Utah State basketball: Jardine's improvement a big plus for Aggies

LOGAN — For a guy averaging just 4.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, Brady Jardine sure gets lots of love from Aggie fans.

And lots of tough love from Utah State coaches.

The reason for both is the same — Jardine's athleticism and potential have coaches and fans alike drooling with the prospects of an above-the-rim player who electrifies crowds with thunderous dunks and demoralizes opponents with out-of-nowhere blocked shots.

But the sophomore's enthusiasm sometimes got the better of him and he'd find himself on the bench after a blown defensive assignment or an ill-advised attempt to follow a missed shot with an offensive rebound dunk.

"Brady has so much energy sometimes it's hard for him to control it all," Utah State coach Stew Morrill said. "He's like a spring just waiting to go off."

When he does go off, he's spectacular.

And lately, he's been going off a lot more often — and with a lot more control.

Tonight, the 15-6 Aggies — winners of five in a row and poised to make another run at a WAC regular season title — host San Jose State. And Jardine, who has seen his playing time increase to 15 minutes per game during WAC play, will be one of the first off the bench — having earned those minutes and Morrill's trust with his calmer approach to the game.

"I got to the point where I decided to just go out and enjoy playing," Jardine said after he helped USU beat Idaho in Moscow last weekend. "I was putting too much pressure on myself. Now, I'm just letting the game come to me and enjoying my time on the court."

Which makes sense, considering the enjoyment he's providing the Aggie fans who eagerly anticipate one of his highlight-reel plays.

Though just 6-foot-7, Jardine is the Aggie who plays above the rim more than anyone else on the roster. According to the Utah State media guide, Jardine has a 43-inch vertical jump.

The athleticism, coupled with perhaps a touch of overconfidence that came from being able to do virtually anything he wanted while on a high school basketball floor, led to some awkward — and frustrating — moments as a freshman.

What began as a redshirt season changed 11 games into the year when USU center Modou Niang broke a bone in his hand. Short on post depth, Morrill had no choice but to take the redshirt off Jardine before he was truly ready to play.

The result was a 34-percent shooting season and twice as many personal fouls as baskets.