2008-09 season will go down as one of the best in USU baskeball history
As the final buzzer sounded at the Taco Bell Arena last Friday morning, it was hard to believe that the 2008-09 men’s basketball season was actually at an end.
This season was one of the greatest seasons in USU basketball history and was marked by thrilling victories, a 19-game win streak, a national ranking and national attention and the most wins ever by the program.
It was an amazing season, and that’s how it should be remembered.
Heading into this season, this team was a question mark after losing the WAC MVP and all-time leading scorer Jaycee Carroll as well as its starting point guard. After a few early bumps in the road, any questions were quickly answered.
Gary Wilkinson, this squad’s lone senior, led the Aggies with solid and consistent play while the sophomore trio of Tai Wesley, Tyler Newbold and Pooh Williams provided solid play with a year under their belt.
Probably the biggest key to USU’s success, though, was the emergence of Jared Quayle. The junior transfer from Western Wyoming Community College made the switch to point guard early on, and once he found his comfort zone huge dividends paid off.
Quayle went on to become the Aggies second-leading scorer as he averaged 13.1 points per game. However, even more impressive was the guard’s prowess for corralling rebounds as he finished second in the team in that category as well, averaging six a game.
Just as instrumental as the starters was the bench play.
From a game-winning shot by Matt Formisano to dizzying 3-point barrages by Stavon Williams to key shots by Jaxon Myaer and others, the play of the Aggie bench and the ability for anybody to contribute at any time helped make this team dangerous.
After such a great season, it may be hard to top – but hey, that’s a familiar tune.
Wilkinson is the lone graduating player, and with the sophomore trio mentioned above a year older and wiser, along with Quayle having another year in head coach Stew Morrill’s system, the 2009-2010 teams looks like it should challenge for No. 1 in the conference again.
That’s looking ahead, though.
Right now it’s time to remember the momentous season that most recently unfolded in front of us. It’s time to remember Wesley’s tip-in to beat Utah, USU’s second consecutive WAC regular season championship and first ever WAC tournament championship. It’s time to remember Newbold’s jumper that gave USU that opportunity and it’s time to remember the first 30-win season in school history and in Morrill’s career.
Next season has the potential to be great, but there’s no rush to look ahead.
–t.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu