Utah State basketball: Aggies picked 2nd in WAC hoops

Replacing an All-American like Jaycee Carroll is never easy. But when most of the other top schools in the Western Athletic Conference are also in a bit of a rebuilding process with their own top stars gone, it might not be as hard for Utah State.

Despite losing Carroll — USU's all-time leading scorer and the WAC player of the year — and point guard Kris Clark, the 2007-08 co-cahmpion Aggies were picked by both the league's coaches and media to finish second this season. Last year's co-champion Nevada, who also lost a couple of star players, is the overwhelming favorite to be the champion again when the 2008-09 season wraps up.

"With us being picked second, it really shows how much the conference lost from last year and all the unknowns of the teams around the league," USU coach Stew Morrill said. "Despite all the players the WAC lost, I still think we have some high-caliber teams in this league and it is going to be a fun and unpredictable year."

Aggie center Gary Wilkinson, who averaged 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last year, was the preseason player of the year according to the media, while Nevada's Arman Johnson, last year's freshman of the year, got the same honor from the coaches.

Sophomore forward Tai Wesley (9.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game) was named to the second team by the coaches.

Those two are joined by sophomore Tyler Newbold as returning starters.

Replacing Carroll's production may be impossible right away. Finding someone to step into Clark's role as a playmaking, ball-distributing point guard might be an even more important task.

"Obviously, we're going to miss that," Morrill said of Clark, the school's top single-season assists record-holder. "He had the extreme luxury of feeding very efficient players."

Taking over for Clark will be a combination of players led by JC transfers Jared Quayle and Richard Sirju in addition to redshirt freshman Jaxon Myaer.

"There's minutes to be had there," Morrill, expecting some fierce competition over the next few weeks, said.

After opening practice Friday at 7 p.m., the Aggies will prepare for their season-opener on Nov. 14 against Montana-Northern.

Unlike the men, the Utah State women's basketball team is trying to find its way to the top half of the WAC standings. After years of struggle, things are looking up a little bit.