Dumbfounded by their defenseless 102-99 exhibition loss to Son's Blue Angels last week, Aggie basketball players open the regular season by hosting Simon Fraser Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Spectrum.
USU lost promising 6-foot-6 junior-college transfer Chris Russell for eight weeks to a ruptured tendon in his right thumb. He was hurt in a Monday practice and has had surgery.Coach Larry Eustachy will change his expected starters some with sophomore transfer Justin Jones likely at point guard with Myron Simms as shooting guard and a veteran front line of Eric Franson, Jon Wickizer and Silas Mills.
Simon Fraser was to play at New Mexico Friday night and was 6-3 going into that game. The Canadians 6-1 but lost at Montana State and Montana. The Clansmen average 82 ppg, led by center Peter Guarasci's 19.2.
The game is exempted by the NCAA, meaning USU may count it on its season record but doesn't have to; it is not subject to the NCAA season-game limit.