Questions

Can we all agree that Utah State's Jarred Shaw is the shoe-in for Newcomer of the year in the WAC?

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With Denver often not starting anyone taller than 6-foot-6, can the Pioneers thrive in the WAC? Joe Scott's bunch is being out-shot a last-in-the-league 47% to 38% overall plus 37% to 30% from long distance and is -7 per game in rebounding.

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Did anyone foresee a 6-1, top-of-the-league start for Louisiana Tech?

Granted 72-44 over Arkansas-Monticello and 66-55 versus Arkansas Southern were expected outcomes as exhibitions as was a 71-59 road loss to Texas A&M.

Winning at home against against Arkansas Little Rock 70-52 certainly wasn't an upset but the ensuing three games and wins in three days versus Troy 70-46, Southeast Missouri State 67-63 and Chattanooga 71-63 was not expected, even if two were neutral game matches.

Back home, the Bulldogs topped Louisiana Monroe 68-52 to reach 6-1.

Agreed, this hasn't been a Murderer's Row of opponents but do keep in mind that Coach Mike White is starting two sophomores in the backcourt, plus a sophomore in the middle surrounded by a junior and a senior.

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PTW doesn't recall this forecast: San Jose State University shooting a league-leading 40% from long distance.

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Can Utah State and New Mexico State keep such ownership of the boards? The northern Aggies are at +13.6 while their southern counterparts have a margin of 11.3.

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How is Seattle managing a tops-in-the-conference 12.3 steals a game?

Friday's one game roundup, links and previews

Texas San Antonio went to Eugene, Oregon to battle the webfoots and it was 51-40 Oregon at the half. The Duckies won it 95-78 despite a trio of Roadrunners in high double figures. Jeromie Hill led SA with 19 points, Michael Hale turned in 18 and Kannon Burrage finished with 17 points, plus six assists. Coach Brooks Thompson's crew shot 57% overall but allowed their opponents to hit at a 63% rate. Plus, UTSA committed 23 turnovers, 14 of which were steals.

TSA athletics has a game report.

Inside Runner Sports provides an informative take.

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Is Pan-American flying into the Western Athletic Conference?

Mile High Mids offers a very insightful look at the makeup of the WAC a year hence and further out.

Mile High Mids then offers more.

Teddy Feinberg weighs in on New Mexico State's moving on.

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Kyle Goon analyzes Utah State's Wednesday night win in Santa Clara.

Kyle Hislop lauds the road work of Stew Morrill.

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On to Friday's contests:

It's too bad that Louisiana Tech doesn't have a Sherman on its roster as the Bulldogs are in Atlanta to take on Georgia State. But then again, that would be quite the touchy, probably verboten subject.

Also, Texas State welcomes Utah of the Pac-12 Conference into San Marcos.

Thursday: last night's game reports plus realignment and recruiting

From Dieter Kurtenbach: "I’ve been told it’s finalized. Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, Florida Atlantic and New Mexico State are joining C-USA."

Teddy Feinberg quotes NMSU AD McKinley Boston as nothing is currently happening. 

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 From Premier Ball: "@NCalPremierBall reports San Jose State offers 2013 PG Rae Jackson, El Cerrito HS & 2014 SF 6’6 Elliot Smith, Freedom HS (CA)"

Northern Colorado has also offered Smith.

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Call the first few games from last night a sort of Rivalry Week challenges, out-of-conference ones.

New Mexico State crossed the border to face UTEP and enjoyed a four point halftime lead only to lose 55-54. Tyrone Watson led the Aggies with 13 points. Daniel Mullings played 27 minutes but took just six shots. He did add six rebounds and four steals.

Jason Groves tweeted the game.

UTEP athletics game reports as does Jason Groves.

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Louisiana Tech went to battle with Southeastern Louisiana in Ruston and dispatched their brethren 99-62 via a 69 point second half. Raheem Appleby scored 22 points with fellow soph Kenneth Smith posting eight points, seven assists, six steals and five boards.

LT athletics game reports. Below is Coach Mike White's post-game interview.


