Thursday's WAC roundup

Kevin Cacabelos writes that both UH and Idaho are still in the mix for Washington prep guard Sekou Wiggs: "Speaking of Sekou Wiggs (2012), the 6'4" guard from O'Dea told me he is strongly considering attending prep school next fall. Wiggs holds offers from Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge, Hawaii, Idaho, Portland St., San Francisco and UC irvine. The signing period ended two weeks ago, but Wiggs could conceivably still sign a financial aid agreement with one of these schools. Wiggs could be hoping a year at prep school will convince Cal, Washington St. or another school to offer him."

With no particular insight into this matter, bet on prep school as some of these offers may no longer be active. 

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Again per Cacabelos, Add a new name (to us) to Coach Cameron Dollar's roster: "[David] Trimble played point guard and led Davis HS to a 4A state championship this past March. He is an unselfish guard who always seemed to be making the right pass, taking the right shot and sticking to his man on defense. He will be a quietly effective player for Cameron Dollar."

He is coming out of Davis High in Washington -- here's a March feature on Trimble.

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Plus, Dollar and Seattle have already offered another WA prepster: "DJ Fenner (2013) from Seattle Prep HS is a top five player in the state. According to an interview with the Slipper Still Fits, Fenner currently holds one offer from Seattle U and is receiving interest from Gonzaga, USC and Washington State among other schools. The 6'4" shooting guard/wing prospect needs to improve the range on his jumpshot and his ball handling this summer to improve his chances of landing more offers"

And one more: "Last month I posted this update on Tucker Haymond (2013), a 6'5" wing from Garfield HS. Since then, Richmond, Oregon, Lehigh and Portland have started recruiting Haymond - those four schools are showing the most interest at this point. Haymond currently holds two offers from Seattle University and Western Michigan. This summer, Haymond will be playing for Seattle Rotary's top team." 

Here is the Twitter feed for Cacabellos. Bookmark/Follow it as he is the best at info coming out of the Seattle and state of Washington area. 

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InsideRunnersSports offers a pair of Texas San Antonio recruiting posts, here and here. Nevada also receives a mention in the latter.

Wednesday's WAC basketball roundup

Nevada receives a mention in the recruitment of 2013 SoCal backcourter Jordan Matthews, per Josh Paunil.

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MinerRush has tweeted this: "Former UTEP G @Perez23 has narrowed his potential schools to Penn St., Nevada, and Purdue"

Mike Perez is a shooting guard out of Arizona with very good athletic ability and solid shooting skills.


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This Jason Groves tweet has some Aggie fans hyperventilating. Credit to realaggie at the AggieAlert MB for bringing this to attention.

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Marcus Thompson writes about Big Wen and the Golden State Warriors.

The Mavs, Texas Arlington hoops

Scott Cross heads the Mavericks' program which is coming off a Southland Conference championship after posting a 15-1 record, 24-9 overall.

It looks like three seniors have moved on -- Bradley Gay, Bo Ingram (the second leading scorer at 12.8 points a contest) and LeMarcus Reed III (the leading scorer at 17.8 points per game) -- the latter two very effective as wings. Four newcomers are arriving.

The TA backcourters:

* Cameron Catlett, 6-3/185 guard senior

5.5 points per game, 86 assists and a second-on-the-team 48 steals.

* Luke Davis, 6-1/160 guard sophomore (didn't play last season)

* Jamel Outler, 6-2/180 guard junior  (didn't play last season)

* Jorge Redmon, 5-9/160 guard senior

An outside shooter, he averaged 43% from long distance.

* Shaquille White-Miller, 5-9/165 guard junior

Just 4.8 points per game but a team-leading 123 assists as a regular starter.

As for recruits in the backcourt:

* Drew Charles guard TX HS 6-foot-2

Crafty with long distance shooting talent, he understands how to play plus how to use his teammates efficiently.

* Vincent Dillard Jr. guard Colby KS College 6-foot-5

12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, shooting 42%, 37% and 59% respectively, he's a creative lefty who performs best in transition.


The TA frontcourters:   

* Kevin Butler, 6-5/210 forward senior
 
Producing 10.8 points and 5.9 rebounds a game, Butler led the Mavs with 51 steals.

* Brandon Edwards, 6-6/210 forward junior

4.3 points (shooting 60%), 4.4 rebounds and 23 blocked shots in 15 minutes a contest.
   
* Karol Gruszecki, 6-5/195 forward senior

41 of his overall 55 shots were of the trey variety, he shot 37%.

* Nicholaus Osbourne, 6-0/200 forward junior

Played just 32 minutes last season.

* Jordan Reves, 6-10/240 forward senior

A starter last season, Reves averaged 9.1 points (shooting 55%) and 7.8 boards per game, plus 57 shotblocks overall, all in 24 minutes a contest
    
* Stuart Lagerson, 7-0/210 center junior

He's a backup with some inside shooting and shotblocking prowess.

The Maverick frontcourt recruiting class

* Greg Gainey forward South Plains C.C. 6-foot-5

14 points (on 62% shooting) and 5.4 rebounds a game   

* Deon Rodgers forward TX HS 6-foot-6 245 

A knee injury slowed his senior season but he's thick, posts up and seals well as an inside scorer.


In summary, a fantastic last season in the Southland Conference will be met with an initial who knows one in the Western Athletic Conference. It will be a one season trial whose finish will be determined by the level of  returnees and newbies stepping up in scoring and also playing effective defense and rebounding.

The Mavs shot 45% overall in 2011-12 to 41% for opponents and out-boarded the competition by six a game.

Turnovers played a hand in Texas Arlington's losses last year and will need reducing since the Mavs will likely not shoot as well this go-around. There is also minimal size in the frontcourt.

College Park Center is a brand new facility and the new homecourt for the Mavericks, who were able to play in it four times late in the  2012-13 season.

Thank heavens for Matt Sonnenberg

All PTW has for you today in the digest is one lone item:

* Matt Sonnenberg emerges from the embargo in Logan to promise more player grades and team previews.

Monday's WAC hoops post

Here's is an interesting article involving Fresno State's Braeden Anderson, which at least partially accounts for his setting foot in the San Joaquin. Plus, a second one.

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Denver Associate Head Coach Mike McKee is the centerpiece of this very interesting post about scouting reports.

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Don't like doing this but PTW simply must disagree with Tommy Dee on his evaluation of Joston Thomas. JT isn't going to be positioned as a volume shooter or ranked in the top three (more than likely four) in having plays run for him as an NBA team member and, if not getting shots, his motor stops and he fades into the background far too often. Credit username 343 at the Warrior Sports Network MB for digging this up. For Thomas, it's overseas where he can be a #1 or #2 guy.

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Oh yes, a big shout out to our veterans along with a wish that all the politicians and generals would just stay away from any and all Memorial Day ceremonies. The grunts have been used enough.

Remember Terrence Joyner?

Michael Scotto reports on Mississippi Valley State backcourter Terrence Joyner, who had a rather ignominious departure from New Mexico State after testing the prowess of the security personnel at the El Paso airport. Now, he's readying himself for the the NBA.

