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Logan • This year has been an adjustment for Utah State basketball.

The Aggies no longer have the four starters who were integral in leading USU to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Utah State no longer has jumping-jack forward Brady Jardine, who is out for the season after tearing tendons in his foot.

Nobody has been affected by the changes more than Brockeith Pane.

The senior point guard has been central to USU's struggles in a 4-5 start to the season. At times, he has shot the ball too much. He hasn't been the efficient player he was a year ago in being named first-team All-WAC.

He admits that he has pressed early on. He knows that he needs to get better and that he needs to find the line between scoring and playmaking.

"Sometimes, I miss a lot of shots and then I think about it," Pane said. "I just have to think good thoughts and play. I always want to live up to expectations. But I have to realize that this is just a slow bump in the road. I have to keep a spiritual mind."

Pane played well Saturday in a loss to Wichita State, scoring the bulk of his 18 points in the second half. He's surrounded by new teammates, and much like last season, it has taken him a while to adjust.

If he does, expect the Aggies to be tough during the conference season. While this isn't the strongest Stew Morrill-led Utah State team, the WAC still looks to be wide open.

"Nevada is the best team that I've seen," Pane said. "It's still really up and down. We hope to be hitting our peak when it counts."

Facing reality

One thing about Jardine's injury: It takes away the guesswork. The Aggies know he won't be available until next season so now the rotation is set, with Kyisean Reed and Jordan Stone taking up extra minutes that weren't available to them earlier in the year.

"We know who we have now, and we know that we have to move forward," sophomore guard Danny Berger said. "We know that we won't have Brady, and we know that we have to step up in his absence." —

Seattle at Utah State

P Saturday, 7 p.m.