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Idaho traveled to the Palouse to challenge Pac-12 member Washington State but fell 64-55. Kyle Barone went for 11 and eight, Stephen Madison totaled 13 points and Connor Hill produced 10 points plus four assists.

Christian Caple and Troy Warzocha game tweeted.

Idaho athletics, Sean Kramer and Caple offer game reports.

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Texas Arlington hit the highway to face off with North Texas and downed their state compatriots 72-59 as Karol Gruszecki scored 17 points while Jordan Reves hit the boards fro 13 rebounds and totaled seven points. The game was tied at halftime 31 apiece. North Texas shot just 31%, going 4-23 from long distance.

UTA athletics game reports.

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Seattle and Stanford mixed it up and the Redhawks battled but eventually fell 68-57. Coach Cameron Dollar's guy led 30-27 after the initial 20 minutes. From the backcourt, Prince Obasi enjoyed 18 points and eight boards. Forward Deshaun Sunderhaus produced a 12/11 double-double.

Seattle athletics and Seattle U Hoops serve up game reports.

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Just down the road from there, Utah State came into Santa Clara and the matchup went into overtime with the Loganites winning 80-78. USU shot 56%, Santa Clara 42% but Coach Stew Morrill's guys committed 23 turnovers. Jarred Shaw went for 15 points plus eight boards with Kyisean Reed adding 10 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Shawn Harrison was present (kudos to HJ management) and offers this game report. Kyle Goon and Matt Sonnenberg also check in.

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Texas San Antonio is in the Land of Ducks tonight, facing Pac-12 member Oregon on that very artistic basketball court.

Wednesday's roundup: one game report & a handful of previews

It was Denver in the Magnolia State versus Southern Mississippi last night. No word if Colonel Mustard and a candlestick were sighted but the Pioneers fell 61-50. The score was 23-15 at the half in favor of the Magnolians. Royce O'Neale's career high 23 points (5-11 from long distance) paced Coach Joe Scott's squad. O'Neale also captured six rebounds. Chris Udofia scored six points (3-6 shooting) but contributed five steals, four assists and three blocked shots. UD shot 33% to 50% for Southern Mississippi plus went to the foul line but six times.

UD athletics offers a game report.

Mile High Mids is all over Denver's peripatetic-ness of the last three years.

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Grand Canyon gets an official welcome to the WAC.

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New Mexico State travels to UTEP tonight to renew that heated rivalry. Jason Groves talks with Tyrone Watson. Jason also offers a preview, his keys to the game plus a prediction and on Daniel Mullings' availability.

Louisiana Tech welcomes Southeastern Louisiana in an intra-state rivalry. LT athletics previews.

Texas Arlington does the same in traveling to face North Texas. UT Arlington athletics previews.

Idaho scoots over to Pullman to challenge Washington State. UI athletics previews.

Seattle tangles with Stanford on The Farm. Seattle U Hoops previews.

Utah State is in Silicon Valley to take on Santa Clara. Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams preview.

Tuesday's WAC digest including one game report

Denver is headed to the Summit League next year, a conference featuring North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Fort Wayne, South Dakota, Western Illinois, Kansas City, IUPUI, Oakland and Omaha. The change will make it a 10-team league.

Dave Harten fleshes out the move.

With the Pioneers going Summit-ing next season, Seattle U Hoops writes about the ramifications for the Redhawks

Interim WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd will be in Phoenix today with Grand Canyon announcing it will be in the WAC next season.

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It was too much Withey for SJSU last night as the Spartan challenged but fell to Kansas 70-57 in Lawrence.

Gary Bedore game reports. James Kinney totaled more than half the points for San Jose State University.

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Kyle Goon highlights Ben Clifford's effort and production so far this season.

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Denver visits Hattiesburg tonight to face Southern Mississippi, a team with a 16-game home winning streak. A snippet from SM athletics:

"...Southern Miss is leading the [Conference USA] league in all major defensive categories. It is scoring 66.6 points per game but allowing just 58.8. The Golden Eagles are shooting 47.8-percent from the floor and while allowing its opponents to just 36.3-percent. The Golden Eagles are connecting on just 29.2-percent from three-point range, but allowing just 28.8% from the same distance. Southern Miss is also outrebounding its opponents, 36.0-to-28.6..."

