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UTAH STATE LOOKS FOR A BIG WIN
Aggies face another test on the road versus the Gators
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Utah State travels to Florida to take on the Gators
Who: Utah State University Aggies at Florida Gators
When: Saturday, 12/21/2019 at 12:30 MST
Where: Sunrise, FL
TV: FS1
Streaming: FuboTV – Get a seven-day free trial.
Radio: 1280 the Zone
Odds: Florida -3.5
Utah State will take the court for the first time since narrowly escaping USF on Wednesday night. It will be a matinee game for the Aggies as the tip off is set for 12:30 PM Mountain Standard Time.
Utah State will square off against the University of Florida Gators. This is the only the second time in history that the two teams will face off. The previous matchup was in the 1997-1998 season in which the Gators prevailed. Although this game is at a “neutral site” it just so happens the site is only 4.5 hours south of Gainesville.
The Gators are led in scoring by sophomore guard Keyontae Johnson. He is averaging 13 points a game and scored a season high of 22 points against St. Joes in November. Johnson also average 6.4 rebounds a game. The 6’5” guard out of Norfolk, VA has also recorded two double-doubles this season. The number two option for Florida is 6’10” senior forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. He is averaging nearly 13 points and 8 rebounds a game this season. Blackshear Jr. has 5 double-doubles this season; including a monstrous 20 point, 11 rebound, and 5 assist game in a win against in-state rival, Miami.
Blackshear Jr. might have trouble against the Aggies as sophomore center Neemias Queta is back in the starting lineup for Utah State. In his return to the starting lineup Queta put up 18 points and 8 rebounds. He also tallied 5 fouls and was forced to exit the game during overtime. The matchup between Queta and Johnson will be a fun one to watch.
For the Aggies, Sam Merrill will need to keep up his season average of 17 points a game. It would be helpful if fellow starter Brock Miller would have a good game. Despite shooting 70% of his shots from behind the three point line, Miller is only making a lowly 31% of his attempts. He is 27/87 on the season from three. That will need to improve as his main roll on the team is a three point shooter.
Utah State will need strong play from the supporting cast of Brito, Bean, Porter, and Anderson. These Aggies usually bring something positive to the table but will need to play extra well against a tough Florida team. If the Aggies want a victory everyone will need to be involved in creating plays and not just waiting around for Sam Merrill to score.
The Aggies will be back in action on 12/28 against Eastern Oregon. This will be an exhibition match and will not count for or against the Aggies.
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