It should be interesting to see how coach Jim Boylen feels about playing Utah State in the Spectrum tonight in Logan, after asking reporters during his weekly press conference “is it really tougher?” than some of the other places the Utes have played so far.

"A lot of guys in the profession tell me don't schedule that game," Boylen said with a laugh. "Don't play up there. That's what I've heard most about that, don't ever play up there."

For good reason.

The Aggies are 146-12 at home under coach Stew Morrill, and the Utes have lost five straight to them in Logan, even with some of their best teams. They're 4 1/2-point underdogs tonight, too, in their second straight game without suspended point guard Luka Drca.

"We have been talking about this Utah game since the beginning of the season," Utah State's Javon Williams said, because the Aggies remember their embarrassing 72-48 loss to the Utes last season in the Huntsman Center.

The Utes will be facing former assistant coach Chris Jones for the first time, after Jones left Boylen's staff after last season to join coach Stew Morrill. In their last game, the Utes beat former assistant Randy Rahe, who's now the head coach at Weber State.

"We watched Utah some in preparing for Idaho State," Morrill said. "We're well aware of the challenge with their athleticism and size. They will come in geeked up. It should be fun. There is always a great crowd for that game. I think our fans and kids will be excited."