LOGAN, Utah-Monday, Utah State men’s basketball achieved a No. 17 ranking in the first The Associated Press poll to be released ahead of the upcoming season.

This is only the third time in school history the Aggies have appeared in the first poll of the season and the first time since 1970-71 when Utah State was ranked No. 12.

This is the first time a Beehive State school has been ranked in the preseason polls since Utah was No. 16 in the 2015-16 season.

The Aggies return six letterwinners and four starters from last season’s 28-7 (14-1 in Mountain West play) squad. They include Mountain West Conference preseason player of the year, senior guard Sam Merrill and preseason all-league selection, sophomore center Neemias Queta.

The Aggies commence their season unofficially October 30 by hosting NAIA squad College of Idaho. The regular season officially commences for Utah State November 5 at home against Montana State of the Big Sky Conference.