Raheem Appleby named WAC POW

Louisiana Tech’s Raheem Appleby has been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 19-25.

Appleby, a sophomore guard from Jacksonville, Ark. (Jacksonville HS), led the Bulldogs to a 3-0 record last week. Appleby scored 21 points and dished out three assists in a 67-63 win over Southeast Missouri State. With the score tied at 58, Appleby scored nine of LA Tech’s last 13 points to secure the victory against SEMO. He then scored a career-high 30 points with two rebounds and a steal in a 71-63 win over Chattanooga to help his team to a perfect 3-0 record at the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. Appleby wrapped up the week with an 18-point performance in a 68-52 win over Louisiana-Monroe.

On the week, Appleby averaged 23.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 43.4 percent (23-of-53) from the field and 73.1 percent (19-of-26) from the free throw line.

Other nominees:

* New Mexico State senior forward Bandja Sy averaged 13.0 points in a pair of wins last week

* San Jose State junior forward Chris Cunningham had 19 points and 18 rebounds in a win over UC Santa Cruz

* Seattle U junior Clarence Trent scored 17 points in a 58-49 win over Pacific Lutheran

* UT Arlington senior center Jordan Reves had 14 points and 12 rebounds in a 65-58 win at Samford

*UTSA senior guard Kannon Burrage scored 22 points at Brigham Young

* Texas State senior forward Matt Staff averaged 13.7 points over three games last week

* Utah State junior center Jarred Shaw posted a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double in a win over Weber State.

The academic entrance upgrade

Rob Dauster reports on the academic entrance requirement changes coming to college hoops. It's good to learn that a Prop. 48 of sorts will be available.

Get Billy Gillispie on the couch

What was Billy Gillispie thinking? Read Rachel George's article on the findings regarding Texas Tech basketball. Was it a matter of 'I'm bigger than the NCAA or the AD and college president' or some sort of nasty behavioral addiction or just residing in an alternate universe?

Monday's WAC basketball digest

San Jose State University is in Lawrence to face mighty Kansas tonight as P.J. Brown reports. The Jayhawks are ranked #11 and #12 depending on the poll of your choice as Nate Silver has yet to weight in on the subject.

CBS Sports also previews the matchup.

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Jason Groves looks back at THE DUNK by Bandja Sy, plus at Daniel Mullings being dinged up.

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Remember JayDee Luster, the diminutive point, who was at New Mexico State for a season before transferring to Wyoming?

Bruce Pascoe has an update. Two degrees! It sounds like Las Cruces wasn't an issue but that the head coach who recruited him departed.

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Matt Sonnenberg is always an interesting read and he offers his take on the USU - Weber contest from Saturday night.

Sunday's roundup of last night's games

Texas State handled UC Riverside 81-69 up in Anchorage -- this despite losing the battle of the boards 41-26. JC newcomer forward Corey Stern paced the Bobcats with 17 points while frontcourter Matt Staff contributed 16. Guard Vonn Jones contributed 10 points plus seven assists.

TS athletics game reports.

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In a Beehive State battle, host Utah State and Weber State were tied at 28 after the first 20 minutes. It became a foul fest, one with USU nabbing a 65-55 victory. Jarred Shaw achieved a 16/12 double-double and Preston Medlin just missed with 17 points and nine rebounds plus four assists and three steals.

Kyle Goon tweeted the matchup.

Randy Hollis, Shawn Harrison, Kyle Goon, Roy Burton and Kevin Meacham each game reports. Curtis Ripplinger has game photos.

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Louisiana Tech turned back Louisiana Monroe 68-52. Cordarius Johnson provided 23 points (8-11 overall, 5-7 from three-point range) and eight boards while Raheem Appleby scored 18. But the Bulldogs shot just 22-53 in the game.

Matt Vines/The News Star game reports as does LT athletics.

