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Logan • It's taken much longer than he expected. It's taken him transferring schools, and enduring a season without basketball.
But finally, in his senior year at Utah State, Morgan Grim has the chance to make a big impact on the collegiate level.
Grim, at one time, was a superstar at Riverton High and one of the best players in the state. He was a big recruit for Utah. Things didn't work out the way he planned, however. He played very little, then he matriculated to Logan. He spent last year as a deep reserve, and while he did contribute, he was hardly a main cog in USU's team a season ago.
All of that will change this time around, as Grim is one of just three Aggie seniors, and will be counted on to play major minutes in Stew Morrill's frontcourt.
Finally.
"I didn't think it would take this long to be a starter," Grim said. "But I'm ready. I'm going to go out and contribute all that I can. I want to get some wins."
Grim and Brady Jardine are the only two big men Morrill has who saw minutes last season. Jardine is slated to play as much as his stamina and foul trouble will dictate. Grim's role this year will be to rebound, play tough defense in the post and contribute opportunity buckets with offensive rebounds.
Last season, Grim showed a surprising ability to block shots, and a deft touch from the perimeter. He's not overly athletic, but his long arms and sense of timing help him make up for that. In Utah State's intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, Grim scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Morrill would love for him to put up those kinds of numbers this season.
"I think I can definitely get rebounds and do the dirty work inside," Grim said. "I want to go out and set an example. I want to be a leader and always be the guy on the floor that makes plays."
Shooting guard may also play the point
Sophomore Preston Medlin will probably start at shooting guard. But he may also see some minutes at the point when Brockeith Pane takes a rest.
Medlin's been playing the point in practice for two weeks, and the USU coaches like the idea of his 6-foot-4 height and his shooting ability at that position in short stretches. Medlin has never played the position.
"The hardest thing is dribbling the ball up against pressure," Medlin said. "It's definitely a challenge and a change from what I'm used to. But I don't mind playing there."
Odds and ends
Utah State will play its first exhibition Friday night against UC San Diego. … Jardine led the Aggies with 18 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday's scrimmage. … USU's traditional Blue-White scrimmage is on Wednesday night.
Twitter: @tonyaggieville