Helena Frye
The USU Aggies men's basketball team has had the best start to a season in the team's history, with a potential 10-0 start to the season. The Aggies are one of eight unbeaten teams in Division I. However, they are facing a challenging stretch of games, with their next five opponents holding winning records. Despite some struggles with turnovers and 3-point range, the Aggies have managed to beat teams with decent records, and their seniors are being looked to for leadership in this difficult period.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| USU Men's Basketball Team | Aggies |
| Current Record | 9-0 |
| Previous Best Starts | 9-0 in 1917-18 and 2022-23 |
| Next Opponent | Trailblazers |
| Next Five Opponents' Combined Record | 34-12 |
| 3-Point Percentage | 27.6% |
| Shots Blocked | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
USU Aggies' historic start to the season
The USU Aggies are off to a historic start to the season, aiming for their first-ever 10-0 start to a campaign. In their entire history, only twice before has a USU team begun a season with a 9-0 record – in 1917-18 and 2022-23. This season, the Aggies are one of just eight unbeaten teams remaining in Division I.
Their success has not come without challenges, however. While they have managed to beat teams with decent records, the Aggies have faced issues with turnovers and shooting accuracy. Against Utah Tech, for example, they had 14 turnovers, which led to 15 points for the Trailblazers. They have also struggled from 3-point range, going 8 of 29 for 27.6% in that game.
Despite these setbacks, the Aggies have shown improvement and built a 26-point lead in the second half of the Utah Tech game. Their next five opponents, however, will pose a significant challenge, with winning records across the board, including tough road games at St. Mary's (9-1) and No. 23 San Diego State (6-2).
With a combination of solid victories, such as against Iowa (7-2) and St. Bonaventure (9-1), and continued improvement, the Aggies are poised to maintain their momentum and make this a truly historic season.
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Tough competition ahead
The Utah State Aggies men's basketball team has gotten off to its best start ever, but a tough stretch of competition awaits. The Aggies will be aiming for their first-ever 10-0 start to a season, having previously begun campaigns 9-0 on two occasions. While they have enjoyed success so far, the team is aware that the competition will only get tougher.
The next five opponents to finish off the month of December all have winning records, presenting a significant challenge. This includes three demanding road games against formidable opponents: St. Mary's (9-1), No. 23 San Diego State (6-2), and Nevada (6-3). South Florida (5-4) and UC San Diego (8-2) will also pose considerable threats, despite the Aggies having home-court advantage in these matchups. The combined record of these five upcoming opponents stands at an impressive 34-12.
Head coach Calhoun acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming stretch, emphasizing the need for leadership from the team's seniors. He stated, "This is a big stretch, let's just call it like it is. We are not going to shy from that. Our seniors need to lead us." The Aggies have already proven their mettle by beating teams with decent records, including solid victories over Iowa (7-2) and St. Bonaventure (9-1). However, they have struggled with turnovers and consistency, which could prove challenging against tougher opponents.
Despite their successful start, the Aggies still have areas they need to improve upon. They have had issues with turnovers, as pointed out by guard Drake Allen, who attributed this to decision-making. The team's height and athleticism have also resulted in a high number of blocked shots, which is a concern for a team of their calibre. While the Aggies have shown improvement, they will need to address these issues to maintain their winning streak as the competition intensifies.
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Seniors must lead
The Utah State University Aggies men's basketball team has gotten off to its best start ever, but the team's coaches and players know that the competition will get tougher as the season progresses. With a challenging stretch of games coming up, including several opponents with winning records, the Aggies will need to play with discipline and focus to maintain their strong start.
Head coach Calhoun has emphasized the importance of senior leadership in the coming games, stating, "Our seniors really have to lead us in these next five games... This is a big stretch... Our seniors need to lead us." The team's seniors will need to step up and guide their younger teammates through this difficult period, setting the tone for the rest of the season.
