Utah State, BYU basketball: Rivalry resumes for Cougs, Aggies

By Jared Eborn, Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Dec. 6 2008 12:30 a.m. MST

Summary

BYU and Utah State have met on the basketball floor 224 times in a rivalry that has spanned more than a century.

Never, however, have the Cougars and Aggies met on a neutral floor — until tonight.

After taking a year off from the rivalry, BYU and USU will meet at EnergySolutions Arena, and the clash might be an epic one.

Aside from the unblemished records enjoyed by both schools, there are subplots galore.

"It's good for the state of Utah, basketballwise," USU coach Stew Morrill said. "We're glad that we've got a ... series going, that's for sure."

The series had been played on an annual basis for decades until last season. And while fans and administrators at both schools will likely disagree on the reason for the brief hiatus — USU fans like to think BYU was afraid to play in front of a rowdy Logan crowd, and BYU fans might feel likewise about the Aggies traveling to Provo — both teams agreed on the neutral-court setting to get things rolling again.

The series continues next year in Logan and then to Provo the following season.

"We didn't play for one year and you know what?" Morrill said. "It wasn't that big a deal."

Still, meeting on the home floor of the Utah Jazz presents unique challenges for both squads.

The Cougars have been virtually unchallenged in rolling to a 7-0 record and won their games by an average of 23.6 points per game. Utah State, likewise, has had a relatively easy time this season with five wins coming by a 20.2-point spread.

BYU is a strong perimeter team with Lee Cummard, Jonathon Tavernari and Jimmer Fredette combining for 47.1 points. The Aggies, on the other hand, love to pound the ball down low to their sure-handed post player Gary Wilkinson and Tai Wesley — who might be one of the country's top shooting tandems. Together, the USU post duo is averaging 29 points and 15.2 rebounds.

More impressive, though, is how they shoot. Wesley is making 77.4 percent of his shots and Wilkinson scores on 76.9 percent of his attempts. Sophomore swingman Tyler Newbold adds 11.4 points while shooting 'only' 57.9 percent from the floor.

With those three leading the way, the Aggies lead the country in shooting at 56.6 percent.

BYU also features a rugged defense that has allowed opponents to shoot just 38.8 percent and both teams post double-digit advantages in rebounding margin.

In-state rivalry