March 7, 2008
LOGAN, Utah -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
GAME 32
Utah State (22-9, 11-4) vs. Idaho (8-19, 5-10)
Saturday, Mar. 8, 2008 • 8:05 p.m. (MT) • Moscow, Idaho
Cowan Spectrum (7,000) • Aggie Radio Network
GAME DAY HEADLINES
• Utah State is in its 103rd season of basketball and has an overall record of 1,368-987 (.581). USU has not had a losing season since the 1992-93 campaign, a span of 14 years, when that team finished with a 10-17 record.
• Entering the 2007-08 season, Utah State had averaged 24.8 wins during the past eight years and was one of just four teams in the nation to win at least 23 games in each of those seasons along with Gonzaga, Kansas and Syracuse. During the last nine years, USU ranks fifth in the country with a 75.6 (220-71) winning percentage.
• With a win at Idaho on Saturday, Utah State will record a share of its first-ever Western Athletic Conference regular season championship. It will also be the fourth time under Coach Morrill that USU has won a regular season title and the eighth time in school history.
• Utah State has now won at least 20 games for the ninth straight year, extending its current school record. Overall, it is the 23rd time in school history that USU has won at least 20 games. The previous school record for consecutive 20-win seasons was three from 1962-64.
• Utah State is one of just four teams in the country to win at least 22 games in each of the last nine seasons joining Duke, Gonzaga and Kansas. Entering the 2007-08 season there were seven teams in the country that had at least eight straight 22 win seasons. Those teams with at least eight straight 22 win seasons who have yet to reach 22 wins this year include Illinois, Kentucky and Syracuse.
• Utah State is 123-44 (.736) in conference play under head coach Stew Morrill, which includes a 31-16 (.660) WAC record. USU is also 64-58 (.525) on the road under Coach Morrill, which includes a 47-36 (.566) road record in conference games. This year, Utah State is 4-8 on the road which includes a 3-4 road record in WAC play.
• Utah State is leading the nation in overall shooting at 51.1 percent and in free throw shooting at 79.1 percent, and is sixth in the nation with 18.1 assists per game. USU also leads the WAC and ranks 21st in the nation in three-point shooting at 39.6 percent and is allowing 68.2 points per game to rank first in the WAC as well.
• Senior guard Jaycee Carroll is currently shooting 51.0 percent from three-point range which ranks first in the nation. Carroll also ranks second nationally in free throw shooting at 92.5 percent and is 12th in the nation in scoring with 22.7 points per game, all of which lead the WAC. Carroll also ranks ninth in the WAC in overall shooting at 53.1 percent.
UP NEXT
Utah State (22-9, 11-4) will conclude its regular season at Idaho (8-19, 5-10) on Saturday, Mar. 8 at 8 p.m. (MT). If USU defeats the Vandals it will tie for first-place in the Western Athletic Conference and be the number one seed at next weeks WAC Tournament.
ON THE AIR
Utah State basketball games are broadcast on KVNU (610 AM) and KLZX (95.9 FM) in Logan, Utah, KFAN (1320 AM) or ESPN Radio (1230 AM) in Salt Lake City and KLZX (105.3 FM) in Montpelier, Idaho, as well as on the internet at www.UtahStateAggies.com. Al Lewis serves as the play-by-play announcer while Rod Tueller serves as the analyst during home games.
ON THE INTERNET
All of Utah State's home games are available for fans to listen and watch live via the internet at www.UtahStateAggies.com. Aggie fans will also be able to follow Utah State home games through its web site via GameTracker, a program that documents each play and updates statistics. Fans can also listen to every road game live via USU's web site.
LOOKING AT UTAH STATE
Utah State is 22-9 on the season and tied for second-place in the Western Athletic Conference with an 11-4 league record following its 88-69 road win at Boise State Thursday night. USU is led by senior All-American guard Jaycee Carroll who is averaging 22.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and shooting 53.1 percent from the field, 51.0 percent from three-point range and 92.5 percent from the free throw line, while junior forward Gary Wilkinson is averaging 13.3 points and 6.9 rebounds and shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 81.4 percent from the free throw line. Freshman forward Tai Wesley is also scoring in double-figures for USU as he is averaging 10.3 points and 4.3 rebounds and shooting 65.8 percent from the field. As a team, Utah State is averaging 73.8 points and shooting 51.1 percent from the field, 39.6 percent from three-point range and 79.1 percent from the free throw line, while its opponents are averaging 68.2 points and shooting 43.7 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range and 69.6 percent from the free throw line.
UTAH STATE DURING ITS FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK
During its current four-game winning streak, Utah State is averaging 81.2 points and shooting 56.2 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from three-point range and 84.0 percent from the free throw line, while its opponents are averaging 63.2 points and shooting 41.0 percent from the field, 30.1 percent from three-point range and 65.6 percent from the free throw line.
FOUR AGGIES RANK AMONG TOP NINE SHOOTERS IN THE WAC
Utah State has four of the top nine field goal shooters in the WAC in Tai Wesley who is first (.658), Gary Wilkinson who is fourth (.575), Stephen DuCharme who is fifth (.572), and Jaycee Carroll who is ninth (.531).
