Aggies close book on 2012-13 season
Despite its 14th-consecutive season with more than 20 wins, the Utah State men’s basketball team failed to reach the postseason.
“The situation was such that I think we made the right call,” USU head coach Stew Morrill said. “With it being a little uncertain whether we would get (a CIT invite) or not and with all our injuries, plus the fact that we’d played in the CIT the year before, there were no second thoughts. The decision made sense. It was a joint decision.”
It was certainly a unique and memorable season for the Aggies.
After a 14-1 start, Aggie faithful had high hopes despite early season departures and the still-lingering heartbreak of Brady Jardine’s shortened career.
But in the blink of an eye, it all changed.
Danny Berger’s heart stopping started it all in December, and it’s been a long road for the Aggies, but from start to finish USU basketball showed just how far heart and will can carry a team.
“I remember having such a great feeling after these guys had adjusted and went to Idaho and won,” Morrill said, “We had had the tough losses against Arlington and LA Tech and were trying to figure ourselves out a little bit. It would have been real easy to just say ‘Well, we’re not going to be able to win any games,’ but there was just a good feeling.”
Adjust the Aggies did.
After losing Berger, USU didn’t skip a beat over the course of December to mid-January, reeling off 10 straight wins, including a tournament victory in the World Vision Challenge sponsored by Gossner Food.
Then came the season-ending injuries to Preston Medlin and Kyisean Reed on the road at New Mexico State.
A four-game losing streak followed, but again the Aggies righted the ship with three straight conference road wins to breathe hope and life into a grave situation.
“They had a real good feeling about it and winning those three on the road,” Morrill said. “Under the circumstances, New Mexico State was a great win. We rallied at BYU, but close only counts in horseshoes. I was very proud of the group we had left and our situation.”
Utah State pushed forward, reaching the 20-win plateau for the 14th consecutive season despite the adversity – becoming one of six teams in the country to accomplish the feat.
One last injury hiccup to Spencer Butterfield put a scare in Aggie Nation, but the resiliency again showed after the Aggies overcame a 19-point first half deficit in the first round of the WAC tournament before suffering defeat in the final minutes.
Now, with the season complete and the lockers empty, Morrill and the players can look forward to starting a fresh chapter as the Aggies jump from the WAC to the Mountain West conference in 2013.
“Until we’ve played in that league, I don’t think we know exactly how our talent level stacks up,” Morrill said. “You always gain a greater respect for the coaching in a league when you’re a part of it. I think we’ll learn as we go.”
With Kyisean Reed as the only graduating senior, the Aggies focus is on rest and rehabilitation. Morrill said he’d be surprised if Berger wasn’t given a medical redshirt by the NCAA at the end of postseason tournaments.
“I think there’s a great chance. It’s not determined until the end of the year when the NCAA looks at it. I can’t believe it won’t happen,” Morrill said. “The guy had a major heart attack for goodness sake. I’d think he’d get a medical redshirt. I don’t think there’s a lot of doubt about that, but it hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
Spencer Butterfield will undergo off-season surgery to repair his hip, but Morrill said Medlin’s is healing well, as is Marcel Davis’ ankle.
“Preston is getting his range of motion back. We’re not rushing that thing at all since there’s no immediacy while we’re not playing,” Morrill said. “We’ve got some guys healing up. Marcel has had ankle issues that are just a matter of getting some time off. We’re not looking at a surgery situation there.”
Sean Harris is another player that’s had his share of injuries, but Morrill said the Aggies are looking forward to having all the players back in full health.
“We’re optimistic and excited about the Mountain West. We are well aware that it is a big step,” Morrill said. “We’ll find out if we’ve got the talent level and the coaching level and all that to compete in that league. Obviously that’s something that our guys are excited about. We’re going to have a great off-season and get through our injuries.”
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