Utah State basketball: Aggies respected in WAC polls despite youth

LOGAN — A new era is dawning for Utah State basketball. Gone are last year's six seniors — including four starters — and in come an array of talented freshmen and junior college transfers.

"We have 17 guys at practice every day, but only five have ever checked into a game at Utah State," said Aggies coach Stew Morrill.

Even with question marks at nearly every position Utah State was picked to win the WAC by the media and was selected to finish third by the coaches.

"Both polls reflect our past success rather than our current situation," said Morrill. "The coaches considered that we lost the most valuable player, four starters and six seniors. The media did not. We appreciate the respect given to our program and yet understand that preseason polls mean nothing other than getting people excited for the upcoming season."

Morrill expressed optimism for the team's upcoming season, but also concern regarding the sheer amount of new players in the program.

"I'm hoping to have some patience because this year will take some," said Morrill, adding that he could not remember the last time he had so many new faces on a team.

The first few practices have been a test of Morrill's patience. Morrill went as far as to compare them to the famous Abbott and Costello comedy routine, "Who's on First?" because nobody knows where they are supposed to be on the floor yet.

While Morrill is worried about teaching this new crop of players, opposing coaches were quick to give Morrill and the Aggies credit for their continued success year after year.

"We all know Coach Morrill does a great job getting those guys to play every year," said Nevada coach David Carter, whose Wolfpack were picked by the coaches to win the league. "You always expect them to contend for a championship."

Senior point guard Brockeith Pane is the only starter to return for the Aggies. Pane was voted as the preseason Player of the Year by the media and was selected first-team preseason All-WAC by the coaches. Fellow senior Brady Jardine joined Pane as a preseason honoree after he was voted as second-team preseason All-WAC by the coaches.

Jardine was the Aggies' sixth man last year, but will be in the starting lineup this season at the power forward spot, and occasionally at center according to Morrill.