Idaho State (1-3) at Utah state (1-2)

n When: 7:05 tonight   n Where: Glen Smith Spectrum, Logan, Utah    n Listen: 930 AM KSEI

What’s at Stake: Idaho State returns to the road trying to enact a measure of revenge on Utah State after losing to the Aggies a year ago in Holt Arena. This is the first of four road games for the Bengals and a chance to start the trip well.

Key matchup: Idaho State forward Demetrius Monroe vs. Utah State forward Nate Bendall. This is contingent on whether Bendall plays. Bendall, a 6-foot-9 post player, stayed in Boston an extra day after the Aggies’ loss to Northeastern when his heart rate wouldn’t slow down after the game. Morrill said that he wasn’t sure if Bendall would play. If he does, Monroe must keep him in check.

Statistically, Jared Quayle has the most rebounds for Utah State, but he’s just 6-foot-1. Bendall can be a key factor on the glass, and Idaho State needs rebounds to win. That means keeping Bendall off the glass, and Monroe is the man for that job as the best rebounder Idaho State has.

Three things about Utah State:

1. Utah State’s loss to Northeastern gave the Aggies consecutive losses for the first time since the end of the 2007-08 season. That year, the Aggies lost in the WAC semifinals to Boise State and fell in the first round of the NIT to Illinois State.

2. Utah State has won 34 straight home games, the second-longest streak in the nation. Only Kansas, which has won 42 consecutive home games, has a longer streak.

3. Utah State is the third of Idaho State’s first four road opponents that will be playing the Bengals as their home opener. Only BYU had played a home game before facing Idaho State.

Three in the Key:

1. Who Will Guard the Guards?: Northeastern beat Utah State by shutting down the Aggies on the perimeter. Quayle, Brian Green and Tyler Newbold combined to shoot 7-for-27 for the game, allowing the Huskies to overcome their second-half deficit. If Idaho State can do something similar, the Bengals have a good chance to win.

2. Don’t Get Intimidated: Once again, Idaho State goes into a hostile environment famous for being difficult to compete in as a visiting squad. The Bengals have dealt with this crowd before and didn’t handle it well at all. They’ll have to keep the crowd from overwhelming them this time.

3. Don’t Panic: Utah State is a first-half team. The Aggies have run out of gas and lost late against Utah and Northeastern. The key for the Bengals is to avoid getting blown out early and giving themselves a chance in the second half. Utah State has folded at the end and might do so again if pressured. But there’s no chance for the Aggies to collapse if the Bengals go down 20 again like they did at Iowa State and BYU.

Bottom Line: This game will be decided by whether either side has a bad stretch, since both have proven prone to it. If neither does, or if they cancel each other out, it should be a good game. Utah State needs this game to get its confidence back after two blown leads that became losses. Idaho State just needs to play well and improve to keep its confidence.

Prediction: Utah State 77, Idaho State 69