With four starters as well as a trio of valuable bench players returning Utah State appears to be loaded for another run at the Western Athletic Conference title and the top 25.

But they'll have to start their defense of the WAC crown without two backcourt players when practice officially opens today.

Starting swingman Pooh Williams and backup point guard Jaxon Myaer will be at practice, but won't be on the court.

"Those are veteran kids that won't be with us when we start," Utah State coach Stew Morrill said Thursday, the day before NCAA basketball teams are allowed to hold official full practices. "We'd like to go into the season healthy, but that's not the case."

Williams had surgery on what Morrill called a "pre-stress fracture" in his foot and had a screw placed and is out 4 to 6 weeks. Myaer broke his cheekbone about two weeks ago and will be out of practice for a few weeks as well.

Still, Utah State will be among the favorites to win the WAC title this season. After winning the regular season and conference tournament titles, the Aggies return stars Jared Quayle, Tyler Newbold and Tai Wesley.

Only WAC player of the year Gary Wilkinson and sixth man Stavon Williams are not returning as rotation regulars from USU's 30-5 team of last year.

In their place, Morrill welcomes Nate Bendall — a 6-foot-9 junior transfer from the national champion SLCC team, who spent his freshman season at USU — and Brian Green.

Green also played at SLCC before serving an LDS mission.

The Aggies also welcome key reserves Matt Formisano and Brady Jardine as well as 6-10 sophomore Modou Niang, who broke a hand a few games into last season.

With a few freshmen newcomers thrown into the mix, Morrill will have his work cut out for him in dividing the minutes.

"The next few weeks are probably my favorite time of year," Morrill said, explaining he can concentrate on teaching rather than game planning.

The injuries to Myaer and Williams, though, create an interesting dynamic that will see Green fighting it out with true freshmen wings Tyrone White and Preston Medlin for early playing time while Williams heals.

"The door, the window, the whole side of the house is open for somebody to step in," Morrill said. "They all have a chance to play. They gotta play."

Utah State opens the season in just two weeks with an exhibition game against Northwest Nazarene and faces Weber State in the regular season opener on Nov. 13.

The WAC preseason polls will be out on Oct. 20.

e-mail: jeborn@desnews.com