The Utah State men’s basketball team was dealt a blow when it learned its high scorer; Jarred Shaw would be suspended for an indefinite period. On Monday, Stew Morrill, the team’s head coach, announced that Shaw, the team’s starting center, was suspended indefinitely for unspecified violations of team rules.
The University and coach Morrill would not comment beyond the press release that had been sent out confirming the suspension. However, Morrill in his weekly radio show said Shaw had made some bad choices and now has to wait for legal aspects to take place.
It is not known at this time whether Shaw would rejoin his teammates during the season. Shaw, who transferred from Oklahoma State, is the leading scoring at 16.1 points per game, the leading rebounder at 7.8 per game and in blocked shots with 1.4 per game.
The senior was a starter in the first eight games for the Aggies prior to his suspension. He had scored 10 or more points in 7 of the 8 games.
Shaw’s presence on the inside has been key to the Aggies offense being so strong thus far. He has often times been double teamed which has left sharpshooters Spencer Butterfield and Preston Medlin open for jumpers.
Without Shaw holding down the middle, Utah is left with a shortlist of players to replace him. Jordon Stone who is a 7-foot junior center could replace Shaw and has the size to play center, but does not have the touch Shaw had close to the basket.
The coaches might instead decide to play a smaller lineup and start either Jalen Moore or Ben Clifford, two forwards alongside forward Kyle Davis.
Regardless of the changes made to the lineup, the team will miss Shaw this week as they prepare for their annual tournament for the holidays.
Utah State plays three games over three straight nights starting Thursday. The team’s opponent on Friday, UC Santa Barbara, has one of the best big men in mid major basketball in Alan Williams.
Once the tournament is over, the Aggies play one more tune-up prior to conference, which starts in early January.
