Nevada Wolf Pack takes No. 24 ranking to Utah State

NO. 24 NEVADA (22-5, 11-2) AT UTAH STATE (14-13, 7-7)

When: Saturday, 3 p.m.

Where: Dee Glen Smith Spectrum

TV-Radio: CBS Sports Network/630 AM or 94.3 FM

Last meeting: Nevada won 83-57 on Jan. 3

Projected starters:

NEVADA: F Jordan Caroline (16.9, 8.9) and Caleb Martin (19.5, 5.2); G Cody Martin (13.3, 6.2), Kendall Stephens (13.4, 2.0) and Hallice Cooke (4.3, 2.3) or Josh Hall (5.8, 3.4). UTAH STATE: F Quinn Taylor (7.0, 4.4) and Dwayne Brown Jr. (9.2, 5.1); G Koby McEwen (14.9, 5.2), Sam Merrill (16.0, 3.2) and Diogo Brito (6.4, 3.7).

News & Notes:

This won’t be an easy one for the Wolf Pack for two reasons — the loss of Lindsey Drew and the fact that Nevada has had a tough time historically winning in Logan. The Aggies lead the all-time series, 35-21, including a 19-4 edge in Logan … Utah State has lost 13 straight against ranked opponents, but its last win against a ranked opponent was a pair of 79-77 wins, both in the 2006-07 season … The key to stopping Utah State is containing Koby McEwen and Sam Merrill, the Aggies’ only two double-figure scorers. Neither hurt Nevada back on Jan. 3. In fact, Dwayne Brown Jr. was the Aggies’ top scorer with 13 points … Nevada has been strong defending the 3-point line, as teams have shot just 30.6 compared to Nevada’s 39.7 mark … With the absence of Drew, Nevada will need more than the 7 minutes a game Elijah Foster is currently getting. Also expect Hall’s 19.7 minutes to go up as well as Cooke’s minutes. Both need to make better decisions … Eric Musselman said the practice load will be lightened to protect against further injuries. Three players — Caleb Martin, Jordan Caroline and Cody Martin are all averaging over 33 minutes a contest. Drew was at 31.7 before his injury … Depending on the recovery time, it’s possible Drew could redshirt next year. Nevada has that luxury because Cody Martin, Hall, and transfers Corey Henson, Nisre’ Zouzoua and Jazz Johnson all will be eligible… Caroline had his 24th career double-double, and Nevada is 23-1 when that happens… Utah State turned the ball over 23 times in its loss to New Mexico. Certainly that number needs to come down if the Aggies are going to pull off an upset … Kendall Stephens has 94 3-pointers which is tied with Malik Story (2011-2012) in single-season stats. Stephens has made five or more 3-pointers 10 times this season … Nevada has won nine true road games in 11 attempts this season, and has won eight of its last nine MW road games.