Sundays's angels singing WAC basketball hymns

Joey Natale tweeting: "Missouri, Nevada an USC are now showing interest in 2013 Team Nebraska PF Akoy Agau"

He's 6-foot-9, 230 pounds with mucho offers to date.

Here's talk and tape:



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Marek Warszawski in his latest WarZone, pulls no punches: "Whenever San Jose State hires a coach or athletic director, the phrase "sleeping giant" is always invoked. Sleeping? That giant has been comatose for decades."

The Spartans fans will settle for narcolepsy but Bleymaier, despite some carry-on baggage, won't in his last go-around.

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Count on Robert Kuwada to keep it coming as he features what Kevin Olekaibe is up to this spring and summer.

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Has there been an embargo on basketball news in Logan, just nothing to report or vacations coincidentally taking place simultaneously?

San Jose State University offers a backcourter

From Steve Hu's latest in NorCalPreps (a Rivals sub is required): "Isaiah Taylor 6-foot-2 PG The Village School (2013) Texas Pro: The former St. Mary's Berkeley product is now in the Lone Star state. He is bigger in stature and still plays with an aggressive nature in driving to the paint. Taylor states that he has offers from George Mason, Lehigh, Northeastern, and San Jose State. In addition to the move to Texas, Taylor also reclassified to the 2013 class. His size and quickness for a point guard makes him an attractive prospect."

John Carlson with interest from Idaho

Do keep in mind that interest can mean many things but here's an item in a recent article indicating the Idaho Vandals are at least checking out a Reno area talent: "Damonte Ranch senior John Carlson said without the exposure from playing with the Wolverines, the interest he is getting from Idaho, Sacramento State and Southern Utah would probably be nonexistent."

Carlson is 6-foot-7, 185 and a 2012 player.

A Seattle basketball re-do

PTW posted an earlier look at the Redhawks for this coming WAC season, ending with the idea that they were undersized.

We were on to something but that's because we missed two other Seattle signees.

* Nkosi Ali

 Ali at 6-foot-10, 210 and out of Georgia, led Highline Community College (Washington) in scoring (16.3 points) and rebounding (10.2) per game last season, shooting 55% from the floor. He's particularly strong on the offensive boards.

Ali signed with the Redhawks back in 2010 but obviously had to go the community college route. It's unclear if he is transferring at one or two seasons at Highline but likely the latter.

Here's some earlier video:



* Kentari Nettles

 Nettles as a high school senior

He's 6-foot-9 and 230, out of Alabama and signed with South Alabama back in 2010 but was dismissed before playing there. Records show he was next at Pearl River Community College in Mobile where he averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds as a freshman and apparently sat out this last season at Highline. 

Here's a background story on him.

Saturday's WAC roundup

Dayton Morinaga checks in on Hawaii hoops, covering the question regarding the Rainbow Warriors being Vander-less or not next season.

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Fresno State assist coach Byron Jones is interviewed -- this link thanks to masetheface at the Bark Board Save Mart Center MB.

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Checking in on former Fresno Stater Bracken Funk's season at Hawaii-BYU: 12.4 points (second on the team) and 7.7 rebounds (tops on the team) per game, 50% overall shooting, a team-leading 49 steals and the same with 21 blocked shots.

Closing out the week on WAC hoops

Per Robert Kuwada, freshman Grant Hefeng is leaving the Bulldog program, seeing no PT in his future. The only question is the timing but maybe this was known for some time but now just announced.

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Jim Hilley doesn't straddle the fence in his feelings about the WAC.

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InsideRunnerSports fleshes out the latest recruiting possibility for the Texas San Antonio.

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Does the hiring of Gene Bleymaier by SJSU turn over a new leaf for Spartan athletics? GB has certainly got to feel he has something to prove in what will be his last AD position.

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Not WAC-related but good ol' Deadspin has an article up on college athletic departments monitoring Facebook and Twitter through third-parties for "trigger words."

Thursday's WAC hoops roundup

Chris Murray reports that Coach David Carter is thisclose to both an extension and added $$$ to his annual pay.

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Dan McCarney reports on Texas San Antonio's 2012 bundle of recruits plus the loss of a would-be senior. 

More press for Terry's recruiting prowess

Kellon Hassenstab has national praise for Coach Rodney Terry's first full group of recruits:

"While many fans are aware of the storyline that led 7-footer Robert Upshaw to Fresno State, the reality is that coach Rodney Terry’s first full recruiting class addresses the program’s needs and should set them up in good position for the future. While Upshaw is a top-50 prospect and clearly the headliner, there’s other room for excitement. 6-5 forward Broderick Newbill is a glue guy, and former Kansas-signee Braeden Anderson should have a niche in the frontcourt. Another newcomer with some acclaim is 6-3 shooting guard Marvelle Harris, reportedly one of the most underrated players in SoCal."

This is not a knock on Steve Cleveland -- simply an observation -- but are there any remaining Bulldog aficionado holdouts still believing that the change in coaches is one still open to debate?

Wednesday's WAC orange spherical digest

Tales of the tape, NBA draft style:

* Joston Thomas

6-foot-5 without shoes, wingspan 6-foot-8.25, 12.8% body fat, 29" standing vertical

* Troy Gillenwater

6-foot-6 without shoes, wingspan 7-foot-2, 15.3% body fat, 33.8" standing vertical

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Idaho assistant Ray Lopes has moved into the Pac-12 with Washington State. Job one: land players from a region the Cougars don't currently have access.

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Brian Murphy reports that the Sun Belt Conference has declined Idaho's advances.

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InsideRunner Sports has new on another possible D-1 transfer heading to AlamoTown.

Not WAC-related but ...

Whenever life has you a bit down, try reading this story from ESPN's Wright Thompson. There are trials and tribulations and then there are T-R-I-A-L-S and T-R-I-B-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S. What a great work of journalism.

Tuesday and the world of WAC hoops

Texas Arlington is indeed moving from the WAC to the Sun Belt Conference after this season.

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InsideRunnerSports offers a breakdown of the Texas San Antonio recruiting class, confirming that Utah transfer George Matthews has joined up. Looking at the comments, mac78251 notes that Melvin Johnson's name is missing. That will hurt.

Texas San Antonio in 2012-13

Brooks Thompson just sounds like the name of a basketball coach and here he is heading the University Texas San Antonio program. A solid backcourter, Thompson played at Texas A&M and Oklahoma State and was also a first round selection in the NBA draft. He was hired to lead the Roadrunner program in 2006.

Coming off an 18-14 overall, 10-6 Southland Conference season, Thompson has lost four graduating seniors plus another transfer while bringing in four new talents.

Saying goodby are forward/center Alex Vouyoukas, forwards Stephen Franklin and Larry Wilkins plus guard Sei Paye. Additionally, Forward Igor Nujic has transferred to St. Mary's.

So the RR backcourters and wings are:

* Kannon Burrage 6-foot-3 senior

Averaged a team-leading 13.5 points per game and shot 152 free throws, also tops.

* Michael Hale III 5-foot-9 senior

Best in assists with 3.2 per game.

* Melvin Johnson III 6-foot-5 senior

Second on the team in scoring at 13.0 points per game, he's a very good shooter all-around, including 43% from long distance.

