At the beginning of this season I was often asked at the beginning of the season "What is up with you Aggies?" I would then reply, "I don't know but don't give up on them." Remember that shaky start to the season? Well, I do. I remember at I was mostly shocked and I wondered where my Aggies were, then I remembered that if someone is a true fan, they will stick with them through the thick and the thin. I never gave up on these Aggies when so many people did. I knew deep down that they would make the best of this season. Well, I think they did just that..
Here are my personal highlights, memories and tid-bits that I thought of that made this season special:
1. Beating BYU at home. The signs, standing in line, running to get a seat, and plugging my ears most of the game because it was so loud.
2. 'Wild' Bill. Put Utah State on the map.
3. Jared Quayle (OK I put Bill before Jared but I needed to get him out of the way). What is there to say about a player like JQ. He is a heck of a ball player. He will be greatly missed by the fans as well as this Aggie basketball team.
4. Coach Morrill getting his 500th win.
5. "I believe...." Chant and "Wining team loosing team"
6.Tai Wesley, his post moves make me smile. He does them with such precision and aggressiveness that he scores most every time.
7. Going along with Tai, he didn't foul out as much this season!
8. Pooh's Defense. His new moves to the basket and his 3 point shot. "You got Poohed on" chant.
9. Brian Green. Hustle. Fly. Score. Reload. That about does it for him.
10. Tyler Newbold's high basketball IQ. He is a smart guy.
11. Nate Bendall, filled some very big shoes this season left behind by Gary. He did very well. I love his hook shot. It puts a smile on my face.
12. Brady Jardine. Dunk. Block. Dunk again. For a while I only thought that he could score by dunking the ball, then he showed that he could hit some out side shots.
13. The masks. Jaxon first, then Brady, and finally Tai.
14. Oh, I forgot to mention Jared's rebounding.
15. Modou's long arms. He showed that he could be physical.
16. Matt, and his great attitude. He didn't complain even though he didn't get to play much. I think he is going to be our big guy scoring the three's next year.
17. Preston Medlin. What a freshman?! Didn't play much but did outstanding in the preseason. He can shoot!
18. Tyrone White. This Aggie team is going to be great. We have some very very talented bench players.
19. Jaxon, I did cringe and get scared when you came into the game. But you got better through the season. Always running.
20. Seeing the transformation of this Aggie team after the two tough losses at the beginning of the WAC.
21.Watching a TEAM every game.
22. Listening the post game show after every game, and guessing who would be on the post game show with Al.
23. Recognizing each players voice on the radio.
24. Winning 23+ games for what the 11th year straight?
25. Sitting in the Spectrum with 2 amazing sisters every game. Thanks for putting up with your overly passionate sister!
26. Having a best friend who would wear everything Aggie with me to school(get funny looks) on game days. Thanks Hay.
27. Being an Aggie.
28. Getting out of school to watch the first round WAC Tournament game. Thanks Mom and Dad.
29. Learning to become a better basketball player by watching this Aggie TEAM.
30. The Ally-oop from Brady to Tyler.
31. The wicked picks from Brady when we were breaking the press.
32. Watching the Aggies give it their All.
I know this season ended with a disappointing loss in the NCAA first round. I believe that I witnessed every game was a TEAM. I can't stress that enough. If you got anything from this ridiculously long post is that they are a TEAM. I have often wondered how they do it game after game, practice after practice. Someday it would be cool to meet Stew Morrill and ask him a question or two. Or even talk to Tai, Nate, Brady, or any posty I want to learn to be like them.
Thanks everyone for reading this blog and putting up with me for five grueling months of basketball. I am a very passionate Aggie fan and my family has to put up with that. So thanks, Dad, Mom, Kim, Heather, Nate(even though you are in Ecuador) and Mugs. You are some of the best people around.
In the words of a Coach "Lets keep this thing going."
Go Aggies!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
WAC Tournament
The Aggies went into the WAC Tournament with a firm grip on the first seed. The Aggies were confident and ready to win 3 games. They showed that for about 2 1/2 games.
