This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Irvine, Calif. • Nobody knows how Tim Duryea's second year as Utah State's men's basketball coach will end.
The start, however, has at least been less chaotic than his rookie season.
Last year, three days before the Aggies opened, sophomore center-forward David Collette unexpectedly left the team and eventually transferred to the University of Utah.
At the time, Collette was Utah State's most talented low-post presence on offense and only true rim-protector on defense. His departure left the Aggies with a gaping hole in the paint — a factor that persisted throughout what turned out to be a 16-15 season.
This year?
Utah State opens its season on Friday night at UC Irvine. It will be the first test for a recruiting class that features highly regarded guard Koby McEwen of Wasatch Academy and four new players who are least 6-foot-8.
"I feel better about our size," Duryea said. "We can play pretty big."
Along with veterans Jalen Moore, Shane Rector, Julion Pearre and Quinn Taylor, Duryea believes the Aggies have improved their depth, rebounding and defense.
"We've made an effort to get better defensively, especially in transition," Duryea said. "I've seen quite a few lights come on [in the preseason], because they feel they can play faster defensively — they know what they are doing. Making more defensive plays. Getting our hands on the basketball. Helping from the weak side. Just more alert. All the things that happen after you get some reps."
Pearre will be a key for the Aggies. He is one of their best 3-point shooters. He is also their best perimeter defender.
Pearre embraced a sixth-man role last season and might be asked to do so again because of McEwen's presence.
He says the Aggies' recruiting class has added "a lot of talent. They shoot the ball well. They can all play. It's just going to take a little time to get that chemistry. Other than that, we're looking for a good year."
To prepare for the opener at UC Davis, the Aggies recently scrimmaged at Washington State.
"It basically felt like a road trip," Duryea said. "We got our guys accustomed to how we do things on the road. So, that will be a big benefit in terms of how this game will feel. … I hope that experience will help us some."
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Utah State at UC Irvine
P At the Bren Center, Irvine, Calif.
Tipoff • 8 p.m. MST
Live stream • utahstateaggies.com
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 0-0; UC Irvine 0-0
Series • Utah State leads, 31-28
Last meeting • UC Irvine, 73-63 (2015)
About the Aggies • They went 16-15 last year. … They have not had a losing season since 1992-93. … They have won 21 of their last 22 season openers. … They have won six of their last eight games against UC Irvine. … Their top returning scorers are senior F Jalen Moore (15.2), senior G Shane Rector (9.3) and junior G Julion Pearre (8.0). … Pearre shot 42.5 percent on 3s last season.
About the Anteaters • They went 28-10 last year and reached the finals of the CollegeInsiders.com postseason tournament, where they lost to Columbia, 73-67. … Senior G Luke Nelson is their top returning scorer (13.7). … In their only exhibition game, they beat Sonoma State, 81-63. Senior G Jaron Martin scored 18 points. … Martin shot 48.4 percent from the three-point line last season.