Utah State basketball: WAC honors USU's Butterfield, Shaw
In a season of unexpected mishaps, two junior newcomers became go-to players for the Utah State basketball team.
Those players — guard Spencer Butterfield and center Jarred Shaw — were recognized on the second team all-WAC and the all-WAC newcomers team on Sunday, voted in by the conference's coaches.
The inside-outside tandem became the Aggies' leading scorers and rebounders following season-ending injuries to preseason all-WAC candidates Preston Medlin and Kyisean Reed, helping Utah State finish in the top half of the conference.
Butterfield scored 12 points per game and added 6.6 rebounds per contest despite his 6-foot-3 stature. Shaw was one of Utah State's most consistent scorers, leading the Aggies 16 times in scoring while averaging 14 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
"I feel pretty good about it," Shaw said. "I'm excited that I got it, but I couldn't do it without my teammates. I'm happy that I got it and hope we can keep rolling going into the WAC Tournament."
It was the first time Utah State did not have an all-conference first-team player in 14 years.
Idaho's Kyle Barone was the WAC player of the year, and Louisiana Tech's Michael White was named the WAC coach of the year. —
All-WAC teams
Player of the Year • Kyle Barone, Sr., C, Idaho
Freshman of the Year • Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State
Don Haskins Coach of the Year • Michael White, Louisiana Tech
First Team
• Chris Udofia, Jr., F, Denver
• Kyle Barone, Sr., C, Idaho
• Raheem Appleby, So., G, Louisiana Tech
• Kenneth Smith, So., G, Louisiana Tech
• Bandja Sy, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Second Team
• Chase Hallam, Sr., G, Denver
• Daniel Mullings, So., G, New Mexico State
• Joel Wright, Jr., F, Texas State
• Spencer Butterfield, Jr., G/F, Utah State
• Jarred Shaw, Jr., F/C, Utah State
Third Team
• Brett Olson, So., G, Denver
• Royce O'Neale, So., F, Denver
• Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State
• Kevin Butler, Sr., F, UT Arlington
• Michael Hale III, Sr., G, UTSA
All-Defensive Team
• Chase Hallam, Sr., G, Denver
• Chris Udofia, Jr., F, Denver
• Michale Kyser, So., F, Louisiana Tech
• Kenneth Smith, So., G, Louisiana Tech
• Daniel Mullings, So., G, New Mexico State
All-Newcomer Team
• Alex Hamilton, Fr., G, Louisiana Tech
• Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State
• Joel Wright, Jr., F, Texas State
• Spencer Butterfield, Jr., G/F, Utah State
• Jarred Shaw, Jr., F/C, Utah State