A very early ALL - WAC first and second team

Okay, the WAC traditionally has five players on the first team and also five on the second. Sorting out who goes on which team is even dicier than selecting the actual 10 players but what makes this exercise even more audacious is that we haven't even seen some of the kids play! How's that for speaking with authority?

So with such a proviso, take the following for what it's worth. We'll save our list and proclaim our genius if we come anywhere close to being correct or issue a mea culpa if we stumble. We fully expect you to start saving up your rotten fruits and vegetables, razzberries included, if we fall short with our selections.

So here they are:

ALL WAC FIRST TEAM (in no particular order)

*** Roderick Flemings 6-7 210 junior Hawaii

We've never seen this kid but he was a national-level junior college recruit last season and looks to be Hawaii's top scorer. The Rainbow Warriors are going to have a tough 2008-2009 as experience and firepower are lacking after the departure of five seniors so there will be a lot of shots available for the taking.

*** Magnum Rolle 6-10 220 junior Louisiana Tech

Ditto in that this kid hasn't been seen by many, including us -- he spent two seasons primarily as a backup at LSU before transferring but court time was hard to come by due to the level of talent in front of him. The LA TECH fans are talking Rolle up big-time and major minutes are certainly available on the Bulldog frontline. There is even mention that he may play some wing -- yes, at 6-10.

*** Luke Babbitt 6-9 225 freshman Nevada

Babbitt will be the go-to shooter and scorer on the Wolf Pack frontline as the remainder of the forwards and centers on the roster are more rebound-and-putback guys. But he also has remarkable shooting range. The key for Babbitt: staying out of foul trouble. If he isn't on the floor then the Nevada backcourt has to carry the offense -- which isn't necessarily a bad thing but not what Coach Mark Fox desires.

*** Gary Wilkinson 6-9 240 senior Utah State

Stew Morrill is going to want more of a consistent physical presence from Wilkinson in the coming season and we expect to see him averaging 17 and 10.

*** Adrian Oliver 6-4 185 sophomore San Jose State

A Washington transfer, he gets to step on the court after six games so he'll have plenty of minutes to shed any rust prior to conference play. He'll be the top scorer for SJSU and his presence should virtually eliminate any Spartan scoring droughts.


ALL WAC SECOND TEAM (in no particular order)

*** Kyle Gibson 6-4 185 junior Louisiana Tech

The Aggies have some other top talents but Gibson has already shown his scoring ability when he was practically the sole real shooter on the squad last season. He will get less shot attempts in 2008-2009 and the adjustment to that bears watching.

*** Jonathan Gibson 6-2 180 junior New Mexico State

His points per game average should rise this coming season and he needs to be the 'rock' on the court for Coach Marvin Menzies in keeping the young Aggies focused. Gibson is no pure point but he's the best returning assist guy for the Aggies.

*** Brandon Fields 6-4 195 junior Nevada He went from 2.1 ppg. as a freshman to 12.4 last season and also became a formidable defender. His numbers will again expand this season as Mark Fox expects and should receive greater consistency from Fields.

*** Tai Wesley 6-7 240 sophomore Utah State

Wesley could well average a double-double for Stew Morrill in the coming season and he's also the best Aggie shotblocker. Wesley is the Aggie who plays the muscle man role upfront.

*** C.J. Webster 6-8 250 junior San Jose State

The best passing big man in the WAC, Webster is a solid inside scorer and is looking to better his rebounding totals in 2008-2009.
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We don't see any of the Boise State players making the cut here although transfer forward Ike Okoye will come close. The same with Fresno State but Sylvester Seay and Dwight O'Neill will carry the Bulldogs. Hawaii is going to have to settle for Flemings but Bill Amis will score in double figures this coming season and get his rebounding average up to 8 or so a contest. Guard Mac Hopson is Idaho's lone hope for post-season honors but another tough season for the Vandals will curtail his chances. Jamel White will be a critical player for Kerry Rupp in the Bulldog backcourt but Tech will have scoring and rebounding numbers fairly spread out this season due to influx of new talent. Olu Ashaolu, a Canadian who redshirted last season, is another LTer worth watching. We chose Brandon Fields as Nevada's second honoree over soph Armon Johnson primarily because of Fields' defensive prowess but Johnson enjoyed a marvelous frosh season and will be even better this go-around. Troy Gillenwater is a New Mexico State newcomer getting good press but we expect him to have the usual freshman ups-and-downs. Jahmar Young will enjoy many more shooting opportunities with a load of NMSU seniors having graduated and Herb Pope now in New Jersey but we see Jonathan Gibson as the more well-rounded Aggie guard. San Jose State's Justin Graham may just play his way into post-season accolades with his well-rounded backcourt game. Chris Oakes, with more physical play, could also make some noise. Utah State's 6-4 Tyler Newbold will score much more than last season.s 5.4 ppg. now that Jaycee Carroll is in Italy but needs to demonstrate greater proficiency at taking the ball to the hoop as he managed but 31 free throw attempts last season.

So there you have it.

Have at it.