Aggie Notebook
Dropping 3-bombs
The Aggies had a variety of players convert on 3-pointers at key moments in the second half. It was a Jaycee Caroll 3-pointer a minute into the final half that gave the Aggies their first lead of the game at 31-30. Nine minutes later, Aggie guard Kris Clark drained a trey to give Utah State a seven-point lead-its biggest advantage at that point of the game. With just less than 10 minutes to go, the next USU 3-ball was from an unlikely candidate-6-foot-9-inch forward Gary Wilkinson. His trey was an answer to a 3-pointer by Santa Clara guard Jonathan Gunderson. Two minutes after that, Utah State junior guard Desmond Stephens responded to another Gunderson 3-ball to give the Aggies a four-point lead. At the 4:17 mark, Clark, who ended the game with four assists and zero turnovers, found Carroll for another triple for an eight-point lead. The Broncos missed a field goal, and Clark led a fast break where he found Carroll on the left wing for yet another 3-pointer. It capped an 8-0 Utah State run and got the Spectrum rocking. “I’m really glad Kris Clark has basketball knowledge,” said Carroll, who was 4-of-7 from behind the line. “I probably should buy him a steak dinner … It was just an overall good game by him.” After finishing the first half 1-of-5 from 3-point range, the Aggies ended the game 7-of-17.
Carroll the best two-guard in the country?
Bronco first-year head coach Kerry Keating liked what he saw from Carroll and his 25-point, one-turnover performance. “Jaycee Caroll made three plays in a row,” Keating said. “Twenty-four-year-old senior All-American, and that is what we have to get to is to develop a level of toughness to have a player understand, especially when you’re at home, when it is time to make plays, you make plays. “I told Jaycee after the game that I am going to start encouraging people to understand that he is the best two-guard in the country. He better play like it the rest of the season.”
Santa Clara ‘savvy’
On the other side of the hall, Aggie Head Coach Stew Morrill threw a compliment Santa Clara’s way. With three players scoring in double figures and giving the Aggies a challenge in the rowdy spectrum, Morrill said he was nothing but impressed with the Broncos and their first-year head coach. “Their whole team has so much savvy,” Morrill said. “I really like their team. They knocked the crap out of us.” On the game, the Broncos shot 54 percent on field goals and 46 percent from 3-point range. Morrill liking the two-point guard look
At certain times Saturday night, Morrill played two point guards on the floor at the same time. “It gives us a different look,” he said. “I like the potential of this lineup at times. We’re better on the break with two point guards out there. It makes some sense.” He said he will continue to do it, but not for the entire game. For the most part it was Stephens and Clark on the court at the same time. Morrill said Stephens, who tallied a season-high nine points, is making progress and ready to play more minutes.
Morrill to Aggie fans: Keep it up
The 9,345 Spectrum fans present Saturday were in top form. With the close games the Aggies have had, Morrill couldn’t be happier. “It’s nice to be home and have 9,000-plus fans helping you, jeering the officials, having a good time,” Morrill said. “We appreciate that.” The Aggies have now won 19 of their last 25 games decided by six or fewer points and improved their Spectrum record to 129-12 under Morrill. That includes a 61-4 mark against non-league opponents. -samuel.hislop@aggiemail.usu.edu