Chris Murray with a bunch of Nevada recruiting notes

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal offers a Wolf Pack recruiting column today. Wednesday is the first day that players can sign a letter-of-intent but Wednesday is also a school holiday for some or most high school and junior college students. So whose fax machine will be available to return that signature on the LOI? Or does it happen on Thursday or even Friday?

Go here for Murray's article.

Travis Mason-Bushman offers his Vandal starting five

TM-B provides his selections for Idaho's initial starting quintet. Something we just noticed is that each is a senior -- which will make 2010-2011 very interesting in Moscow. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Vandal Hoops: Predicting the Starters
Travis Mason-Bushman
Vandal Nation
November 9, 2009

The exhibitions are done, so now for the prognostications. Who’s going to start, who’s going to play and who’s going to redshirt for Idaho basketball? It’s no easy task this year, with the Vandals boasting a ridiculous amount of depth. But we’re going to try...

Go here for the remainder.

Jason Groves with a JY, JG feature

Jason Groves/Las Cruces Sun-News provides a feature on New Mexico State's top scorers and what they are looking to accomplish in 2009-2010:

Proven commodity: Gibson and Young provide experience
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
11/09/2009

Jahmar Young and Jonathan Gibson entered last season as the only players with any substantial experience for the New Mexico State men's basketball team.

While other players emerged around them throughout the course of a 17-15 season, the Aggies backcourt duo combined to average 32 points per game last year.

"They are just anxious to be in competition and to re-establish what they thought they could have had last year and to get back on the floor and prove that they belong in the NCAA tournament," Aggies coach Marvin Menzies said. "We fell short of that goal when we had an opportunity to reach it and real competitors get motivated by that..."

Go here for the remainder.

Maybe we're late to this but...

Will he or won't he?

6-foot-5 Terrell Mack came out of Vancouver, Washington in 2008 as a promising prepster and becoming a Utah State Aggie was in store for his future. Academics then forced a two-year detour to Saddleback College in southern California.

So will he still be heading to Logan, Utah for his D-1 home?

We'll get to that, but first, it was quite the interesting initial season for Mack in Orange County.

In 29 games, Mack shot .461% (71 - 154) overall from the floor, .397% on threes (23 - 58) and .673% (37 - 55) from the foul line. It is worth noting that his percentages edged upward once Orange Empire Conference play began -- indicating a greater degree of comfort with the speed of community college play and the athleticism of opponents. He also grabbed two boards a game along with totaling 27 assists, 16 steals and 13 blocked shots.

As a program, Saddleback also enjoyed the competition. Coach Andy Ground, who played at Saddleback back in the early 80's, earned Coach of the Year honors after leading his squad to a second place finish in the state tournament. The Gauchos lost in overtime to Riverside Community College, finishing 29-8 overall, 10-2 in league play.

But Kevin Menner and Franklin Session, who were the team stats leaders for Saddleback last year, have moved on to Cal State Northridge and Weber State respectively, so Mack will be looked at to do more.

Here's Ground on his returning wing: "He's a pretty athletic, stands 6-foot-5 and is long and can shoot the ball." But Ground wants more as he added "he [Mack] could turn into a good defender."

As for Mack being on the 2010 train for Logan, Utah, that fare is no longer going to be paid. It's unclear if one or the other, or if it was mutual, about deciding to pursue other prospects/destinations but Mack will not be an Aggie.

What's also unknown is if James Ware was a factor in Mack's eventually heading elsewhere -- actually his absence. Ware was hired in August 2006 as an assistant coach by Stew Morrill in August 2006 -- this after Ware played for the longtime USU coach when both were at Colorado State some time ago. It seems clear that Ware was the primary assistant behind wooing Mack to Utah State. But in June 2008, came the announcement that Ware was moving on to Santa Clara. By the way, Santa Clara is not pursuing Mack.

However, Mack is receiving interest from Idaho as are fellow Gauchos Robert Curtis and Nathan Gibbs. Curtis is a 6-foot-9 240 Southern California who was at West Los Angeles College last year and Gibbs is a Citrus College transfer who measures 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds.

