OCR Text |
Show Statesman Sports Page 10 Monday, March 22, 2010 Looking forward F or the second straight season, the USU men's basketball team will return four out of five members of its starting line-up for the 2010-2011 season. After a third consecutive Western Athletic Conference championship in 2010, Tai Wesley, Tyler Newbold, Pooh Williams and Nate Bendall look to return to the starting rotation for the Aggies in 2011 for another conference title and a third-straight NCAA tournament bid. Wesley headlines this group after averaging 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this past season. Wesley joined departing senior Jared Quayle on the All-Western Athletic Conference first team after helping lead the Aggies to a 14-2 conference record. Wesley has proven to be able to score at will against any man-to-man defense, constantly demanding double team's from opposing defenses, and is an excellent passer out of the post, to top it off. Wesley also emerged as a vocal leader in 2010, on top of being a statistical leader, and should be the main focus of Utah State's offense again in 2011. While all four returning starters are standout defenders, none has as big of a defensive impact as Williams. The athletic wing-man from Washington went head to head with every opposing team's most dynamic scorers out of the back-court and made a trend out of holding those players to some of their worst games of the season. Williams was named to the WAC's All-defensive team in 2010, making him the first Aggie to earn that honor since USU joined the WAC in 2005. On top of elite defense, Williams also chipped in 8.7 points per game in 2010 while showing the ability to take over games if needed with his ability to drive to the basket and finish around the rim better than any other player on the team. Newbold's contributions to the team often don't show up statistically, but his eight points, four rebounds and 2.9 assists per game are nothing to scoff at. Newbold also shot 42.1 percent from behind the 3-point line in 2010, on top of being another stellar defensive player alongside Williams on the wings. Bendall returned to the Aggies last season after a church mission and a year of junior college ball to fill the void left by the 2009 WAC Player of the Year Gary Wilkinson and did so with flying colors. Bendall was one of the just three USU players to average double-digits in scoring this past season with his 10.3 points per game. He also pulled down 5.5 rebounds per game and finished second on the team in blocks with 29 on the year. As is the case with all of the returners, Bendall was also a standout defender, particularly in his ability to body up and out muscle most of the bigger and more athletic post players in the WAC this season. Matt Sonnenberg is a junior majoring in print journalism. Matt is an avid fan of Aggie athletics and can be found on the front row of every home football and basketball game. He can also be reached at matt.sonn@aggiemaiLusu.edu . Redskinjunior takes the nation by storm By PATRICK ODEN editor in chief No shoes, no shirt, no problem. You know the Aggies' biggest fan as Bill Sproat, and now thanks to and enamored national media, the world knows him as Wild Bill. Returning from Spokane, Wash., tired but riding a high that began a little more than a week ago when he accompanied the Utah State cheerleaders Spirit Squad to Reno, Nev., Sproat said he never intended to make the trip, but athletic Director Scott Barnes insisted. Arranged by Lynda Zimmerman, Spirit Squad adviser, Wild Bill rode with, ate with and played with the Spirit Squad over the course of the trip and loved every minute of it. "It was way fun. They are way fun people," Sproat said. "They were totally welcoming to me. It was really nice. I felt like I was part of the Spirit family." Sproat said Zimmerman played an instrumental role in his appearances throughout the season and that he "loves her to death." Zimmerman made space available to Sproat at halftime of each home game over the season to dawn his costume du jour in anticipation of rattling the visiting team as he bounced, swayed and screamed. "Sometimes my costume would be falling off my body and she'd snip it and sew it right there," Sproat said. "She always had a needle and thread." A humble Sproat was quick to say it's not just about basketball; first and foremost he's an Aggie fan. "You have a (Aggie) sport and I was there," Sproat said. "I've been to lacrosse games and I don't even know what lacrosse is all about." Sproat was flown to Charlotte, N.C., by ESPN to participate on the sport network's "Late Night Bracket Show" for four nights, a trip that caused him to miss the WAC tournament championship game to New Mexico State. Sproat said there was quite a blog buzz, claiming he turned his back on his team when they needed him Beautiful. Enduring. Remarkable. An expansive collection of the most memorable diesigns created with the most meticulous attention-to-detail. From the classic creation to the modern marvel, each ring exhibits quality fit for a Queen. most. "I never took credit for them winning any of their games, so I don't want to blamed for them losing," said a chuckling Sproat. Sproat said he was a little nervous when he arrived in Charlotte, but ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo told him to just be himself, and once he did, he had a blast. "I'm just soaking in my 15 minutes of fame for right now," Sproat said. "I don't know how to handle it. It really does feel way cool." Sproat's recount of his time in Charlotte makes, it quite clear that the big man had a big time. He visited Duke where the doors were left unlocked and the lights were left on at Cameron Indoor Stadium just so Wild Bill could stroll around at his leisure. Sproat said when he first arrived at ESPN Studios and saw Dick Vitale, he realized he was in any sports fans dream. "I was like, 'Oh my God, it's Dicky V baby!'" he said. While Wild Bill's presence on the late night show was well received by fans, producers and the other on-air personalities, Sproat said he was "living the dream of every little kid who's ever watched sports or ESPN." But is Wild Bill a star? Ask the bell boy at Bill's hotel — who after watching Scott Van Pelt Lynwood Edgewood 880 N 650E 736E 800 N Stay in the Very Best Single Student Housing! 930 N. Main St. Logan, Ut. 435-753-9755 Come in and enter to win a Caribbean Crusie for 2!! More Details @ www jerricksfinejewelry. corn or on our Facebook Fan page!! Good Luck! I See WILD, page 12 WILD BILL makes a short appearance at the Aggies NCAA game against fifth seed Texas A&M last week. Spokane, Wash. was just one of many stops for Bill during Spring Break. PATRICK ODEN photo cRESTWOODs Brentwood 736 E 900 N approach the T-shirt wearing Sproat lounging in a lobby chair, followed by an excited 'Practically on Campus •Full Bath in each bedroom 'Free Wireless Internet 'Fully equipped kitchen 'Washer & dryer in apartment 'Furnished 'Covered Parking (Edgewood) • Entire Summer from $500 'School Year: Private:$2370-$3390 Shared: $2070-$2490 755-3181 www.logancrestwoods.com CLARK PEST CONTROL NOW HIRING FOR OUTSIDE SALES POSITIONS IN: *BAKERSFIELD, CA *LANCASTER, CA *VISALIA, CA *FRESNO, CA *SANTA CLARITA, CA SUMMER JOBS MAY - AUGUST CONTACT TEAM LEADER PARKER FOLKMAN 208-221-7578 PARKERFOLKMAN@GMAIL.COM **ON =Est ■ ■ a CLARK LE PEST CONTROL Ea em=mo |