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Logan • A Player of the Year candidate in the Mountain West Conference visited the Spectrum on Saturday night, according to Utah State coach Stew Morrill.
Junior guard Marvelle Harris led Fresno State into its game against the Aggies.
Morrill believes Boise State's Derrick Marks, Wyoming's Larry Nance Jr. and Harris are the front-runners for the league's top individual award.
"[He does it at both ends," Morrill said, referring to Harris. "He gets steals, drives the ball in the open court, makes plays for his teammates and is an all-around good guard. I think he's a guy the NBA has to be looking at really hard. He's that good of a player."
Going into the game against Utah State, Harris led the Mountain West in minutes (38) and steals (2.5) per game. He ranked third in scoring (18.1) and 14th in rebounding (5).
Harris' first two baskets against the Aggies were indicative of his ability. He nailed a pull-up 17-footer five minutes into the game and, moments later, finished a spinning drive to the basket.
Line, boards improve
Utah State's two biggest problems early in the season were rebounding and free-throw shooting.
The Aggies have improved in both areas recently.
In its seven games before playing Fresno State, Utah State outrebounded its opponents four times. In back-to-back victories over Nevada and San Jose State, the Aggies knocked down 32 of 45 free throws. That's 71 percent.
"We have just gotten to where we are adequate on the boards," Morrill said. "We were bad, and now we are fighting and competing and not getting dominated. It could rear its ugly head at any point because we do not naturally have a great rebounding team. We have to really concentrate on that area of the game."
Asked about Utah State's free-throw shooting, Morrill said simply, "We are making a few more."