Coach says basketball defense improved, still needs work
Better, but not perfect.
That was Utah State Head Coach Stew Morrill’s analysis of his basketball team’s defensive effort in Friday’s 90-74 exhibition victory over Division II Hawaii-Hilo.
The Aggies held the Vulcans scoreless for the final 8:38 of the first half en route to the 24-point victory.
After last week’s loss to Global Sports, Utah State Head Coach Stew Morrill wasn’t thrilled by the defensive performance, saying the team would have struggled to guard him.
The coach was a little happier with their effort this time around, but emphasized the need to continue learning and improving, especially for players new to his the system.
“I thought we got better with the week’s practice,” Morrill said. “I was
encouraged.”
Though the Aggies shut out the Vulcans for more than eight minutes at the end of the half Friday, Morrill said the defense was inconsistent.
“We still made a lot of mistakes,” he said. “We’ve still got a long ays to go.”
Aggie forward Spencer Nelson said he was happy to get a win, even one that won’t count in the standings.
“It’s important to realize we made a lot of mistakes, but obviously there’s a much better feeling in the locker room and everyone’s attitude when we get a win and everybody contributes,” he said.
Nelson credited guards Cardell Butler and Chris Huber for disrupting Hilo’s offense and closing their passing lanes.
Center Mike Ahmad echoed Morrill and Nelson’s feelings.
“As a whole I think we did a great job defensively, but there still is a lot of we’ve got to work on,” he said.
Nelson, Ahmad and Butler helped the Aggies on the offensive end of the court as well. Nelson scored 19 points while Ahmad added 17 and Butler scored 14.
Utah State had a better night shooting compared to last week as well. The Aggies shot 56.5 percent from the floor compared to 45.9 percent last week.
The Aggies opened the game with three consecutive three-point plays. Butler and Huber each hit treys, while Nelson was fouled while making a shot and converted on the free throw.
Quotables
“We had better individual performances from a lot of guys.” -Utah State Head Coach Stew Morrill, comparing Friday’s win to last week’s loss to Global Sports
By the numbers
5,585- paid attendance for Friday’s game.
56.5- USU’s shooting percentage for the game.
25- score Hawaii-Hilo stayed at for the final 8:38 of the first half.
24-Utah State’s margin of victory
21-straight points the Aggies scored while the Vulcans were stuck at 25 in the first half.
19- team-high number of points scored by Spencer Nelson
10- number of Utah State players who scored in the game
3- Aggies from the state of Utah
-royburton@cc.usu.edu