UC Riverside hosts Utah State

Utah State will end this week’s road swing at UC Riverside this Saturday night. The Highlanders are currently 3-2 in the Big West. They host the Idaho Vandals tonight. USU leads this all time series 5-1. That loss came last year when the Aggies met up at the Student Rec Center (3,168) in Riverside.

The Highlanders are coached by John Masi. He is currently in his 25th year as head coach at Riverside. He played basketball there, as well, and graduated in 1971. As head coach, he is 442-233 (.665%). 3 years ago, he and his ball club entered D1 basketball and the Big West. In the 2001-2002 season he led UCR to a 8-18 final record. The next year they finished at 6-18. This year they returned 3 starters and are already at 6-7.

As a team, the Highlanders are averaging 65.6 ppg while shooting 43% FG, 72% FT and 35% 3PT FG. The played a very tough pre season which included a 91-78 loss at Washington, a 77-68 loss at Arizona St. and a 84-70 loss at UCLA. Their pre season also included wins over Northern Arizona and St. Marys.

San Diego native Nate Carter has returned for his sophomore campaign. The 6-7 205 lb. guard is averaging 14.8 ppg while shooting 53% FG, 79% FT and 33% 3PT FG. He also averages 6.7 rebounds per game. His 21 point season high came in the Highlander 83-71 victory over St. Marys.

Senior guard Kevin Butler is throwing in 11.8 ppg while shooting 44% FG, 77% FT and 29% 3PT FG. His 20 point season high came during the road loss to Washington.

Vili Morton, a junior forward, is averaging 10.8 ppg while shooting 56% FG, and 71% FT. He averages 5.4 rebounds per game and has a 2.1/1.2 assist/turnover ratio. Morton scored 22 points in the UCR loss at UCLA.

I had the opportunity to interview Matt Nelson and ask him a few questions about UCR, their team and Saturday’s game. Matt attended UC Riverside from 1991-1995 and covered the team while he was there. He also did play-by-play for KUCR Radio from 1992-1995.

AS: Nate Carter has returned for his sophomore season. Averaging almost 15 pts and 7 rebounds a game; he looks just as solid as last season. Where has he improved? What does Nate mean to this year's team?

Matt Nelson: He is just as solid as he was last year. He is by far the most athletic and most pure basketball player UCR has had in more than 10 years, perhaps ever. Personally, he is my favorite player. He is also more relaxed this year because he does not have to carry the team by himself with Morton coming off the red shirt year. He is such a good player, it’s hard to think of an area where he has, or needed to improve. If I had to pick something, it would probably be rebounding, especially positioning. He seems to have a smart court sense on shots, whether they are going to miss and where the rebound is going to go.

AS: Vili Morton looks like a great addition to this year’s team. Where did he come from? What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Matt Nelson: Morton redshirted last year after his First Team BWC/Defensive Player of the Year honors in the 2001-02 season. The purpose was to not waste a year of eligibility when UCR was finally able to participate in the BWC.

This year has been a little of a disappointment. He has suffered from chronic foot/nerve problems that really shows when he tries to jump. His offense game has suffered a bit and he is still trying to find his shot. He always has had a problem with decision making when he gets the ball in the post. He almost thinks too much.

Defensively, he is still a monster, especially to anyone driving the lane. In the game against Fullerton, he was put back in with 4 fouls, with 8 minutes left, to guard Pape Sow. Sow had one turnover and never touched the ball again, helping the UCR victory. He can be really aggressive on defense, which has led to foul trouble often.

AS: Who else do the Aggies need to watch out for this Saturday night?

Matt Nelson: Kevin Bulter. He has made the move from PG to a swing SF. He really has a great shot, good driving ability and the ability to pass; things he couldn't or wouldn't do as a PG. He has added 4 points to his average as a result. He is also sneaky on the defensive end and will probably get USU's best shooter as his assignment. He also has incredible hops and has out rebounded guys 3-4 inches taller.

AS: What did last year's home win over the Aggies mean to the Riverside program?

Matt Nelson: It probably meant something at the time, because it was a win against a top BWC team, but since the season wasn't worth anything, the game had limited value. A win this year, especially against a much better USU team would mean much more. If UCR beats Idaho on Thursday, which they should, and also beats USU, that would put them at 5-2, which would be a phenomenal record. It will likely generate some huge buzz on campus and give UCR some nice momentum with the Idaho-USU and UCSB-Cal Poly road swings looming in the future.

AS: What are the 3 keys for a Highlander victory over Utah Sate?

Matt Nelson:

1. Patience. As the season progresses, I’m beginning to see the team realize that there is a 3 in front of the 5 on that shot clock. Most of last year and early this year, they would bring the ball down court, one pass and shoot a 3. If they missed, no one was in position to rebound. Now, especially against CSUN and LBSU, there is more patience. Balls get passed in regularly to Morton and Carter, who either go to the hole or kick it back out when they get double teamed. This opens up the defense and leads to more open shots. It also allows Morton and Carter to get into position.

2. Ball Control. Turnovers were chronic earlier, that has since dropped.

3. A fourth shooter needs to get hot, or at least very warm, and contribute 15. Morton, Carter and Bulter can be counted for about 40-45 a night. For Morton and Carter to really get going, however, they need a three point shooter, whether it’s Matt Benson, Ted Bell or Rickey Porter, to get hot, to really hurt the defense when they collapse inside. At LBSU it was Porter, hitting 14, against CSUN it was Ted Bell with 19.

AS: Other thoughts on the game?

Matt Nelson: The game is Homecoming and has been projected to be a sellout of around 3,100. The Student Rec Center can get really loud, so hopefully UCR will have a true home court advantage for once. Of course the last sellout was against USU two years ago and resulted in a very lopsided win for USU.

This UCR team has significantly improved from last year, especially in the confidence area. Of course, USU is much better, so it should make for a great game. I would favor USU to win, but Aggie fans should not expect a walk over.