The Aggies went 30-3 (15-1) with a win at St. Mary's and losses at BYU and at Georgetown. The Aggies return 4 starters from last season (a squad that posted a 27-8 overall record, including a 14-2 mark in the WAC). The Aggies were projected to win the WAC.
The Aggies are lead by F Tai Wesley and G's Brockeith Pane and Brian Green. Wesley is averaging 15 points/game (leads the team), 8 rebounds/game (leads the team) and 2 assists/game. Wesley is a first-team All-WAC performer who has done everything asked of him since landing in Logan, Utah. Last year, Wesley finished fourth in the WAC in field-goal percentage, fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio, sixth in blocked shots, 10th in rebounding, 11th in assists, 13th in scoring and 15th in free-throw percentage. Wesley is the only player in school history to produce 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 blocks.
Pane is averaging 12 points/game, 3 rebounds/game and 3 assists/game (co leads the team with G Tyler Newbold). Pane is a 6'2" JUCO transfer who averaged 12 points and 3 assists at Midland Junior College in Texas.
Green is averaging 11 points/game, 2 rebounds/game and 2 assists/game. Green was on the league's all-newcomer team last season. He was tops in the league in three-point shooting, hitting a staggering 50 percent.
G Newbold is averaging 7 points/game, 4 rebounds/game and 3 assists/game (co leads the team with Pane). Newbold averaged 3 assists last year and is counted on to distribute the basketball.
Utah State brings eight proven letter winners to the table with seven recruits to blend into the mix. Head coach Stew Morrill wins EVERY year and has won EVERYWHERE he has been. This is NOT the type of opponent I thought that the Cats would draw in the First Round of the Tournament before the season started. That being said.....I think we can, and will, win this game mainly because of Curtis Kelly. He MUST bring it for the Cats.