Boise State
The Aggies were matched up with Boise State for the first round. Personally this was a scary position for the Aggies. They broncos were rolling and ready to do some damage. Well, the Aggies had a different plan. The game was pretty much in the books a few minutes into the second half. The Aggies won by 24.
Louisianan Tech
After cruising in the first game the Aggies were looking for a little more of a challenge so to speak in the second game. Well, La Tech didn't show up. The Aggies won by 30. That is all I am going to say.
New Mexico State
The Aggies vs the Aggies. Who would have thought that the New Mexico Aggies were going to beat Nevada on their home court? Not many I am guessing. Going into this game I was very nervous. The Aggies haven't had any real challenge and not any real excitement in the games previous. I guess in a way that is why they lost, or maybe they were just unlucky that night with there shots. I could go on and on about what ifs. But I think the Aggies played an OK game not a spectacular game like I know are able to play. But that is OK. They played hard and didn't give up. But I am very thankful for a certain Senior Point Guard named Jared Quayle. What a stud? He carried this team through out the whole game.
Aggie Post Season
Following a 7(?) point loss the Aggies were now in the wait and see game. The game to determine if they would again be Dancing in the NCAA Tourney. The good news, the Aggies got in. But barely says most people. I don't care if it was just barely or not, the Aggies are in. They got pared up with number 5 seed Texas A&M. Yep, another Aggies vs Aggies game. Joy! I am very excited for the game it is on Friday in the middle of the afternoon, so don't expect to see it on TV. I love Aggie Basketball! The Aggies get to play some were close to home, in Spokane Washington. This location is TONS better than Providence Rhode Island. Can you imagine playing there?
Tai's Broken Nose
After playing only seconds in the WAC Championship game Tai got hit in the nose and blood started gushing out his nose. He was taken out, and and to struggle to get the bleeding stopped. The athletic trainers got his nose plugged up, only Tai got hit again minutes later in the game. So this time they went to the locker room to take a closer look. After getting the bleeding to stop AGAIN, he came back and played the rest of the game. He scored 13 points and had 12 rebounds. He was named to the All-WAC Tourney team. While answering questions in a press conference following the game Tai was asked about his nose. And he answered that it was broken. Great another Aggie that will probably have to wear a mask! Have you ever seen 2 players in the same season were a protective mask? I haven't! We don't know for sure if Tai will have to end up wearing the mask, he was fitted for one. One thing is for sure though HE WILL PLAY ON FRIDAY. I am pretty confident in that, he is a determined young man who loves basketball.
I think that about covers it for this week!
GO AGGIES (that are of the color blue)! See ya in Washington!
Boise State
The Aggies were matched up with Boise State for the first round. Personally this was a scary position for the Aggies. They broncos were rolling and ready to do some damage. Well, the Aggies had a different plan. The game was pretty much in the books a few minutes into the second half. The Aggies won by 24.
Louisianan Tech
After cruising in the first game the Aggies were looking for a little more of a challenge so to speak in the second game. Well, La Tech didn't show up. The Aggies won by 30. That is all I am going to say.
New Mexico State
The Aggies vs the Aggies. Who would have thought that the New Mexico Aggies were going to beat Nevada on their home court? Not many I am guessing. Going into this game I was very nervous. The Aggies haven't had any real challenge and not any real excitement in the games previous. I guess in a way that is why they lost, or maybe they were just unlucky that night with there shots. I could go on and on about what ifs. But I think the Aggies played an OK game not a spectacular game like I know are able to play. But that is OK. They played hard and didn't give up. But I am very thankful for a certain Senior Point Guard named Jared Quayle. What a stud? He carried this team through out the whole game.
Aggie Post Season
Following a 7(?) point loss the Aggies were now in the wait and see game. The game to determine if they would again be Dancing in the NCAA Tourney. The good news, the Aggies got in. But barely says most people. I don't care if it was just barely or not, the Aggies are in. They got pared up with number 5 seed Texas A&M. Yep, another Aggies vs Aggies game. Joy! I am very excited for the game it is on Friday in the middle of the afternoon, so don't expect to see it on TV. I love Aggie Basketball! The Aggies get to play some were close to home, in Spokane Washington. This location is TONS better than Providence Rhode Island. Can you imagine playing there?
