Dec. 27, 2008
LOGAN, Utah -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
GAME 11Utah State (9-1) vs. Howard (1-8)Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 • 8:00 p.m. (MT) • Logan, UtahDee Glen Smith Spectrum (10,270) • Aggie Radio Network
GAME DAY HEADLINES
• Utah State is in its 104th season of basketball this year and has an overall record of 1,379-990 (.582). USU hasn't had a losing season since the 1992-93 campaign, a span of 15 years, when that team finished with a 10-17 record.
• Utah State's 9-1 start to the 2008-09 season is its best since it began the 2003-04 campaign with a 20-1 record. Overall, it is the third time under head coach Stew Morrill that USU has started a season with a 9-1 record.
• Utah State has won 58 straight regular season non-conference home games, which is the second-longest streak in the nation behind Duke who has won 60 straight. When including postseason play, USU has won 34 straight home games against non-conference opponents and 58 of its last 60 overall. The last time Utah State lost a non-conference home game during the regular season was on Jan. 8, 2000 against BYU, 82-73.
• Utah State is 147-12 (.925) in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum under Coach Morrill, which includes a 71-4 (.947) record against non-league opponents. Overall, USU is 441-105 (.808) in 39 years in the building.
• Utah State has won 22 straight games inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, which is the seventh-longest active winning streak in the country. BYU has won 53 straight home games, which is the longest streak in the nation.
• Utah State is 31-1 all-time in tournaments it hosts as it went 26-0 in the Gossner Foods Holiday Classic (1994-2007) and 5-1 in the Big Blue Classic (1971-1972, 1982), with its only loss coming to Wyoming on Dec. 28, 1971 by a final score of 92-85, in the championship game of the 1971 Big Blue Classic.
• As of December 27, Utah State ranks third in the nation in field goal shooting at 51.5 percent. Individually, senior forward Gary Wilkinson ranks 12th in the nation in field goal shooting at 64.3 percent.
• Utah State is 58-17 (.773) in games played in December under Coach Morrill, which includes a 48-1 home record. In fact, USU has won 48 straight home games during the month of December. USU is also 18-7 (.720) all-time in known games played on Dec. 29, and 10-5 (.667) in games played on Monday under Morrill.
THIS WEEK
Utah State (9-1) will continue its season-long five-game homestand this week as it hosts Howard (1-8), Houston Baptist (0-12) and Wyoming (9-2) in the Duel in the Desert sponsored by Gossner Foods from Monday, Dec. 29 through Wednesday, Dec. 31. Games will begin at 5:30 p.m. each night, with USU play all three of its games at 8 p.m.
DUEL IN THE DESERT MATCHUPS
On Monday, Dec. 29, Houston Baptist and Wyoming will play at 5:30 p.m., followed by Utah State versus Howard at 8 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Howard and Wyoming will play at 5:30 p.m., followed by Utah State versus Houston Baptist at 8 p.m. And on Wednesday, Dec. 31, Houston Baptist and Howard will play at 5:30 p.m., followed by Utah State versus Wyoming at 8 p.m.
ON THE AIR
Utah State basketball games are broadcast on KVNU (610 AM) and KLZX (95.9 FM) in Logan, Utah, KFAN (1320 AM) or ESPN Radio (1230 AM) in Salt Lake City and KLZX (105.3 FM) in Montpelier, Idaho, as well as on the internet at www.UtahStateAggies.com. Al Lewis serves as the play-by-play announcer while Rod Tueller serves as the analyst during home games.
ON THE INTERNET
All of Utah State's home games are available for fans to listen and watch live via the internet at www.UtahStateAggies.com. Aggie fans will also be able to follow Utah State home games through its web site via GameTracker, a program that documents each play and updates statistics. Fans can also listen to every road game live via USU's web site.
LOOKING AT UTAH STATE
Utah State is 9-1 this year after recording a 66-64 home win against Utah in its last game Monday night. USU is led by senior forward Gary Wilkinson who is averaging 17.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and shooting 64.3 percent from the field and 81.0 percent from the free throw line. The Aggies have two other players scoring in double-figures as sophomore forward Tai Wesley is averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 71.4 percent from the field and 75.0 percent from the free throw line, and junior guard Jared Quayle is averaging 10.0 points and 4.9 rebounds, and shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from three-point range, and 74.2 percent from the free throw line. As a team, Utah State is scoring 71.5 points per game and shooting 51.5 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three-point range, and 73.9 percent from the free throw line. Defensively, USU is allowing 58.1 points and its opponents are shooting 40.6 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from three-point range, and 76.9 percent from the free throw line.