Another Gaucho certainly worthy of noting is point Perry Webster, the former Mission Viejo High star.

He is a 6-foot-2, 205 pounder who played at Irvine Valley College two seasons ago where he led team in assists as a freshman. Last year for Saddleback, Webster played in but three games due to an early foot injury. But in that brief playing time, Webster earned 17 foul shots and averaged 5.7 assists and 2 steals per game, giving the Saddleback coaching staff an idea of things to come.

Here's Ground on his Webster, his team quarterback: "He is like a coach on the floor. Perry is really skilled, one of the best junior college guards in the state." Cal State Fullerton and Northern Arizona are looking at him.

Also, do watch as a very different Saddleback squad tries to return to Fresno and this time emerge as the state champion.

Yannick Atanga to Santa Clara

A.W. Prince/Silver and Blue Sports is reporting that 6-foot-6 Besant High frontcourter Yannick Atanga has committed to Santa Clara of the West Coast Conference.

From a September interview with Randy Berlin (Atanga's basketball coach) at the The Slipper Still Fits (Gonzaga ) site comes this school recruiting profile of Atanga:

It seems like almost every school in the WCC has offered Yannick. San Diego, San Fran, and LMU have offered. Portland has offered and is coming after him really hard. Washington St. is showing heavy interest and URI (Rhode Island) from the east coast is very interested. UCSB and Coach Williams are recruiting him really hard. Yannick probably has the closest relationship with Coach Williams at UCSB, and even though they are not as big of a name, that will be very important for Yannick.

That same article indicates Atanga was to officially visit Nevada and Santa Clara and also that he attended the Santa Clara Elite Camp.

Once again, we will scorn those Nevada fans who aren't ponying up for a Silver and Blue Sports sub. Just look at all the other WAC sites and there's no comparison of value for your money. Heck, look at some of the high major sites that A.W. puts to shame.

On a completely different note, can someone please influence A.W. to also operate a West Coast basketball recruiting site. Nobody -- a strong statement but it's true -- is better connected than A.W.

The key is how would such a site make some coin, er, make that bills. It's difficult, if not possible, to make it a go if a site isn't affiliated with a particular school because subscribers want scoops on their particular school -- not necessarily a geographic area.

Of course, the other question is how would A.W. get any sleep or ever see his family if he took on yet another site?

But if he does, we're buying stock in Jolt Cola.

LaBradford Franklin to wait until April

Tom Shanahan reports today on Rivals that San Diego area point LaBradford Franklin was just offered by San Diego State but is going to wait until the second signing period in April until affixing his name to a letter-of-intent.

Tom Shanahan
AztecSportsReport.com
November 8, 2009

San Diego State basketball has offered Temecula (Calif.) Great Oak point guard LaBradford Franklin, but Franklin's high school coach expects him to pass on the early signing period that begins Nov. 11 and wait for the April signing period.

Bradford, a 6-foot-1, 175-pounder, also has offers from Gonzaga and Portland of the West Coast Conference and Nevada and Fresno State of the Western Athletic Conference. Other offers are from Washington State, Pittsburgh and Tulsa...

Go here for the remainder and a Rivals sub is required.

We're not sure if the offers listed are directly from Franklin or his coach or what Rivals has listed for the young man. Therefore, it may or may not be current.

Say yes, yes, yes to this column

We wish the following article was directed more to basketball but there's some mention of hoops, plus what is offered is 100% applicable to basketball announcing.

Pet phrases are cute...for about the first or second usage --- we don't tune in because of who is announcing but we might tune out because of who is announcing --- we want to know the 'why' of what we just saw, not some hoopin' and hollerin' by the supposed knowledge provider (the color announcer).

