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While Nate Bendall nurses a pre-stress fracture, the Aggies will probably move Tai Wesley from power forward to center and bring Brady Jardine into the starting lineup.
There was the option of bringing Jardine off the bench for his energy and starting either Morgan Grim or Matt Formisano. But Stew Morrill said on Tuesday that Jardine has proven himself and is worthy of the chance, despite his value as USU's sixth man.
"He's accomplished alot at Utah State," Morrill said. "To not give him a chance at starting while Nate is working his way back would be unfair to him. He's earned the right."
Jardine is Utah State's most athletic player, a bundle of energy who got steadily better as a basketball player last season. He's a good complement for Wesley because he a great leaper, gets rebounds, blocks shots and runs the floor as well as any big man in the Western Athletic Conference.
Plus, Jardine got better as a shooter last season and is no longer a liability from 15 feet out.
"It's an opportunity for guys to step up," Wesley said.
Tony Jones