LOGAN, Utah – Utah State junior guard
Sam Merrill has been named a third-team All-American by Stadium TV, as announced by its college basketball insider Jeff Goodman on Tuesday. Merrill is one of just 15 players named to Stadium's All-American teams and is joined on the third team by Gonzaga's Rui Hachimura, Kansas' Dedric Lawson, Purdue's Carsen Edwards and Virginia's Kyle Guy.
The recognition comes on the heels of Merrill being named the Mountain West Player of the Year by both the conference and the media. Merrill led the league in scoring during conference play, averaging 22.0 points per game, and punctuated the Aggies' run in the Mountain West with a career-high 38 points in the regular season finale at Colorado State. In addition, Merrill led the Mountain West in free throws made (99) and free throw percentage (.892), and was second in minutes played (667), third in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3), fourth in 3-pointers made (49) and fifth in assists (79).
Merrill is the first Aggie to average more than 20 points in a season since Jaycee Carroll averaged 22.4 points per game as a senior during the 2007-08 campaign. Merrill is the seventh player in Utah State history to be named the conference player of the year, joining Dean Hunger (Big West, 1980), Greg Grant (Big West, 1986), Eric Franson (Big West, 1995), Carroll (WAC, 2008), Gary Wilkinson (WAC, 2009) and Tai Wesley (WAC, 2011). Merrill is one of only two juniors in Utah State history to earn the award as Franson was also a junior during the 1994-95 season.
In addition, Merrill and freshman center
Neemias Queta earned various conference awards by hdhoops.com. Queta earned Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year by the organization, while Merrill was one of five players on its all-Mountain West team, joining Nevada's Jordan Caroline and Caleb Martin, Wyoming's Justin James and Colorado State's Nico Carvacho.
Queta anchored a Utah State defense that ranked 10th in the nation in field goal percentage defense (.392) and third in the nation in 2-point field goal percentage defense (.417). Queta rewrote the USU single-season block record this season with his 73 total blocks, speeding past the previous record of 59 set during the 2000-01 season by Shawn Daniels.
USU head coach
Craig Smith was also named the Mountain West Coach of the Year by hdhoops.com, adding the award to recognition already received by the Mountain West and its media, and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Smith led the Aggies to the regular season title after being picked ninth in the preseason poll.
Utah State opens its run in the Mountain West Tournament on Thursday, March 14, facing No. 7 New Mexico (14-17) at 7 p.m. (MT). The Lobos posted a 78-68 victory in their opening round game over No. 10 Wyoming to advance to the quarterfinal round. Fans can watch the game live on the CBS Sports Network (Comcast Ch. 269, DirecTV Ch. 221, Dish Ch. 158).
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).
