Thursday: four game previews

It's defending tournament champion New Mexico State going at it with Idaho at noon to open the day's matchups. The 2012-13 season history: the Aggies won 71-70 on January 12 in Moscow and then 76-74 February 7 in Las Cruces so the Vandals obviously play as well against the Aggies as anyone in the conference.

FYI: Kyle Barone produced 18/10 and then 26/7 to Sim Bhullar's 16/6 and 20/5 in those two contests. But watch for Connor Hill who enjoyed 17 points and then 21 -- his 'en fuego-ness' opens up the court for his teammates.

Aggie athletics and Vandal athletics game preview as do Josh Wright and Jason Groves. JasonG checks in with a look at the primary Aggie contributors. JasonG also features Sim Bhullar.

As for injuries and the like, Tyrone Watson's sprained ankle is a concern and apparently a game time decision.

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Then it's Denver taking on Texas State. On January 3, the Pioneers won 64-53 in the Mile High City and then 79-64 in San Marcos on February 2. It can't be praised enough: the Mile High City guys are 17-1 in their last 18 outings.

Pioneer athletics and Bobcat athletics game preview as does Mile High Mids. MHM is living large in Sin City. Irv Moss looks at the streaking Pioneers.

No injuries or player absences have been reported although Denver's Blake Foeman is enduring a balky back.

Coach Joe Scott is up for a mid-major coaching honor.

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Next, Louisiana Tech and Texas San Antonio do or die.

It was a close one, 73-71, in San Antone for the first meeting this season of these two squads, followed by a 74-49 February 7 blasting in Ruston. Figure that out. Can LT re-focus after two straight losses? Is TSA the team of destiny in this tourney?

Bulldog athletics and Roadrunner athletics game preview. Jerry Briggs also checks in.

No player injuries or the like are reported.

Coach Mike White is the recipient of a coaching award.

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Closing out play, Utah State mixes it up with a Texas Arlington bunch who won in Logan 74-68 on January 24 and then again March 2 in Arlington 61-46. The Mavs benefited from emergency adjustments to USU player absences in both games so this is really a new get-together for these two teams. If there is a wild card player to zero in on, try forward Brandon Edwards of the Mavs. His numbers haven't been big of late but he boards very well and scores inside based on his rebounding.

Aggie athletics and Maverick athletics game preview as does Mike Sorenson, Shawn Harrison, Timothy R. Olsen, Kyle Goon and Rhett Wilkinson.

Preston Medlin and Kyisean Reed remain injured and out for USU. Ditto for Danny Berger. Spencer Butterfield is hurting but will start -- just don't dare call him a hipster.

Matt Glade/KSL heads down tournament memory lane for Aggie hoops.