Tai's Broken Nose
After playing only seconds in the WAC Championship game Tai got hit in the nose and blood started gushing out his nose. He was taken out, and and to struggle to get the bleeding stopped. The athletic trainers got his nose plugged up, only Tai got hit again minutes later in the game. So this time they went to the locker room to take a closer look. After getting the bleeding to stop AGAIN, he came back and played the rest of the game. He scored 13 points and had 12 rebounds. He was named to the All-WAC Tourney team. While answering questions in a press conference following the game Tai was asked about his nose. And he answered that it was broken. Great another Aggie that will probably have to wear a mask! Have you ever seen 2 players in the same season were a protective mask? I haven't! We don't know for sure if Tai will have to end up wearing the mask, he was fitted for one. One thing is for sure though HE WILL PLAY ON FRIDAY. I am pretty confident in that, he is a determined young man who loves basketball.
I think that about covers it for this week!
GO AGGIES (that are of the color blue)! See ya in Washington!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
USU vs NMSU and Festivities
I know I promised a Jared Quayle feature and then I read some really great articles on him and I don't think I would do him justice so you will just have to read them on our own. The first one is from the Athletic Website here. The second one is from the Salt Lake Tribune here . The third is found in the Cache Valley Magazine, which doesn't have a good website and so you will just have to take my word on it that it was a good article.
The Game.
It was a little scary at the beginning and I was kinda worried. We had a very miserable shooting precentage to start the game. Then came Nate Bendall and Tai Wesley. They were powerful down under and they sure know how to do an effective post move. Ahh, I love post moves. Thank goodness we had them because it was not the best of nights for 3-pointers. I thought the Aggies played out of there mind. There were some sketchy calls and a "T" called on a NMSU player. I thought the aggies played well through those tough times. Jared Quayle never stops amazing me. Holy Cow, what a player. Actually what a team these guys are. I especially liked this sign I saw in the Spectrum(photo courtesy of http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/sports)
The Aggies came back from half time ready to put the game away! It was amazing to witness the Aggies take control of the game and show that they deserve to be in the NCAA tournament. Coach Morrill thinks so too, here is what he said, " I firmly believe that if you win 14 straight league games to win your conference championship and your league is ranked 10th out of 30-plus conferences, you should be in, I don't care what happens next week, you should be in." I think that is straight forward!
Festivities.
The Students stormed the court and the boys cut down the net! That was the second time I have witnessed something so amazing. They even had Wild Bill cut a piece. They crowd was great, despite what people have expressed in Letters to the Editor this passed month or so. I love Aggie Basketball and It is pretty 'A'mazing!
All-Wac Teams
Jared and Tai were named the the first Team.
Nate Bendall and Brian Green were named to the All-Newcomer Team
Pooh Williams was finally named to the All-Defensive Team.
Last but not least Coach Morrill was named the Coach of the Year, second year in a row.
The Game.
It was a little scary at the beginning and I was kinda worried. We had a very miserable shooting precentage to start the game. Then came Nate Bendall and Tai Wesley. They were powerful down under and they sure know how to do an effective post move. Ahh, I love post moves. Thank goodness we had them because it was not the best of nights for 3-pointers. I thought the Aggies played out of there mind. There were some sketchy calls and a "T" called on a NMSU player. I thought the aggies played well through those tough times. Jared Quayle never stops amazing me. Holy Cow, what a player. Actually what a team these guys are. I especially liked this sign I saw in the Spectrum(photo courtesy of http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/sports)
The Aggies came back from half time ready to put the game away! It was amazing to witness the Aggies take control of the game and show that they deserve to be in the NCAA tournament. Coach Morrill thinks so too, here is what he said, " I firmly believe that if you win 14 straight league games to win your conference championship and your league is ranked 10th out of 30-plus conferences, you should be in, I don't care what happens next week, you should be in." I think that is straight forward!Festivities.
