Utah State basketball: Marquette presents 'all kinds of problems' for Aggies

With James out, junior Maurice Acker has assumed the starting point role, but McNeal has also played a big part in running the Marquette offense.

If there is a weakness for Utah State to exploit, it might be in the paint.

Though athletic and quick, the Golden Eagles are not particularly tall. Nor are they deep.

Dwight Burke is the only true post presence among the regular players, averaging just 2.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game despite being a 6-foot-8, 250-pounder. Small forward Lazar Hayward, (6-6, 225) is a strong rebounder at 8.6 boards per game — nearly half coming on the offensive glass — but prefers to take his offensive game outside, where he has shot 141 3-point attempts, making 50 of them.

Aggie posts Gary Wilkinson and Tai Wesley will be needed to assert themselves offensively and defensively while staying out of foul trouble. If the USU horses can stay on the floor and remain affective, it will force Marquette's wings to drop down on defense and open things up for the likes of Utah State shooters Jared Quayle, Tyler Newbold, Pooh Williams and Stavon Williams.

Most importantly, Morrill said, Utah State is going to need to have a high degree of discipline and effectiveness chasing Marquette's high-energy, high-tempo transition game.

"If you turn it over against them," Morrill said, "you're going to have a bunch of problems."

E-MAIL: jeborn@desnews.com

Aggies on the air Utah State (30-4) vs. Marquette (24-9) Taco Bell Arena, Boise Friday: 10:30 a.m. TV: CBS; Radio: 1230 AM, 610 AM, 95.9 FM