RANKING UTAH STATE IN THE WAC
As of Dec. 27, Utah State ranks first in the WAC in scoring margin (+13.4), field goal shooting (.515), scoring defense (58.1), and rebound margin (+9.0). USU also ranks second in free throw shooting (.739) and assists (15.90), and third in scoring (71.5) and field goal shooting defense (.406). Individually, senior forward Gary Wilkinson ranks third in the WAC in scoring (17.7) and field goal shooting (.6433), and fourth in free throw shooting (.810) and rebounding (7.8), while sophomore forward Tai Wesley ranks second in the WAC in field goal shooting (.714), fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.78), eighth in free throw shooting (.750), ninth in steals (1.40), 10th in assists (3.20), and 14th in rebounding (6.0).
UTAH STATE DURING ITS FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK
During its current four-game winning streak, Utah State is averaging 68.5 points and shooting 48.0 percent from the field, 29.9 percent from three-point range, and 75.3 percent from the free throw line, and out-rebounding its opponents by 4.5 boards. Defensively, USU is allowing 59.0 points, while its opponents are shooting 40.1 percent from the field, 30.4 percent from three-point range, and 82.6 percent from the free throw line.
UTAH STATE HASN'T TRAILED IN A GAME SINCE LOSING TO BRIGHAM YOUNG
Since its 68-63 loss to Brigham Young on Dec. 6, Utah State has played four games, including three on the road, and has never trailed in any of those four games, a total of 160 minutes. During those four games, Utah State led wire-to-wire at Utah Valley, and was tied just once early on at both Southern Utah and Idaho State. Against Utah, the score was tied seven times during the game, but USU never trailed.
COMPUTER RANKINGS
As of December 27, Utah State has an RPI of 43 and a strength of schedule of 215, while the WAC is currently ranked 13th out of 32 conferences. USU also has a sagarin rating of 45.
DID YOU KNOW?
Utah State is 9-2 in its last 11 games decided by two or fewer points, including four straight wins in games decided by a single point.
UP NEXT
Following play in the Duel in the Desert sponsored by Gossner Foods, Utah State will begin Western Athletic Conference action on Monday, Jan. 5 when it hosts Idaho (6-6) at 7 p.m.
RECAPPING THE UTAH GAME
Utah State's Spectrum magic lives on as Tai Wesley's tip-in with 0.1 second left propelled the Aggies past the Utes of Utah, 66-64, in another classic clash between the in-state foes who were meeting for the 221st time Monday. Wesley, a sophomore forward, put back sophomore Tyler Newbold's layup attempt after the Aggies inbounded the ball with 2.4 seconds remaining. After the officials reviewed the play, junior guard Jared Quayle knocked down Utah's last-ditch attempt to spark the celebration. It was USU's sixth-straight win over Utah in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum and the Aggies' seventh win over the Utes in the last 11 meetings overall. Monday was also the second time in as many match-ups in the Spectrum that the Beehive battle between the two teams came down to a last second shot as Chaz Spicer's three-pointer with less than two seconds left gave USU a 60-57 win in 2006. USU has won nine of its last 11 games overall decided by two points or fewer. The win improved Utah State's record to 9-1 overall. Utah lost for the fourth time in its last five outings and the Utes are 6-5 with the loss. Wesley led Utah State with 18 points, one of three Aggies in double-figures, as Quayle added 16 points and senior forward Gary Wilkinson tallied 14. Quayle and sophomore guard Pooh Williams dished out six assists each, career highs for both. Newbold pulled down a team-leading seven rebounds. Utah was led by Luke Neville's 25 points and 11 rebounds, both game highs, while Tyler Kepkay added 12 points and Carlon Brown tossed in 11. Kim Tillie notched 10 rebounds, helping Utah to a slight 36-35 rebounding edge, while Lawrence Borha distributed a game-high seven assists. There were seven ties in the game, but Utah State led throughout, pulling away from a 14-all tie with a 9-2 streak to take a 23-16 lead with 4:47 left after a Wilkinson layup. A tip-in by Tillie pulled Utah within 23-22 at the 3:16 mark, but the Aggies closed out the half with five unanswered points to go into intermission leading, 28-22. USU took its biggest lead of the night at 35-24 less than two minutes into the second stanza on a layup by Wesley. However, the Utes battled back to tie the game at 59-59 on a Nevill dunk with 3:36 to go, and the game was still tied at 64 with 29 seconds left on a runner by Brown. Quayle missed a jumper that went out-of-bounds to the Aggies with 2.4 seconds left, setting up the final drama. The Aggies shot 41.0 percent (25-of-61) from the field, hitting just 3-of-14 (21.4 percent) from three-point range as well as shooting 13-of-17 (76.5 percent) at the free throw line. The Utes were 24-of-54 (44.4 percent) shooting, including 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) behind the arc in addition to 14-of-17 (82.4 percent) free throw shooting.
