Sports Recap
Different year, same result.
Utah State lost its opening exhibition game, 86-81, to EA Sports Wednesday night at the Spectrum.
This was the third straight year that EA Sports has beat the Aggies.
With just under two minutes left in the game, a steal and emphatic dunk by USU’s DeUndrae Spraggins gave Utah State an 81-80 lead. Unfortunately for the 8,595 fans in attendance, those would be the last points of the game for Utah State.
EA Sports went on to score six straight points and left the Aggies wondering what happened.
“It looked to me like we couldn’t guard anybody,” USU Head Coach Stew Morrill said. “They’re not getting the message. I’ve been trying to get to them loud and clear, but we’re not getting it.”
Utah State seemed to be in control of the game late in the first half when they held a 42-33 lead with one minute left. However, a Tai Wesley turnover led to an easy layup for EA Sports, which started a 6-0 run to end the half and decrease the Aggie lead to three, 42-39.
“The end of the first half was a joke,” Morrill said. “We had a pretty nice lead, and we had the second group come in there and just give up stupid plays.”
Morrill said looking at the stat sheet is easy evidence as to why Utah State lost.
“They shoot 58 percent from the floor and 70 from the 3,” Morrill said. “That will get you beat. I don’t care who you play.”
The Aggies, on the other hand, shot 48.3 percent from the field and only 30 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
EA Sports was led by former Boise State star Roberto Bergersen, who scored 20 points, including 4-of-5 from the 3-point line. Former Gonzaga player Cory Violette chipped in 13 points.
“It’s a learning experience for us,” Aggie junior forward Gary Wilkinson said. “We need to get better defensively, and I think that is what this game showed us-where we stand and where we really need to improve.”
Wilkinson led the way for the Aggies with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. Senior guard Jaycee Carroll was held to only 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting.
“They had an idea on how to stop us tonight, especially Jaycee,” Wilkinson said. “They are a very good and mature team.”
Morrill said the team can look at the loss two ways. First, they were beat by a very good, experienced team that was just bigger and stronger. Or second, they got outplayed.
“Anytime you get beat, you don’t need to rationalize anything,” Morrill said. “We just got our butts whipped, and they out-physicalled us, they out-experienced us, and they outsmarted us.”
Morrill specifically mentioned rebounding. Utah State was out-rebounded 29-24 for the game. The Aggies were able to pull in 12 offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points. Unfortunately, they also gave up 10 offensive boards to EA Sports.
“We got to take it personally if we get out-rebounded-especially as post players,” Wilkinson said.
After the game, there was one word thrown around that Morrill said will be key for the Aggies to bounce back.
Urgency.
The team hasn’t had it, Morrill said, and they need to get it if they are going to correct the errors they saw Wednesday night.
“They’re correctable errors, but you better start paying attention, you’re not getting it,” Morrill said. “I mean, you better start listening in the film room, you better start feeling some urgency on the court and in practice. I am the only one who has had enough urgency around here.”
After a 20-minute post-game speech, Wilkinson eemed to finally understand what Morrill was talking about.
“We need a sense of urgency and to have that day in and day out,” Wilkinson said.
Morrill emphasized just because the Aggies were picked first in the preseason coaches poll for the Western Athletic Conference does not signify they are a good team
“Your not good because somebody says your good,” Morrill said. “You’re only good if you are good. We’re no different than the team that was picked to finish last in the WAC.”
Next up for Utah State is its second and final exhibition game Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Spectrum. The Aggies will welcome Laval University from Quebec, Canada.
Morrill said he hopes the Aggies will be able to now move on from any preseason hype and focus on being competitive.
“Maybe we better realize that we haven’t even proven were a competitive WAC team instead of thinking, ‘Oh, well some people think were pretty good,'” Morrill said. “We aren’t good right now.”
-sam.bryner@aggiemail.usu.edu