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Logan • As Utah State continues preseason practice, everybody is watching Jalen Moore, including coach Stew Morrill.

Moore, a sophomore wing from Sky View High School, averaged 5.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 17.5 minutes last season. He appeared in all 32 games and made five starts.

Those numbers are not overwhelming but, at Utah State this season, Moore is the most productive returning player on the roster. The Aggies need him to emerge as a cornerstone and, apparently, he's off to a good start.

"He's playing really good the last few days," Morrill said. "He's gotten more aggressive. ... For us to be effective, he has to be aggressive because he's a good player. He's thin. He's working on getting more strength. But he's a good player."

According to Moore, he's trying to set a good example in practice for his mostly new teammates.

His biggest message so far?

Work hard and trust each other.

"We can have a successful year," Moore said. "If we play together and not as individuals, if we don't try to get stuff on our own, if we listen to the coaches and if we play defense, I think we can be successful."

Up and down

Morrill calls building this team "a process," which is why the up-and-down nature of preseason practice was expected.

"It's been the full gamut," he said. "... Some good things and some not-so-good things. But that's not uncharacteristic this time of the year, especially in our situation with so many new people and so much inexperience."

The Aggies are slowly working their way toward their Nov. 14 opener against Weber State.

"We think we get tired sometimes because we're not in shape yet," Morill said. "... But these kids are good kids. They're working hard and I think they'll get better. We're just trying to learn on the go. The clock is ticking."

Plugging away

These are the days that keep Morrill coaching.

"If I didn't still enjoy coming to practice — that's the best part of my day — I wouldn't be doing this job," he said. "I still really like practice. All the travel, all the recruiting, all the public stuff. There are so many things you do as a head coach. But this is still the favorite thing for me. I enjoy trying to get the players better. If I lose that, I'll be done."

Morrill, 62, is starting his 17th season at Utah State.

How long will he keep going?

"We'll keep plugging," he said, smiling. "We'll see how long I want to do it and we'll see how long the university wants me to do it. But I will always feel good about Utah State. .... It's been a fun ride and we'll try to keep it going."

Blue-white scrimmage

Utah State will hold its annual Blue-White scrimmage on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

The Aggies will play two 10-minute halves. After the scrimmage, fans will be allowed on the court for autographs and other activities.