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Texas Arlington went into Alabama and took a 65-58 victory over Samford as center Jordan Reves post a 14/12 double-double along with a trio of blocked shots. Kevin Butler aided the cause with 15 points plus five assists. TA shot 51% for the game while holding the hosts to 37%.

UTA athletics game reports.

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No games are scheduled for today.

Saturday's recap of last night's game plus tongiht's contests

Idaho challenged perennial Mountain West Conference power New Mexico in The Pit and got spanked 73-58 but it was 36-36 after twenty minutes. Kyle Barone posted 16 points plus six boards and sharpshooter Connor Hill led the Vandals with 20 (six of 12 from long distance). New Mexico shot 51% for the game to 41% for Don Verlin's crew. Idaho also shot but eight free throws.

Idaho athletics game reports.

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New Mexico State proved to be rude hosts to Louisiana Lafayette as the Aggies sprinted out to a 41-18 halftime lead and won 79-57. It was Bandja Sy Night as the senior produced 16 points (6-8 shooting), five boards and four blocked shots. NMSU also won the battle of the boards 49-27 but did commit 25 turnovers. Play at the point remains muddled, owning too many of those TOs.

Jason Groves tweeted the contest. Jason also has a game report.

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Still up in Anchorage, Texas State tangled with Loyola Marymount and fell 78-63. Backcourter Vonn Jones the Bobcats with 14 points and five assists while Corey Sterns enjoyed 10 points and seven rebounds.

Texas State athletics game reports.

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Blue Zertuche/TexasHoops (a Rivals sub is required) recently offered this about a Texas Antonio signee: "Luke Wilshire 6-foot-5 SG Johnson -- Wilshire found his grove against Brennan Wednesday afternoon. He started looking like the shooter that everyone wanted to see in the summer. Wilshire shot the ball with confidence and range proving that he might have been overlooked throughout the July period, and a steal for UTSA. He carried his team as much as he could, adding assist and rebounds to his stat line. He has a big frame that he uses on the defensive side of the ball. Wilshire led his team with 25 points."

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Utah State hosts Weber State tonight. Shawn Harrison, Kraig Williams and Kyle Goon each offers a preview.

LA TECH welcomes UL Monroe. LT athletics game previews.

UT Arlington travels to Birmingham to face Samford. UT Arlington athletics game previews.

Texas State faces UC Riverside, again up in Anchorage.

Friday's WAC wrap: one game report, three previews, and more

Texas State dueled North Carolina Charlotte up in Anchorage. With temps at 10 degrees for game time, it's good they weren't matching up on the deck of an aircraft carrier or a frozen lake, but we digress. NCC prevailed 73-64 despite Wesley Davis' line of 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals plus 14 points from Matt Staff and 13 via Joel Wright. The Bobcats shot 36.5% for the game and were out-boarded by 11. It was a turnover-marred matchup with TS at 20 and Charlotte with 22.

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Texas State is back at it again tonight versus Loyola Marymount.

Plus, New Mexico State welcomes Louisiana Lafayette. A snippet about the Aggies opponent: "...With a lineup featuring six freshmen and four sophomores, third year head coach Bob Marlin is excited about the possibilities for the 2012-13 season, knowing that the team that takes the court in November will grow and improve all season.  As the new faces get acclimated to the collegiate game, the Cajuns will lean heavily on junior Bryant Mbamalu (12.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and sophomore sensation Elfrid Payton (13.0, 4.8, 6.0).  Guard Alan-Michael Thompson (5.8 ppg), the lone senior on the squad, should also play an increased role this year.  Freshman forward Shawn Long (15.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg), a transfer from Mississippi State, and power forward Elridge Moore (8.3, 4.8, 2.0 steals), a JC transfer from Lamar State, will unite to form the nucleus of the inside game..."

Additionally, Idaho is in the Land of Enchantment to face New Mexico. Richard Stevens provides a preview.

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Steve Coulter profiles Denver's Chris Udofia.

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USU Stats reached out for the record books in looking at the early season production of the Aggie players.

It's official: the Vandals sign two

Questions remain even when it's made official -- JC power forward Ayodele “Ayo” Ojo and prep backcourter Perrion Callandret are Idaho Vandals for next season, per Idaho athletics.

