Momentum can be overrated for an NCAA Tournament opener, but Utah State’s means something. The Aggies have taken 10 in a row straight-up, with seven covers. And they possess the long-distance shooters to score over Washington’s effective zone defense. Though playing in a softer league, Utah State owns a plus-12 points differential, seven more than the Huskies’.

Washington has lost three of its last seven games and covered the spread just once in its last six. while I have dropped the Huskies' rating a bit over a full point, I still have them one-point better than Utah State which has won 10 straight, including winning the MWC Tourney. I think there's too much of an adjustment on both sides based on the last month of play. I'm taking the points with Washington.