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Logan • Utah State begins a season of high expectations at the Spectrum on Saturday night, when the Aggies play an exhibition game against Panhandle (Okla.) State.

Utah State returns five starters from last year, when it finished 18-13 overall and 11-7 in the Mountain West Conference.

The Aggies were picked third in the league's preseason media poll behind San Diego State and Boise State, which didn't surprise coach Tim Duryea.

"Pretty expected," he said. "Whether it's good or bad, other people will probably judge that more than we will. But I would say it was fairly expected, being behind San Diego State, who has been at the top of the league for a long time, and Boise, who has a lot of experience returning. So I'd say not surprised at all and ambivalent about it, really, because we're just going to do the best we can. If we have the kind of year we want to have, we hope to prove the poll wrong. But who knows on that deal?"

Here's how I picked the Mountain West, as a voter in the conference's preseason poll:

1. San Diego State: Impossible pick to against the Aztecs.

2. Utah State: As good as any MWC team late last season.

3. Boise State: Anthony Drmic's return from injury helps.

4. Fresno State: Marvelle Harris is a next-level type of guard.

5. UNLV: Too low? Rebels were extremely talented last year, too.

6. New Mexico: Lobos get high-scoring Cullen Neal back.

7. Colorado State: Larry Eustachy won't let the Rams fall too far.

8. Wyoming: Lost a bunch off MWC tournament winner.

9. Nevada: Can new coach Eric Musselman hit the jackpot?

10. Air Force: You can never sleep on the Falcons, however.

11. San Jose State: Will be better, but a long rebuild still ahead.

— Steve Luhm