Your Wednesday 'Linking The WAC'

The Bulldogs nabbed a nice victory on the road:

Fresno State men make waves in win
Bulldogs pull away from Pepperdine to even record at 4-4.
The Fresno Bee
December 08, 2009

Paul George got on a roll and took the Fresno State men's basketball team with him Tuesday night.

George scored 24 of his career-high tying 29 points after halftime to spark the Bulldogs' 80-72 come-from-behind, nonconference victory over Pepperdine in Malibu.

George sank four 3-pointers and a layup during a 16-2 second-half-opening run that saw Fresno State (4-4) turn a 39-36 deficit into a 52-41 advantage at 16:19 of the second half...

Go here for the remainder.

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Coach David Carter got the chance to play some of his newbies in Nevada's win:

Nyeko makes debut, helps Pack win
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
December 9, 2009

Nevada's Patrick Nyeko made all the road trips and had gone through all the shootarounds. But during the Wolf Pack's first six games, the true freshman hadn't found any minutes in his young college career.

The London native can check that off his to-do list.

In his collegiate debut Tuesday night, Nyeko scored his first two college baskets and helped the Wolf Pack to a 89-67 victory over Fresno Pacific in front of 3,778 fans at Lawlor Events Center.

"I don't think I had that many nerves," Nyeko said. "I've been working real hard in practice, trying to learn as much as I can. It was about having fun today..."

Go here for the remainder.

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It was the tale of two halves last night for San Jose State and USF had the better one:

Dons rally to end 6-game losing streak
Steve Kroner
SF Chronicle
December 9, 2009

USF played the first half of Tuesday night's game against San Jose State looking every bit like a team that had lost six in a row.

In the opening 20 minutes, the Dons shot 30.8 percent from the floor, committed nine turnovers and had to feel fortunate to trail only 34-23 at the break.

The fans at Memorial Gym witnessed quite a turnaround in the second half. USF shot 66.7 percent from the floor, committed three turnovers and outscored the Spartans 53-37 to put an end to the skid with a 76-71 decision...

Go here for the remainder.

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Travis Mason-Bushman has a player profile on an Idaho newcomer. Go here to learn more about Jeff Ledbetter.

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Jason Groves weighs in on a factor effecting New Mexico State's tepid start:

Tough schedule contributes to slow start
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
12/08/2009

While the New Mexico State men's basketball team is off to a slow start in terms of wins and losses, the Aggies have played one of the toughest schedules in the country.

"We knew that they would be really good teams but we didn't know they would start with those records," Aggies head coach Marvin Menzies said. "I think we will end up with a good record ourselves. A lot of people would like me to rant and rave but the sky is not falling. We will right the ship and end on a positive note."

According to kenpom.com, the Aggies are ranked No. 7 in schedule strength early in the season. Western Athletic Conference rivals Nevada and San Jose State are ranked eighth and 11th respectively...

Go here for the remainder.

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TO could stand for Terrell Owens but it's actually turnovers with Boise State (thankfully):

Boise State men's coach Graham wants a turnover turnaround
Taking care of the ball has become issue No. 1 for Bronco basketball team.
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
12/09/09

Greg Graham has a message for his team - take care of the ball and you'll take care of business.

Turnovers have been an issue this season, and the eighth-year coach would like to fix the problem in time for Wednesday's nonconference game at Idaho State (2-6).

"We've talked about it, we've worked on it, we've tried to emphasize it in our scrimmages," Graham said. "We'll get it taken care of. We just have to work through it, that's all."

Boise State (4-3) has turned the ball over 118 times, and giveaways hurt the Broncos' upset chances at Illinois last week. The 16-point underdog Broncos lost 84-77 because of 23 turnovers...

Go here for the remainder.

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The ending of Utah State's winning streak at home is still resonating:

Aggies still smarting home loss
Shawn Harrison
Herald Journal
December 9, 2009

Some Aggies were still feeling a bit down Monday when they came to practice.

It’s understandable, having lost at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum last Saturday. Not a single member of the Utah State men’s basketball roster had tasted defeat at home as an active player. Juniors Tai Wesley and Matt Formisano were redshirting during the 2004-05 season when the Aggies dropped a single game at the Spectrum.

Saint Mary’s came to Logan and did something that rarely happens by visiting teams — win. In his 12th season at the helm, USU head coach Stew Morrill is an astounding 162-13 in the Spectrum...

Go here for the remainder.

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Maybe Stew Morrill has some empathy for the plight of the 'shallow enders' in the NCAA basketball pool and, if so, great for him:

Why play Utah Valley and Southern Utah?
Jared Eborn
Deseret News
December 9, 2009

Isn't Utah State -- a team that not unfrequently finds itself in the Top 25 polls -- a program that should be able to flex its muscle enough to not 'lower the bar' and play programs such as Southern Utah and Utah Valley? Especially on the road?

Not if you ask Stew Morrill, who has been trying to get schools to play in Logan for years without much success.

While SUU and UVU might not ever see the likes of BYU or Utah on their home courts, Utah State has decided if it can't get home-and-home series scheduled with more high-profile opponents, it might as well take its show on the road a little closer to home...

Go here for the remainder.

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Tony Jones/Salt Lake City Tribune has a blog entry saluting Jaxon Myaer academic accomplishments -- kudos to Jones for highlighting this plus a major tip o' the hat to Myaer for his hard work, commitment and accomplishment. Go here for the news which rightfully brings back to mind the actual mission of colleges and universities.

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Tim Lewis, the Sports Director at KREM 2, posted a link to an interview with Coach Don Verlin at the GoVandals.net basketball message board.