* A.J. Price 6-foot-2 freshman

It looks like he redshirted last season but should be in the rotation in 2012-13.

* Ryan Whitehead 6-foot-0 junior (he played little)

Okay, PTW is required to write that Kannon Burrage is the perfect name for a shooting guard and both Michael Hale and Melvin Johnson should be deluxe trey shooters, right?

Swinging between guard and wing is:

* Jordan Sims, 6-foot-4 junior (he played little)

Plus, one of the four newcomers is a guard:

* Hyjjii Thomas 6-foot-3 junior (Navarro TX JC)

A superb athlete who is just putting it together, it's a matter of seeing how quickly he adjusts and advances to D-1 basketball.

So it's Burrage, Hale and Johnson (plus maybe Thomas) as the core strengths of the Roadrunners.

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In the frontcourt are two returnees and a trio of newbies:

* Jeromie Hill 6-foot-8, 230 junior

Averaged 12.5 points and 6.4 rebounds a contest last season, the latter the best on the squad. What's perplexing is that he shot 41% on treys but just 60% from the foul line. At the end of last season, Hill was named the Southland Conference Student Athlete of the Year.

* Tyler Wood 6-foot-6, 230 sophomore (he played little)

and

There are a trio of incoming bigs:

* Tank Mayberry, 6-foot-10, 285 (Navarro TX JC)   

The loser of 65 pounds since he arrived at Navarro, that an impressive feat in and of itself. There's really no competition in the middle for him if Thompson wants to go with a traditional setup.

* Edrico McGregor, 6-foot-8 230 (North Idaho CC)
       
Out of the Bahamas, he displays scoring and rebounding ability and should enjoy the opportunity of solid, right away playing time.

* Lucas O'Brien, 6-foot-10 220 AZ HS center 6-foot-10 220

He'll need added strength and bulk but he already shoots and runs the floor very well. A redshirt year isn't out of the question but that's if Mayberry can play 30 minutes a contest. 

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As a team the Roadrunners shot 45% overall to 42% for opponents, plus 39% to 32% from three-point range. 

There been some buzz that former 6-foot-5 Utah freshman wing George Matthews is transferring in but nothing official as yet.

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In summary,  the Roadrunner guard set appears a strength and Jeromie Hill 9is the man upfront. If Thompson can get solid play from a couple of his new frontcourters, then San Antonio will be competitive.

Monday's WAC roundball digest

Mel Grussing has the news on Kyisean Reed returning to his old stomping grounds.

There's your appetizer.

Who in the WAC had the best signing class?

Couldn't find anything of consequence to post so we're substituting this:

First off, nobody truly knows the answer posed in the headline question until at least a couple of years pass and second, there isn't a person alive who has witnessed all the signees, so making judgments as such is a fun exercise, but nothing else.

So with that warning, PTW plunges in.

There is not a person alive who wouldn't go with Fresno State as the top batch of recruits.

FRESNO STATE

* Aaron Anderson OK HS point
* Braeden Anderson Canada HS power forward
* Tanner Giddings CA HS center
* Marvelle Harris CA HS shooting guard
* Broderick Newbill MO HS wing
* Robert Upshaw CA HS center

Each player above has starting potential although Giddings is the furthest away and would benefit from a redshirt year next season. BAnderson has the highest ceiling (NBA potential) and Upshaw is also up there. All are also good athletes. Probably the best news is that Upshaw shouldn't be a one and done and more than likely not a two and done either.

UTAH STATE

* Sean Harris CA JC power forward
* Marcel Davis UT HS point
* Riley Bradshaw MT HS shooting guard
* Quincy Bair UT HS wing
* Spencer Butterfield CA JC wing
* Marvin Jean NY JC wing
* Tenale Roland IL JC IL point

There are a lot of nice parts here too although lower ceilings. Bradshaw appears to possess the top potential. If their collective minds are 'right' -- meaning willingness to perform in certain roles for the JC guys in particular -- then this batch will makes the Aggies very tough once again.

These two classes stand above the others.

HAWAII

* Caleb Dressler Washington HS center
* Orel Lev Israel HS shooting guard
* Isaac Fotu New Zealand HS power foreard
* Keith Shamburger TR SJSU shooting guard
* Brandon Spearman IL JC shooting guard
* Manroop Clair WVA HS point

Talk about guessing -- who, other than the UH staff, has any idea on Lev and Fotu? Shamburger will certainly help a year from now but Dressler will need time. That leaves Spearman and Clair who look like they can contribute right away but it's been a matter of accepting roles, or not, with UH hoops of late. Such has been the genesis of the movement of late on the Rainbow Warrior roster. The guess here is that Spearman will do fine and that Clair will be the best shooting point in a long time in the islands but he'll need to focus on getting the ball to his teammates.

IDAHO

* Denzel Douglas WY JC point
* Ty Egbert ID HS power forward
* Marcus Bell IA JC power forward
* Robert Harris AZ JC point
* Antwann Scott TX JC shooting guard

The new backcourters won't need to be gamechangers (this is the team of Barone and Madison in 2012-13), just willing to perform assigned tasks efficiently. Odds are two of the three will pan out, Egbert will likely redshirt and Bell looks like he'll be a starter at the four.

NEVADA

* Rafael Carter CA JC center
* Marqueze Coleman CA HS shooting guard
* Cheikh Fall CA JC center
* Cole Huff CA HS wing

The original plan was for Carter to redshirt a season but that will likely be dependent on what Fall shows as well as how much Devonte Elliott and Kevin Panzer have developed. Huff may also redshirt but Coleman looks like he can help right away.


NEW MEXICO STATE

* Kevin Aronis CA JC shooting guard
* Materj Buovac IN HS wing

Both should see trial minutes early and often and that will continue if their respective shots are dropping.

LOUISIANA TECH

* Demetrius Moore FL JC power forward
* Alex Hamilton FL HS shooting guard
* Jaron Johnson TX JC wing
* Sean Young OK HS center

Moore should help right away, Hamilton possibly and Johnson definitely. Young is probably going to redshirt.

SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY

* Louie Garrett UT JC
* Mike VanKirk CA HS
* Xavier Jones IL JC
* Alex Brown IL JC
* David Andoh FL PREP

Brown (shotblocker) and Jones (scorer) are projected starters inside and outside respectively. VanKirk is 7-foot-1 but will need time. Garrett is athletic and should fill in off the bench while Andoh has promise but faces adaptation to the physicality of the college ranks.

SEATTLE

* Isiah Umipig TR Cal State Fullerton shooting guard
* Emerson Murray California TR California shooting guard

Each will redshirt next season.

TEXAS STATE

* Joel Wright TX JC power forward
* Darius Richardson TX JC shooting guard
* Ray Dorsey TX HS shooting guard

Wright is a high-flyer and should get immediately playing time, as should big guard Richardson but Dorsey less so.

DENVER

* Griffin McKenzie TR Xavier power forward who will redshirt
* Nate Engesser CO HS shooting guard
* Jalen Love IN HS shooting guard
* Bryant Rucker TX HS point guard
* Dom Samac FL PREP power forward

The trio of backcourters have the best chances of contributing first but the Pioneers have two sophomore guards returning who will play the vast majority of backcourt minutes.

