OUR VIEW: Fourth place a chance for a great season

At first glance, the fourth-place pre-season ranking for men’s basketball looks like a gross error on the part of coaches and media in the WAC. After tying for second place during the regular season with an 11-5 conference record and advancing to the first round of the NCAA tournament, a fourth-place ranking might seem like a slap in the face.

On closer examination, however, a fourth-place pre-season ranking is not only a good place to be, but might be accurate.

Consider the fact that the basketball team only returns two starters and five lettermen from last year and that USU has a very young team. Junior guard Jaycee Carroll and senior small forward Durrall Peterson are the big returners for the Aggie squad. So, while the perimeter is effectively staffed, the lack of aggressive big men down low will prove a challenge for the Aggies.

With a young team with plenty of potential, fourth place is a good place to be. If USU was ranked first, the expectations would be extremely high throughout the WAC and NCAA. A few losses would be a major disappointment and the team would quickly fall from grace in the eyes of the teams in the WAC and the media.

However, at fourth place, USU maintains a respectable position with plenty of room to grow. Considering the amount of talent the team returns and the amount of untapped potential the team has brought on board, and the Aggies are a major contender for the WAC championship title as usual. Fourth place allows the Aggies to rise through the rankings and show progress as games are won.

Even Stew Morrill, head coach of the basketball team, said he thought fourth place was an accurate position of where the team is at going into the season.

The first-place finisher, Nevada, and second-place team, New Mexico State, are accurate predictions since they return multiple starters. Last season both teams proved a challenge for the Aggies, and will likely do so again. However, pre-season rankings are only early estimates and the real measure of success is what happens on the court during conference play.

So, while the Aggies might not be on top, the talent is there and the team can climb the rankings for a dramatic come-from-behind championship title.