VERSUS THE WAC
Utah State is 177-99 (.641) all-time against current members of the WAC and the Aggies have a winning record against every team in the league. In 2006, USU finished in a tie for second-place with an 11-5 league record and advanced to the conference's championship game. In 2007, USU finished in fourth-place with a 9-7 mark and advanced to the WAC Tournament championship game for the second straight year.
Stew Morrill VERSUS THE WAC
Stew Morrill is 93-73 (.560) all-time in WAC games, which includes a 31-16 (.660) record at Utah State and a 62-57 (.521) record at Colorado State. Morrill is 92-64 (.590) all-time against current members of the WAC, which includes a 63-26 (.708) record at USU.
MORRILL RECORDS 20 WINS YET AGAIN
Utah State's Stew Morrill has now won at least 20 games 13 times as a collegiate head coach. In his 22 years as a head coach, he has had 21 winning seasons and won at least 17 games 19 times. Entering the 2007-08 campaign, Morrill was one of just 13 active coaches to notch 12 20-win seasons, while his streak of eight straight 20-win seasons entering the year was tied for the ninth-longest active streak in the nation.
COMPUTER RANKINGS
As of Friday, Mar. 7, Utah State has an RPI of 70 and a strength of schedule of 164, while the WAC is currently ranked 20th in the nation out of 32 conferences.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following its road game at Idaho, Utah State will travel to Las Cruces, N.M., to compete in the 2008 WAC Tournament from Thursday to Saturday, Mar. 13-15, in the Pan American Center on the campus of New Mexico State University.
RECAPPING THE BOISE STATE GAME
Senior All-American guard Jaycee Carroll scored 23 points, including 19 in the second-half to lead Utah State to a convincing 88-69 win against league-leading Boise State at Taco Bell Arena Thursday night. Utah State, who has now won four straight games, improves to 22-9 on the season and 11-4 in the Western Athletic Conference. Boise State concludes its regular season with a 22-8 record and a 12-4 conference mark. Senior forward Stephen DuCharme added 20 points and seven rebounds, while junior forward Gary Wilkinson finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Freshman forward Tai Wesley also scored in double-figures for Utah State as he had 11 points in just 16 minutes before fouling out. Carroll also added nine rebounds and two assists in 40 minutes of action. Reggie Larry scored 23 points to go along with nine rebounds and four blocks to lead Boise State, while Matt Nelson added 20 points. Anthony Thomas scored the first points of the game on a deep three-pointer from the top of the key, but the lead was short-lived for the home team as Utah State scored five straight points on a layup by Wilkinson and a three-pointer by freshman guard Tyler Newbold. Each team then traded buckets before USU went on a 7-1 run and led for the remainder of the game. Utah State's margin grew to 12 on a free throw by Wesley with 8:05 to play to give Utah State a 30-18 advantage. Boise State scored seven straight points to get within five only to see USU finish the half with a 14-5 run to take a 44-30 lead into the break. In the first-half, Utah State shot 50.0 percent from the field (18-36) and held Boise State to just 38.5 percent shooting (10-26). USU also out-rebounded BSU, 26-11, in the first-half as the visitors had 11 offensive boards. DuCharme had 12 points to lead Utah State in the opening period, while Larry and Nelson each scored eight points. Utah State continued to control the game throughout the second half as Boise State could get no closer than nine points and USU finished the game with a 15-5 run over the final 3:50 to win going away. Utah State finished the game by shooting 54.2 percent from the field (32-59), 50.0 percent from three-point range (6-12) and 81.8 percent from the free throw line (18-22). Boise State finished the game by shooting 46.0 from the field (23-50), but made just 2-of-17 three-pointers (.118). The Broncos were also 21-33 (.636) from the free throw line. USU had 16 more rebounds (38-22) and six more assists (18-12) in the contest. Both teams entered the game shooting 51.0 percent from the field to lead the nation.
LEFTOVERS FROM BOISE STATE
Utah State tied its season-high with its 88 points... USU had 12 offensive rebounds, including 11 in the first-half, which is the third-most in a single-game this year... USU had four players score in double-figures for the seventh time this year.
AGGIES NEED TO KEEP THEIR OPPONENT UNDER 70 POINTS
Utah State's magic number, defensively, seems to be 70 as it is 18-0 on the season when allowing fewer than 70 points, but 4-9 when its opponent scores 70 or more points in a game.
UTAH STATE FINDING ITS RHYTHM OFFENSIVELY
Utah State is executing much better on the offensive end as it has shot 50.0 percent or better from the field in 15 of its last 21 games. USU began the year by shooting 50.0 percent or better in just two of its first 10 games. During its first 10 games of the season, Utah State was shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three-point range. During its last 21 games, USU is shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from behind the arc.
UTAH STATE CONTINUES TO SHOOT WELL FROM BEHIND THE ARC
Utah State has shot at least 40 percent from the three-point range in 11 of its last 16 games and is shooting a collective 40.9 percent from behind the arc during that time period.
UTAH STATE STARTING TO RECORD MORE BLOCKS
Utah State has recorded 18 blocks in its last four games after registering just nine in its previous nine games. On the year, USU is 8-0 when recording more blocks than its opponents.