TEXAS ARLINGTON

* Vincent Dillard TX JC guard
* Greg Gainey TX JC forward
* Deon Rodgers TX HS forward
* Drew Charles TX HS guard

Dillard and Gainey will be the immediate contributors, Rodgers will help if he can control his weight and Charles is a darkhorse for possessing the best potential but he'll need some time.

TEXAS SAN ANTONIO

* Hyjjii Thomas TX JC shooting guard      
* Tank Mayberry TX JC center        
* Edrico McGregor ID JC forward
* Lucas O'Brien AZ HS center

Thomas is extraordinarily athletic and on the cusp of his skills matching his jumping and running prowess, Mayberry weighs in at 285 after dropping 60 ot so pounds, McGregor is out of the Bahamas, also athletic and with some scoring and rebounding skills while O'Brien runs the floor well and has accuracy from outside but will need some extra vittles before he is ready. This is a darkhorse class with quite a boom possible -- check back in a year.       

Hey, do let us know who we missed and also mis-evaluated. Criticism relished, renumerations more so.

Saturday's WAC hoops roundup

Posted this early as I'm off to a basketball tournament.

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Per Joey Natale, a Utah prep shooting guard is garnering interest from the Wolf Pack: "2013 Utah Pump N Run SG Stephan Holm has interest from USC, Nevada, Pepperdine and Utah"

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Ask and you shall receive -- Denver athletics just posted an article on the recruiting class of the Pioneers and there indeed are three more players who have signed on with Coach Joe Scott.

The University of Denver men's basketball team has added Xavier transfer Griffin McKenzie (Cincinnati, Ohio) to its 2012 recruiting class, head coach Joe Scott announced today.

McKenzie, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward from Moeller High School in Cincinnati, was recruited out of high school by nearby Xavier, Wake Forest, Ohio State, Northwestern and Vanderbilt. Due to NCAA transfer rules, McKenzie will sit out the 2012-13 season as a redshirt and begin playing for the Pioneers in 2013-14.

"Griffin was a highly recruited player out of high school," Scott said. "He's big, strong and athletic, and we know he will fit in well with our program. He complements our current players extremely well. We look forward to him contributing in the future."

McKenzie completes a talented recruiting class that also features Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.), Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) and Dom Samac (Zagreb, Croatia).

Engesser, a 6-foot-3 guard, led Colorado Springs Christian School to a 26-1 record as a senior, while averaging 23.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.9 steals per game. The two-time All-State selection, Engesser finished his career as Colorado Springs Christian's all-time leading scorer with 1,902 points.

A 6-foot-2, Love was selected to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 6A All-State Second Team, Wichita Eagle All-State Third Team and Wichita Eagle All-Metro as a senior after leading Wichita (Kan.) East High School to a successful record in 2011-12, during which they snapped three-time defending state champion and rival Wichita Heights' 62-game winning streak.

Rucker is a 6-foot point guard, graduated as the all-time leading scorer and assist leader in Centennial (Texas) High School basketball history. Bryant was voted the District 9-4A Most Valuable Player and made the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Region team as a senior after helping lead his team to a 16-9 record, including 12-3 in league play.

Originally from Zagreb, Croatia, Samac is a 6-8 forward/center, who helped lead North Broward Prep (Fla.) to a 15-11 record as a senior. Samac was named All-County honorable mention as a senior.

PTW posted earlier about McKenzie and Engesser coming aboard but  Love, Rucker and Samac are new names to us.

 Jalen Love

here's a three minute 2011 video

Bryant Rucker

Domagoj Samac (defending)

Meet the Denver Pioneers

Coming off a season that produced wins against Utah State, St. Mary's and Southern Mississippi, Coach Joe Scott's Pioneer crew in now a member of the WAC.

But it was a very successful Sun Belt Conference farewell tour as, overall, Denver went 11-5 (and 22-9). This despite not having a player on the roster larger than 6-foot-9 (and he played about 10 minutes a contest).

One of (if not the primary factor) the reasons is the patient offense the Pioneers employ, similar to what many recall Pete Carrill utilizing in his days at Princeton. It requires discipline, patience and selflessness until a defensive breakdown occurs and then the Pioneers strike.

Some very interesting numbers

Scott's 2011-12 team shot 49% overall, 40% from long distance -- opponents shot 44%

It was a three-point shooting machine on the court, attempting 640 versus 383 for opponents.

The Pioneers compiled 484 assists to 264.

Turnovers were 375 for Denver to 453 for opponents.

There was also a large differential in steals, 223 to 154.

For the season, DU was -4 in rebounding numbers, indicative of the lack of size

The Pioneer roster

In the backcourt, it looks like:

6-foot-3 prep shooting guard Nate Engesser is the lone signee PTW could locate to date

* Cam Griffin G 6-3 So (played just 42 minutes last season)
   
* Chase Hallam G 6-5 Sr (7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds per game, a team-leading 44 steals, started every game)

* Brett Olson G 6-5 170 So (as a frosh, he started every game, finished second on the team in minutes, averaged 7.6 points per game, his 46% three-point shooting  -- 117 attempts -- led the conference

* Royce O'Neale G 6-5 So (another freshman who quickly jumped into the fire, 9.9 points on 51% shooting and 5.8 rebounds per game, 43 steals

* Tyler Thalken G 6-4 195 Sr (played just 23 minutes)

* Charles Webb G 5-5 155 Jr (didn't play, must have redshirted)

In the frontcourt, it looks like:

* Marcus Byrd F 6-7 Fr (didn't play, must have redshirted)

* Blake Foeman F 6-7 Jr (played just 254 minutes)
   
* Chris Udofia F 6-6 194 Jr (14.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, 53% overall shooting, 72 blocked shots and named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year)

* Jake Logan C 6-8 215 Fr (didn't play, must have redshirted)

In summary, there will be additions to the team -- there has to be. Size will be an issue in matching up with the Utah States and the New Mexico States.

The core is the two now-sophomore backcourters, Olson and O'Neale, who will only get better and the third man in the Pioneer troika, Udofia, who has All-WAC possibilities.

Friday's WAC basketball guide

Thought I had already posted this today ... ah, the wonderful golden years

Robert Kuwada has recruiting analyst Josh Gershon rightly praising Coach Rodney Terry's talent acquisition prowess. Plus, Robert has a second blog item up too.

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Joey Natale recently tweeted this: "2013 point guard Kendall Smith of Team Lax (CA) just picked up his first scholarship offer from San Jose State"

He's out of Deer Valley High in Antioch, CA.

