Yes Utah State did play well in their first game without star Jarred Shaw. Rallying around adversity can only go so far and the point of diminishing return usually commences with Game 2.

Shaw, a 6-foot-10 senior, is averaging 16.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. He is the team top scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker , all while shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 87.1 percent from the free-throw line. This is a big drop off. When they first met Alan Williams was out for UCSB and they only lost by seven. Averaging 23.3 points per game and 10.4 rebounds, he is back but USU has their star player out. That is big time revenge.