LOGAN, Utah - Utah State sophomore forward Justin Bean leads the nation in double-doubles, totaling seven on the year and picking up a double-double in each of the last five contests.
Bean is also second in the nation when it comes to offensive rebounds per game, averaging 4.40 per contest. Over the last two games alone, Bean has totaled 12 offensive rebounds, one fewer than San José State and Fresno State combined over the two-game set.
Overall, Bean ranks fifth in the nation in total rebounds per game, averaging 11.8 per contest, the most by an Aggie since Marvin Roberts averaged a matching 11.8 rebounds per game during the 1970-71 season. Bean's 118 total rebounds this season is only two behind the national leader, Cletrell Pope of Bethune-Cookman, who has totaled 120 rebounds this season.
Senior guard Sam Merrill is also among the national leaders this year, ranking among the top-25 in both free throws made and free throws attempted. Merrill's 51 free throws made this season ranks No. 11 in the nation, while his 60 free throw attempts rank No. 22.
Fellow senior guard Diogo Brito is just outside the top-25 in total steals, tallying 21 this season to rank No. 28 in the land.
As a team, Utah State ranks among the top-10 in the nation in four statistics. The Aggies are No. 3 in the nation in free throws made (188), No. 7 in free throws attempted (244), No. 9 in rebounding margin (+10.5) and No. 10 in scoring margin (+18.5).
USU is also among the top-25 in seven other statistics. The Aggies are No. 11 in win-loss percentage (.909), total rebounds per game (42.50) and defensive rebounds per game (30.60), No. 13 in total rebounds (425), No. 15 in total assists (161), No. 16 in assist-turnover ratio (1.42) and No. 24 in free throw percentage (.770).
Utah State returns to the court on Tuesday, hosting NAIA-foe St. Katherine at 7 p.m., inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Fans can watch the game via the Mountain West network, online at www.utahstateaggies.com/watch.
Utah State men's basketball news and information is available on Facebook (facebook.com/usumensbasketball), on Twitter (@usubasketball) and on Instagram (@usubasketball). Fans can also get USU men's basketball highlights on YouTube (youtube.com/utahstateathletics). Aggie fans can follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter (@usuathletics), on Facebook (facebook.com/usuathletics) or on Instagram (@usuathletics).