The Aggies have already demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and improve their performance. In a recent game against Utah Tech, the Aggies struggled with turnovers, particularly in the first half, but they made adjustments and played a much cleaner second half, building a substantial lead. This ability to adapt and improve will be crucial as the competition level increases.
Senior players will need to set the standard for the rest of the team in terms of focus, decision-making, and execution. They will need to draw on their experience and provide a steadying influence, especially when facing tough opponents on the road. The seniors' ability to lead and mentor their younger teammates will be a key factor in determining the team's success, not only in the upcoming stretch but also as the season progresses and the pressure intensifies.
With a strong start under their belt and the guidance of their senior leaders, the Aggies have the potential to continue their winning ways and make this season one to remember. However, they must take it one game at a time, focusing on the present and not getting ahead of themselves. The seniors' leadership will be crucial in ensuring the team stays grounded and focused on the task at hand.
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Turnovers and blocked shots
The Utah State University Aggies men's basketball team has had a historic start to their season, aiming for their first-ever 10-0 start to a campaign. While the team has had a successful start, there are areas that require improvement, such as reducing turnovers and improving upon blocked shots.
Turnovers have been an issue for the Aggies, with 14 turnovers in one game leading to 15 points for their opponents. Turnovers can be costly, resulting in lost possessions and opportunities to score. The Aggies have recognised this issue and have emphasised the importance of efficient decision-making and playing with better awareness.
In the specific game being discussed, the Aggies had nine turnovers by halftime, which contributed to a closer score than they would have liked. However, the team showed improvement in the second half, taking better care of the ball and reducing their turnovers. This adjustment helped them build a more comfortable lead and maintain their advantage.
Blocked shots are another area where the Aggies want to improve. Despite facing opponents with less height, the Aggies ranked in the top 10 nationally for getting shots blocked in the paint. Aggie guard Drake Allen attributed this issue to decision-making and emphasised the need to play on two feet and find the open man.
Reducing turnovers and improving their performance despite blocked shots are crucial aspects for the Aggies to focus on as they face tougher opponents later in the season. By minimising mistakes and maximising their possessions, the Aggies can continue their successful start and compete against more challenging competition.
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Improving on past performances
The USU Aggies are off to their best start ever, but they will need to continue improving if they want to maintain their success. One area they can focus on is reducing turnovers, which have been an issue in some of their games. Against Utah Tech, for example, the Aggies had 14 turnovers that led to 15 points for the Trailblazers. While they were able to build a comfortable lead and ultimately win the game, too many turnovers can be costly against stronger opponents.
Another area of improvement is their 3-point shooting. Against the Trailblazers, the Aggies went 8 of 29 from 3-point range, which is only 27.6%. Improving their shooting percentage from beyond the arc can help them create more scoring opportunities and increase their offensive efficiency.
The Aggies have also struggled with getting their shots blocked, particularly in the paint. They are ranked top 10 nationally for getting shots blocked in the paint, which Aggie guard Drake Allen acknowledges is "embarrassing" given their size and athleticism. Better decision-making and playing with more awareness can help reduce these blocked shots and lead to more successful scoring opportunities.
Additionally, the Aggies should focus on consistent performance throughout the entire game. In the game against Utah Tech, they had a strong second half where they built a 26-point advantage, but they allowed the Trailblazers to close the gap to 74-57 with still a few minutes left in the game. Maintaining their intensity and focus for the full 40 minutes will be crucial, especially against tougher opponents.
The upcoming schedule for the Aggies does not get any easier, as they face several challenging opponents to finish off the month of December. Their next five opponents, including St. Mary's, San Diego State, and Nevada, have a combined record of 34-12. It will be important for the Aggies to bring their best performance and continue improving if they want to maintain their undefeated record and prove themselves against these strong competitors.
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Frequently asked questions
USU's men's basketball team is called the Aggies.
The Aggies have twice started a campaign 9-0, in 1917-18 and 2022-23.
As of December 2024, the Aggies are off to their best start ever, vying for their first-ever 10-0 start to a season.
