Utah State vs Grand Canyon

Utah State enters Phoenix on a lengthy winning streak with a 15-1 overall mark and perfect 6-0 Mountain West record, while Grand Canyon’s brief surge of back-to-back blowout wins was just halted by a lopsided loss at New Mexico that exposed some volatility on the road. With no major rotation pieces currently listed as out for either side and wing Dusty Stromer back from his recent ankle sprain, both teams bring essentially full-strength rosters built around veteran guards and versatile frontcourts. In this first-ever meeting between the programs, the Aggies’ top-10 national-level efficiency profile—paced by MJ Collins Jr.’s 20+ points per game, the downhill creation of Mason Falslev, and Garry Clark’s interior finishing—pairs with a defense holding opponents below 40% shooting, giving them a noticeable edge over a Lopes attack driven by Jaden Henley and Nana Owusu-Anane that has been solid but not quite as explosive. Even in a hostile Global Credit Union Arena where Grand Canyon has been strong at 7-2, Utah State’s superior depth, shooting, and current form justify laying the heavy moneyline price, though the limited return on -275 keeps this at a B-grade recommendation rather than elite value. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 17/01/2026 09:58 ([utahstateaggies.com](https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2026/1/15/mens-basketball-no-23-aggies-head-to-phoenix-for-first-all-time-meeting-vs-grand-canyon.aspx?utm_source=openai))

Grand Canyon’s defense has generally traveled, but pairing Utah State’s 86–87 points per game and 53% shooting with the Lopes’ own recent offensive uptick creates a scoring environment that leans toward clearing 148.5, especially with both teams entering mostly healthy and key perimeter threats like MJ Collins Jr., Mason Falslev, Jaden Henley, and the now-available Dusty Stromer all active. The Aggies have repeatedly pushed conference totals into the 150s and 160s with blowout wins—dropping 96 on San José State and piling up big margins against Boise State—while still playing at a tempo that forces opponents into faster possessions than they’re comfortable with, and Grand Canyon has shown they can both fill it up at home and concede points when their ball-screen defense slips. With Utah State’s efficient half-court execution, Grand Canyon’s capable secondary scorers such as Makaih Williams and Nana Owusu-Anane, and neither side missing a primary usage piece, the combined season averages and recent game flow point slightly more toward a track meet than a grind, though the Lopes’ home-court crowd and occasional scoring droughts keep this to a B- grade rather than something higher. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 17/01/2026 09:58 ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401823796/utah-state-grand-canyon?utm_source=openai))

MJ Collins Jr. and the Aggies have been burying Mountain West opponents by multiple possessions all month—stacking double-digit wins over San José State, Boise State and others—while Grand Canyon has mixed two big home blowouts with a double-figure home loss to Colorado State and a heavy defeat at New Mexico, illustrating how swingy their performance can be even with a largely healthy rotation. With no key starters sidelined on either side and GCU’s only recent concern, Dusty Stromer’s ankle sprain, already tested in his return, this matchup should come down to Utah State’s disciplined defense and depth versus a Lopes team that leans heavily on Jaden Henley’s shot creation and Nana Owusu-Anane’s work on the glass. Utah State’s profile—top of the league in scoring margin, holding opponents under 70 while consistently cracking the 80s—sets up well against a Grand Canyon offense that can stagnate when Henley is bottled up, making a 5.5-point road spread reasonable for a group that has repeatedly turned tight numbers into comfortable covers, though GCU’s 7-2 home mark and raucous building are enough to keep this at a B- grade rather than a more aggressive endorsement. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 17/01/2026 09:58 ([utahstateaggies.com](https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2026/1/15/mens-basketball-no-23-aggies-head-to-phoenix-for-first-all-time-meeting-vs-grand-canyon.aspx?utm_source=openai))