NOTE-ABLES FROM THE UTAH GAME
Utah State improved to 7-0 this year and 189-21 over the last 10 years when leading at the half... USU shot under 50 percent from the field for the second straight game and for just the fourth time this year... USU had eight turnovers, marking the fifth time this year it has had single-digit turnovers in a game... USU has now won 17 straight home games against in-state opponents and is 19-1 at home versus the state of Utah under Coach Morrill... USU was out-rebounded for the first time this year, 36-35... USU shot a season-low 21.4 percent from three-point range (3-14)... The two made three-pointers by Utah is a season-low for a USU opponent this year... Jared Quayle scored in double-figures for the third straight game and for the fourth time this season, to go along with a season-high six assists... Tai Wesley scored in double-figures for the ninth time this year and 27th time in his career... Gary Wilkinson scored in double-figures for the eighth time this year and 36th time in his career... Pooh Williams had a career-high six assists and a career-high four rebounds... Stavon Williams played a season-high 23 minutes.
DEFENSE KEYS LAST TWO AGGIE WINS
Utah State's defense is the reason it has won its last two games as it has held its last two opponents to 41.1 percent shooting overall (44-107), including just 20.0 percent from three-point range (5-25).
UTAH STATE NEARLY UNBEATABLE WHEN ALLOWING FEWER THAN 60 POINTS
Utah State held each of its first four opponents this year under 60 points and has 51 straight games when allowing less than 60 points in a game. On the season, Utah State's opponents are averaging 58.1 points per game.
UTAH STATE PLAYING SOLID DEFENSE THIS YEAR
Utah State appears to be much improved on the defense end of the court this year as it has not allowed a single opponent to shoot over 45 percent from the field thus far, and the most points it has allowed in a single game is 68. On the season, USU's opponents are shooting 40.6 percent and averaging just 58.1 points per game. Last year, Utah State allowed 16 opponents to shoot better than 45 percent from the field while averaging 68.1 points.
AGGIES GET OUT-REBOUNDED FOR FIRST TIME THIS YEAR
Utah State was out-rebounded for the first time this season as Utah had a slight 36-35 advantage on the boards in USU's last game. On the season, Utah State is out-rebounding its opponents by an average of 9.0 boards per game and has out-rebounded five of its opponents by at least 10 boards.
UTAH STATE MAKING MORE FREE THROWS THAN ITS OPPONENTS HAVE ATTEMPTED
Through 10 games this year, Utah State continues to make more free throws (139) than its opponents have even attempted (134). Overall, USU is shooting 73.9 percent from the free throw line (139-188) and its opponents are shooting 76.9 percent (103-134).
SCOUTING HOWARD
Howard is 1-8 on the season following a 98-73 loss at Portland in its last game. The Bison started the season with a 47-45 home win against Oregon State and have since loss eight straight games, Howard, who is 0-4 on the road this year, is led by senior guard Eugene Myatt who is averaging 12.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. As a team, Howard is scoring 52.8 points per game and shooting 36.8 percent from the field, 27.1 percent from three-point range, and 58.7 percent from the free throw line. Defensively, it is allowing 69.6 points and its opponents are shooting 47.0 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from three-point range, and 72.5 percent from the free throw line. The Bison return all five starters and 10 letterwinners from last year's team that went 6-26 overall, including a 3-13 record in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Gil Jackson is in his fifth year as a collegiate head coach at Howard and has an overall coaching record of 23-78.
UTAH STATE-HOWARD SERIES HISTORY
Utah State and Howard will be meeting for the first time ever this week.
VERSUS THE MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Utah State is 2-0 all-time against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as it has 1-0 records against Norfolk State and South Carolina State. USU defeated Norfolk State, 84-71, in Logan on Dec. 29, 1999 in the first day of the 1998 Gossner Foods Holiday Classic and then defeated South Carolina State, 82-60, in the first day of the 2004 Gossner Foods Holiday Classic. USU head coach Stew Morrill is 3-0 all-time against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with wins against Norfolk State and South Carolina State while at USU, along with a win against Florida A&M while the head coach at Montana.
