Morrill looks for balanced attack as season begins Friday
Utah State men’s basketball Head Coach Stew Morrill says this year’s group of players “has a lot of real good teamism.”
Teamism?
You won’t find the word in a dictionary, but Morrill’s definition would include unselfishness and consistency on the court, principles he preaches every preseason.
“We’re going to have to have a lot of guys consistently do their job night in and night out,” he said.
The Aggies were picked to finish second in the Big West preseason media and coaches polls, despite not returning first- or second-team all-conference player for the first time in four years.
Last year, Utah State, led by two-time all-conference forward Desmond Penigar, finished third in the league. The Aggies won the Big West Conference Tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to Kansas 64-61 in the first round.
Morrill said this year’s Aggies don’t have a dominant scorer like Penigar, but will rely on a combined effort from every team member.
“We’re not going to have anybody average 20 [points per game],” Morrill said. “We’ve got to have real good balance for this team to be successful.”
Morrill said the team isn’t where it needs to be at, but the players have good attitudes, are coachable, and work to get better.
“I don’t think we have any players who are worried about individual stats,” he said.
Junior forward Spencer Nelson said the team has a single focus this year.
“Win the Big West and go to the NCAA tournament,” Nelson said. “That’s the only goal I have this season.”
Nelson said the preseason ranking is based on past success and respect for Utah State’s coaches and program, but “it’s a whole new year.”
Take preseason rankings with a grain of salt, Morrill said.
“View it positively, be happy about it, but it really doesn’t have anything to do with this year,” he said.
Senior Cardell Butler said the seniors and experienced players need to demonstrate leadership on the court.
“We’ve got a lot more new guys than last year,” Butler said. “It’s time for some of the vets to step up.”
Butler said the team needs to improve defensively.
“Coach stresses it so much, I think guys on the team think about it too much,” he said. “Just guard. The more you think about it, the more mistakes you make.”
Morrill said the team has better size than it had a year ago but doesn’t have the same quickness.
“When you’re not as quick, you have to make fewer mistakes,” he said.
Only time will tell how good the Aggies can be this year, Morrill said.
“I don’t think you ever know until you get into the meat of the season where you’re at or if your talent level is good enough to compete at a high end of the league,” he said.
Utah State split its two exhibition season games, losing to Global Sports 76-74 before blowing out Division II Hawaii-Hilo 94-70.
The regular season begins Friday against the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks.
The Aggies’ pre-conference schedule includes road games against in-state rivals Weber State and Utah, as well as a home game against BYU Dec. 23.
Utah State will also take on Illinois State, Idaho State and Jackson State before hosting the Gossner Foods Classic Dec. 29 and 30.
Conference play begins Jan. 3.
“This is a really good preseason schedule,” Morrill said. “It will tell us a whole lot about where we’re at and where we’re going.”
The Gossner Classic will feature San Francisco, UTSA and New Mexico State.
Morrill is excited about the Classic.
“Our tournament is better than it’s ever been,” he said. Point guards
Morrill is optimistic about this year’s group of guards.
“I think we can end up having pretty good depth at the guard positions,” he said.
Mark Brown sat out the two exhibition games with a strained hamstring, but figures to start at point guard. As an honorable mention all-conference player last year, Brown averaged 8.6 points per game as a junior.
Senior Calvin Brown will also contribute at the point, Morrill said.
“Calvin is in his fourth year and certainly can give us some help,” he said.
Shooting guards
Butler will be the starting shooting guard. He averaged 16 points per game during the conference tournament last year to help the team to the title.
Dixie State transfer guard Chris Huber will see playing time at both guard positions.
“I normally don’t ask a new player to play two spots, but he’s a bright kid and he understands basketball,” Morrill said.
JC transfers Quenton Harvey and Tyler Williams will also vie for time.
Morrill said Harvey is “going to do nothing but get better. He’s a very good shooter.”
Small forwards
“The ‘three’ position is probably the most up-in-the-air spot right now,” Morrill said. “We’re trying to get someone to emerge. Somebody needs to step forward.”
Competing for the spot will be senior Chad Evans, redshirt junior John Neil, and JC transfer Jason Williams, also a junior.
Power forwards
Morrill said the Aggies have two experienced returners in Nelson and sophomore Nate Harris.
Nelson, a 6-8 junior, was a Big West Co-Hustle Player of the Year and also an honorable mention all-conference last year, leading the league in rebounds with 7.4 per game.
Nelson will be counted on for leadership as well as rebounds. He led the Aggies with 19 points against Hawaii-Hilo.
“If he’ll keep his confidence level high, I think [Nelson] can have an awfully productive year,” Morrill said.
To go to a smaller lineup at times, Morrill said he may use Harris at center alongside Nelson.
Centers
Senior Mike Ahmad redshirted last year, giving him a chance to learn Morrill’s system. Morrill has been happy with the results so far.
“I’ve been real pleased with Ahmad’s play,” he said.
The 6-9 center scored 17 against Hawaii-Hilo.
Junior Ian McVey, another 6-9 redshirt center, will also look to earn playing time.
Morrill said as long as the other centers remain healthy, he will try to redshirt Brazilian transfer Cassiano Matheus.
“His future is exciting,” Morrill said. “If he gets a year in our system, we think he’ll have a larger role next year.”
-royburton@cc.usu.edu