Utah State vs. Weber State Odds
| Utah State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 142 -110o / -110u | N/A |
| Weber State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 142 -110o / -110u | N/A |
Utah State travels for an in-state matchup against Weber State on Wednesday night. It should be an electric atmosphere at the Dee Events Center, as the Wildcats are 9-1 on the season and would love to record a win over a team that made the NCAA Tournament last season.
This is a different Utah State team than the one that went dancing last season, though, with some key pieces having moved on. Head coach Craig Smith left for the Utah job and rim protector Neemias Queta is now on a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings.
The Aggies are 7-3 on the season, with losses to UC Davis, Saint Mary’s and BYU.
Weber State, meanwhile, has faced mostly bottom feeders in Division I, but it does have two road victories over Atlantic 10 programs in Duquesne and UMass. The Wildcats laid an egg last week when they traveled to Washington State, losing 94-60.
In this game, the matchup between each team's star player will dictate which side has the edge.
Utah State Aggies
Utah State has dropped two of its last three games after a controversial ending vs. Saint Mary’s was followed by a wire-to-wire loss to BYU. The Aggies had more turnovers than assists in those defeats and hit just 44% of their 104 field goal attempts.
The offense is led by the senior forward Justin Bean, who is averaging 21 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He’s been as consistent as anyone in the country, with 14 or more points and eight or more rebounds in every game this season.
Bean typically draws a double team that helps open clean outside shot attempts for his teammates. Utah State owns a trio of 3-point threats in Brandon Horvath, Brock Miller and Steven Ashworth. That trio has connected on a combined 54-of-132 (40.9%) of their 3-point attempts.
New coach Ryan Odom is known for running a crisp effective offense at UMBC and has proven his worth immediately. This Aggies team has bought into his offensive style and has assisted on 68.6% of their made field goals this season, which ranks second nationally.
Weber State Wildcats
Weber State has emerged as one of the favorites to win the Big Sky after opening the season 9-1.
The lone loss to Washington State saw the Wildcats shoot 21% from 3-point land and 36% from the field. They get a quick opportunity to avenge that loss at home against a top Mountain West opponent here.
Senior guard and Marquette transfer Koby McEwen is Weber State's leading scorer at 15.6 points per game, along with 4.5 rebounds. He has had some monster games this season, such as 30 points against Ball State and 21 against Duquesne.
Forward Dillon Jones will have a massive impact on the result of this matchup, as well. He has averaged a double-double with 12.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest and will be matching up against Utah State’s Bean.
Jones is more physical than Bean and could expose him inside the paint, where Jones has converted on 66% on his two-point attempts.
The Wildcats will push the pace in this game and look to get quick shot attempts before the Utah State defense can get set. Despite the up-tempo playing style, Weber State takes care of the basketball, rarely coughing it up.
Utah State vs. Weber State Betting Pick
A matchup like this is what makes college basketball the greatest sport in the world. This is the biggest game of the year that will be held on Weber State’s campus and the atmosphere is going to be electric.
Two years ago, Utah State beat Weber State 89-34 in the second game of the season. Head coach Randy Rahe is surely using that loss as fuel to motivate the Wildcats. The program has done a complete 180 since that 2020 season, winning 26 of 32 games over the last two seasons.
This year, the Wildcats have a revamped roster that includes a dominant scorer in McEwen. Complimenting him is Jones, who will be able to contain Bean one-on-one defensively.
It's also worth noting Utah State travels to Iowa after this matchup and may be overlooking the Big Sky program.
Weber State has outscored its opponents by an average score of 82-52 when playing at home this season.
I’m backing Damian Lillard’s alma-mater in this game, and I anticipate the home court advantage to aid Weber State to a victory against “Big Brother” Utah State.
