high 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting. Harris also pulled down a career-high eight rebounds, trailing Moore with nine, as the Aggies out-rebounded an opponent for the first time this season, 37-35.

Wayland Baptist was led by junior forward Bunja Yaboe with 20 points and he was followed by Crouch with 18 and senior guard Ta'Quan McDew with 11.

Utah State finished the night shooting 47.3 percent (26-of-55), its second highest total of the season, while shooting 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from deep and 88.9 percent (16-of-18) from the free throw line. The Aggies' finish at the charity stripe marked a season best.

WAYLAND BAPTIST AT UTAH STATE NOTABLES

- Utah State is now 244-29 at home under head coach Stew Morrill, including a 125-12 home record in non-conference games.

- USU has now won 108 of its last 121 games when scoring 70 points and is 250-38 all-time under Morrill when scoring 70 points in a game.

- Utah State improved to 81-39 over the past 14 years under Morrill following a loss.

- Utah State shot a season-high 88.9 percent from the free throw line (16-18).

- Utah State had four players score in double-figures for the fifth time this season.

- Utah State's bench scored in double-figures for the fourth time this season with its season-high 23 points.

- Utah State shot 47.3 percent from the field (26-55) for its second-best shooting performance of the season behind its 47.5 percent shooting performance at USC (28-59).

- Utah State has now held each of its last five opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field as Wayland Baptist shot 37.3 percent (22-59). Overall, it is the ninth time this year that USU has held its opponent under 40 percent shooting.

- Utah State has now held each of its last five opponents to less than 32 percent shooting from three-point range as Wayland Baptists shot 21.1 percent (4-19). Overall, it is the 10th time this season that USU has held its opponent to less than 32 percent shooting from behind the arc.

- Utah State had a plus two rebound advantage tonight (37-35), marking the first time this year that it has out-rebounded its opponent. The 35 rebounds by Wayland Baptist is a season-low for an Aggie opponent.

- Utah State's 16 assists tonight are the second-most in a game this season trailing its 17 assists at USC.

- Utah State's five blocked shots tonight are tied for its third-most in a game this season and marks the fifth time this year that it has blocked at least five shots in a game.

- Utah State's seven steals tonight are tied for its third-most in a game this season and marks the sixth time this year that it has recorded at least five steals in a game.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

- Sophomore wing Jalen Moore scored in double-figures for the 10th straight game, 11th time this year and 15th time in his career with his 17 points.

- Redshirt sophomore forward David Collette scored in double-figures for the fourth straight game and eighth time this season with his 14 points.

- Senior forward Sean Harris scored in double-figures for the first time in his career with a career-high 10 points. Harris also had a career-high eight rebounds and a career-best tying two blocked shots.

- Sophomore guard JoJo McGlaston scored in double-figures for the fourth time this year and in his career with his 12 points. He also had a career-high two blocked shots.

- Junior guard Chris Smith tied his career-high with five assists.

- Redshirt freshman guard Sam Orchard had a career-high three assists, a career-high two rebounds and a career-high tying one steal in a career-best 14 minutes.

SCOUTING SAN JOSE STATE

San José State will enter the game on Wednesday with an overall mark of 2-10 and having lost back-to-back games. The Spartans have not played a game since Dec. 21, a loss at Washington State (82-53), and will be without their top-four leading scorers and top-two rebounders because of suspensions for team rules.

Freshman guard Darryl Gaynor has led the team in scoring over the past two games with 24 at Washington State and 20 against Seattle. Gaynor has averaged 7.5 points per game this season and leads active players on the roster with 21 assists. Junior center Ivo Basor leads active players with 4.4 rebounds per game as the Spartans have been out rebounded 36.5 to 34.3 per game.

As a team, SJSU has shot 39.0 percent (247-of-634) from the floor, 30.1 percent (71-of-236) from behind the 3-point line and 61.7 percent (121-of-196) from the free throw line while scoring 57.2 points per game. The Spartans are allowing 67.2 points per game with opponents shooting 42.8 percent (287-of-671) from the floor, 38.2 percent (84-of-220) from long range and 65.2 percent (148-of-227) from the charity stripe.

Head coach Dave Wojcik is in his second year with the program, leading the Spartans to an overall mark of 9-34 over that span.

LAST TIME AGAINST SAN JOSE STATE

Utah State men's basketball earned head coach Stew Morrill's 600th career win with a 75-58 spearing of the Spartans of San Jose State on March 1, 2014 at SJSU's Event Center.

