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Aggies Favored to Beat Bulls in Tampa Showdown

TAMPA, FL – The Utah State Aggies are set to face off against the USF Bulls tonight at 7 p.m. ET in a non-conference matchup in Tampa. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Utah State enters the contest as a slight 1.5-point favorite, with the moneyline sitting at -140. The over/under for total points is set at 162.5.

The Aggies, currently ranked 35th in KenPom, boast a perfect 7-0 record, though they narrowly escaped a recent game against Montana State. A key to their success is the dynamic backcourt duo of Mason Falslev and MJ Collins Jr. Collins, a transfer from the SEC, is averaging 21 points per game, while Falslev contributes 13.5 points on impressive 54% shooting. Point guard Drake Allen orchestrates the offense, averaging 7.5 assists against just 2.2 turnovers per game.

Defense is also a strong point for Utah State, ranking 55th in defensive efficiency and forcing turnovers at a 22% rate.

USF, under new coach Bryan Hodgson, is looking to find its footing. While the Bulls play at a fast tempo and try to force turnovers, their shooting struggles have been a major issue. The team connects on just 32% of its three-point attempts, with key players like Wes Enis and CJ Brown struggling from beyond the arc.

Defensively, the Bulls rank 103rd in efficiency and allow opponents to shoot a high 37% from three-point range.

Analysts are predicting a win for Utah State, citing the Aggies’ superior shooting and defense as major advantages. One betting analyst recommends taking Utah State to cover the -1.5 spread, suggesting the line should be closer to -4 or -5. They believe USF’s struggles to shoot the ball will be their downfall against a solid Utah State defense.

[Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images. Pictured: Drake Allen]

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