Your 2012-13 Seattle Redhawks

The Seattle Redhawks are now a WAC entity and here's the best PTW could do in determining Coach Cameron Dollar's latest roster:

Frontcourters 

* T.J. Diop, 6-foot-8, 215, senior

2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, shot 45% overall

* Gavin Gilmore, 6-foot-8, 220 senior (played little)  

* Louis Green, 6-foot-9, 240, senior 

3.8 points and 2.6 rebounds, shot 54% overall

* Obie Hurt, 6-foot-7, 230, sophomore  (played little)

* Chad Rasmussen, 6-foot-7, 200, senior

5.2 points per game, 36% overall shooting, 36% from long distance, shot four free throws in 505 minutes

* Deshaun Sunderhausm, 6-foot-9, 215, redshirt freshman (didn't play)

* Clarence Trent, 6-foot-5, 225 junior     

9.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, shot 46% overall

Backcourters

* Sterling Carter, 6-foot-0, 200, junior G 6-0 200 sophomore

10.1 points but 37% overall shooting, 36% from long distance, just 23 free throws attempts on the season
  
* Jarell Flora, 6-foot-3, 180, sophomore

3.4 points per game, shot 43%

* Prince Obasi, 6-foot-2, 205 senior

4.8 points per game, shots 41% overall, 38% from long distance, 73 assists

* Allen Tate, 6-foot-5, 205, senior

2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, shot 35%

So, there is but one returnee who averaged in double figures but he needs to shoot a better percentage. 

The sole Seattle recruit PTW could locate is D'Vonne Pickett, 5-foot-11, 180, Central Arizona. he scored 11.7 points and passed for 5.5 assists a game this past season. Pickett shot 42% overall, 36% from three-point range and 53% from the foul line. He enjoyed a better statistical year as a freshman but still looks to be the starter for Dollar at the point.
  
Seattle is coming off a 12-15 season, with a positive 9-6 at home. Against WAC teams, Dollar's squad lost twice to Idaho, split with Utah State, lost to SJSU and also dropped one to Fresno State.

It's a bit of mañana for the Redhawks as Emerson Murray, a 6-foot-3 junior transfer from California and Isiah Umipig, a Cal State Fullerton 6-foot-1 transfer will be redshirting this season.

These two signing puts the number of players at 14, one over the limit so it's likely that someone we listed is actually a walk-on or won't be returning.

He does have quite a number of seniors on his roster and Dollar is going to have to count on his previous role players demonstrating improvement. Trent should be a double-double guy each game so it's definitely time for him to step up.

It's dangerous prognosticating period, especially so without having seen a team play but, from the above, it's hard to see an upper division Redhawk finish. That ought to work as solid bulletin board material.

Thursday's WAC hoops abbreviated version

As Robert Kuwada reports, the Terry mojo has worked again as Fresno State landed a wing. The Fresno State recruiting class isn't the largest (even at six) but is the most promising this season in the former WAC. (working on a future article on 'rating the classes') -- Robert also posted again on the same subject.

Somewhat channeling the late Peggy Lee, that's all there is.

Rodney Terry after a 2013 in-state guard

According to Josh Paunil, Fresno State is coming hard after 2013 McNair High/Oakland Soldier backcourter Thomas Wallace and ranks among his current top five choices.

Who will Spartanize for SJSU in the coming season?

Losing Wil (Mr. Double-Double) Carter and Keith Shamburger means two large holes must be filled and Coach George Nessman has a five man recruiting class arriving to help.

There's nowhere to go but up after a 1-13 conference record.

It looks like James Kinney and DJ Brown as the backcourt starters for the Spartans. The 6-foot-2 senior Kinney led in scoring last season at 15.8 points per game but has to better his 85/92 assist-to-turnover rate to more like what the sophomore Brown achieved at the point, 73/39.

Look for 6-foot-2 JC newcomer Xavier Jones to add a physical presence in the backcourt. He shot well at the foul line and overall but (if the numbers are correct) went 1-19 from beyond the arc so it looks like his game is moving towards the hoop with the ball as he attempted 145 free throws.

6-foot-4 seniors Chris Jones and Lavanne Pennington are back as wings/guards -- Jones is a pesky, mix-it-up guy and the latter heralded as a shooter (although his accuracy was a paltry 28% in 2011-12).

It's an interesting mix at the wing with little-used 6-foot-6 sophomore Jeleel Williams returning and two newcomers arriving in 6-foot-6 JC transfer Louie Garrett and 6-foot-7 prepster David Andoh.

It's just a hunch but look for Coach George Nessman to elect to go with Kinney, Brown and XJones as his out-of-the-paint starters.

With bigs, Joe Henson has left the program due to knee problems so it's 6-foot-7 sophomore returnee Stephon Smith, 6-8 transfer from Santa Clara Chris Cunningham plus newbies Alex Brown and Mike VanKirk upfront.

Smith is strong and bulky but still in search of an offensive game. It's hard to discern Cunningham's game from his previous stats but he's likely the starter at the four.

The 6-foot-11 Brown is a JC transfer who will be the man in the middle because of his shotblocking talent while the 7-foot-1 VanKirk is still in development.

In summary, newcomers Jones and Brown will help but it's still going to be hard to hold opponents to less than what the Spartans will score.

Wednesday's WAC basketball digest

Jason Groves checks in with a pair of recruiting posts: here about signee Kevin Aronis and here with a New Mexico State recruiting recap.

It's looking like another lean day.

McKenzie inks with Denver

6-foot-9 former Xavier power forward Griffin McKenzie has transferred to Denver and will redshirt this season.

Thomas and Gillenwater in NBA Draft Combine

According to Adam Zagoria, Joston Thomas and Troy Gillenwater will be among the participants in the annual NBA Draft Combine to be held May 19 and 20.

Wen-less but certainly not harmless

Losing Wendell McKines and Hernst Laroche, two starters and major stabilizers on the floor, would set back most teams so it will be fascinating who steps up as replacements in the 2012-13 season for Coach Marvin Menzies.

The Aggies have filled holes from last season (shooters wanted in Las Cruces) but it will be a year of experimentation, at least to a degree, for New Mexico State basketball.

In the middle, it's finally the Tshilidzi Nephawe Show as the 6-foot-10 junior should be the starter and a 30+ minute per game mainstay. 6-foot-11 B.J. West and 6-foot-9 Renaldo Dixon will both enjoy golden opportunities to earn major playing time at the four and the five. In fact, all three prospects have a wide open chance to step forward so it will be fascinating to witness who does and doesn't. 7-foot-5 frosh Sim Bhullar is going to be the topic of a lot of buzz -- actually he already is. Can he stay healthy and how close is he ready to contribute are legitimate questions but the foremost query is how does Menzies use him in an uptempo offense?

Besides West and Dixon, Bandja Sy is also a four prospect. His quickness will be an asset but can he succeed as a back-to-the-basket performer? That's a big question. Plus, his length can be a force defensively against threes but not necessarily fours. Maybe Menzies goes one in and four out when Sy is in as a cornerman. With better shooting consistency, the 6-foot-9 junior will easily earn a starting spot somewhere.

Speaking of threes, is sophomore Remi Barry ready to fulfill his potential as a points producer? More of a dribble-drive game would really help his cause. 6-foot-5 senior Tyrone Watson will probably be a starter -- again, somewhere -- because of his efficiency and the intangibles he provides. Matej Buovac, a 6-foot-7 prep recruit, was specifically signed to pop from outside and 6-foot-5 Temjae Singleton is another three spot candidate.