UTAH STATE IN MARCH
Utah State is 31-16 (.660) in the month of March under Coach Morrill, which includes a 3-3 (.500) road record.
CARROLL NAMED DISTRICT 14 SECOND-TEAM
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced Tuesday its Division I All-District teams and Utah State's Jaycee Carroll was named to the District 14 second-team for the second year in a row. Carroll, a 6-2, 175-pound, senior guard from Evanston, Wyo., currently leads the nation in three-point shooting at 51.0 percent. He also ranks second in the nation in free throw shooting at 92.5 percent and is 12th in scoring at 22.7 points per game. The NABC recognized 150 student-athletes from 15 districts, who are now eligible for selection to the NABC Division I All-American team which will be announced at the end of the season. Carroll was one of five players from the Western Athletic Conference recognized by the NABC along with Marcelus Kemp of Nevada (District 13 First-Team), Reggie Larry of Boise State (District 13 First-Team), Kevin Bell of Fresno State (District 13 Second-Team) and Justin Hawkins of New Mexico State (District 15 Second-Team). Carroll was also one of four players from the state of Utah to be honored joining Trent Plaisted and Lee Cummard of BYU (District 13 First-Team), and Luke Nevill of Utah (District 13 Second-Team).
SCOUTING IDAHO
Idaho is 8-19 on the season and tied for sixth-place in the WAC with a 5-10 league record following a pair of road wins at Hawai'i (85-77 ot) and at San Jose State (69-67) last weekend. The Vandals, who are 6-6 at home this year, are led by junior forward Jordan Brooks who is averaging 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while senior forward Michael Crowell is averaging 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. As a team, Idaho is scoring 65.5 points and shooting 42.9 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from three-point range and 61.1 percent from the free throw line, while its opponents are scoring 71.3 points and shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from three-point range and 74.2 percent from the free throw line. The Vandals return two starters and five letterwinners from last year's team that went 4-27 overall and finished in ninth-place in the WAC with a 1-15 record. George Pfeifer is 12-46 in his second year as a collegiate head coach.
UTAH STATE-IDAHO SERIES
Utah State and Idaho will be meeting for the 40th time this weekend with the Aggies holding a 27-12 all-time advantage, which includes a 12-6 record in Moscow. The first game played in the series was during the 1945-46 season with the Vandals recording a 55-33 win. The last time the two teams met was on Jan. 19, 2007 in Logan with USU notching a 79-64 win. The last time the two teams played in Moscow was on Feb. 10, 2007 with USU recording a 75-66 win. The last time Idaho won a game in the series was on Dec. 23, 2004 in Moscow, 69-62. Overall, USU has won 22 of the last 25 games played in the series, including each of the last six. USU head coach Stew Morrill is 17-3 against Idaho at USU and 20-13 against the Vandals all-time.
VERSUS THE STATE OF IDAHO
Under Coach Morrill, Utah State is 34-5 (.872) versus teams from the state of Idaho, which includes an 11-2 record against Boise State and a 17-3 record against Idaho.
UTAH STATE-IDAHO CONNECTIONS
Idaho assistant coach Leroy Washington was an assistant coach at the University of Montana when Utah State head coach Stew Morrill was the head coach of the Grizzlies.
AGGIES ON SATURDAY
Utah State is 92-35 (.724) in games played on Saturday under Coach Morrill, including a 9-4 record this year. USU is also 7-3 (.700) in known games played on March 8.
LAST MEETING AGAINST IDAHO
Senior All-American guard Jaycee Carroll broke Utah State's career scoring record in leading the Aggies to a 79-64 victory against the visiting Vandals from Idaho on Jan. 19, 2007 in Logan. Carroll passed Greg Grant (1983-86) with his first basket of the night, a three-pointer from the left wing at the 13:35 mark, giving him 2,129 points, topping Grant's 2,127 points. Carroll finished the night with 21 points and was one of four Aggies in double-figures as freshman forward Tai Wesley had 23 points, while junior forward Gary Wilkinson logged his second double-double of the season with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Freshman guard Tyler Newbold also scored in double-figures with a then career-high 13 points. Wesley snared seven rebounds while Carroll pulled down six, helping USU to a 35-19 rebounding domination. The 19 rebounds ties a USU opponent low, tying Austin Peay on Nov. 20. Three Carroll three-pointers helped USU shoot a season-best 62.5 percent (five-of-eight) behind the arc, part of a 29-of-48 (60.4 percent) field goal percentage. Idaho, who shot 44.6 percent (25-of-56) from the field, including 8-of-20 (40.0 percent) three-pointers, also had four players in double-digits, led by Clyde Johnson's 15 points. Michael Crowell tallied 13 points, while Jordan Brooks and Mike Kale added 11 and 10, respectively. For the second game in a row, Utah State made more free throws than the opponent attempted, as the Aggies were 16-of-19 (84.2 percent) at the charity stripe compared to 6-of-10 (60.0 percent) for the Vandals. Carroll's milestone points to break the record came on a three-pointer from the left wing, as the ball rattled around the rim before falling through, pulling USU within 17-16. After Idaho made a bucket to go up, 19-16, Carroll drained another trey from almost the same spot, sparking a 16-4 spurt for USU that Wilkinson capped with a three-pointer from the top of the arc to open a 32-23 lead with 8:25 left on the first half clock. The Aggies stretched their lead to 45-33 at the half, and on their first possession of the second half Newbold dunked for a 47-33 USU lead. Idaho got within nine at 59-50 with 12:20 remaining on a Crowell layup, but a layup from Carroll followed by a Wilkinson dunk regained control for USU at 63-50 at the 10:46 mark. The Aggies maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game.
