NCAA Basketball: Way-way-too-early 2019-20 preseason top-25 rankings

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers looks on in the second half during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Auburn Tigers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Merrill of the Aggies reacts. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Utah State was arguably the biggest surprise team in the country last season. After being universally projected as one of the worst teams in the Mountain West heading into the year, the Aggies were absolutely superb en route to winning both the regular season and tournament titles for the conference. And while they were ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, they should be back for more during the 2019-20 season due to the presumed returns of plenty of their top players.

Most notably, Sam Merrill will be back in action. The MWC Player of the Year during this past season, Merrill is returning for his senior year after averaging 20.9 points (.461/.376/.909), 3.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He is truly a do-it-all guard and there are not many returning players in the country that I would take over him. Merrill dictates the pace of games extremely well and he can get his shot off in a number of ways. A creative scorer and playmaker, it takes a very strong gameplan to slow him down.

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Additionally, big man Neemias Queta will be back in the fold as well. As just a freshman during this past season, Queta emerged as one of the most important players in the country. A dynamite threat on both ends of the floor, Queta averaged 11.8 points (61.4% FG), 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game last season. He was one of the more underappreciated players nationwide as he competed on the west coast but he is incredibly dangerous.

With these two coming back, I would be surprised if Utah State is not right back in the conversation for the MWC title in 2019-20. Add in the fact that head coach Craig Smith is sticking with the program and it is easy to see the top-25 appeal.

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