It's 6-foot-2 sophomore Daniel Mullings as the two starter plus all eyes will be on redshirt sophomore K.C. Ross-Miller's handling of the point.

6-foot-3 JC transfer Kevin Aronis will be stationed at the three point line.

A host of other redshirts are in the backcourt mix: husky 6-foot-5 Eric Weary, 6-foot-1 Terrel de Rouen and 6-foot-3 Emory Coleman.

In summary, it will be critical for Ross-Miller to both stay healthy and perform efficiently from the get-go because there is no other proven quarterback candidate on the roster.

Plus, here's a bit of unsolicited advice to Coach Manzies: have one of Nephawe's teammates elbow him a bit during warmups in order to stoke the fire. When he's inspired, Nephawe is awfully difficult to handle. Him establishing and then maintaining his presence on the court is a must.

Tuesday's WAC hoops compendium

Robert Kuwada writes that Fresno State will be going five-on-five with UCLA and Texas next season.

Hey, that's it so far.

Louisiana Tech keeps coming on

Coach Mike White and Louisiana Tech are entering season two and preparing a followup act to last season's 18-16, 6-8 turnaround.

Two players gave departed -- Lonnie Smith and Alex Carr -- but such will have no effect. Two have graduated, Trevor Gaskins, who contributed mightily and Romario Souza, to a lesser degree. But with the latter pair, returnees and newcomers will step up with no dropoff.

Here's the 2012-13 Bulldog roster. In the middle are:

* Michale Kyzer, 6-foot-9 sophomore
* J.L. Lewis, 6-foot-8 senior
* Gilbert Talbot, 6-foot-10 freshman

Kyzer led the squad with 60 rejections -- this while playing but 13.5 minutes per game. Add some strength/weight and his rebounding will par up but his offensive game is still evolving.

Lewis was a nice surprise but remains a fill-in talent

Talbot is a frosh who advanced his skills set a long way as a prep senior but will probably benefit from being a redshirt next season.

At the four:

* Isaiah Massey, 6-8 sophomore
* Demetrius Moore, 6-foot-8 junior

Massey got off to a promising start before an injury ended his season early and, between him and newcomer Moore, the four spot has a strong possibility of becoming a real strength for the Techsters. But remember that Massey has missed virtually two straight seasons (redshirting at Mississippi two years ago) and Moore will be making the jump from the JC ranks so progress may come with sits and starts.

Beginning with the outside-the-paint talents:

* Brandon Gibson, 6-foot-5 senior wing
* Jaron Johnson, 6-foot-6, junior wing
* Stojan Gjuroski, 6-foot-7 sophomore wing

PTW keeps expecting Gibson to explode into an All-WAC player but his shooting percentages need to elevator up dramatically. Johnson is just out of the the JC ranks but is a superb athlete with solid basketball skills and perfect for White's uptempo offensive and defensive systems. Gjuroski redshirted two years ago, played little last season and it doesn't look like much of an opportunity for playing time will be available for him in 2012-13.

At shooting guard:

* Raheem Appleby, 6-foot-2 sophomore
* Cordarius Johnson, 6-foot-5 junior
* Alex Hamilton, 6-foot-4 freshman

Appleby enjoyed a remarkable freshman year and such should be a jumping off point as he'll be an All-WAC selection and a contender for WAC MVP come the new season. Johnson was streaky but certainly contributed to the positive Bulldog reversal. A better assist-to-turnover ratio is needed from him. Newbie Hamilton faces a crowded situation but PTW still thinks he'll earn his way on to the court and be a contributor even if he has to play some one (which he is capable of).

Getting to the point:

* Kenneth Smith, 6-foot-3 sophomore
* Kenyon McNeail, 6-foot-1 junior

Smith was a 27-minute-a-game player in 2011-12 -- even as a frosh -- and piled up the assists as the LT team leader in that category. He also topped the Bulldogs in steals but does need to improve his shooting accuracy. McNeail also contributed with his passing and scoring but likewise needs to reach the net more often with his attempts.

In summary, keep an eye on Massey and Hamilton to help and then eventually emerge as prominent contributors. Plus, Johnson will solidify the three spot. Coach Mike White keeps stealthily building in Ruston.

Monday Morning's WAC hullaballoo

Enough of PTW's moaning and whining, here's what's going to happen:

PTW will continue covering its namesake for 2012-13 and then shift to the Mountain West Conference after that. Parsing The MWC doesn't exactly roll off the tongue but that's probably going to be new title.

Hey, the world didn't stop.

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Jason Groves offers up an interview with recent New Mexico State signee Matej Buovac.

The 2012-13 Vandal-izers

Roster inhabitants for the Idaho Vandals always seems a super secretive subject, which probably goes with the territory when you're based in Moscow. So without the use of moles, double agents and the like, PTW is taking its best guess at the composition of Coach Don Verlin's 2012-13 roster.

In the middle, it's 6-foot-10 senior Kyle Barone. Let's just hope 20-25 additional pounds have settled in on his frame come next November because then he'll be close to an unstoppable force in the paint. 6-foot-9 junior Joe Kammerer is back to fill in as is Wendell Faines, a 6-foot-9 senior who can also be positioned at the four.

Add athletic 6-foot-8 JC transfer Marcus Bell to the mix in the middle and also to battle Faines for playing time as a corner. 6-foot-8 frosh Ty Egbert is a likely redshirt candidate so he can add the necessary weight and muscle for college competition. Someone has to step up and be this coming season's Djim Bandoumel for Verlin and Bell is at the top of the line upfront.

6-foot-5 junior Stephen Madison is secure at the three and one of the two possibilities (alongside Barone) as the leading scorer for the Vandals. Who backs him up remains to be seen.

Replacing the backcourt production AND efficiency of Deremy Geiger and Landon Tatum will be a tough task but there are plenty of candidates.

6-foot-3 senior Mansa Habeeb returns as a jack-of-all-trades but distance shooting isn't in his arsenal. However, 6-foot-2 sophomore Connor Hill is a beyond-the-arc specialist as only 21 of his 153 shots last season were two-point attempts. Mike McChristian, a 6-foot-2 senior, has the capacity to emerge at the point.

Coming to town are Antwann Scott, Denzel Douglas and Robert Harris, all JC transfers. Scott is a 6-1 junior with shooting and scoring talent, the 5-foot-10 Douglas is more a true point and the 5-foot-11 Harris led his squad with 4+ assists per game but his shooting accuracy needs upgrading.

The situation with 6-foot-5 sophomore Matt Borton is cloudy as he suffered another knee injury.

So who are we missing as there is one more scholarship to account for? Could the long-rumored Darrington Banks arrival still in play or possibly even Tim Johnson in the backcourt mix or are we overlooking someone?

In summary, expect Barone and Madison to lead the charge but the key will be getting consistent performances from two to three backcourters, whoever that may eventually be.

Sunday's WAC hoops digest

 Broderick Newbill, courtesy of Cascade Sports

Per this jmckune post the the Save Mart Center MB, Fresno State is hosting Broderick Newbill this weekend: "yeah im already qualified and I took a visit to southern illinois this past weekend then fresno and tulsa this weekend"

He's a 6-foot-4 175 pound prepster out of Missouri who is athletic with both a dribble-drive and stop and pop game. 

