Craig Smith is quick to remind folks that Friday night will be game No. 35 for his group. And when you get this deep into your season, there’s a reason you’re now starring on the national stage, on national TV, with just a shot to make a run at the whole thing.
He’s right, too. The Utah State Aggies are motoring along at 28-6, as Mountain West Conference regular-season champs and tournament champs, winners of 17 of their last 18, the longest such streak since 2010-11. But their first-round matchup presents such a distinctive test that it’s not like preparing for pretty much any other team.