San Diego Negate’s nation-main run of 13 consecutive victories on the toll road came to a screeching live in Thursday’s 57-45 loss at Utah Negate, nevertheless the Aztecs also can believe lost one thing remarkable more vital than a winning run. Main scorer and senior leader Matt Mitchell left the game with 5: 47 remaining after an apparent knee injure, casting a technique of uncertainty over Saturday’s rematch and the the rest of SDSU’s season.
If Mitchell can now not return quickly for San Diego Negate (9-3, 3-2 Mountain West), the Aztecs’ hopes of repeating as convention champions also will more than likely be dashed. Even if Mitchell gets cleared, SDSU faces an uphill war within the league, as evidenced by Utah Negate’s dominant defensive effort on Thursday. The Aggies (9-3, 6-0) held San Diego Negate to magnificent 31.5% shooting and compelled 16 turnovers to remain unbeaten in league play.
To lower hotfoot amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mountain West and a variety of conferences are pitting groups against every in other in support-to-support video games. That means these two defensive stalwarts and Mountain West favorites will tangle all as soon as more, now not as much as 48 hours after the conclusion of their first meeting that Utah Negate coach Craig Smith described it as a “rock war.”
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Viewing recordsdata
- When: Saturday, 1: 30 p.m. ET
- Where: Dee Glenn Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah
- TV: CBS | Dwell movement: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports actions App (Free)
- OTT: CBS Sports actions App (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast)
Storylines
San Diego Negate: The Aztecs believe developed a aptitude for the dramatic this season, especially right thru the final two Saturdays. Two weeks ago, they gave up a 26-point lead and allowed Colorado Negate to complete a file-breaking comeback victory. Then, final week, they were on the magnificent pause of a thriller when Trey Pulliam banked in a runner on the final buzzer for a 69-67 take over Nevada. With wins over UCLA and Arizona Negate in non convention play, SDSU is on the magnificent facet of the bubble for the time being, per CBS Sports actions Bracketology educated Jerry Palm. But Mitchell’s pickle looms astronomical over the the rest of the season.
Utah Negate: Utah Negate rose from No. 57 to No. 47 within the NET rankings following its take against San Diego Negate on Thursday. But completing the sweep would run a prolonged potential toward placing USU on the magnificent facet of the NCAA Tournament bubble after a 1-3 start up. The Aggies are really trending within the magnificent direction, having won 9 in a row for the reason that rocky start up. However the bulk of those wins believe been against lowly competition. Defense is the calling card for this team, and junior center Neemias Queta leads the potential. The 7-footer is obstructing 2.7 shots per game and knocking down 9.4 rebounds. He’s additionally Utah Negate’s main scorer at 12.4 sides per game.
Recreation prediction, remove
Defense never slumps, and Utah Negate’s protection looks like the suitable within the Mountain West to this point. See you later as Queta stays out of rotten ache, the Aggies wants so that you just might tackle enterprise at home against this immediate San Diego Negate team. The Aztecs believe shown flashes of brilliance nevertheless believe been too inconsistent to wager on, especially with Mitchell’s pickle unsure. Prediction: Utah Negate 64 San Diego Negate 56
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