Anyway, enough of this and on to the article by longtime basketball coach Jack Fertig:

No One Watches a Game for the Commentators, But They Certainly Can Make It More Enjoyable
Jack Fertig
November 8, 2009

During part of my tenure at Fresno State, I did the color commentary for the Bulldogs locally televised basketball games. While it was nice to get noticed around town, especially when it was on an occasion either or both of my sons were with me, I fully realized that not one of the people complimenting me (the ones who think you’re awful may write a letter-to-the-editor, but at least they have the decency not to confront you publicly about it) were tuning into the broadcast because of my analysis.

It’s the same with any game on TV. I have heard of viewers mute a game because they can’t stand a certain announcer, but no one is watching or listening to a contest just because a certain person is doing play-by-play or color. Yet, having a competent color commentator certainly enlightens the experience and makes watching the game much more entertaining and enjoyable.

Here’s what makes a good color analyst. First of all, the person needs to be prepared. Knowing how to pronounce the names of the players from both teams, researching the strengths and weaknesses of the participating teams, having the up-to-date statistics and being aware of injured players and whether they’ll play or not.

Then, a thorough understanding of the game and its strategies is essential, as is a knowledge of the rules. Being able to explain what happened - in a language even casual fans can comprehend (without feeling you’re “talking down” to them) - and even to predict what will happen - but through the use of reasoning and not just what the guy at the end of the bar is saying because he heard somebody in a studio show say it...

Go here for the remainder.

Random WAC basketball thoughts

We don't know the connection but somehow, some way it sure looks like San Jose State's Justin Graham sent his shorn locks up to Nevada's Luke Babbitt -- but no, we do not wish to start the rumor that LB is wearing hair extensions

...Is USU's Jared Quayle going to sneak up on everyone and grab the WAC most valuable player award this season?

...Our guesses for the WAC All-Defensive team in 2009-2010: LT's Magnum Rolle, Boise's Anthony Thomas and Ike Okoye (the latter two were on the 'D' squad last season), SJSU's newcomer, Chris Jones, and Nevada's Dario Hunt. Rolle and Hunt will need to show improved positional 'D' and not rely so heavily on shotblocking but we believe both will step up.

...Will the more relaxed reign of Coach David Carter be what Armon Johnson needs to put his pedal to the metal from the opening game and not the beginning of WAC play?

In a nod to All Hallow's Eve, the scariest squad in the WAC is undoubtedly New Mexico State. That's because -- besides Jahmar Young and Jonathan Gibson -- Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater have the potential to average double-doubles once they don the Aggie uniform again. Coach Menzies should have them memorize Kipling's poem IF...

...Is this the season Paul George busts out or will a second round of seasoning be needed before his being mentioned in conunction with the conference most valuable player award?

...The conventional wisdom is Mac Hopson's per game scoring will surely lessen this season what with the more talented collection of players surrounding him but, wait, is this a fallacy? The Vandals are expected to push the ball much more this season and that usually means greater shot attempts by the backcourt, so will Idaho's higher points per game average balance everything out? Hopson was at 16.8 points per game last season.

...Will anyone average a double-double this season in WAC play? Here's your challenge: who is going to do so? We don't want candidates, we want who will.

... There is no official category for this but Idaho's Brandon Wiley was the Unsung Player of the Year in 2008-2009. He shot .525% in league play, grabbed 5.6 boards a game in addition to eight points a contest.

...Gotta go with Jahmar Young as the conference MVP -- if he makes the teammates around him more effective. The scoring will be there -- no doubt -- but we want to see more than 2.69 assists a game because he is capable of such...

...Man, wouldn't Malik Cooke look real good in a Wolf Pack uniform right now?

How did Nate Harris do it?

We've been thinking about this for some time now: how was Nate Harris so damn effective in the paint when he probably measured 6-foot-6 at the most?

Utah State officially listed him at 6-foot-7 and some have alluded to his being 6-foot-8 but the general rule is to drop an inch at minimum from a player's listed height.

Some of you may not recall Harris but his 'reign' for the Aggies was back when Utah State was in the Big West Conference. He won all-league honors three straight years and shot something like 65% from the floor during his 2002-2006 tenure.

Granted the league didn't have the size inside back then that is on display now in the WAC but still, look what he accomplished at his size.