STATISTICALLY, CARROLL IS THE BEST SHOOTER IN THE NATION
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll is without a doubt one of the best shooters in the nation as he is making 53.1 percent of his field goals, 51.0 percent of his three-pointers and 92.5 percent of his free throws. Overall, Carroll is the only player in the nation to shoot over 50 percent from both the field and three-point range, and over 90 percent from the free throw line.
CARROLL RANKS AMONG TOP ALL-AROUND SHOOTERS IN NCAA HISTORY
Along with being the only player in the nation to shoot over 50 percent from both the field and three-point range, and better than 90 percent from the free throw line this season, senior guard Jaycee Carroll is on the verge of becoming just the second player in NCAA history to accomplish that feat along with Arizona's Salim Stoudamire. During Stoudamire's senior season of 2004-05, he shot 50.4 percent from the field (210-417), 50.4 percent from three-point range (120-238), and 91.0 percent from the free throw line (122-134).
CARROLL HAS SCORED AT LEAST 20 POINTS IN NINE OF HIS LAST 10 GAMES
Senior All-American guard Jaycee Carroll has been on fire as of late, scoring at least 20 points in nine of his last 10 games and at least 30 points in three of his last five games. During his last 10 games, Carroll is averaging 26.0 points and 6.8 rebounds, while shooting 52.9 percent from the field, 50.7 percent from three-point range and 91.8 percent from the free throw line.
CARROLL ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT PLAYERS IN THE COUNTRY
Jaycee Carroll is one of the most efficient players in the country as he scores 22.7 points per game on just 14.52 shots, which averages out to 1.56 points per attempt. Of the 23 players nationally who average at least 21.0 points, only Eric Gordon of Indiana and Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina are more efficient than Carroll. On the year, Hansbrough is averaging 23.4 points on just 13.34 shots, while Gordon is averaging 21.4 points on just 12.93 shots per game.
NO REST FOR CARROLL
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll hasn't been getting much rest as of late as he had played all but five minutes in his last 10 games. During that time, Carroll has played 40 minutes six times, 39 minutes three times and 38 minutes once.
CARROLL BREAKS SINGLE-SEASON THREE-POINTERS MADE RECORD
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll has made 101 three-pointers this season, breaking the old record of 98 made three's set by Reid Newey during the 1988-89 season. Carroll also ranks first for a single-season in three-point shooting at 51.0 percent, is fifth with his 703 points, fourth in three-point attempts with 198, and eight in scoring with 22.7 points per game.
CLARK EIGHTH IN THE NATION IN ASSISTS
Senior guard Kris Clark is averaging 6.39 assists per game which leads the WAC and ranks eighth nationally. Clark also ranks second in the WAC and 26th in the nation with a 2.30-to-1.00 assist to turnover ratio.
CLARK SETS SINGLE-SEASON ASSISTS RECORD
Senior guard Kris Clark has 198 assists this year setting a new single-season record at Utah State. The previous record was 185 set by Jay Goodman (1992-93) and Oscar Williams (1976-77).
CLARK SIXTH ALL-TIME AT UTAH STATE IN ASSISTS
Senior point guard Kris Clark has 344 assists in his Utah State career to rank sixth all-time in school history. Clark is now 20 assists shy of tying Jay Goodman (1991-93) for fifth-place on USU's all-time list with 364 career assists. Clark also has a career average of 5.25 assists per game, which ranks second all-time in school history.
WILKINSON CONTINUES TO PERFORM WELL
Junior forward Gary Wilkinson continues to play well for Utah State as he scored in double-figures for the 14th time in his last 15 games at Boise State with 11 points and nine rebounds. In fact, Wilkinson just missed recording his fourth straight double-double of the season. Overall, Wilkinson has now scored in double-figures 24 times this season.
NEWBOLD AND WESLEY MUCH IMPROVED SINCE BEING INSERTED INTO STARTING LINEUP
Freshmen Tyler Newbold and Tai Wesley have been putting up solid numbers since being inserted into the starting lineup on Dec. 8 prior to USU's game at Cal State Bakersfield. In 20 games as a starter, Wesley is averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds and is shooting 68.2 percent from the field, while Newbold is averaging 6.3 points and 3.4 rebounds and is shooting 50.0 percent from the field. Prior to inserting the two freshmen into the starting lineup, USU was 5-5 on the season but has since gone 16-4.
NEWBOLD DOES A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
Freshman guard Tyler Newbold is doing whatever he can to help the team, which lately has been assists, as he is averaging 4.2 assists during his last five games.
