Column: Sam Merrill and Neemias Queta, legends of the present

“Winning team, losing team, winning team, losing team!” The epic chant echoed throughout the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Saturday night, signifying a big conference win for Utah State over Boise State and sending the crowd into a frenzy. On a night we celebrated Aggie legends of the past – Wayne Estes and LaDell Anderson among others – we were able to witness the legends of the present, Sam Merrill and Neemias Queta, dawn the blue “State” across their jerseys and lead the team to victory. 

In February of his senior year, Merrill is on the last leg of his illustrious college career. The sharp-shooting captain is four points away from eclipsing the 2,000 points mark and six points away from surpassing Estes as the third leading scorer in Aggie history. But his skills go beyond just his shooting. The 2018-19 Mountain West Player of the Year’s ability to defend opposing teams best guards, his leadership on the court and a fierce competitive drive have made him a true star.

By the end of his sophomore year, Merrill had already proven himself as the Aggies’ go-to player, but in order to push this team over the top, they had to fill in some holes. Craig Smith was hired in the spring of 2018 as the new head coach of the program and one of his first orders of business was bringing in a 7’0” lanky kid from Portugal: Neemais Queta. 

Queta, the 2018-19 defensive player of the year in the Mountain West, is likely to go pro after this season. In his two seasons with the team, he has become the perfect complement to Sam Merrill, ala Rudy Gobert to Donavan Mitchell on the Utah Jazz. His stifling defense, whimsical offensive abilities and giant heart have given this team a devastating one-two punch. Last year, that dynamic duo led them to a conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, and this year is keeping them in the tournament conversation. Queta has been hampered by a knee injury this season, but has been healthy for several games now, and is looking as good as ever. 

So that is what we have: two guys that embody what Utah State is all about. Merrill, the low-key, humble guy who has a drive to win that is unmatchable. And Queta, who treats everyone he meets off the court like a million bucks but will swat the soul out of anyone who tests him on the court. Regardless of what happens down the stretch this year, Merrill and Queta will be revered in Aggie history forever. 

But their story is not yet over. 

Teetering on the bubble of making the tournament, these final five regular season games for the Aggies are critical, needing to win most, if not all of them. Getting the win at Colorado State Tuesday, taking care of business against the last four teams, then showing well at the conference tournament is likely what it will take to get into the big dance. But with these two guys on our side, we are fully capable. We have already seen it happen this year. Sam led the team to epic wins against LSU and Florida. Queta put the team on his back against UNLV and Boise to secure vital conference victories. 

The circumstances may be difficult, but this is what you want to see. One team, a great team, led by two great players, who have this final opportunity to do something special together. To make the NCAA Tournament, and to lead Utah State to its first tournament win since 2001. Their backs may be against the wall, but they control their own destiny, and that’s all you could ask for, really. So savor these last games, however many there are left, of Sam Merrill and Neemais Queta representing the Aggie blue and fighting white. They may just do something special, and make our squad the winning team, just like the crowd chanted Saturday night.

Editor’s note: This column was written prior to Tuesday’s game against Colorado State.

Twitter: @jacobnielson12