College Hoops In Utah Will Be Significantly Better Next Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Basketball fans (and media members) in Utah got the best possible news this past week.

Utah State center Neemias Queta? Back.

Weber State guard Jerrick Harding? Back.

Utah forward Donnie Tillman? Back.

BYU forward Yoeli Childs? Back.

Four major additions for four in-state programs immediately lifts preseason expectations, and why wouldn’t they? Queta, Harding, and Childs each have the potential to earn Conference Player of the Year honors, and Donnie Tillman had a standout sophomore year earning Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year honors.

This week on SportsBeat Afterhours, Hema Hemuli Jr. and Zak Hicken welcomed new KSL Sports Anchor Sam Farnsworth, and they talked about how important these additions are:

Yoeli Childs

The most surprising player to return to his respective school, Childs made the announcement Wednesday evening, hours ahead of the NCAA-mandated deadline. He is a two-time First Team All-WCC honoree and earned All-Freshman honors in 2016-17. His return immediately bolsters the Cougars’ front court improving their prospects to a legitimate contender with year-in and year-out favorite, Gonzaga.

As the leading scorer in the WCC as a junior, “Yo” is a shoe-in for a leading candidate to earn WCC Player of the Year honors during his senior year. Plus, he has high expectations for himself saying he has a personal goal of being named WCC Defensive Player of the Year.

“Let’s make some magic happen,” Childs said upon announcing his return.

Coming off of a disappointing 19-13 campaign, the Cougars are searching for magic after a long drought, magic would be an NCAA tournament appearance – their first since 2015.

Expectations in Provo are now sky-high, and Childs will lead a group with impressive fire power. Returning a core of T.J. Haws, Gavin Baxter, and Nick Emery. The Cougars also add WAC Player of the Year Jake Toolson as a graduate transfer from Utah Valley.

With Gonzaga losing three major pieces in Rui Hachimura, Brandon Clarke, and Zach Norvell to early entry in the NBA draft, could the Cougars make a push for a WCC title?

Why not? It’s time for some magic to return to the Marriott Center.

Neemias Queta

Queta’s return may be the biggest individual addition for any program in the state. After a phenomenal freshman campaign, Queta tested the waters of the NBA draft, but ultimately decided to return for his sophomore season. While expectations are high in Provo, they are through-the-roof in Logan.

The Aggies are coming off their best season since joining the Mountain West Conference, winning the regular season and tournament titles and making their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2011.

So what can we expect this year?

The Aggies return Mountain West Player of the Year, Sam Merrill, but Queta is his biggest competition from repeating. Queta posted averages of 11.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game earning MWC Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year honors. As the marquee big man in the conference this season, he should vastly improve on those numbers.

Utah State realistically should repeat as MWC champs, and to build on what Craig Smith has established in year one, the next step would be to win an NCAA tournament game, something Utah State hasn’t experienced since 2001.

Jerrick Harding

One of the most electric scorers in the Big Sky, Harding finished his sophomore season (2017-18) as the Big Sky scoring champ, and was the second-highest scorer as a junior.

Harding’s return establishes a building block for the Wildcats with the departure of graduating seniors Zach Braxton and Brekkott Chapman.

After a three-way tie for fourth place in 2018-19, the Wildcats are looking to gain ground on Montana, Northern Colorado, and Eastern Washington with the hopes of returning to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016.

With a special season from its star senior Harding and Weber State have the opportunity to do that.

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