DID YOU KNOW?
Utah State has seven freshmen on its 2007-08 roster, which is the most-ever on a USU team dating back to the 1957-58 season.
CARROLL BECOMES UTAH STATE'S ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER
Senior All-American guard Jaycee Carroll became Utah State's all-time leading scorer on Jan. 19, 2008 at home against Idaho as he made a three-pointer from the left wing with 13:35 to play in the first-half to eclipse Greg Grant's (1983-86) record of 2,127 points. Carroll now has 2,440 career points and is one of just three players in school history to score 2,000 points along with Grant and Wayne Estes (1963-65) who scored 2,001 career points.
CARROLL CURRENTLY THIRD ALL-TIME IN SCORING IN THE STATE OF UTAH
With his 2,440 career points, senior guard Jaycee Carroll currently ranks third all-time in the state of Utah in scoring. In fact, Carroll is one of just 10 collegiate players in the "Beehive State" to ever score 2,000 points. Utah's Keith Van Horn holds the state's scoring record with 2,542 points, followed by BYU's Danny Ainge (2,467) and Carroll's 2,440 points. Other 2,000 point scorers from the state include Utah's Billy McGill (2,321), BYU's Michael Smith (2,319), BYU's Devin Durrant (2,285), USU's Greg Grant (2,127), Weber State's Bruce Collins (2,019), USU's Wayne Estes (2,001) and Utah's Josh Grant (2,000).
CARROLL CONTINUES HIS ASSAULT ON UTAH STATE'S RECORDS BOOK
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll continues to put his name at the top of Utah State's records book as he is now the school's all-time leader in points scored (2,440), three-pointers made (356), three-pointers attempted (762), three-point percentage (.467), field goals made (852), field goals attempted (1,663), 10-point games (117), games started (128), games played (130) and total minutes played (4,402). Overall, Carroll currently holds 10 career school records, which is the most in school history.
MORE CARROLL RANKINGS AT UTAH STATE
Along with all of his school records, Carroll also ranks third all-time at Utah State in free throw percentage (.862) and third in minutes per game (34.2). He also ranks seventh in steals (120), eighth in points per game (18.8), 13th in rebounding (663) and 18th in assists (261).
CARROLL RANKS THIRD IN NCAA HISTORY IN THREE-POINT SHOOTING
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll is shooting 46.7 percent from three-point range during his career, which ranks third all-time in the history of the NCAA at the Division I level. Tony Bennett of Green Bay holds the NCAA record for three-point shooting at 49.7 percent (290-584), followed by Stephen Sir of Northern Arizona at 46.9 percent (323-689), and Carroll at 46.6 percent (353-758).
CARROLL 17TH ALL-TIME IN NCAA HISTORY IN THREE-POINTERS MADE
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll has made 356 three-pointers in his career to rank 17th all-time in NCAA Division I history for most made three-pointers in a career. Duke's J.J. Redick holds the NCAA record with 457 made three-pointers.
RANKING CARROLL IN THE WAC
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll ranks second all-time in the WAC in three-point shooting at 46.5 percent (277-596), is third in free-throw shooting at 88.0 percent (335-380), fourth in three-pointers made (277), and 17th in scoring (1,970). If Utah State had joined the WAC a year earlier so Carroll's freshman stats would count, he would rank fourth in scoring (2,440), first in three-pointers made (356), second in three-point shooting (.467), second in three-pointers attempted (762), fourth in free throw percentage (.862), fourth in field goals made (852) and eighth in field goals attempted (1,663).
CARROLL THIRD IN THE NATION AMONG ACTIVE PLAYERS IN SCORING
Senior All-American guard Jaycee Carroll ranks third in the nation in scoring among active players at the Division I level with 2,440 points, behind Bo McCalebb of New Orleans who has 2,634 career points and Reggie Williams of VMI who has 2,526 career points. Carroll also ranks first in the nation among active players in career three-point shooting at 46.7 percent.
CARROLL HAS 55 CAREER 20-POINT GAMES AND 10 CAREER 30-POINT GAMES
Jaycee Carroll has scored 20 or more points in a game 55 times during his Utah State career, including 21 times thus far this year. He also has 10 career 30-point games and one career 40-point game as he scored 44 points against New Mexico State on Feb. 5, 2007. Overall, Utah State is 17-4 this season and 45-10 all-time when Carroll scores 20-plus points in a game.
CARROLL CONTINUES DOUBLE-FIGURE SCORING STREAK
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll has scored in double-figures in all 31 games this year and in 35 straight games dating back to last season. Overall, Carroll has scored in double-figures in 65 of his last 66 games and in 117 games during his Utah State career. His 35 game streak of double-figure scoring ranks sixth all-time in school history. As a junior he scored in double-figures in 31 straight games, which ranks eighth all-time in school history.
DID YOU KNOW?
Senior All-American guard Jaycee Carroll has made at least one three-point basket in 52 straight games and in 119 of his 130 career games at Utah State.
