Ags meet Morrill's standard

Their team picture is on the wall, and that is one way Utah State basketball coach Stew Morrill shows his sign of approval.

Four of Morrill's 21 teams haven't reached it.

The Aggies won 23 games in 2006-07 and advanced to the postseason for the eighth straight time, so what is there not to like?

At the first of the year, it didn't look like the season would be that successful, especially after their ugly season-opening 17-point loss at Northwestern State.

"I've actually had a little time to reflect on it, and I actually feel good about this team in a lot of ways," Morrill said. "When the year started and for October, November and into December, you heard me complaining a lot about practice habits and the things we needed to do to have a chance to win games and be competitive in the WAC and all that sort of stuff."

Morrill admittedly "backed off" a little, and the team responded and finished 9-7 in its second year in the Western Athletic Conference. The Aggies were one basket shy of winning the WAC tournament championship.

"There was a period of time there that I wasn't sure if they would be No. 5 (left off the wall). It's a credit to them," Morrill said. "I ended up liking this team and feeling good about the games we won."

The Aggies beat Utah, nationally ranked Nevada twice, Oral Roberts, swept Idaho and San Jose State in league play, and split with Boise State, Louisiana Tech, Hawaii and New Mexico State. Fresno State was the only team to sweep the Aggies in conference play.

The Aggies also had three losses by three points or fewer (Santa Clara and New Mexico State twice).

"Bottom line, from my perspective, this team did a good job," Morrill said.

The Aggies faced a lot of challenges and responded.

Newcomer Kris Clark, after struggling early at the point, eventually led the WAC in assists.

Undersized Stephen DuCharme (6-foot-8) adapted to the center position and averaged 10.2 points a game.

Jaycee Carroll, who was named an honorable mention all-American, led the WAC in scoring despite drawing his opponent's best defender; Chaz Spicer won four games in the waning seconds with either free throws or a big basket; and Durrall Peterson was the Aggies' best perimeter defender.

"I thought this team was resilient and battled hard," said Morrill of his team that never lost more than two games in a row.