Saturday, March 8th, 10:05 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Cowan Spectrum (7,000) -- Moscow, Idaho. Television: None. Home Record: USU 17-0, Idaho 6-6. Away Record: USU 4-8, Idaho 2-13. Neutral Record: USU 1-1, Idaho 0-0. Conference Record: USU 11-4, Idaho 5-10. Series Record: Utah State leads, 27-12.

GAME NOTES: With a share of the regular season title in the Western Athletic Conference still hanging in the balance, the Utah State Aggies try to make it happen tonight as they challenge the Idaho Vandals in league action at the Cowan Spectrum in Moscow. The Aggies put themselves in position to possibly earn the top seed in the upcoming WAC Tournament thanks to an 88-69 win at Boise State two nights ago. The win was the fourth straight for USU, which is now 11-4 in league play. As for the Vandals, scenarios show that they can finish either sixth or seventh in the standings, depending on the result of the Nevada/Fresno State matchup. After going winless on the road through the first 13 opportunities this season, Idaho stepped up and beat not only Hawaii in Honolulu in overtime on February 28th, but also San Jose State two days later in California with a 69-67 decision. With respect to the all-time series between these two schools on the hardwood, the Aggies hold a 27-12 advantage and have won 12 of the 18 contests played in Moscow. USU defeated the Vandals at home back on January 19th by a score of 79-64.

Jaycee Carroll started out a bit quietly on Thursday night, but with so much riding on the outcome versus Boise State, the All-America candidate opened up in the second half and scored 19 of his 23 points to guide USU to the 19-point win. Carroll, who shot 3-of-4 beyond the arc, added nine rebounds, while Stephen DuCharme added a huge lift with his 20 points and seven boards off the bench. Tai Wesley and Gary Wilkinson tacked on 11 points apiece. Carroll has been simply incredible this season for the Aggies, leading the WAC in scoring with 22.7 ppg on the strength of his 53.1 percent shooting from the field, outstanding 51.0 percent beyond the arc and stellar 92.5 percent at the free- throw line. But even as he surveys opponents from the perimeter, Carroll isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint when needed, supplying 6.2 rpg for the top shooting team in the league at 51.1 percent. Just as important, the Aggies are also one of the best free-throw shooting teams in the country at 79.1 percent.

After getting a taste of victory on the road at the Stan Sheriff Center two nights earlier, the Vandals figured they could handle the excitement again last weekend when the team defeated San Jose State at The Event Center. Michael Crowell headed a list of five players in double figures with his 20 points, followed by Mike Hall with 14 and Darin Nagle with 11. Mike Kale and Jordan Brooks contributed 10 points apiece, the latter also handing out eight assists in the two-point win. Although he has made just one of his 16 attempts from three-point range, Brooks has done just about everything else right for the Vandals. He leads the team in most major stats, including scoring (12.8 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg), assists (129) and steals (47). Crowell emerges as the only other double-digit scorer for the group with his 11.1 ppg, but that has done little to lift the squad from eighth in the WAC in scoring at just 65.5 ppg thus far.

Carroll and the rest of the Aggies have come too far and worked too hard to be denied by Idaho in the regular-season finale, so expect USU to be at the top of its game and take home the critical victory.

Predicted Outcome

Utah State 92, Idaho 74