This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Count Jardine as another member of the Pane fan club.
The Utah State junior point guard, who has been lauded for his play in the preseason, is getting significant attention heading into the year.
Stew Morrill, even in his caution, you can hear the hope in his voice. Jardine says that Pane is "the type of guard we need.", another player who's adept at breaking defenses down off the dribble.
"Along with Pooh Williams, he's another guy that can get to the basket," Jardine said. "He's the kind of guy that we need. He reminds me of the New Mexico State guards from last season, only with the body of Anthony Thomas from Boise State."
Pane is said to be a great on the ball defender, and if that's true, then USU's perimeter defense just got that much tougher when you put him with Williams and Tyler Newbold.
USU fans, however, are going to find out quickly just how good their new point guard is. He will face two future NBA players, Weber State's Damian Lilliard and Jimmer Fredette from BYU, in his first two Division I games. He will also face another future pro, Georgetown's Chris Wright in a month.
Tony Jones