So how is Louisiana Tech doing it?

It's certainly way too early to truly tell how the WAC is going to shake out come March but one definite contender has emerged -- Louisiana Tech -- and is showing no signs of imitating Icarus.

Curiously, Louisiana Tech was picked fifth in the pre-season coaching poll, sixth in the media poll, so more than fans are presently surprised.

Things bode quite well when when your squad is second in scoring, second in scoring defense and are first in scoring margin,with a double digit differential. Coach Kerry Rupp's team is shooting 52% early on in league play while also tops in rebounding margin. Seemingly. the only number marring the the season is residing in last place in assist-to-turnover ratio at 39/53 although such most assuredly isn't bothering anyone's sleep in Ruston.

The LT schedule hasn't been of the creampuff variety either with home wins over Nevada and Utah State and road victories over Idaho and Boise State.

Here are some specific numbers and factors leading to the 4-0 LT record:

Against Nevada: caused 17 turnovers -- held the Wolf Pack to 40% shooting -- owned a +14 in foul shots attempted -- even though Magnum Rolle played just 26 minutes, contributing 11 points and three boards

Against Utah State: shot 53% against the Aggies, 50% on 14 trey attempts -- only gave up nine foul shots -- out-boarded USU 40-27

Against Idaho: it was a combination of 11 steals, 57% shooting overall, Idaho's 9-21 foul shooting and out-scoring the Vandals by double figures in a second half stretch that did the job

Against Boise State: a 52% shooting night (39% for the Broncos) plus a gap of 10 more rebounds

Individually, the emergence of Olu Ashaolu in both scoring and rebounding has dramatically lessened the psychological load on Rolle. Ashaolu's WAC numbers: 11.3 ppg. and 8.5 rpg. with indications they will go even higher.

Point DeAndre Brown had enjoyed a rather swift and successful transition from junior college ball. Try 59% from the floor in WAC play and scoring more (13.0) than what he averaged in non-conference play.

Kyle Gibson remains The Rock (although we want a higher WAC shooting percentage from him), producing what is needed game after game. He has already attempted 34 foul shots in just four league games.

Magnum Rolle has better numbers than in non conference play at 14.5 ppg. and 9.0 rpg. and higher than last season.

Jamel Guyton is doing the same at 13.8 ppg. while shooting 58% overall and 54% from long range.

David Jackson accepts his role and remains very steady off the bench.

Guard Anson Bartlett is also contributing positively as a walk-on in the backcourt.

The bench isn't long for Rupp but this is a veteran team. Rolle is in his fifth season of D-1 ball, Gibson his fourth, Ashaolu his third, Guyton his second and Brown is the newbie. Jackson played his freshman year at Idaho so he is a third year D-1 player.

Maybe this is a case of harmonic convergence -- a complementary blending of talent, experience and coaching coming together but such seems to shortchange the work and effort of the players and coaches so who cares as to why the success.

But the the coaching staff, young men and fans in and around Ruston are certainly enjoying it and rightly so.