SCOUTING HOUSTON BAPTIST
Houston Baptist is 0-12 on the season following an 80-78 home loss against Wisconsin-Green Bay in its last game. The Huskies, who are 0-6 on the road this year, are in the NCAA certification process of transferring to Division I. HBU is led by senior forward Gordon Watt who is averaging 17.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, while senior guard Baron Sauls is averaging 16.5 points and 4.7 rebounds, and senior forward Emanuel Willis is averaging 10.0 points per game. As a team, Houston Baptist is scoring 68.5 points per game and shooting 40.2 percent from the field, 33.9 percent from three-point range, and 68.6 percent from the free throw line. Defensively, HBU is allowing 86.8 points per game and its opponents are shooting 50.1 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from three-point range, and 73.3 percent from the free throw line. The Huskies return four starters and seven letterwinners from last year's team that went 13-15 overall. Ron Cottrell is 374-195 in 18 years as Houston Baptist's head coach.
UTAH STATE-HOUSTON BAPTIST SERIES HISTORY
Utah State and Houston Baptist will be meeting for the first time ever this week.
SCOUTING WYOMING
Wyoming is 9-2 on the season following a 113-62 loss at UCLA in its last game. The Cowboys, who are 1-2 on the road this year and 2-2 away from home, are led by freshman forward Afam Muojeke who is averaging 17.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while senior guard Brandon Ewing is averaging 16.8 points and 6.1 assists per game. Two other Cowboys are scoring in double-figures as senior guard Sean Ogirri is averaging 15.5 points, while senior forward Tyson Johnson is averaging 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. As a team, Wyoming is averaging 82.2 points per game and shooting 48.0 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range, and 72.1 percent from the free throw line. Defensively, UW is allowing 73.5 points and its opponents are shooting 39.6 percent from the field, 33.8 percent from three-point range, and 69.7 percent from the free throw line. The Cowboys return three starters and four letterwinners from last year's team that went 12-18 overall and finished in eighth-place in the Mountain West Conference with a 5-11 league record. Heath Schroyer is 21-20 in his second season as Wyoming's head coach and 56-67 in six years as a collegiate head coach.
UTAH STATE-WYOMING SERIES HISTORY
Utah State and Wyoming will be meeting for the 66th time this week, with UW holding a 43-22 all-time advantage. Utah State is 5-3 in known home games against the Cowboys and the last time the two teams played in Logan was on Jan. 28, 1975 with USU winning, 84-69. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since Dec. 3, 1997 in Laramie, as Wyoming notched a 67-61 win.
VERSUS THE MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
Utah State is 290-374 (.437) against current members of the Mountain West Conference, while USU head coach Stew Morrill is 62-53 (.539) versus the league. At USU, Morrill is 14-11 (.560) versus the Mountain West Conference. All-time, Morrill is 6-10 against the Cowboys.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Utah State vs. Wyoming series is the fifth-oldest rivalry in USU history as the two teams have played each other 65 times.
UTAH STATE'S POST PLAYERS SHOOTING LIGHTS OUT THUS FAR
Utah State's four post players are shooting a combined 65.7 percent from the field (130-198) thus far this year. Individually, sophomore forward Tai Wesley is shooting 71.4 percent (45-63) and ranks second in the Western Athletic Conference, while senior forward Gary Wilkinson is shooting 64.3 percent (63-98) and ranks third in the WAC. Sophomore forward Matt Formisano is shooting 57.1 percent (16-28), and sophomore center Modou Niang is shooting 66.7 percent (6-9).
WILKINSON RANKS AMONG TOP 10 ALL-TIME AT UTAH STATE IN FG AND FT SHOOTING
Senior forward Gary Wilkinson is shooting 59.8 percent from the field (237-396) during his USU career, which ranks fifth all-time in school history. He is also shooting 81.3 percent from the free throw line (157-193), which ranks eighth all-time in school history.
WESLEY TOP FIELD GOAL SHOOTER IN SCHOOL HISTORY
Sophomore forward Tai Wesley is shooting 65.3 percent from the field (177-271) during his Utah State career, which ranks first all-time in school history.
WESLEY APPROACHING CAREER TOP 10 IN BLOCKED SHOTS
In just 45 career games, sophomore forward Tai Wesley is already approaching Utah State's career top 10 charts for blocked shots as he currently has 42 career blocks and is just 11 blocks shy of tying Donnie Johnson (1998-99) for 10th-place all-time with 53 blocks.
QUAYLE SCORES IN DOUBLE-FIGURES IN THIRD STRAIGHT GAME
Junior guard Jared Quayle scored in double-figures for the third straight game Monday night against Utah as he had 16 points to go along with six rebounds and a season-high six assists. He began his double-figure scoring streak with a season-high 23 points at Southern Utah and then scored 11 points at Idaho State. In his last three games, Quayle is averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while shooting 58.1 percent from the field (18-31), 36.4 percent from three-point range (4-11), and 66.7 percent from the free throw line (10-15). During his first seven games of the season, Quayle averaged 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds, and shot 38.1 percent from the field.