Senior guard/forward Spencer Butterfield netted a career-high six three-pointers on the way to a game-best 22 points. Fellow senior, center Jarred Shaw logged his seventh double-double of season and 16th of career with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, helping USU to a dominating, 46-31, rebounding advantage. Another Aggie senior, guard Preston Medlin, netted 12 points, as USU improved to 7-2 in 2013-14 when Butterfield, Shaw and Medlin all post double-digits.

LAST TIME AGAINST SAN JOSE STATE IN LOGAN

Senior guard TeNale Roland's career-high 20 points, which all came in the second half, sparked Utah State men's basketball to an 86-67 victory over San José State on Jan. 4, 2014 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum for USU's first-ever Mountain West Conference win.

Roland came off the bench to net his career-high 20 points, which all came after halftime, boosting USU to score 56 points in the second half, the Aggies' most in a half this season and most since also scoring 56 against Montana Western on Feb. 16, 2011. The senior guard hit a career-best five three-pointers as part of USU's 7-of-7 shooting behind the arc in the second half, on the way to 10-of-14 (71.4 percent) from distance for the night, as the Aggies tied a 2013-14 season-high for 3-point percentage.

Four other Aggie players posted double-figure points, giving USU five double-figure scorers for the first time in the 2013-14 season and the first time since against Idaho on Jan. 5, 2013. Senior guard Preston Medlin netted 15 points and dished out a career-high tying eight assists, while senior guard/forward Spencer Butterfield tallied 14 points. Sophomore forward Kyle Davis logged his third-straight double-double and fifth of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman forward Jalen Moore posted double-digits for the second-straight game and third in the last four contests with 10 points.

UTAH STATE-SAN JOSE STATE TIES

Utah State has four players from the state of California, including freshman guard John Bennett (Palo Alto/Pinewood School), sophomore guard JoJo McGlaston (Dublin/Dublin), senior forward Sean Harris (Rocklin/Yuba CC/Rocklin) and junior guard Chris Smith (Sacramento/Yuba CC/Center).

OVERALL STATS FOR CURRENT UTAH STATE PLAYERS VERSUS SAN JOSE STATE

No. Name G/GS FG FG% 3FG 3FG% FT FT% Reb/Avg A B S Pts/Avg

1 Viko Noma'aea 1/0 0-1 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0/0.0 0 0 0 0/0.0

14 Jalen Moore 2/0 6-9 .667 1-3 3.333 3-5 .600 7/3.5 3 1 1 16/8.0

24 JoJo McGlaston 2/0 0-2 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0/0.0 2 1 1 0/0.0

30 Sean Harris 1/0 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 1/1.0 0 0 0 0.0.0

SHARING THE BALL

Utah State has tallied 153 assists on 264 baskets this season with players creating opportunities for teammates 58.0 percent of the time. That total includes a season-high 17 dimes at USC on Dec. 7. The Aggies are currently fifth in the Mountain West with 12.8 assists per game.

AGGIE BLOCK PARTY

Utah State has more than doubled up its competition on the block, recording 52 blocks this season to its opponents' 24.

60 IS A LUCKY NUMBER

Utah State is 5-0 this season and 197-16 (.924) overall under head coach Stew Morrill when holding opponents under 60 points. The Aggies have won 132 of their last 138 games when holding opponents under the 60-point threshold.

70 IS EVEN LUCKIER

Utah State has won 108 of its last 121 games (.884) when reaching 70 points and is now 250-38 (.865) all-time under head coach Stew Morrill when scoring 70 points in a game.

BACK-TO-BACK 80's

Utah State scored 80 or more points in back-to-back games this season, scoring 81 against BYU (12/2/14) and 84 at USC (12/7/14). The Aggies last scored 80 or more points in subsequent games during the 2012-13 season in an 80-78 win over Santa Clara and an 86-57 win over Western Oregon.

Jalen Moore NO. 17 ON SI'S PROJECTED LIST OF BREAKOUT PLAYERS IN 2014-15

Sophomore wing Jalen Moore has been picked No. 17 on Sports Illustrated's projected list of breakout players in 2014-15 as released in an article on Oct. 15. Said SI.com "Moore is the Aggies' only returning rotation player -- and thus it's hard to envision a scenario in which he doesn't become an important part of the offense".

LOSING THE BATTLE OF THE BOARDS

Utah State is currently minus-8.8 in rebounding, as opponents have averaged 41.4 boards to the Aggies' 32.6. The margin includes an 173-87 differential on the offensive glass.

Utah State out rebounded its first opponent of the season against Wayland Baptist (12/27), 37-35.

IN PURSUIT OF 400 USU VICTORIES

Head coach Stew Morrill only needs nine more victories to hit the 400-win benchmark at Utah State, where he is entering his 17th season. Morrill recorded his 600th career victory in a 73-58 win over San José State last season, becoming just the 14th active coach to notch 600 wins in a career.