UTAH STATE PLAYER NOTES
#5 Pooh Williams - Averaging 2.0 points and 0.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 32.7 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three-point range and 64.3 percent from the free throw line... Scored a season-high eight points against Montana-Western... Averaging 3.3 points during his last four games.
#10 Kris Clark - Has started 63 games at Utah State... Scored a career-high 16 points at Fresno State... Tied his career-high with 10 assists at Nevada... Averaging 5.7 points, 6.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 38.4 percent from the field, 25.9 percent from three-point range and 78.7 percent from the free throw line... Has recorded at least four assists in 29 of USU's 31 games this year... Ranks first in the WAC in assists and is second in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.30)... Averaging 6.0 points and 5.8 assists during his last five games.
#11 DeUndrae Spraggins - Scored a season-high 14 points against Iowa and had a season-high five assists against Vanderbilt... Averaging 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.8 percent from the field, 28.1 percent from three-point range and 72.4 percent from the free throw line... Has scored just four points in his last eight games.
#15 Desmond Stephens - Had a season-high four assists against Louisiana Tech... Tied his season-high with nine points against New Mexico State... Also had a season-high five boards against NMSU... Averaging 2.8 points and 1.6 assists, while shooting 31.1 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from three-point range and 72.7 percent from the free throw line... Averaging 1.8 points in his last five games.
#20 Jaycee Carroll - Tied his season-high with 33 points against Fresno State... Averaging 22.7 points and 6.2 rebounds, while shooting 53.1 percent from the field, 51.0 percent from three-point range and 92.5 percent from the free throw line... Is playing a team-high 37.1 minutes per game... Has scored in double-figures in all 31 games this year, including 21 20-point games... Tied his career-high with eight assists against Austin Peay... Ranks first in the WAC in scoring, free throw shooting and three-point shooting... Averaging 26.4 points and 6.4 rebounds during his last five games, while shooting 54.7 percent from the field, 46.9 percent from three-point range and 95.8 percent from the free throw line.
#24 Tyler Newbold - Scored a career-high 20 points at New Mexico State to go along with a career-high seven rebounds... Averaging 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 45.1 percent from three-point range and 85.7 percent from the free throw line... Averaging 6.3 points and 3.4 rebounds as a starter, and 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in his last five games.
#34 Modou Niang - Had season-highs in points (4), rebounds (3), blocked shots (3) and minutes played (17) against Cal Poly... Averaging 0.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game.
#40 Stephen DuCharme - Tied his career-high with 22 points at Cal Poly and had a season-high 11 rebounds at UC Irvine... Recorded his fifth career double-double against Santa Clara as he had 12 points and 10 rebounds... Has scored in double-figures 13 times this season and 31 times in his career... In his career, he has six 20-point games, six double-figure rebounding games and five double-doubles... This season he is averaging 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and is shooting 57.2 percent from the field and 73.8 percent from the free throw line... Ranks fifth in the WAC in field goal shooting... During his last five games he is averaging 10.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.
#42 Tai Wesley - Scored a career-high 27 points against Hawai'i... Recorded his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds at Nevada... Had a season-high six assists against Utah Valley... Averaging 10.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and shooting 65.8 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from the free throw line... Ranks first in the WAC in field goal shooting and 10th in blocked shots (0.77)... Averaging 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds during his last five games, while shooting 74.3 percent from the field.
#44 Matt Formisano - Recorded season-highs with eight points and four rebounds in 25 minutes at New Mexico State... Averaging 1.4 points and 1.3 rebounds and is shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 60.0 percent from the free throw line.
#55 Gary Wilkinson - Recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds against Fresno State... Scored a season-high 23 points against Nevada and had a season-high 13 rebounds against Idaho... Recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds at Utah... Averaging 13.3 points and 6.9 rebounds, while shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 81.4 percent from the free throw line... Ranks fourth in the WAC in overall shooting, is seventh in free throw shooting, seventh in rebounding and 13th in scoring.... Averaging 12.8 points and 9.4 rebounds during his last five games.
UTAH STATE AMONG THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY
Over the last nine years, Utah State has been one of the best basketball programs in the country, recording a 220-71 (.756) record. Those 220 wins are the seventh-most in the country, while the 75.6 percent winning percentage is fifth-best behind Duke (.838), Gonzaga (.802), Kansas (.801) and Florida (.766). USU has also been among the top-13 teams in the country in points allowed in six of the last eight years and among the top-35 teams in the country in winning percentage in six of the last eight seasons.
UTAH STATE HAS DOMINATED CONFERENCE PLAY SINCE 2000
Utah State has had tremendous success in league play over the last nine years recording a 115-36 (.762) record, which includes an 84-20 record in the Big West Conference as it won three regular season championships and four tournament titles and a 31-16 record in the WAC. Here is a look at how the current members of the Western Athletic Conference has done in league play dating back to the 1999-2000 season. Note: Utah State and Idaho's league record includes six years in the Big West Conference (2000-2005); Boise State's record includes two years in the Big West (2000-2001); Nevada's record includes one year in the Big West (2000); Louisiana Tech's record includes two years in the Sun Belt Conference (2000-01); and New Mexico State's record includes one year in the Big West (2000) and five years in the Sun Belt (2001-05).
