by J. R. Murphy
November 2, 2005 (c) TrueAggies.com

LOGAN, Utah -- The glossy paper shines, it is smooth to the touch. The numerals are outlined with the odd numbers filled with white and the even a dark blue. They are beautiful. Each individual component represents a future memory which will be stored in my most cherished brain cells, those reserved for only the events deemed most fundamental in my life. Delivery occurred at the end of last week and I can't seem to put them down. I want to sleep with them. Is it wrong to keep them under my pillow at night? Of course I am writing of my Utah State men's basketball season tickets. What else could be so significant?

At first I thought it was the Phenylalanine in my liquid refreshment, but then I realized there is a strong energy emitting from the Spectrum on campus. Something is calling from deep within the bowels of that edifice - something that is keeping me up at night with eagerness, anticipation. There is almost a magnetic force pulling me towards the structure. It is so strong I would even consider purchasing season tickets to practices if King Stew would be so kind as to offer them. I just can't quench this thirst for Aggie basketball. My only therapy to heal this condition will be attending the games and soaking in the "Aggie Pride" coming from within the confines of the Spectrum.

I found myself arriving at the Spectrum almost an hour early for the Blue/White scrimmage just to sit in a seat and infuse my soul deriving strength from that building to maintain my being for another year. Call me crazy but I am sure there are more vitamins and nutrients found in the atmosphere of the Spectrum than Special-K ever thought of including in their box. The power within that building probably lowers blood pressure and. wait. ok, I know it doesn't lower blood pressure. Actually, I am pretty positive my doctor attributes my high blood pressure to my attendance at sporting events. Anyway - I am sure it is still good for the body and definitely the spirit.

Next to my season tickets, my next most treasured possession currently is my 2005-2006 Aggie Basketball Media Guide. While perusing the pages I came across some fascinating facts and scratched my head with some questions. I decided to share some of them with my providential readers. Here they are:

Humphrey Jackson is about 4 feet tall and almost 15 years old. Ok - I didn't read that in the media guide, I based that on seeing him at the scrimmage. The media guide actually lists him at a charitable 5 foot 9 inches tall and indicates that he just turned 18 July past. That still leaves him over 10 years shy of David Pak's age! He lists "burning CD's" as something he enjoys - haven't read that as a hobby of a player before. Times they are a changing.

If Leon Jackson is constantly listed as Leon Jackson III, why isn't Humphrey Jackson listed as Humphrey Jackson II? Shouldn't we either drop the III or add the II for consistency sakes? And why does Humphrey Jackson get to use a retired number?

Players on the team come from three different countries (well four for those counting Texas as another country). The United States (obviously), Brazil , and Lithuania . Eight different states in the United States are represented: Texas (again, unless you count that as a different country), California , Utah , New Jersey , Wyoming , North Carolina , Indiana , and Idaho .

Steve Cobbley is apparently still growing. He was only 6 foot 9 inches tall when his height was recorded for the player profiles but had grown to 6 foot 10 inches tall when re-measured for the "By Height" listing in the guide. I can't wait to see how tall he is come tip-off on Friday. I just hope he overcomes the self-confidence hit he must have taken after reading the "This Season" section in the media guide about himself. "Has a lot of raw talent and needs to give maximum effort for that talent to surface. Needs to improve his athleticism and strength to be successful at Utah State ." Curiously the media guide also says this about Cobbley, "gives USU yet another talented post player." Is that the same Cobbley?

Do we only recruit left-handed guards?

Chaz Alexander Harris Spicer has the most names if you don't count hyphenated names. Both Terrence and Glen go by their middle name instead of their first given name. Five players have first or middle names from their fathers and I assume one from his mother.

There are six players on the team who have four letters in their first name (name they go by) and four players with five letters in their first name. Five players utilize more than five letters in their first names and none with fewer than four.

Ten players are listed at 200 pounds or more with five players listed under 200 pounds.

There are two freshman on the team, three sophomores, six juniors, and four seniors. Four of the five returning players are considered returning starters from last season (the other started two games). There are ten new players coupled with the five returning players. (Can anyone explain the deal with Humphrey Jackson, he isn't listed as a "Newcomer" and wasn't hear last year - is he really here?)

Jaycee is already in the record books and, in my modest opinion, going to improve. He is first in Career Three-Point Percentage at .476 and ninth in Career Three-Point Field Goals Made with 79. He already holds several single season records as well. He could very possibly hit the century mark this season in Three-Point Field Goals made.

Five players are 21 years old, three are 22, two are 20, two are 18, one is 23, one is 24, and one is 28. More players, 3, were born in May than any other month. More players were born on the 16 th of a month than any other day of the month. There is a 125 month difference between David Pak's age and that of Humphrey Jackson II.

Well Aggie fans, I just can't wait. You could probably tell this is a stressful time in my existence. The time waiting for basketball to officially start is rough. I can make it to Friday, I know I can. I may have to attend the women's game on Thursday as a temporary relieve, but I will make it and I will be ready to celebrate another breathtaking Aggie season. See you all at the Spectrum! This is JR signing out.