Here's a report on him from last July.

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Stew Morrill talks transfers with Shawn Harrison.

Not WAC related but...

Chris Ballard is back in Sports Illustrated with a superb read all about the Bryants -- Kobe and Joe (of course) but don't forget Pam.

What the heck does Utah State look like next season?

In the 2012-13 go-around, Coach Stew Morrill will be missing Brockeith Pane, Brady Jardine, Morgan Grim, Mitch Bruneel, Igor Premasunac and Adam Thoseby.

But before a call for a talent roundup collection is posted or a leniency pleato opponents is issued, consider that Morrill and Company has restocked the shelves quite handily.

6-foot-10 sophomore Jordan Stone, 6-foot-11 junior Jarred Shaw (redshirt Oklahoma State) and 6-foot-11 sophomore Matt Lopez (redshirt La Salle who will become eligible in late December) will man the middle

Stone is still sculpting his game, Shaw looks like the best defender of the group and Lopez brings offensive possibilities. There's no Gary Wilkinson among the bunch as yet but it will be fin watching each enjoying the touches that the Aggie offense generates for bigs. Plus, there's count-em 15 fouls to give in league play.

6-foot-6 senior Kyisean Reed will play the four, probably backed by 6-foot-7 soph returnee Ben Clifford and 6-foot-7 JC transfer Sean Harris, if and when he becomes healthy. A fully focused Reed would amp up the scoring potential from this spot but that has yet to become a reality and he has just one season remaining. He will continue to bring the spectacular but it's the steady that is needed.

At the three, it looks like a rotation of juniors Spencer Butterfield, Marvin Jean and 6-foot-6 Danny Berger unless one emerges from the pack. A lot of MB posts have Berger redshirting next season but that remains to be seen. 6-foot-5 frosh Quincy Bair may also don a magenta jersey or might see some time at the two. Morrill has a bountiful crop here.

6-foot-4 junior Preston Medlin owns said two spot and should be on the court for 35 minutes a game in 2012-13.

Running the point will be 6-foot-1 JC transfer TeNale Roland, plus a pair of challengers in 6-foot-2 freshmen in Marcel Davis and Riley Bradshaw. The latter will also see time at the deuce.

In summary, it remains to be seen if a consistent point producer will come from the four and five positions. There's a lot to like at the three even if a each is unproven. Medlin will be in the running for conference MVP while Roland has to adjust quickly to getting down USU offensive sets because a freshman at the point is simply asking too much too soon.

The Aggies are back, if they ever left.

Saturday's WAC basketball universe

The USU Stats folks shines the spotlight on soon-to-be Aggie Marcel Davis.

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Chris Murray has a background article up on Wolf Pack athletic donations.

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Jason Groves takes a similar route as some of the natives in Las Cruces are restless.

Teddy Feinberg writes that if Mike Martin gets the job as president @ Colorado State, well, it could pay dividends for New Mexico State.

Friday's WAC basketball notebook

The Mountain West Conference in July 2013 -- PTW thinks this is accurate:

* Air Force
* Colorado State
* Fresno State
* Hawaii (football only)
* Nevada
* New Mexico
* San Jose State University
* UNLV
* Utah State
* Wyoming

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Tony Jones writes that USU and SJSU will have the smallest athletic budgets in the Mountain West Conference.

Some factors in this cannot be magic wand changed, simply indicative of location, demographics, other sports franchises in the area (or not) and so on. There are limits to donations but it's impossible to tell when such has been reached.

Plus think about this: UNLV tops the league in $$$ but where has that gotten Rebel football? Ditto for New Mexico.

As for hoops, the Aggies are the poster program in bang-for-buck basketball.

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Josh Gershon has confirmed that 2012 CA prep backcourter Aaric Armstead will hit Hawaii as part of his recruiting journeys.

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From one of Andy Katz' latest posts: "The National Association of Basketball Coaches board of directors met with NCAA president Mark Emmert on Thursday in Indianapolis and, according to at least one source in the room, there is support to close up a few transfer loopholes. The coaches and Emmert discussed making any player who wants to transfer sit out a year, even if he or she has graduated and is seeking a waiver to play immediately at a school that has a graduate program that isn’t available at the current school. The discussion also turned to the waiver that allows a player to play immediately if a relative is ill. That, too, would be closed. The consensus among the coaches is that if anyone transfers, he should sit out a year, even if that means a sixth year in college. The coaches also wanted some sort of universal language on transfer restrictions, maybe even an NCAA rule that forbids transferring within a conference. Conferences and schools create their own policies on restricting transfer"

Somehow the part about coaches sitting out a season when they change jobs failed to make it to the agenda.

Thursday's WAC hoops digest

Chris Murray writes about the NBA draft-ability of Dario Hunt and Olek Czyz. After the guaranteed contracts run out early in the first round, it's better to be a free agent and get to the team most in need of your skills set and with roster opening possibilities.

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Answering our own question (hopefully correctly) this is the college lineup in the WAC come the 2012-13 year:

* Denver (non-football)
* Idaho
* Louisiana Tech (then to Conference USA)
* New Mexico State
* San Jose State University (then to the Mountain West Conference)
* Seattle (non-football)
* Texas San Antonio (then to Conference USA)
* Texas State (then to the Sun Belt Conference)
* Utah State (then to the Mountain West Conference)
* UT-Arlington (then to the Sun Belt Conference)

Do let PTW know if any of the above is askew or missing someone.

Nevada will be missed big time and also the 'new' Fresno State basketball program. Hawaii too.

On the whole, we would rather be elsewhere

Caught this item from Andy Katz: "Denver’s plan, according to a source, is to try to convince the remaining WAC members (Idaho, New Mexico State, Boise State and Seattle) that they should stay together to keep the league’s automatic NCAA tournament berth. The WAC could then add available Utah Valley and Cal State Bakersfield. The problem is that NMSU and Idaho will need a home for football and Boise State now would rather be in the Big West or, if the Big East were to fail, head back to the Mountain West. And, according to a source, if Denver had its choice, the Pioneers would go to the stable and all-private WCC"

This says it all.

Wednesday's WAC basketball wrap

Evan Daniels has the news that 6-foot-7 IMG forward David Andoh has given the green light to San Jose State University.

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About halfway down Michael Brown's article is a sort of update on the status of Gary Wilkinson and the New Zealand Breakers.

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Add in-state 6-foot-10 Gilbert Talbot to Coach Mike White's recruiting class plus 6-10 Oklahoman Sean Young as a walk-on, the latter thanks to rebelboi @ the Bulldog Barks & Bytes MB.

Here's Gilbert's beRecruited.com profile.

Here's a photo:

Here's Young's recruiting profile plus a photo:

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Teddy Feinberg serves up an interview with New Mexico State University President Barbara Couture.

Utah State offers a 2013 backcourter

According to Joey Natale: Utah State just offered Eris Winder, a 2013 point guard of Marcus Banks Hard 2 Guard (NV)

Here's a January, 2012 article highlighting the young man.  

This feature from April 2012 has Nevada in the lead.

