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Utah State Basketball: In-depth look at senior guard Sam Merrill

By Bryan Mauro

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: The bench celebrates as Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies looks on as they play against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: The bench celebrates as Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies looks on as they play against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies drives the ball against the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies drives the ball against the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Expectations for Merrill in 2019-20

When Merrill takes the floor for the first time in the 2019-2020 season, it will mark the first time in a very long time the Aggies have expectations. Not only does Utah State have expectations they have a target on their back in the conference. Utah State is going to get the best of every team on their schedule, even the buy games. To beat Utah State especially in Logan, is going to be a nice feather in the cap on the NCAA tournament resume.

Coach Smith is going to have his guys ready to play. They will be ready for the challenge, and the Aggies have a roster that should allow them to compete for a higher seed come NCAA tournament time. The Mountain West has better depth this season, so the rise to the top will be harder than a season ago. The Aggies have one thing that the rest of the conference does not and that is the reigning Mountain West player of the year in Merrill.

It has been awhile since the state of Utah has seen a scorer as prolific as Merrill, he has a chance to be a Jimmer Fredette like icon for his school. It is likely that the senior guard ends his career among the school leaders in scoring, and he should take home the Mountain West Player of the Year for the second straight season.

Ranking all 2019 NCAA Tournament games. dark. Next

If the guard accomplishes the Player of the Year feat he would become the first player since the award came to be, that would have won it twice. The Aggies are ready to show everyone they are the class of the conference. Merrill is ready to prove to the rest of the country that he is one of the best players in the entire country, not just the Mountain West.