The uptempo WAC?

Here's one change, or in some cases a continuation, that we forsee in WAC basketball play come the 2009-2010 season -- much more fastbreaking. Let's take a look at each team and the why of our prediction.

Getting up and down the court, bigs included, has been a staple of Boise State basketball and we don't expect any lessening. Anthony Thomas is back and to be joined by jet-powered junior college transfer Westley Perryman. The Broncos are remarkably efficient at passing their way downcourt and it should be no different in the new season.

Fresno State should be re-joining the va-va-va-voom set now with a true point in newcomer Steven Shepp. Plus recruits Jerry Brown, Garrett Johnson and Damon Powell along with returnees Paul George, Mychal Ladd and even Sylvester Seay should allow Steve Cleveland to uptempo his offense. The other newcomer, 6-foot-9 Greg Smith, will also allow for a stronger inside game when the fastbreak isn't available.

Hawaii is not going to succeed in a grind-it-out style so Bob Nash should be unleashing his new backcourters -- Dwain Williams and Jeremy Lay -- in the hopes for a turnaround season. Even 7-foot-0 junior college transfer Douglas Kurtz has surprisingly been noted for his mobility on the court. Plus, imagine Roderick Flemings catching passes while flying in on the wing. The Rainbow Warriors will definitely be looking to fast forward their tempo.

Idaho with Mac Hopson and Pacific transfer Steffan Johnson paired up in the backcourt, plus returnees Kashif Watson and Luciano de Souza, should be having the fans in Moscow pulling out their stopwatches.

LT isn't going to pound opponents inside but senior-to-be Kyle Gibson and fleet-footed big Magnum Rolle will run with the best with sharpshooting Jamel Guyton is positioned outside the three-point line. Kerry Rupp is finally going to have an all-around point and athletic in junior college transfer DeAndre Brown so look for the Bulldogs to scamper much more in the approaching season.

New Nevada Coach David Carter has already mentioned a number of times that he wants more fastbreaking as part of the Wolf Pack offensive arsenal. Armon Johnson (especially), Brandon Fields and Joey Shaw should each benefit from an at times improved pace which will also prove fruitful for newcomers Devonte Elliott, Jerry Evans and Patrick Nyeko to have an effect.

New Mexico State is the prototype in the WAC of wanting to and actually zooming up and down the court. Who wants to see Jahmar Young coming at you in full speed? The same goes for Jonathan Gibson. And just get out of the way to save you a trip to the hospital if it's Wendell McKines. Imagine how the Aggies would perform if they worked the boards better?

San Jose State has collected an assortment of 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-7 athletic wing/backcourt types and should be looking to play faster in order to take advantage of its current roster.

Utah State runs more of a controlled break but, minus Gary Wilkinson, our expectations are to be witnessing Jared Quayle and Tyler Newbold speeding down the court with Brady Jardine on the wing much more often in 2009-2010. Tai Weslet steaming in on the wing will be a get out of his way or else decision.