Pooh Williams EXCELLING IN STARTING LINEUP
After starting the first two games of the year, sophomore guard Pooh Williams came off the bench in the next four games and has since started the last four games for Utah State. In his last two games, Williams has played very well as he is averaging 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free throw line
AGGIES HAVE HAD DIFFERENT LEADING SCORER IN EACH OF ITS LAST FOUR GAMES
Utah State has been very balanced offensively during its last four games as it has had a different leading scorer in each game. Senior forward Gary Wilkinson began the streak with a career-high 29 points at Utah Valley, followed by a season-high 23 points from junior guard Jared Quayle. Against Idaho State, USU got 11 points each from junior guard Stavon Williams, sophomore guard Tyler Newbold and Quayle, while sophomore forward Tai Wesley had 18 points in USU's last game against Utah.
WILKINSON ONLY SENIOR ON AGGIE ROSTER
Utah State has just one senior on its roster in forward Gary Wilkinson. The last time a USU team had just one senior on its roster was during the 1999-2000 campaign in guard Troy Rolle. That team finished the season with a 28-6 record, including a perfect 16-0 mark in the Big West Conference.
COACH MORRILL WINNINGEST COACH IN UTAH STATE HISTORY
Stew Morrill (246-87) is the winningest coach in Utah State history and is second all-time in games coached (333) behind the legendary E. Lowell Romney (382). Morrill is also the longest tenured coach at Utah State (entering 11th season) since the H. Cecil Baker era (1951-61).
DID YOU KNOW?
Utah State's six returning lettermen to the 2008-09 roster are the most since the 2004-05 season when USU returned seven lettermen.
UTAH STATE PLAYER NOTES
#4 Clint Lee - Has played in four games this year... Had two rebounds, one point and one assist against Cal Poly.
#5 Pooh Williams - Scored a season-high eight points at Idaho State... Had career-highs with six assists and four rebounds against Utah... Averaging 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds, while shooting 38.9 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free throw line... Played a career-high 27 minutes against Montana State-Northern... Averaging 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds during his last five games.
#12 Deremy Geiger - Scored a season-high 14 points, his first points of the season, against UC Irvine and added a season-high three rebounds... Had a season-high four assists against Cal Poly... Averaging 2.6 points and 1.0 assists, and is shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three-point range... Averaging 1.8 points during his last five games.
#14 Stavon Williams - Tied his season-high with 15 points at Southern Utah... Scored a season-high 15 points against Cal Poly and added a season-high three assists... Averaging 6.8 points and is shooting 38.8 percent from the field, 47.1 percent from three-point range, and 87.5 percent from the free throw line... Averaging 5.6 points and 1.6 rebounds during his last five games.
#15 Modou Niang - Recorded career-highs with eight points and six rebounds against Cal Poly... Had a season-high two blocked shots against Montana State-Northern... Averaging 2.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game, and is shooting 66.7 percent from the field.
#21 Jared Quayle - Scored a season-high 23 points at Southern Utah... Had a season-high seven rebounds against BYU and at Idaho State... Had a season-high six assists against Utah... Averaging 10.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists, and is shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from three-point range, and 74.2 percent from the free throw line... Averaging 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists during his last five games, while shooting 52.3 percent from the field.
#24 Tyler Newbold - Scored a career-high 21 points against UC Irvine... Had a career-high nine rebounds against BYU... Has started all 10 games for Utah State this year and 35 straight games dating back to last season... Is averaging 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, while shooting 43.2 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from three-point range, and 68.8 percent from the free throw line... Has scored in double-figures 11 times in his career and has two 20-point games... Is averaging 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds during his last five games, while shooting 30.2 percent.
#25 Jaxon Myaer - Averaging 5.4 points and 1.8 assists, while shooting 39.5 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three-point range, and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.... Scored a season-high 13 points against Weber State and had 11 points at UC Santa Barbara... Dished out a season-high five assists against UC Irvine and Montana State-Northern... Has started six games at the point this year... Averaging 3.5 points during his last five games.
#42 Tai Wesley - Played a career-high 37 minutes against UC Irvine and had a career-high four steals... Has started all 10 games for Utah State at power forward this year and 34 games in his career... Is averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 71.4 percent from the field and 75.0 percent from the free throw line... Had a season-high 14 points and 10 rebounds against Weber State, while posting career-highs with nine assists and 35 minutes played... Ranks second in the WAC in field goal shooting, fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.78), eighth in free throw shooting, ninth in steals (1.40), 10th in assists, and 14th in rebounding... Averaging 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds during his last five games, while shooting 65.6 percent from the field and 78.9 percent from the charity stripe.
