SAN JOSE, Calif.-Wednesday, No. 25 Utah State (7-1) returns to action as they commence the Mountain West Conference season by visiting the San Jose State Spartans (3-5).

The Aggies are coming off an 81-73 loss to Saint Mary’s November 29 at Moraga, Calif., their first loss of the season.

Utah State is 63-19 (.768) all-time when ranked by The Associated Press.

Aggies head coach Craig Smith (35-8, .814 at Utah State; 114-63, .644 as a collegiate head coach) has the best record of any coach in his first two seasons in program history.

Utah State scores 81.4 points per game, tying them for 32nd nationally with St. John’s.

While not posting last season’s numbers, senior guard Sam Merrill (17.4 points, 4.9 rebounds per game) is excellent again for the Aggies.

Sophomore forward Justin Bean (14.8 points, a team-best 11.4 rebounds per game) continues to excel in the absence of star Portuguese national, sophomore center Neemias Queta, who is out indefinitely.

Junior forward Alphonso Anderson (13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds per game) and Portuguese national, senior guard Diogo Brito (11.1 points per game, a team-best 19 steals), also score in double figures on average for the productive Aggies.

Junior guard Abel Porter (a team-best 35 assists) has also been a solid glue guy for Utah State as he has traditionally been throughout his collegiate career.

Junior center, Polish national Kuba Karwowski has a team-best 12 blocked shots to pace the Aggies’ defense.

Utah State surrenders 60.6 points per game, ranking them 40th nationally in scoring defense.

The Aggies rank 11th nationally in rebounding margin (+10) per game, out-rebounding opponents 41.9-31.1. The Aggies’ 42 rebounds per game ties them for 22nd nationally with Maryland.

San Jose State is coached by Jean Prioleau who is 11-58 (.159) in his third season at the helm of the Spartans’ program.

San Jose State scores 66.4 points per game, ranking them 284th nationally in scoring offense.

Sophomore guard Seneca Knight (11.8 points, 5 rebounds per game) and junior guard Richard Washington (10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds per game) each score in double figures on average for the Spartans.

Sophomore forward Christian Anigwe (a team-best 6.6 rebounds per game and 10 blocked shots), and senior guard Brae Ivey (a team-best 22 assists and 9 steals) also contribute to the Spartans’ cause.

San Jose State surrenders 79.1 points per game, ranking them 329th nationally in scoring defense.

The Aggies lead the Spartans 62-22 all-time, including a 21-14 advantage in the series at San Jose, Calif.