February 1, 2008

Logan, UT (UWIRE) -- Utah State will welcome back four suspended players Saturday night when they play host to the University of Nevada at 7:05 p.m.

Stephen DuCharme, Desmond Stephens and Pooh Williams will all be available to play in Saturday's game after the three players, along with red-shirting freshman Jaxon Myaer, were suspended indefinitely following last week's game at Louisiana Tech.

The four were suspended for breaking an internal team rule and sent home to Utah immediately following the suspension. Specific details about the incident have not been released.

When asked about the incident Thursday after practice, DuCharme said he couldn't say much.

"Coach asked us not to," DuCharme said. "It was an inner team rule, a minor violation. It wasn't anything serious. It was a poor decision, but now it's behind us."

Senior guard Kris Clark agreed when asked how the suspensions have affected the team this week.

"We all came in knowing that we had to put it behind us," Clark said.

Assistant coach Don Verlin spoke of how coaches addressed the issue and how the team is now moving on.

"Obviously when it first occurred, you always go over team rules and reinforce them," Verlin said. "At this point the guys have done their punishment and are ready to go, so it's over ... We're not holding any grudges."

After the short-handed Aggies got pounded by 30 points by New Mexico State, Verlin said they have to have a short memory if they want to rebound against the Western Athletic Conference's fourth-place team in Nevada.

Verlin spoke of how the team spent one day going over the New Mexico State game and then put it behind them and started preparing for Nevada.

"We talked about winning our next game. We took a day to look at the things that we did wrong. Then you got to move on," Verlin said.

This will be the first match-up of the year between the two conference rivals.

Nevada comes into the game with 12-7 overall record and 4-2 in Western Athletic Conference play. The Aggies (15-6 overall, 5-1 in conference play) went 2-1 against the Wolf Pack last year, including a 79-77 win in the semi-final round of the WAC tournament.

The game played in Logan last year resulted in the same score and a win for Utah State.

Nevada comes into the game after sweeping Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State last week in the same trip the Aggies went 1-1 in.

The Wolf Pack is led by senior guard Marcelus Kemp, who is averaging 18.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Kemp scored 24 points against the Aggies in the final meeting last year and put his name in for the NBA draft before deciding on returning for his senior season.

"To slow down Nevada, you have too start with Marcelus Kemp," Verlin said.

Clark said he knows how well Kemp plays, especially here in Logan, as he saw Kemp play against the Aggies in last year's game at the Spectrum. He said it will have to be a team effort to stop Kemp.

"You know it's not going to be one guy's job," Clark said.

Kemp won't be the only Wolf Pack player the Aggies have to worry about, as three other starters score in double figures.

Sophomore center JaVale McGee is averaging 13.6 points to go along with 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. Freshman guard Armon Johnson is averaging 12.6 points per game, while sophomore guard Brandon Fields is contributing 12.2 points an outing.

"The guards are the key to Nevada," Verlin said. "They all play good."

Coming into Saturday night's game against Nevada, Utah State is 4-1 following a loss this season. Over the past nine years, the Aggies are 32-1 following a loss when they play at home.

Clark explained that as a player, focus in practice after a loss is more intense.

"Coming out and practicing hard after a loss, you're coming out here worrying about things you did wrong and trying to better yourself at it," he said. "After a win you kind of relax on some things that you should have done."

The Aggies will be at home, which should help.

Utah State is 12-0 at the Spectrum this year and is the only team in the WAC who hasn't lost at home this season.

Utah State's winning streak is tied for 15th longest in the nation.

"Here at the Spectrum, we kind of feel like we can do anything," Clark said.

The game is slated to have a 7:05 p.m. tip-off and will be broadcast on KJZZ TV.

Verlin emphasized how important this game is.

"This is every bit as important a game as there will be this year," Verlin said.

(C) 2008 The Utah Statesman via UWIRE