Was it great footwork and fundamentals? Tremendous smarts?

C'mon you Aggies fans, help us out here.

Nate Harris photo courtesy of Utah State University.

Bill Amis hurt

Bill Amis should return prior to conference play but his conditioning will suffer during his forced layoff. Coach Bob Nash needs Amis' consistency upfront:

UH's Amis out indefinitely with injured right foot
Dayton Morinaga
Honolulu Advertiser
November 7, 2009

Bill Amis, a two-year starter for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will be out of action indefinitely due to an injured right foot.

Amis, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, has a torn plantar fascia, and it could take anywhere from a month or more to heal...

Go here for the remainder.

Just a pair of links so far today

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal goes in-depth with his Utah State preview here.

One time Nevada player of interest, Dakotah Euton, has gone with the Zips. He originally committed to Kentucky in the Billy Gillispie era, then re-opened his recruitment. The stories of Euton's decision to commit to Akron almost uniformly made mention of Nevada as being one of his suitors. However, we're going with the Louisville Courier-Journal 's Jody Demling and his take as the most current and therefore accurate:

"Scott County High School basketball standout Dakotah Euton has made a commitment, picking Akron over Eastern Kentucky University...

"Both schools had great staffs and fit my style of play," Euton said. "But I really felt like coach Dambrot was one of those guys - kind of like Gillispie - who plays players for not just talent but also for how hard they play. Players that do the intangibles, people that work hard. I have just always liked coaches like that..."

Go here for the full article.

Ludovic Ndaye to Cleveland State

6-foot-8 Westwind Prep 'big' Ludovic Ndaye has made his call and it's Cleveland State.

It came down to Cleveland State, Akron, James Madison and Fresno State and Ndaye chose to head to Ohio next year.

Go here to read Anthony Ray's Arizona Preps article (a Rivals sub required).

WAC - a - doodling

Here are some of the latest WAC links:

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal goes in-depth with the Pack's post players in his feature here.

Tyrone and Bandja -- or if you prefer 'elementary my dear'' and 'Family Stone' -- will be holding down the fort at power forward for New Mexico State, per Jason Groves/Las Cruces Sun-News. Yes, we should leave this schtick to Chris Berman.

We'll be back if we comes across any others.

*** Here's one more: Chris Murray has a feature on a Nevada newcomer -- Patrick Nyeko.

A point named Payton

Anyone with any sense of NBA history knows about "The Glove" -- aka Gary Payton -- and his illustrious and lengthy career primarily with the Seattle Supersonics. Travis Payton (no relation), a 6-footer at Central Arizona Junior College, is also making quite the name for himself at the point and just committed to Texas San Antonio.

So what does this have to do with WAC basketball?

According to Anthony Ray @ Arizona Preps (Rivals sub required): "...Payton was also being recruited by such schools as San Francisco, Kennesaw State, Fresno State, Rutgers, Colorado State and Northern Colorado..."

Keep in mind to what degree and just how current was each school's pursuit is unknown but it's odd to see the Bulldogs in there what with a sophomore junior college point (Steven Shepp) expected to man the 'one' for Steve Cleveland this season. Having a pair of points with the same eligibility remaining on your roster would be an extremely unusual situation.

Eeny, meeny, miny -- there is no moe: BYU, Idaho or Nevada?

Your guess is as good as ours here:

Scout's Evan Daniels reports today that Las Vegas backcourter Anson Winder has gone with BYU over Idaho and Nevada.

Then, we come across another report from Victoria Sun at the West Coast Hoops Report (under Latest News) that the 6-foot-3 Winder made his decision soon after coming back from a recruiting trip to Idaho. No mention was made of any Nevada involvement.

Now this also doesn't mean a heckuva lot but we have never previously read about Winder being associated with Nevada's recruitment efforts but, ultimately, it didn't really matter in the end.

*** UPDATE: Jay Drew at his Salt Lake Tribune Utah State blog writes this: "...He [Winder] also had an offer from Idaho, and had drawn interest from Nevada and others..."