The Fill-A-Need Guy

Let's try and determine not the team MVP on each WAC squad but someone who must fill a need by providing a level of production no other on the team can.

* Denver

Going to go with 6-foot-8 redshirt freshman Jake Logan here as he, although a blank slate at this point, is the tallest and heaviest on the roster and the Pioneers will need someone to play major minutes, at least defensively, in the middle.

* Idaho

 A second productive big will be critical but PTW is going with junior Denzel Douglas, a 5-foot-10 JC transfer point who is also a strong rebounder and defender.

* Louisiana Tech

His shooting prowess is a work-in-progress but 6-foot-3 sophomore point Kenneth Smith is by far the top get-the-ball-to-the-right-man-at-the-right-time passer for the Bulldogs.

* New Mexico State

Sophomore K.C. Ross-Miller must be effective at the point for Coach Marvin Menzies.

* San Jose State University

6-foot-11 junior Alex Brown, a JC transfer, needs to block shots, rebound and score in the paint. He has shown capability in the first but not yet consistency in the latter two.

* Seattle

Clarence Trent, who should be a load down low at 6-foot-8, has the capability to perform as a junior and the Redhawks need that if they are to make a WAC impression this season.

* Texas State

6-foot-3 sophomore Wesley Davis looks primed for a breakout season after showing talent in defending, rebounding and scoring but must pick up his accuracy.

* UT Arlington

PTW is choosing 6-foot-5 senior Kevin Butler, who led the Mavericks in steals and was second in rebounding but has to show better shot selection (get closer in) and consistency.

* Utah State

It would be easy to select 6-foot-6 senior Kyisean Reed as power forward is the most hard-to-predict Aggie position for 2012-13 output but let's mix it up and go with Jarred Shaw, as the Aggies need multi-dimensionality from a big.

* UTSA

How about 6-foot-10 sophomore JC transfer Triton Mayberry or 6-foot-8 junior JC transfer Edrico McGregor as the Roadrunners need a presence inside to take away defensive attention on forward Jeromie Hill and backcourter Kannon Burrage. McGregor is the likeliest of candidates.