The good, the bad, the ugly so far

Taking a look at the early surprises, positive and negative, around the Western Athletic Conference:

* What's up with LT's Brandon Gibson (20 minutes a game, averaging 2.0 points on 18% overall shooting, 18% from long distance and just four free throws this season? PTW thought he would break out this season, being perfect for Coach Mike White's fast and furious style.

* LT is defensive aces from long distance -- the Bulldogs are holding opponents to 20% shooting from trey land.

* Idaho's Deremy Geiger is certainly doing it so far -- 46% overall shooting, 43% from beyond the stripe versus 32% and 31% last season.

* Utah State with six assists on 57 shooting attempts versus Texas A&M Corpus Christi then 21 in 45 shots against Idaho State. Go figure.

* Yes, it's still early but will Devonte Elliott make this his transformational season? He's playing 9.4 minutes each time out, averaging 2 points per game on 29% shooting and with just six makes in 15 foul line attempts.

* How is it that Zane Johnson is shooting 39% on treys but 37% overall?

* Is Daniel Mullings of New Mexico State hiding a pogo stick in his uniform?

* Deonte Burton, where art thou shooting touch? He's not in the Top 15 in scoring and his percentages are astounding, 32% overall, 30% from long distance.

* Can Brockeith Pane evolve into a point first and a shooting guard second? Keep in mind that this duality is a tough one to master especially in a situation where points need producing and his method of operation has always been penetrate and shoot.

* Nobody else in the WAC has New Mexico State's athletic ability but Remi Barry has hopefully been practicing his outside jumper

* Zane Johnson's 37 minutes a game needs to be reduced but that also means another shooter has to step up.

* Christian Kabongo, given a steady 18-foot jump shot, is an MVP candidate.

* Kyle Barone is doing it on the boards (10.0) but his 12.8 scoring average needs upping (just 39 shots in five games).

* Maybe he is still in recovery mode from injuries but Fresno State can't win if Kevin Foster is grabbing 4.7 rebounds a contest.

* Anyone see Jonathan Wills (plus 5.7 rebounds) or Bandja Sy at 11.3 points per game this season? PTW didn't and that's one of the reasons why the games are played.

* Tshilidzi Nephawei is eighth in minutes per game for the Aggies and shooting just 33% -- another of our predictions is eating dust, at least so far.

* The good news is that Olek Czyz has attempted a team-leading 42 free throws. The bad news is that he has connected on just 23 of them.