Utah State vs SMU preview: How to watch, projected starters, injuries

RJ Eytle-Rock attempts a layup in a basketball game at the Spectrum against Westminster College on Dec. 15, 2022. Photo by Sean Greene.

Utah State easily dispatched a tough Seattle team and will now face off against an SMU team that is theoretically worse than the Redhawks. However, the Mustangs – ranked 291st in the NET on Thursday – just came off a win over Iona, which was previously ranked 48th in the NET. Upsets can easily happen (which the Aggies are fully aware of after Monday) and SMU is fresh off accomplishing a big upset.

How to watch

  • Tip-off: 5:00 p.m. MT
  • Location: Stan Sheriff Center | Honolulu, HI
  • Broadcast: ESPN2
  • Aggie GameDay Coverage on KVNU (102.1 FM/610 AM & KVNU mobile app): 4:00 p.m. MT
  • KVNU Aggie Call (102.1 FM/610 AM, KVNU mobile app): Immediately after game ends

Injuries

Utah State

No injuries reported

Rylan Jones took a shot to the chin, causing some concern given his recent return from a concussion. But Ryan Odom confirmed Jones is “just fine” so he should play today.

SMU

No injuries reported

Projected Starters

Utah State (10-1)

  • G – Steven Ashworth (6-1, Jr.) – 18.1 points | 2.6 rebounds | 4.7 assists
  • G – Max Shulga (6-4, Jr.) – 12.4 points | 6.1 rebounds | 4.9 assists
  • G/F – Sean Bairstow (6-8, Sr.) – 10.1 points | 3.9 rebounds | 2.3 assists
  • F – Taylor Funk (6-9, Gr.) – 15.1 points | 7.6 rebounds | 2.1 assists
  • C – Trevin Dorius (7-0, Sr.) – 4.1 points | 3.1 rebounds | 0.2 assists
  • 6th Man – Dan Akin (6-9, Jr..) – 13.4 points | 7.0 rebounds | 0.5 assists

SMU (4-7)

  • G –  Zhuric Phelps (6-3, So.) – 19.5 points | 4.1 rebounds | 2.6 assists
  • G –  Zach Nutall (6-3, Sr.) – 14.3 points | 2.8 rebounds | 2.2 assists
  • G –  Jalen Smith (6-4, So.) – 3.2 points | 1.5 rebounds | 1.2 assists
  • G/F –  Samuell Williamson (6-7, Sr.) – 8.0 points | 7.3 rebounds | 2.0 assists
  • F/C –  Efe Odigie (6-9, Sr.) – 8.6 points | 2.9 rebounds | 0.8 assists

Team Statistical Ranks

Stats and ratings are from Basketball Reference (except the NET ranking). All ranks are out of 363 Division I teams.

Utah State

  • Pace – 72.7 (48th)
  • Offensive Rating – 117.6 (5th)
  • Defensive Rating – 96.4 (136th)
  • Field Goal % – 50.2 (14th)
  • 3-point % – 44.2 (1st)
  • Rebounding % – 53.4 (83rd)
  • NET Rank – 14th

SMU

  • Pace – 70.4 (139th)
  • Offensive Rating – 96.2 (325th)
  • Defensive Rating –99.9  (226th)
  • Field Goal % – 41.4 (313th)
  • 3-point % – 30.5 (320th)
  • Rebounding % – 49.5 (261st)
  • NET Rank – 254th

SMU has a clear one-two punch of Zhuric Phelps and Zach Nutall in the backcourt and used said combo to beat Iona. Nutall scored 24 points and Phelps had 20. The two aren’t highly efficient based on season numbers, but yesterday their shots fell and they can be very dangerous when those shots fall (as evidenced by them powering a big upset.

The dangerous man to watch on SMU is Zhuric Phelps. He’s averaging nearly 20 points per game and scored 20 in the Mustangs’ win over Iona yesterday. He’s very capable of worming his way into the paint and finishing shots at the rim.

For Utah State, yesterday’s game was a return to form, lighting up a great Seattle defense for 84 points. SMU gave up 81 to an Iona team that isn’t super great so there’s a chance for the Aggies to run away with this one if they play their game right.

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