Cougars & Aggies Drop In Latest AP Top 25, Utes Receive Votes
Jan 22, 2024, 11:15 AM
BYU basketball gets set to host the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Big 12 opener. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Three Beehive State schools received recognition in the latest edition of the Associated Press Men’s Top 25 rankings.
BYU fell one spot from 20 to 21 after beating Iowa State at home and losing to Texas Tech on the road.
Utah State dropped two spots to No. 18 after dropping a road game against New Mexico and dominating Fresno State at home.
Craig Smith’s Utah Utes (14-5, 5-3) received 20 votes after a pair of wins over Oregon State and Oregon.
BYU Treading Water In Difficult Big 12
The No. 21 Cougars (14-4, 2-3) opened the week with a confidence-building 87-72 win over then-No. 24 Iowa State at the Marriott Center. BYU then suffered its third loss in Big 12 play as they struggled in the second half of an 85-78 loss at Texas Tech.
RELATED: Bill Self Impressed With BYU’s Early Contributions To Big 12
Five Cougars average double-figure points, led by Jaxson Robinson’s 13.9 points. Spencer Johnson averages 11.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and four assists a night, while Trevin Knell (12.7 ppg), Noah Waterman (10.5 ppg), and Richie Saunders (10.3 ppg) round out the group.
BYU hosts No. 4 Houston in an all-Cougar battle at the Marriott Center on Tuesday, January 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MT).
Two MW Schools Join Utah State In Top 25
The No. 18 Aggies (17-2, 5-1) saw the nation’s longest winning streak end at 16 games with a 99-86 loss to New Mexico. USU never led as the Pit faithful got going early and never relented. Utah State bounced back from the loss with an 83-62 domination of Fresno State to end the week.
Bovine Blog: No. 16 Utah State Shows Fight Despite Road Loss
Junior wing Great Osobor leads the team with 18.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. Darius Brown II averages 10.7 points and 7.1 assists per night. Ian Martinez ( 13.6 ppg) and Mason Falslev (11.6 ppg) round out the double-digit scorers.
USU takes on Boise State on Saturday, January 27. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. (MT).
AP Top 25: BYU & USU Split Week
Week 12 poll as of January 22, 2024
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering the Utah State Aggies and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s coverage of the Bees, Big League Utah, and Aggie athletics here.
