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Utah State returns to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Wednesday night, hosting Northern Iowa in the Aggies' annual Mountain West/Missouri Valley Conference Challenge contest. USU and UNI are scheduled to tip at 7 p.m.

Opening Tips
• Utah State is 1-2 all-time in the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Conference Challenge, posting a 69-68 victory over Missouri State, followed by a 62-61 loss against Indiana State. The Aggies lost 72-65 at Valparaiso last year.

• Utah State has never faced Northern Iowa on the hardwood, marking the second time in the MW/MVC Challenge that the Aggies have faced a first-time opponent (Missouri State,12/1/15).

• Utah State has opened the year 5-1, its best start since the 2013-14 season, when the Aggies also began the year 5-1.

• Utah State has outrebounded each of its first six opponents, and is seventh in the nation in rebound margin, outrebounding its opponents by 14.1 boards per contest.

• Utah State is second in the nation in free throw percentage, shooting 81.8 percent (117-of-143) at the charity stripe.

• Utah State's reserves have outscored the opponents' bench 216 to 90 this season. The Aggies bench is averaging 36.0 points per game and has surpassed 30 or more points in all but one game this season.

• Junior guard Sam Merrill has scored in double figures in every game this season. Merrill ranks second in the Mountain West with 22.2 points per game.

• Freshman center Neemias Queta has pulled down five or more rebounds in every game this season, including back-to-back outings with nine rebounds over the past two games. Queta has also logged a block in every game this season. Queta ranks second in the MW and No. 23 in the nation with 2.5 blocks per game.

Scouting Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa is 3-3 on the season and coming off a 72-65 loss at Old Dominion. The Panthers had just faced the Monarchs four days earlier in their final game of the Paradise Jam, posting a 54-53 victory.

UNI is averaging 73.7 points per game and shooting 42.4 percent (150-of-354) from the floor, 33.3 percent (50-of-150) from behind the 3-point line and 76.7 percent (92-of-120) at the free throw line. The Panthers are led individually by a pair of double-digit scorers in freshman guard AJ Green (18.3 ppg) and junior forward Lincoln Conrey (10.0 ppg). Sophomore guard Trae Berhow leads UNI on the glass, pulling down 6.2 rebounds per game, while junior guard Isaiah Brown leads the team with 2.3 assists per game.

Defensively, UNI is allowing 68.8 points per game while opponents are shooting 40.3 percent (143-of-355) from the floor, 31.6 percent (49-of-155) from behind the 3-point line and 70.3 percent (78-of-111) at the free throw line. Senior guard Wyatt Lohaus leads the Panthers with six steals and junior forwards Luke McDonnell and Shandon Goldman share the team lead with three blocks apiece.

Mountain West Leaders
Utah State leads the Mountain West in five statistics this season, including free throw percentage (.818), rebound margin (+14.2), defensive field goal percentage (.357), total rebounds per game (43.8) and blocks per game (5.0).

Making the Most of Opponent Errors
Utah State has recorded double-digit points off of its opponents' turnovers in every game this season. The Aggies recorded a season-high 24 points off turnovers against Utah Valley on Nov. 16.

Coming to Zion
Freshman center Neemias Queta had one of the top performances of the season against Saint Mary's, scoring 24 points, pulling down nine rebounds, rejecting five shots and collection two assists. The stat line of 24 points, nine boards, five blocks and two assists has only happened one other time when Duke freshman Zion Williamson turned in 27 points, 16 rebounds, six blocks and four assists against Army on Nov. 11.

Dominant in the Paint
Utah State has outscored its opponent in the paint in all but one game this season, and has logged 30 or more points in the paint in all but one game, as well.

Moving the Ball Around
Utah State has recorded 15 or more assists in every game this season, including a season-best 24 on 29 baskets against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 13.

Winning at the Half
Although early in the season, Utah State is a perfect 5-0 when leading at the half. 

Haven't Seen that Start Since 2013-14
Utah State has opened the season with a 5-1 record, matching the best start since the 2013-14 season.