COUNTING COLLETTE

Forward David Collette's 22 points in the season opener against Weber state are the most points scored by a freshman in the opening game of the season in school history, topping the 19 points Jaycee Carroll scored against Georgia Southern to start his career in 2004. It is also the most points scored by an Aggie newcomer since Brockeith Pane scored 23 points at home against Weber State in his USU debut to start the 2010-11 season.

Collette broke the freshman single-game scoring mark with 32 points against USC on Dec. 7 which is the most points in a single game by any player in the Mountain West this season. The previous record was held by former Aggie All-American Jaycee Carroll who scored 28 points against UC Santa Barbara, Jan. 6, 2005.

NO THREES FOR YOU

Utah State is one of the best in the nation in defending the 3-point line, holding opponents to just 26.9 percent from behind the 3-point line. The mark is currently second in the Mountain West and 11th nationally.

LOCK DOWN D

Utah State has picked up its victories this season when keeping opponents under 40 percent, holding Weber State to 38.8 percent (19-of-49), Illinois State to 32.8 percent (22-of-67), Santa Clara to 36.4 percent (20-of-55), Utah Valley to 29.4 percent (15-of-51), CSU Bakersfield to 35.8 percent (19-of-53), Idaho State to 35.0 percent (21-of-60) and Wayland Baptist to 37.3 percent (22-of-59) shooting.

GOING THE DISTANCE

Utah State's starting five has recorded 68.9 percent of minutes played, 82.6 percent of the team's points and 63.7 percent of the team's total rebounds this season.

ANOTHER OPENING

Utah State has debuted a total of nine players this season. The number represents 69 percent of the players to have suited up for the Aggies this season.

FAVORITES AS THE UNDERDOGS

Utah State trailed at the half in each of its first four victories this season, but came back in the second half in each game to pick up the wins. The Aggies out scored their opponents 150-89 and shot 50.5 percent (47-of-93), 42.9 percent (12-of-28) from three and 68.7 percent (44-of-64) from the free throw line over the final 20 minutes. The numbers extend to the defensive side of the ball where USU held opponents to 26.1 percent (29-of-111) from the floor, 22.2 percent (6-of-27) from deep and 58.1 percent (25-of-43) from the charity stripe.

AGGIES AT THE HALF

Overall, Utah State is 3-4 on the year when leading, 4-0 when trailing and 0-1 when going into halftime tied.

MW PLAYER OF THE WEEK (11/17)

Redshirt freshman forward David Collette was awarded Utah State men's basketball's first ever Mountain West Player of the Week award on Nov. 17, following his showings in the opening games for the Aggies. Collette averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 2.5 blocks and 1.0 assist in 28.0 minutes per game, while shooting 72.0 percent from the field (18-25) and 50.0 percent at the free throw line (3-6).

DOUBLE DOWN, NO PROBLEMS

Utah State has faced seven double-digit deficits this season, but have been able to come back and take the lead or tie in six of the seven games. USU was down 18 points to Weber State, down 12 at Illinois State, down 15 against Santa Clara and down 10 at Utah Valley before coming back and winning each game. The Aggies overcame an 11-point second half deficit at UC Davis, taking a three-point lead with seconds left, but ultimately fell in overtime. USU also came back from a 15-point second-half deficit at home against South Dakota State to tie the game with 10 seconds left, but suffered defeat in overtime.

BALL SECURITY

Utah State is in the top-10 nationally in taking care of the ball, committing just 10.3 turnovers per game, which ranks No. 9 in the nation.

RECENT TRENDS

- Sophomore wing Jalen Moore has scored in double digits in 10 consecutive games and 11 of the 12 games this season. Moore has averaged a near double-double over the past two games with 15.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 50.0 percent (10-of-20) from the floor and 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the free throw line.

- Redshirt freshman forward David Collette has scored in double digits each of the past four games, averaging 16.0 points per game and shooting 57.1 percent (24-of-42) from the floor and 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the free throw line over that span. Collette has also averaged 5.8 rebounds per game over that stretch and has totaled six assists, four blocks and three steals.

- Utah State has held opponents to less than 40 percent shooting in each of the past five games.

- Utah State has shot 78.1 percent (57-of-73) from the free throw line over the past three games, shooting a season-high 88.9 percent (16-of-18) against Wayland Baptist (12/27).

- Utah State's bench has scored in double digits in two of the last three games with 15 points against Idaho State (12/19) and a season-high 23 points against Wayland Baptist (12/27).