This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • Things are different around the Spectrum these days, beyond Tim Duryea taking over for long-time head coach Stew Morrill and forward David Collette's stunning decision to leave the program on Wednesday.
For the first time since Utah State dominated the Big West and Western Athletic Conferences, great expectations follow the Aggies.
It could be a blessing: In their third year in the Mountain West, the Aggies are talented enough to compete on a nightly basis with the best opponents they'll see.
It could be a curse: The Aggies are expected to win. No opponent will overlook them.
A year ago, the scenario was different. Duryea was starting his 14th season as Morrill's assistant and, on the court, the Aggies were untested.
In what turned out to be Morrill's final season, the Aggies finished 18-13 overall and 11-7 in the Mountain West. Forward Jalen Moore and wing Chris Smith turned into a potent 1-2 punch. There was still little depth, but Utah State thrived.
This season? With four starters returning, Utah State was picked third in the Mountain West preseason poll behind San Diego State and Boise State.
According to Duryea, the Aggies must avoid a step back in their focus, concentration and determination.
"When people start having expectations for you and put expectations on you, that's when it's easier to get distracted," he said. "… [But] we have an unselfish group. We have a group who are willing passers. I honestly don't have any fears that something like that will become an issue."
On the other hand, Utah State bombed in its final tune-up for the regular season. Cal State Monterey Bay, a Division II school, rolled to a 77-60 victory over the Aggies last week at the Spectrum.
"We didn't play well," Duryea said. "But I tried to play a lot of guys and I probably practiced them too hard all week because we didn't have much energy. We were flat. … Working on our improvement takes precedent this time of year. We're trying to get better as a team. So part of the journey now is to embrace it and move forward."
Besides experience, Utah State's primary asset going into the season is improved depth, which will be tested with the loss of Collette.
Junior college transfer Shane Rector gives the Aggies a pure point guard. He will allow last year's starter, Darius Perkins, to spend some time off the ball.
Up front, Tulsa transfer Lew Evans, returned missionary Quinn Taylor, returnee Elston Jones and transfer Grayson Moore give Duryea options that Morrill didn't have last season.
"We have more known quantities than last year, when we knew about one or two guys at this point," Duryea said. "This year, we know what we'll get when we put five guys on the floor. … What we're trying to do now is develop more pieces off the bench. That's going make the difference on how good we are and how we end up."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State at a glance
• Key additions: G Shane Rector, F Lew Evans, F Quinn Taylor, F Grayson Moore, F Alexis Dargenton
• Key losses: C/F David Collette, G/F JoJo McGlaston, F Sean Harris
• Projected starters: F Jalen Moore [6-9], C Elston Jones [6-10], G Chris Smith [6-4], G Darius Perkins [6-2], G Julion Pearre [6-3]
• Bottom line: Utah State was picked third in the Mountain West Conference preseason poll and expectations remain high despite a loss to Division II Cal State Monterey Bay in an exhibition game. —
Season opener
P Utah State at Weber State
Friday, 7 p.m.
TV • KJZZ