UTAH STATE TRENDS DURING THE LAST NINE YEARS
• USU is 90-6 when holding its opponents below 60 points.
• USU is 182-21 when leading at the half.
• USU is 194-19 when shooting better from the field than its opponent.
• USU is 160-33 when out-rebounding its opponent.
• USU is 149-17 when shooting better from three-point range than its opponent.
• USU is 114-17 when blocking more shots than its opponent.
• USU is 94-18 when scoring 70-plus points in a game.
DID YOU KNOW?
Utah State will play 32 games during the regular season, which is the most by any Division I team in the nation.
CARROLL NAMED WAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK THREE TIMES, DUCHARME ONCE
Senior guard Jaycee Carroll has been named the WAC Player of the Week three times this season and senior forward Stephen DuCharme has won it once. Carroll's first honor came on Dec. 24 as he averaged 32.5 points and 5.5 rebounds en route to being named the Most Valuable Player of the Gossner Classic as USU defeated Utah Valley (87-65) and Northern Arizona (78-62). During the tournament he shot an unbelievable 74.2 percent from the field and 69.2 percent from three-point range. He was also a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. His second honor came on Jan. 21 after averaging 25.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in a pair of wins against Boise State (82-78) and Idaho (79-64). Carroll's third honor came on Feb. 11 as he averaged 24.0 points and 10.0 rebounds and shot 50.0 percent from the field (16-32), 53.3 percent from three-point range (8-15) and 88.9 percent from the free throw line (8-9) in a pair of wins at Fresno State (77-72) and against San Jose State (78-73). DuCharme was named the WAC Player of the Week on Nov. 26 as he helped Utah State record a 2-1 record and a third-place at the 2007 South Padre Island Invitational with wins against Austin Peay (71-68) and Iowa (75-62) and a loss to Vanderbilt (77-56). DuCharme was named to the all-tournament team as he averaged 20.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, while shooting 64.3 percent from the field (18-28).
HISTORIC WEEK IN UTAH STATE BASKETBALL
The weekend of Jan. 17-19 was without a doubt one of the most historic times in Aggie Basketball history as Stew Morrill became the school's all-time winningest coach in Utah State's 82-78 win against Boise State, and senior guard Jaycee Carroll became the school's all-time scoring leader in USU's 79-64 win against Idaho. Morrill passed E. Lowell Romney's (1920-41) 225 career wins, while Carroll passed Greg Grant's (1983-86) 2,127 career points.
CARROLL NAMED FINALIST FOR LOWE'S SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Jaycee Carroll is one of 10 finalists for the men's 2007-08 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award it was recently announced. The award is presented annually to an NCAA Division I male and female senior basketball player who excel both on and off the court. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. Ten finalists in both the men's and women's division were selected from a list of 30 candidates based on personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete. The four primary areas of criteria include: classroom, community, character and competition. The other men's finalists are: Shan Foster of Vanderbilt, A.J. Graves of Butler, Roy Hibbert of Georgetown, Chris Lofton of Tennessee, Drew Neitzel of Michigan State, DeMarcus Nelson of Duke, Brian Roberts of Dayton, Sean Singletary of Virginia and Peyton Stovall of Ball State. The 10 finalists will be placed on the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award ballot for a nationwide vote beginning February 6 and concluding March 21. Fan balloting, available on the award's official web site www.seniorclassaward.com will be combined with votes from coaches, media and sponsors to determine the recipient of the award. Winners will be announced during the NCAA Men's and Women's Final Four, scheduled on April 5-7 in San Antonio, Texas, for men and April 6-8 in Tampa, Fla., for women. The Lowe's All-Senior All-America Team will also be recognized.
UTAH STATE DROPS THIRD STRAIGHT CLOSE GAME
Prior to playing at Nevada on Feb. 11, Utah State was 6-0 on the season and had won 23 of its last 30 games decided by six or fewer points. However, since then Utah State has lost three straight games decided by six points or less with a pair of five-point setbacks at Nevada (85-80) and at Hawai'i (71-66), followed by a three-point loss at San Jose State (70-67). USU, has however, won four straight games decided by a single point.
AGGIES TRADITIONALLY BOUNCE BACK WELL FROM A LOSS
Over the last nine years, Utah State is 48-15 (.762) following a loss and 9-1 following consecutive losses. This season, Utah State lost three straight games for the first time since the end of the 1998-99 season, a span of 287 games. When Utah State plays at home following a loss under Coach Morrill, its record is 34-1 (.971), with its lone loss coming against Idaho (52-51) on Mar. 1, 2003.
UTAH STATE FINISHES 2008 WITH SEVEN STRAIGHT SELLOUTS
During its last seven home games, Utah State has played in front of a sold-out Dee Glen Smith Spectrum crowd of 10,270, marking the first time in the 37-year history of the building that USU has had seven straight sellouts. On the season, USU is averaging 9.012 fans which ranks second in the WAC and is the highest average in school history.