#44 Matt Formisano - Had career-highs with eight points and six rebounds against Cal Poly... Tied his career-high with six rebounds at Utah Valley... Scored the game-winning basket with three seconds to play at UC Santa Barbara... Averaging 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds, while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the free throw line... Averaging 3.2 points and 3.2 rebounds during his last five games and is shooting 42.9 percent.
#55 Gary Wilkinson - Scored a career-high 29 points at Utah Valley... Has started all 10 games at center for Utah State this year and is averaging 17.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 64.3 percent from the field and 81.0 percent from the free throw line... Recorded his eighth career double-double against Montana State-Northern as he scored a then career-high 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds... Has scored in double-figures in 36 games in his career and has eight career 20-point games... Ranks third in the WAC in field goal shooting, third in scoring, fourth in free throw shooting, and fourth in rebounding... Has started all 44 games in his Utah State career... Averaging 18.2 points and 7.4 rebounds during his last five games, while shooting 55.9 percent from the field and 80.6 percent from the free throw line.
UTAH STATE AMONG THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY
Over the last nine years, Utah State has been one of the best basketball programs in the country, recording a 231-74 (.757) record. Those 231 wins are the eighth-most in the country, while the 75.7 percent winning percentage is fifth-best behind Duke (.834), Kansas (.802), Gonzaga (.795) and Florida (.766). USU has also been among the top teams in the country in field goal and free throw shooting as it led the nation in both categories during the 2007-08 season, and USU is leading the nation in field goal shooting agains this year.
UTAH STATE HAS DOMINATED CONFERENCE PLAY SINCE 2000
Utah State has had tremendous success in league play over the last nine years recording a 116-36 (.763) record, which includes an 84-20 record in the Big West Conference as it won three regular season championships and four tournament titles and a 32-16 record in the WAC. Here is a look at how the current members of the Western Athletic Conference has done in league play dating back to the 1999-2000 season. Note: Utah State and Idaho's league record includes six years in the Big West Conference (2000-2005); Boise State's record includes two years in the Big West (2000-2001); Nevada's record includes one year in the Big West (2000); Louisiana Tech's record includes two years in the Sun Belt Conference (2000-01); and New Mexico State's record includes one year in the Big West (2000) and five years in the Sun Belt (2001-05).
Gary Wilkinson NAMED WAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior forward Gary Wilkinson has been named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week it was announced by the league office on Monday, Dec. 1. Overall, it is the 10th time in the last four years that USU has received the weekly honor, including the second time this season as Wilkinson was also named WAC Player of the Week on Nov. 17 after scoring a career-high 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in USU's 71-50 home win against Montana State-Northern. Wilkinson, a 6-9 forward from South Jordan, Utah (Salt Lake CC) led Utah State to a 2-0 record last week with a 75-49 win against Weber State and a 97-57 win against Cal Poly. Against the Wildcats, Wilkinson scored a game-high 18 points and added six rebounds as he was 6-of-8 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Against the Mustangs, he had game-highs with 21 points and nine rebounds in just 21 minutes as he was 6-of-8 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. He also had career-highs with four assists and two steals against Cal Poly. For the week, Wilkinson averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while shooting 75.0 percent from the field and 88.2 percent from the free throw line.
WILKINSON NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Utah State's Gary Wilkinson has been named a preseason high-major All-American by CollegeHoops.net it was announced on Oct. 23. Wilkinson, who was named to the honorable-mention team, is one of 33 players recognized. Wilkinson, a 6-9 senior forward from South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS/Salt Lake CC), is one of just two players from the Western Athletic Conference to be named preseason All-American by CollegeHoops.net along with Nevada's Armon Johnson. Wilkinson is also one of four players from the state of Utah to be honored joining BYU's Lee Cummard and Jonathan Tavernari, and Utah's Luke Nevill. Wilkinson, who was named the WAC's Preseason Player of the Year by the media this fall, earned second-team all-conference honors as a junior and was also named to the WAC's all-newcomer team as he averaged 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 58.4 percent from the field and 81.5 percent from the free throw line. He finished the year ranking fourth in the WAC in field goal shooting, fifth in three throw shooting, eighth in rebounding and 13th in scoring.
