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Show Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 Page 8 WednesdayS110 Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesman.com Sanders on the road to recovery BY MANDY MORGAN staff writer For cornerback Cameron Sanders, it hasn't been an easy go this year. But even with an injury sustained from spring camp and a rough season for the Aggies, Sanders is still pushing forward to get back in the game. While set back by the dislocated elbow, the 5-foot-10 sophomore is working hard and is progressing to be on the field more and more. "So far, I feel like I'm on and off," Sanders said. "Sometimes I can do good, and sometimes it's not as good as I want it to be." Part of Sanders' training is simply watching and learning from what the team does on the field each day, at every game. "I'm not really playing as much as I need to be," Sanders said. "I feel like, with the team, we have a lot of confidence in what we have right now. I'm still watching and learning — trying to see what I can do better to help the team, too." And that has been Sanders' biggest contribution to the team for most of this season. However, he has plenty of things he is personally working on to get better. One of his biggest goals is just to get back to full health, Sanders said. "As far as my injuries, with getting back at 100 percent, it's getting better each week," Sanders said. "I'm getting stronger and stronger; it's getting better and better." Cornerbacks coach Kendrick Shaver has a positive opinion of, and also high expectations for the cornerback players he coaches. "We have a good group of guys, an athletic group of guys, a very competitive group of guys," Shaver said. "Several of these guys could start, and that's a very good thing. I'm pleased with those guys." When it comes to Sanders' progression and playing, Shaver said he sees everything in a realistic light. "With his injury, of course, he was set back a lot and when he got back the season was going," Shaver said. "He is still getting back in playing state — football functioning mode." To achieve the things the team wants, Shaver has set specific goals for the cornerbacks. "We want to have the best passing defense in the WAC," Shaver said. For our resume I want our guys to be disciplined and to be physical. That's what we harp on. We are really growing together." For Nevin Lawson, one of Sander's fellow cornerbacks, he said his biggest goal is to win the WAC championship and then a bowl game. "We've got good talent in the cornerback position; we've got good talent for every position on this team," Lawson said. See ELBOW, Page 10 SOPHOMORE CORNERBACK CAMERON SANDERS stands on Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium close too the spot where he dislocated his left elbow in the Blue and White Scrimmage Aug. 27. TODD JONES photo These guys are not your average wingmen BY TYLER HUSKINSON assistant sports editor Editor's note: This is part two of a four-part series previewing the USU men's basketball team. This article will preview the shooting guard and small forward positions. The Utah State men's basketball team has a total of 10 players on its roster who have never checked into a game, and one of those players will soon end up playing one of the wing positions. Last season, every single minute logged at the shooting guard and small forward positions came from Tyler Newbold, Pooh Williams and Brian Green — all since-departed seniors. The only player who has any game experience at the wing is Preston Medlin, who has shown the ability to play the one, two or three position. "You can't be any more inexperi- enced and new," associate coach Tim Duryea said. "The thing that helps is obviously Preston's experience as a redshirt." Medlin showed his poise and ability to score as a freshman, especially against big-time opponents such as BYU. "The first time we ever checked him into a game, we could tell that he's a gamer-type guy," Duryea said of Medlin. "The room isn't too big for him. He doesn't shy away from big time atmospheres or high-level competition. Guys like that are worth their weight in gold. We had a bunch of guys like that last year that had a lot of experience. Hopefully Preston will give us a little bit of swagger." The 6-foot-4, 175-pound sophomore, who scored 16 points on 7 of 14 shooting from the field, and 2 of 8 from 3-point range, looks to be a team leader among an inexperienced group of players. USU BASKETBALL GUARDS jog on the court in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Two of these players will most likely be named to the upcoming season's starting roster, which begins with an exhibition against UC San Diego Oct. 28. TODD JONES photo "Besides Brady (Jardine), me and Morgan (Grim) have been here the longest," Medlin said. "I am trying to step up and be a leader, talk to my teammates and really help them out if they need help." After a year of only practicing and traveling with the team, Medlin said he is eager to play. "I'm so excited," he said. "I've been waiting a whole year to get out on the court again and just working hard and getting back to playing. I think I've grown a lot. I think I've matured. I've put on a little weight and just overall gotten better. I think my defense has improved a lot. I think I'm getting better — I still have a lot to work on — but I think it has improved." Another player who has really caught the eye of the Aggie coaching staff is Adam Thoseby. