Colorado State

2015-2016 record: 14-11 (6-6)

Injury Report: Gian Clavell (out for season)

Projected Starters:

Prentiss Nixon, Freshman, Guard, 6-foot: 5.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 42 3fg% in 15.8 mpg

Antwan Scott, Redshirt Senior, Guard, 6-foot-2: 16.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 43 3fg% in 29.4 mpg

Joe De Ciman, Senior, Wing, 6-foot-6: 10.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 38 3fg% in 33.2 mpg

Emmanuel Omogbo, Junior, Post, 6-foot-8: 10.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg in 24.1 mpg

Tiel Daniels, Redshirt Senior, Post, 6-foot-5: 9.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 61 fg% in 27.4 mpg

Key Reserve:

John Gillon, Redshirt Junior, Point Guard, 6-foot: 12.3 ppg, 3.8 apg in 31.5 mpg

Utah State

2015-2016 record: 12-11 (4-8)

Injury Report: N/A

Projected Starters:

Darius Perkins, Senior, Point Guard, 6-foot-2: 7.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 38 3fg% in 26.0 mpg

Chris Smith, Senior, Guard, 6-foot-4: 14.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 43 3fg% in 30.7 mpg

Jalen Moore; Junior; Wing, 6-foot-8: 14.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.3 apg in 34.5 mpg

Quinn Taylor, Redshirt Freshman, Post, 6-foot-7: 3.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 67fg% in 11.4 mpg

Lew Evans, Redshirt Junior, Post, 6-foot-8: 8.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.4 spg, 38 fg% in 20.1 mpg

Analysis

Colorado State and Utah State square off once again, this time in Logan, UT on Wednesday evening. The last time these two teams met, Utah State narrowly defeated CSU 96-92 at Fort Collins in a high-scoring affair. Both squads have gone in different directions since their entertaining game. CSU has gone 4-2 since the loss, with key victories over Boise State and Nevada. Utah State has gone 1-5 since their impressive offensive performance, losing five in a row right after the CSU game. Here are CSU’s keys to a victory:

Contain Smith

CSU had absolutely no answer for Chris Smith in their first meeting. He went off for single game career-highs in points, rebounds and free throws made. Smith scored from the perimeter and got to the free throw line at will. The key this time around is to prevent Smith from getting to the free throw line. He’s an elite shooter from deep, but when he can get to the charity stripe as well, he’s very difficult to defend.

Focus On Moore As Well

Jalen Moore is another threat for Utah State, a long combo forward that is skilled with the basketball and moves well for his size. He’s a potential pro because of his combination of skills and body. CSU needs to be physical with Moore and force him to the perimeter. Limit his straight line drives to the rim.

Don’t Give Evans Good Looks From Deep

He only played 19 minutes the first time around, but Lew Evans made his presence felt with his ability to stretch the floor. Evans scored 12 points, and most importantly made both of his 3-point attempts. His contributions were bigger than the box score indicated, and CSU will need to close out hard on his perimeter shots.