A mishmash of WAC team and player updates

Rekalin Sims is in process of learning what his future will be at Fresno State:

Sims meets with FS after felony charges dismissed
Gary Estwick
The Fresno Bee
December 11, 2007

Fresno State forward Rekalin Sims met with a student-athlete code of conduct committee after a Fresno County Superior Court Judge dismissed his felony robbery charges, athletic director Thomas Boeh said Tuesday afternoon.

Boeh would not say when the committee met or give details on the meeting.

"[The dismissed felony charges] has an impact... but it's not everything," Boeh said. "It just goes into the formula.

"There's still some more things that have to be dealt with before we make a decision."

and

Steve Cleveland is implementing the old dog/new trick routine to see if it better suits the skills of his players:

'Dogs putting plan in motion
Cleveland seeking to boost sagging offense
Gary Estwick
The Fresno Bee
12/11/07

Frustrated by his team's offensive deficiencies, Fresno State coach Steve Cleveland installed a motion offense Tuesday afternoon, hoping its unpredictably will improve the Bulldogs' scoring.

His decision occurred three days after Fresno State shot 30% in the first half of an 84-71 nonconference loss at UNLV. The Runnin' Rebels took advantage of Fresno State's lack of penetrators -- point guard Kevin Bell was the only player creating off the dribble with any consistency.

Bryan Harvey was held scoreless in the first half before finishing with 12 points, reserve guard Tyson Parker was scoreless on nine attempts from the field and the Bulldogs combined for 16 turnovers.

Even worse, UNLV showed the Western Athletic Conference how to beat the Bulldogs.

That's why the change in philosophy, which comes as Fresno State prepares for Sunday's nonconference game at No. 21 Arizona, has little to do with the Wildcats.

"I've been trying to get them to do something we don't have the personnel for," Cleveland said of the Bulldogs. "That's my fault."

Cleveland's new option is a version of Texas Tech coach Bobby Knight's offensive philosophy...

...Freshman center Brandon Webster was held from practice Tuesday because he fell behind in academic course work, Cleveland said. Webster's return will be based on academic progress.

"I would be hopeful that he'd be back at practice tomorrow," Cleveland said. "But if he doesn't get his stuff done, he won't be.

Go here for the full article.

and

Store this one away in your database as Bob Nash has another player coming in -- make that coming back -- in 2008-2009.

Thompson returning to UH next season
Honolulu Advertiser
December 12, 2007

Hiram Thompson has signed a scholarship agreement to return to the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team in the 2008-09 season.

Thompson, a 6-foot-4 point guard from El Dorado Hills, Calif., played with the Rainbow Warriors as a true freshman in the 2005-06 season. He is currently on a two-year mission in Iowa for the Mormon church...

and

LA TECH just may not win another game this season.

Tech men fall to Ark.-Pine Bluff
Shreveport Times
December 12, 2007

RUSTON -- Arkansas-Pine Bluff got double-digit scoring from three players and benefited from 31.6-percent shooting by Louisiana Tech to earn a 61-49 victory over the Bulldogs in front of 2,029 at Thomas Assembly Center on Tuesday night.

"I thought defensively we really stepped up tonight," Tech head coach Kerry Rupp said. "Our offense needs to catch up. We did a good job of bringing energy and intensity tonight."

Tech (1-6) was limited to 29-percent shooting in the first half and improved only slightly after the break, but the Bulldogs did knock down six three-pointers in the contest. The Bulldogs also once again struggled at the free throw line, only shooting 53.8 percent from the stripe...