UTAH STATE PICKED SECOND IN THE WAC, TWO PLAYERS NAMED PRESEASON ALL-WAC
Utah State is picked to finish second in the Western Athletic Conference this year by both the coaches and media, behind Nevada, while senior forward Gary Wilkinson and sophomore forward Tai Wesley were both named to preseason teams. Wilkinson was named the preseason Player of the Year by the media, while Wesley was voted to the second-team by the coaches.
UTAH STATE FOLLOWING A LOSS
Utah State is 49-16 (.754) following a loss over the last nine years and has loss back-to-back games just 13 times during that time period.
UTAH STATE ON THE ROAD
Utah State is 69-59 (.539) on the road under Coach Morrill, which includes a 20-22 (.476) record against non-conference opponents. USU is 4-0 on the road this year and has won six straight regular season road games dating back to last year.
UTAH STATE WINS FIRST FOUR ROAD GAMES OF THE YEAR
Utah State's four straight road wins to start the season are the most since the 1958-59 team won its first five road games. Overall, USU has won six straight regular season road games which is the longest streak by an Aggie team since the 2003-04 campaign.
YOUTH WILL BE SERVED
Utah State has 10 underclassmen on its 2008-09 roster with five freshmen and five sophomores, which is the most-ever on a USU team. The 2001-02 squad had nine underclassmen.
FROM THE STATE OF UTAH
Aggie players from the state of Utah include senior forward Gary Wilkinson (South Jordan/Bingham), junior forward Clint Lee (North Logan/Sky View HS), junior guard Jared Quayle (Perry/Box Elder HS), sophomore guard Tyler Newbold (Payson/Payson HS), sophomore forward Tai Wesley (Provo/Provo HS), redshirt freshman guard Jaxon Myaer (Salt Lake City/Judge Memorial HS), and freshman guard Skyler Halford (Orem/Timpanogos HS). The seven players from the state of Utah on the 2008-09 roster are the most on a USU team since the 1988-89 squad also had seven in-state players on its roster.
UTAH STATE NO LONGER CALIFORNIA DREAMING
For the second straight season, Utah State does not have a single player from the state of California on its roster. The 2007-08 season marked the first time since the 1993-94 campaign, a span of 14 years, that Utah State did not have a player from California on its roster. Since the 1994 season, USU has had a total of 45 players from the "Golden State", including a single-season high of seven during the 2003-04 campaign.
WILKINSON NAMED A FINALIST FOR LOWE'S SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Utah State's Gary Wilkinson has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete of the Year. Wilkinson, a 6-9 senior forward from South Jordan, Utah is the only played from the state of Utah and the only player from the Western Athletic Conference to be selected for this award. The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the `Four C's' of classroom, character, community and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who remain committed to their university and pursue the many rewards that a senior season and complete college education brings. Now in its eighth year for basketball, the award has developed into the nation's premier tribute for college seniors. Since originating with basketball, Lowe's has expanded the award to include a total of eight NCAA sports. From the list of 30 nominees, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in February 2009. Those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote. In addition to voting by Division I head basketball coaches and national media, college basketball fans will also be able to submit ballots by text voting or on-line at www.seniorclassaward.com. Previous winners of the men's award include Juan Dixon of Maryland (2002), David West of Xavier (2003), Jameer Nelson of St. Joseph's (2004), Wayne Simien of Kansas (2005), J.J. Reddick of Duke (2006), Alando Tucker of Wisconsin (2007), and Shan Foster of Vanderbilt (2008).
WILKINSON NAMED TO NAISMITH TROPHY EARLY SEASON WATCH LIST
tah State's Gary Wilkinson continues to receive national attention this year as he was recently named to the early season watch list for the 2008-09 Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced. Last week, Wilkinson was named one of 30 candidates for the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete of the Year. The Naismith Trophy watch list, which consists of 50 players, was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selector's, which based its preseason criteria on player performances from last season and expectations for the 2008-09 season. The list does not include incoming freshmen, although those student-athletes will be considered in the first vote in February, 2009. The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to college basketball's player of the year. For the sixth consecutive season, presenting sponsor AT&T will once again set the standard in allowing fans to participate in determining this year's winner. Through the power and ease of text messaging, fan voting will account for an unprecedented 25% of the final results - more than any other national college basketball award. At the beginning of February, CBS' "AT&T at the Half" will feature a weekly Naismith Trophy update highlighting the players in contention. Wilkinson, a 6-9 senior forward from South Jordan, Utah is the only player from the Western Athletic Conference selected for this award and one of just two players from the state of Utah joining BYU's Lee Cummard. In February, the Naismith Trophy voting academy, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country, will narrow its early season list to the Top 30 players in the nation. Those players, and others who distinguish themselves throughout the season, will be eligible for the final ballot in March.