The Students stormed the court and the boys cut down the net! That was the second time I have witnessed something so amazing. They even had Wild Bill cut a piece. They crowd was great, despite what people have expressed in Letters to the Editor this passed month or so. I love Aggie Basketball and It is pretty 'A'mazing!
All-Wac Teams
Jared and Tai were named the the first Team.
Nate Bendall and Brian Green were named to the All-Newcomer Team
Pooh Williams was finally named to the All-Defensive Team.
Last but not least Coach Morrill was named the Coach of the Year, second year in a row.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
USU vs Fresno (High)
Well, that was a game a Fresno player and or fan would love to forget. 22-0! The students got to chant "Up by 20-2". It felt so cool. Who has ever heard of a score like that?! I just laughed the whole game, they couldn't hit a shot to save their lives. It took them 10 minutes to score their first basket.
It actually doesn't surprise me that they could score against an amazing defense because Fresno does not run 1 set play I don't think. It is insane, literally they would got down the court pass once they whoever got the pass would shot some crazy shot. Usually resulting in a miss and an Aggie rebound. Here is a quote by there "star" player Paul Georg.
In a blow out win the Aggies could started playing horribly instead stuck together and never gave up on their energy in the game. They still executed and worked hard every possession. That is what I love about Aggie Basketball.
Following the game Sylvester Seay said this of Utah State,
The Ags play on Saturday against NMSU, if they win (which I think they will) the Aggies will win the WAC for the 3rd straight year. We all ready have a piece of it this year but I think we can do it. At least that is what I got from coach and player
Quotes found at:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/03/01/1842550/tough-start-brutal-finish.html
http://news.hjnews.com/sports/local_sports/article_395f713c-25ae-11df-ad12-001cc4c03286.html
http://forums.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=208♦
It actually doesn't surprise me that they could score against an amazing defense because Fresno does not run 1 set play I don't think. It is insane, literally they would got down the court pass once they whoever got the pass would shot some crazy shot. Usually resulting in a miss and an Aggie rebound. Here is a quote by there "star" player Paul Georg.
"We need to start playing more focused and start sticking to the game plan," Bulldogs forward Paul George said. "We've been doing that but we have some mishaps. And some possessions not everyone's on the same page. That comes down to us playing consistently. We know what we're supposed to do and how to carry it out."I read the Refraction before they game and every issue they have a fake article making fun of the other team, but Fresno's article could have been completely true. Take a look here it is the first article on the top.
In a blow out win the Aggies could started playing horribly instead stuck together and never gave up on their energy in the game. They still executed and worked hard every possession. That is what I love about Aggie Basketball.
Following the game Sylvester Seay said this of Utah State,
"They have like 100 dang* plays, We can only go through so many of them. ... It's like taking a test and guessing what things the teacher's going to put on the test. You go out there and the teacher puts the opposite of what you studied. It's nobody's fault. It's just tough."I love Aggie basketball. On the Aggie Basketball Forum they had an topic titled "What do you say in the line after the game to Fresno players?" So I took a look at it to see what it was about. Here are some of the the things they came up with:
- Good game... for us.
- Thanks for coming?
- Try harder next time?
- You really impressed me by coming out at half time.
- Can't wait to play you guys again.
The Ags play on Saturday against NMSU, if they win (which I think they will) the Aggies will win the WAC for the 3rd straight year. We all ready have a piece of it this year but I think we can do it. At least that is what I got from coach and player
"I asked them if they wanted to cut down the nets, because they have a share of it," USU head coach Stew Morrill said. "They want to try and win it outright."Up next: Jared Quayle Feature
"We haven't won anything yet," said Aggie forward Tai Wesley,"We feel like we haven't won the WAC yet. We didn't cut down the nets. We want to get greedy. We want to win the WAC outright, and Saturday is when we are going to do that."
Quotes found at:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/03/01/1842550/tough-start-brutal-finish.html
http://news.hjnews.com/sports/local_sports/article_395f713c-25ae-11df-ad12-001cc4c03286.html
http://forums.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=208♦
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