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound freshman from Henleyon-Thames, United Kingdom, scored 14 points in the team's first scrimmage and has displayed the ability to create his own shot. "We are very fortunate to have found out about Adam," Duryea said. "Adam has very good athleticism. He is not only a guy that can catch and shoot, but he is a guy that is athletic enough to take one or two dribbles and pop up and — 12 or 15 feet — get his shot off." Thoseby played on the United Kingdom's U20 Olympic team over the summer and said he needs to adapt to the more physical style of play. "Coming from Europe, it's a ► See WINGS, Page 10 Aggie basketball could not have come at a better time this season Basketball season starts As a soon and it couldn't come at a better time. ) matter of Barring a miraculous fact change of mind by a certain USU assistant football coach, football season will end in a very familiar fashion, leaving Aggie fans hungering for basketball. The Aggie basketball team lost six seniors and all but one 7 player from its starting lineup, but don't be pessimistic quite yet. Head coach Stew Morrill, who is in his 14th year at the helm, along with his coaching staff, has recruited some of the most athletic players that have worn an Aggie jersey in quite some time. The Aggies lost quite a bit of talent, but don't get me wrong, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Aggie basketball. The six seniors on last year's roster averaged nearly 50 points per game, and the Aggies averaged 72 points as a team per game last season. The Aggies lost leading scorer Tai Wesley and their best defenders in Tyler Newbold and Pooh Williams, who usually had the difficult task of defending their opponent's top scorer. The Aggies will also be without Brian Green, who emerged two seasons ago as one of the best — if not the best — 3-point shooter in the Western Athletic Conference. But the Aggies have a great amount of talented players who look to make an impact this season. Aggie fans will get their first chance to see the team in person Wednesday, Oct. 26, during the Annual Blue and White Scrimmage, and there are several players to watch for. Brockeith Pane is the only returning starter for Utah State and one of four returning seniors, and he will be called upon to be the floor general at the point guard position. Pane won the starting spot lasting season and became a fan favorite with his ability to get to the basket and create his own shot. He has improved his 3-point shooting ability and should be one of USU's leading scorers. Coaches hate comparing current players with past players for several reasons, and I won't even try because each player is unique in his own way. The Aggies are solid at the one position, but there are several unknowns at every other position on the floor. Despite those unknowns, the Aggies have some familiar faces to fill some spots. Do you remember Preston Medlin and his performance against BYU in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum two years ago? Medlin, then a freshman, hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers to go along with a layup in traffic to help the Aggies to a victory that year. Medlin redshirted last season and added some weight to his frame. Also keep an eye on Antonio Bumpus. The junior college All-American is the fourth the Aggies have recruited in the past five seasons, coming in great company with names such as Jared Quayle, Gary Wilkinson and Chaz Spicer. Bumpus has a smooth shot and an innate ability to score. He averaged 18 points and four rebounds at Harcum College and knows how to win as well, as his team finished 26-3. Senior Brady Jardine will anchor the big men for Utah State. When Nate Bendall suffered through chronic foot problems last season, Jardine was called upon to start games and proved he belonged as a starter. Morrill sometimes referred to Jardine as a starter who came off the bench. Jardine started the first seven games of the season and nearly averaged a doubledouble at 10 points and nine rebounds per game. Get excited for Aggie basketball. You can't deny the addicting adrenaline rush that comes from being a part of Spectrum Magic. The Aggies don't lose at home very often. In fact, Morrill has only lost 13 times at home during his 14 years at Utah State. The Spectrum has been known for its ability to become deafeningly loud and most of that noise comes from the student section. So come out, be loud, wear blue and keep the Aggie tradition alive. - Tyler Huskinson is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. He is also a sports writer for The Herald Journal. Follow his Twitter feed @TDHuskiSports or send any comments to tyd.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu . |