LOGAN, Utah – Utah State men's basketball was recognized with four of the top six individual conference awards by the Mountain West media on Monday afternoon. The media awards are conducted independent of Mountain West oversight by media directly covering teams in 10 of the 11 league markets as well as one at-large media member.
Junior guard Sam Merrill was named the Mountain West Player of the Year, along with being named first-team all-Mountain West. Freshman center Neemias Queta was named the Mountain West Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to being named to the all-MW second team.
First-year head coach Craig Smith was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year, after guiding a Utah State team that was picked ninth in the preseason poll to a share of the regular season title.
Junior guard Diogo Brito earned three votes towards Sixth Man of the Year, finishing behind Nevada junior Jazz Johnson with eight votes.
The MW will officially announce its yearly awards, along with all-conference honors on Tuesday, March 12, at 3 p.m.
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).