Walker to the Gaels

Per Brad Winton, former Utah State backcourter James Walker has signed with St. Mary's of the West Coast Conference.

If it's Tuesday, what conference are we in?

Chris Murray writes about the homes/foster homes possibilities for Boise State. In the same vein, imagine how San Diego State Coach Steve Fisher feels leaving the MWC for the Big West Conference? Football rules.

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Per Brian Murphy, Big Sky Conference Commish Doug Fullerton is telling Idaho to come on over.

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Neil K. Warner reports that Utah Valley University is awaiting attention from the WAC.

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Wes Nakama has the scoop on a walk-on backcourter for Coach Gib Arnold.

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Per Cameron Schott, SJSU has endorsed a northern California prospect: "2013 Franklin G Darin Johnson was offered by San Jose State yesterday"

Johnson's team went 22-6 this season with him averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He was an All Delta Valley Conference First Team selection.

Will it be the season of nothingness?

No, this isn't a post going all Zen-like on readers -- just a look at the 2012-13 WAC basketball season. Call it a year of shotgun marriages resulting in 'who cares' matchups, often even in conference play.

The additions of Seattle and Denver will be a one year (PTW hesitates to use the word) rivalry for Utah State, San Jose State University and Louisiana Tech. How did those teams draw when coming into town to face WAC members in pre-conference play the last few seasons?

There might still be a school out of Texas joining up (can anyone keep track?) but seemingly as a short termer.

Just a thought: aren't there enough Lone Star State teams that were/are looking to affiliate to form their own Western Athletic Conference or possibly a southwest division?

At least there is a Big Dance bid to keep interest. 

Okay, end of grumpiness.

Monday and more conference chatter

International, quicker, new and old are the mainstays of Dayton Morinaga's video interview regarding the UH roster with Coach Gib Arnold.

Here's hoping we can get back to personnel moves ASAP.

Toni Writes goes long on the WAC, or what's left of it in an interesting piece. It's critical to always keep in the forefront that self-preservation prevails, period.

Martin Sonderman looks into the options for non-football Boise State -- the WAC, the Big West, the ...

Kevan Lee tackles similar territory.

Teddy Feinberg checks in on the Sun Belt Conference and New Mexico State. Will it be a 'what do you mean we kemo sabe?' response from Karl Benson?

A Utah State recruiting note

From Gerry Freitas: "The 2012 Nor Cal Spring Showcase was held Friday to Sunday April 27 -29, 2012 at San Francisco City College. Forty teams from throughout the western United States participated in the NCAA sanctioned event"

* 6'3 PG/SG Parker Van Dyke of East HS, UT 2013 (Salt Lake Metro Black)
- Heady combo guard who is a good handler and passer, sees the floor exceptionally well and gets the ball to the open man, is real effective in transition-pulls up nicely, has a deceptive first step, fairly good shooter with 3-point range. Will decide between four schools: Utah, Utah State, Arizona State, Stanford.

Sunday's WAC-arama

At the USUFans Stew Morrill MB, pharquar has posted that Mitch Bruneel is staying in-state.

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Chris Murray covers Boise State (even San Diego State) fully returning to the Mountain West Conference territory. The answers should be yes, yes and yes.

Chris also picks his fortunate and unfortunate entities in all this shuffling.

Saturday's WAC basketball link collection

Based on interviews, Chris Murray offers an all-about-the-MWC post. Chris also reports that Coach David Carter is thisclose to signing an extension. Then Chris beats everyone to the punch and covers what the football and basketball teams of the new MWC composition have been accomplishing, or not.

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Matt Sonnenberg looks at the good and the bad, very heavy on the former, of the new MWC. No ugly whatsoever.

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Tony Jones reports on Friday's announcements, as does Jon Wilner, Shawn Harrison, Rhett Wilkinson and Mark Purdy.

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Jimmy Watson and Jerit Roser are all over Louisiana Tech's move to C-USA.

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Dayton Morinaga has a video interview Kerry Rupp on his move to Montana.

Brian McInnis writes about Rupp's departure plus has an interview with Coach Gib Arnold all about signee Manroop Clair.

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It's looking at options time for New Mexico State and Idaho as Jason Groves and Josh Wright respectively report.

The MWC wants two more football members so ...

Jordan Coleman lands in D-1

Credit kpssaa on the Warrior Sports Network Ohana MB for locating the future landing place of former UH guard Jordan Coleman. He's staying in the Midwest.

A Kerry Rupp update

The HoopDirt folks have an update on former LA TECH Coach Kerry Rupp, how the DofO at Hawaii: "Sounds like former Louisiana Tech head coach (and current Hawaii DBO) Kerry Rupp will be heading to Montana as an assistant. He would replace Bill Evans who became the head coach at Idaho State earlier this sprin"

Some WAC recruiting news

Dayton Morinaga has the news that Manroop Clair has made it official with Hawaii.

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Benson at the Bulldog Barks & Bytes basketball MB serves up the news of former 6-foot-4 Michigan prepster Dominic Jackson (he's now attending high school in Louisiana) aligning himself with Coach Mike White and Louisiana Tech come the 2013 signing period.

Also, Skilldawg at the Bulldog Barks & Bytes basketball MB lays out the Tech roster for the coming season and provides solid analysis.

It's D-Day

Utah State had made its announcement -- Tony Jones, Kraig Williams and Craig Hislop all cover the official departure.

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Teddy Feinberg zeroes in on New Mexico State's options.

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Chris Murray interviews Joe Crowley who has inside familiarity with SJSU, Nevada and the NCAA.

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Jimmy Watson writes that LA TECH will make its new home formal later today.

Shaq Stokes' pursuers

Adam Zagoria has the early list: "Cincinnati, Rhody, Hofstra, Siena & St, Peter's among the schools interested in former Hawaii PG Shaq Stokes, sources tell @SNYtv"

Thomas on early entrant list

Noticed Joston Thomas' name on the official NBA draft early entrants list. The draft will be held June 28.

Thursday's WAC-on-life-support edition

Chris Murray rightly plugs the play of Dario Hunt. PTW is hearing Joni Mitchell singing "... you don't know what you've got / Till it's gone ..."

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Kellon Hassenstab writes:

Another beneficiary of the live period in April could be 6-9 center Brekkott Chapman of Roy (Utah). He was a huge factor in Utah Hoops taking the 16U division in the tournament, as a finesse-oriented big man with good shooting touch and passing ability. After missing half of his sophomore year due to an injury, Chapman shook the rust off for a great performance in a run towards the title. He currently doesn’t have any scholarship offers, but with Utah, Utah State, Weber State and BYU all showing interest, that could change in the short term.

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Dayton Morinaga is all over the commitment of backcourter Manroop Clair to UH.

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Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana Tech's upcoming announcement about being C-USA bound.

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So does New Mexico State University land in the Sun Belt Conference? Teddy Feinberg covers that territory as well as noting that Texas State is headed there.

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WACocalypse is the term coined by Vandal Nation, leaving PTW a bit envious.

Although the WAC really has no other choice than putting on a brave front, it's reminiscent of the Monty Python famed Black Knight yelling it's just a flesh wound after losing both arms.