UTAH STATE IN THE DEE GLEN SMITH SPECTRUM
Utah State finished its 2007-08 regular season with a 17-0 home record, which is a school record for most wins in a single-season, marking just the fourth time in the 37 year history of the building that an Aggie team has gone undefeated at home. Utah State is now 142-12 (.922) in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum under Coach Morrill, which includes a 76-8 (.905) record against conference opponents and a 21-3 (.875) record against WAC teams. Overall, USU is 436-105 (.806) in 37 years in the building. The other three times USU has gone undefeated at home was in 1973-74 (14-0), 1997-98 (15-0), and 2000-01 (15-0). Overall, USU's 17 game winning streak at home is the eighth-longest in the nation.
HEAD COACH Stew Morrill
In his 22nd season as a collegiate head coach and 10th year at Utah State, Stew Morrill became the winningest coach in school history on Jan. 17, 2008 in the Aggies' 82-78 win against Boise State, passing E. Lowell Romney (1920-41) who won 225 games in 22 seasons. In his 10th year at USU, Morrill has taken the Aggie Basketball program to unprecedented heights leading it to an incredible 235-84 (.737) record, including a 123-44 (.737) conference mark in the Big West and WAC. While at Utah State, he has guided the Aggies to eight straight 23-win seasons and eight straight postseason appearances (NCAA-5, NIT-3), both of which are school records. Morrill has also led Utah State to the fifth-best winning percentage in the nation during the last nine years at 75.6 percent with an overall record of 220-71. Against conference opponents, Utah State has a 140-49 record with three regular season league championships and four tournament titles during that time, including appearances in its league's tournament championship game seven times in the last eight years. Under Morrill, Utah State has notched eight of the top 10 seasons in school history during the last eight years as the Aggies set a school record with 28 wins during the 2000 season, tied that record with 28 wins during the 2001 season and notched the eighth-most wins in school history during the 2007 season with 23 victories. During the 2006-07 season, Morrill guided Utah State to a fourth-place finish in the WAC during the regular season, followed by its second straight appearance in the WAC Tournament championship game. The 2006-07 Aggie basketball team also set a school record by shooting 78.0 percent from the free throw line, which ranked second in the nation. For the eighth straight year, USU had at least one player earn first-team all-league accolades as Jaycee Carroll received the honor. Overall, Morrill has coached 10 first-team all-league players at Utah State who have won the award a total of 14 times. Morrill has also taken full advantage of the home court at USU, the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. In Morrill's 10 years, USU is an amazing 142-12 (.922) at home, which includes a 76-8 (.905) record in league play. As for Morrill, he has won 20 or more games on 13 different occasions during his career, and he has won at least 17 games 19 times. Overall, Morrill ranks 23rd in the nation among active coaches and 96th all-time with his 453 career wins, while his career winning percentage of 67.1 percent ranks 28th among active coaches and 100th all-time. He is also one of 27 active coaches with 400 career wins at the Division I level and one of just 13 active coaches to notch at least 13 20-win seasons. His current streak of nine straight 20-win seasons ranks ninth among active coaches and is tied for the 13th-longest streak ever at the Division I level. Morrill has also been named Coach of the Year (2000 BWC, 2002 BWC) twice in his eight years at USU, along with winning the Big Sky award while the head coach at Montana in 1991.
• Head coach Stew Morrill (235-84) is the winningest coach in school history as he recorded his 226th win on Jan. 17, 2008 in an 82-78 home win against Boise State, passing E. Lowell Romney (1920-41) who won 225 games in 22 seasons at USU. Morrill is also second all-time in games coached (319) at USU and is the longest tenured coach at Utah State (entering 10th season) since the Ladell Andersen era (1962-71).
• Entering his 10th season with the Aggies, Morrill has a 234-84 (.737) overall record, a 122-44 (.737) conference record and a 17-5 (.773) record in conference postseason play. Overall, Morrill owns a 453-222 (.671) record in 22 years as a collegiate head coach.
• Among active coaches at the Division I level, Morrill ranks 23rd in the nation with his 453 career wins and 28th in winning percentage at 67.1 percent.
• Morrill is one of just 27 active coaches with 400 career wins at the Division I level and one of just 13 active coaches to notch 13 20-win seasons, while his current streak of nine straight 20-win seasons is tied for the ninth-longest active streak in the nation.
• Morrill has been named conference coach of the year three times during his career, winning the award in 1991 while at Montana, and in 2000 and 2002 while at Utah State.
• Morrill has coached 10 first-team all-league players who have won the award a total of 14 times. Those players are Shawn Daniels (twice), Troy Rolle, Bernard Rock, Tony Brown, Desmond Penigar (twice), Mark Brown, Cardell Butler, Nate Harris (three times), Spencer Nelson and Jaycee Carroll,
• Utah State is 142-12 (.922) in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum under Morrill.
• Morrill has led Utah State to nine straight 20-win seasons and eight straight postseason appearances, both of which are school records.
• Morrill led Utah State to its first NCAA Tournament win in 31 years when USU defeated fifth-seeded Ohio State 77-68 in overtime during the 2001 NCAA Tournament.
• Morrill has been involved in postseason action 11 times in his career, including the NCAA Tournament at Utah State in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006 and the National Invitation Tournament in 2002, 2004 and 2007.
