There is no complete team in the WAC

There is no 'complete' team in the WAC -- that is for certain at this point.

Complete meaning a squad full of both talent and experience that shows up every game, ready to perform its best and then doing so each night. Call it a nightly fulfillment of potential, executing a demonstration of such.

In our take, NMSU possesses the best experience, talent and potential -- but such doesn't always make an appearance. When the Aggies are on, there is but one team in the WAC that can match Marvin Menzies squad.

That is USU. The Logan-based Aggies own a home victory against their southern brethren and the Las Cruces bunch just pasted Stew Morrill's team in the return match -- one in which Utah State was shorthanded. Jaycee Carroll and his teammates are the steadiest bunch in the WAC but have a lesser ceiling than NMSU.

Boise State is the spoiler. If Greg Graham's starters are bringing their 'A' games -- something happening most of the time this season -- then the Broncos can compete with both sets of Aggies. But this can be an iffy proposition, especially come tournament time where consecutive games can dismantle the resiliency of players, especially the legs of jumpshooters. The experience of Boise's group of seniors is a hedge though against such ups-and-downs.

Nevada is a darkhorse. Any time a club can put a Marcelus Kemp, a JaVale McGee and an Armon Johnson on the court, surrounded by solid complementary teammates, then it cannot be discounted. The Wolf Pack is one of those squads that will keep progressing throughout the season and more than likely be at its zenith come tourney time.

One of the things this all means is that a Hawaii and a Fresno State, if on a roll at the right time, could improbably win the WAC tournament. The Rainbow Warriors have recently demonstrated a propensity to beat any WAC opponent anytime. Similar to Boise State but minus inside players Matt Nelson and Reggie Larry, Bob Nash's group is competitive when the jumpshots are dropping -- not so if otherwise. P.J. Owsley's recent injury is worrisome -- Hawaii needs him healthy and available for 25 minutes a game.

The Bulldogs of the Central Valley recently welcomed back Dwight O'Neil thereby immediately upgrading their defensive play and rebounding, with scoring to come as O'Neil's wrist gets healthier. The shooting of Eddie Miller will be the biggest factor in Fresno's attempt to do some tourney damage.

SJSU is more an unknown. Justin Graham has returned from his wrist and elbow injuries so the Spartans are intact again -- something important for a team lacking depth in the backcourt.

To be blunt, it isn't going to happen this season for Idaho or Louisiana Tech.

Call it a wide open WAC.