HEAD COACH Stew Morrill
In 23 seasons as a collegiate head coach and 11 years at Utah State, Stew Morrill has taken the Aggie Basketball program to unprecedented heights leading it to an incredible 246-87 (.739) record, including a 124-44 (.738) conference mark in the Big West and WAC. Morrill became the winningest coach in school history on Jan. 17, 2008 in the Aggies' 82-78 win against Boise State, passing E. Lowell Romney (1920-41) who won 225 games in 22 seasons. In his first 10 years at USU, Morrill has guided the Aggies to nine straight 23-win seasons and nine straight postseason appearances (NCAA-5, NIT-4), both of which are school records. Morrill has also led Utah State to the fifth-best winning percentage in the nation during the last nine years at 75.7 percent with an overall record of 231-74. Against conference opponents, Utah State has a 142-50 record with four regular season league championships and four tournament titles during that time, including appearances in its league's tournament championship game seven times in the last nine years. Under Morrill, Utah State has notched eight of the top 10 seasons in school history during the last nine years as the Aggies set a school record with 28 wins during the 2000 season, tied that record with 28 wins during the 2001 season and notched the fifth-most wins in school history during the 2008 season with 24 victories. During the 2007-08 season, Morrill guided Utah State to a share of its first-ever Western Athletic Conference regular season championship. The 2007-08 Aggie basketball team also set a school record by shooting 79.2 percent from the free throw line, which led the nation. USU also led the nation in field goal shooting at 51.4 percent and became just the fourth team in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in both field goal and free throw shooting in the same year. For the ninth straight year, USU had at least one player earn first-team all-league accolades as Jaycee Carroll was named the WAC Player of the Year in 2008. Overall, Morrill has coached 10 first-team all-league players at Utah State who have won the award a total of 15 times. Morrill has also taken full advantage of the home court at USU, the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. In Morrill's 11 years, USU is an amazing 147-12 (.925) at home, which includes a 76-8 (.905) record in league play. As for Morrill, he has won 20 or more games on 13 different occasions during his career, and he has won at least 17 games 19 times. Overall, Morrill ranks 23rd in the nation among active coaches and 96th all-time with his 464 career wins, while his career winning percentage of 67.3 percent ranks 28th among active coaches and 100th all-time. He is also one of 27 active coaches with 400 career wins at the Division I level and one of just 13 active coaches to notch at least 13 20-win seasons. His current streak of nine straight 20-win seasons ranks ninth among active coaches and is tied for the 13th-longest streak ever at the Division I level. Morrill has also been named Coach of the Year (2000 BWC, 2002 BWC) twice in his eight years at USU, along with winning the Big Sky award while the head coach at Montana in 1991. His overall coaching record is 464-225 (.673).
• Head coach Stew Morrill (246-87) is the winningest coach in school history and is second all-time in games coached (333) behind the legendary E. Lowell Romney (382). Morrill is also the longest tenured coach at Utah State (entering 11th season) since the H. Cecil Baker era (1951-61).
• Entering his 11th season with the Aggies, Morrill has a 246-87 (.739) overall record, a 124-44 (.738) conference record and an 18-6 (.750) record in conference postseason play. Overall, Morrill owns a 464-225 (.673) record in 23 years as a collegiate head coach.
• Among active coaches at the Division I level, Morrill ranks 22nd in the nation with his 464 career wins and 27th in winning percentage at 67.3 percent.
• Morrill is one of just 33 active coaches with 400 career wins at the Division I level and one of just 13 active coaches to notch 13 20-win seasons, while his current streak of nine straight 20-win seasons is tied for the eighth-longest in the nation.
• Morrill has been named conference coach of the year three times during his career, winning the award in 1991 while at Montana, and in 2000 and 2002 while at Utah State.
• Morrill has coached 10 first-team all-league players who have won the award a total of 15 times. Those players are Shawn Daniels (twice), Troy Rolle, Bernard Rock, Tony Brown, Desmond Penigar (twice), Mark Brown, Cardell Butler, Nate Harris (three times), Spencer Nelson and Jaycee Carroll (twice).
• Utah State is 147-12 (.925) in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum under Morrill.
• Morrill has led Utah State to nine straight 20-win seasons and nine straight postseason appearances, both of which are school records.
• Morrill led Utah State to its first NCAA Tournament win in 31 years when USU defeated fifth-seeded Ohio State 77-68 in overtime during the 2001 NCAA Tournament.
• Morrill has been involved in postseason action 12 times in his career, including the NCAA Tournament at Utah State in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006 and the National Invitation Tournament in 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2008.