But Sekou Wiggs, a guard now down at a prep school in Georgia but from Seattle, had previously been connected to Moscow due to giving Coach Don Verlin a verbal. Maybe he'll be announced later or maybe a divorce took place.

The WAC Gobble Gobble report

It was Texas San Antonio 62 to BYU's 81 at the conclusion of play in Provo. The score was 48-28 at the half. Kannon Burrage led with 21 points for Coach Brooks Thompson. The Roadrunners shot 39% while allowing 52%.

Inside Runner Sports game reports as does UTSA athletics.

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As expected, New Mexico State ran Northern New Mexico out of Las Cruces 67-37. The Aggies led 34-13 after the first 20 minutes. Forward Renaldo Dixon led with 12 points (6-7 shooting).

Jason Groves game reports.

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Host Denver tangled with Colorado State and fell short 60-53. Chase Hallam led the Pioneers with 19 points. Royce O'Neale added 16 but on 5-16 shooting. Chris Udofia contributed just two points but seven rebounds. Coach Joe Scott's group shot just 30% for the night.

Denver athletics and Irv Moss each game reports.

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Seattle got the better of Pacific Lutheran to the tune of 58-49. The Redhawks led 30-19 at intermission. Forward Clarence Trent went for 17 points and five rebounds for Coach Cameron Dollar, whose squad shot 41%.

Seattle athletics game reports and so does Seattle U Hoops.

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Texas State meets North Carolina Charlotte up in Anchorage, Alaska today.

Vulnerability, or not

There doesn't appear, at least for right now, any WAC teams which will run the table come conference play.

Utah State stands 2-1 (wins against Idaho State and Texas A&M CC and a loss to St. Mary's) but pre-season MVP fave Preston Medlin is shooting just 42% (50% last season). As a team, the Aggies are at .438%.

On the plus side, center Jarred Shaw is at 54% plus 86% at the foul line. Kyisean Reed has started very strong at 62% shooting.

The rest of the Aggies are subpar in aiming and firing but it is a team with inexperienced newcomers and one in the midst of learning to play together.

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As for 1-3 New Mexico State (losses away from home to Oregon State, Bucknell and Niagara, a victory over SE Louisiana), the southern Aggies are being out-shot .427% to .441% and are sinking just 68% of free throw attempts. Coach Marvin Menzie's crew is also underwater in turnovers, 15.0 to 11.5.

But NMSU is a team in search of an identity, with new players plus returnees asked to play different roles, plus talents transitioning from being secondary defensive targets to foremost ones.That's a whole different level of pressure.

Daniel Mullings has started strong but Bandja Sy is shooting 28% and 17% from the floor respectively plus K. C. Ross-Miller is at 18% overall.

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Denver lost at Iona, fell at home to Cal and handled Texas A&M CC, Currently, the Pioneers are shooting .426% but allowing opponents to make .476% of shot attempts. Coach Joe Scott's squad is also down five in rebounding, 27.7 to 32.7.

These early-on vulnerabilities of the predicted top teams give hope to those consigned to the second division in the WAC pre-season polls. But do remember that conference play is still weeks away and changes, individually and collectively, will occur, both positive and negative in all the conference teams.

Wednesday's recap (three games) and, as usual, more

Louisiana Tech is now 4-1 after taking down host Chattanooga 71-64 as soph Raheem Appleby busted out for 30 points (just 16 shot attempts). Chattanooga committed 24 turnovers.

LT athletics has the game report. Vandal Nation live tweeted the contest.

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Idaho led visiting Green Bay 39-29 at the half and added one point to that that lead in the second 20 minutes to win 68-57. Stephen Madison scored 17 points plus passed for seven assists while Kyle Barone contributed 15 points and eight boards. 6-foot-11 Alec Brown, the best player for the Phoenix, totaled but nine points and three rebounds.

Josh Wright game reports.

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San Jose State University slimed the Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz 94-54, winning both halves by 20 points. Spartan Forward Chris Cunningham almost nailed a double-double-double with 19 points and 18 rebounds. James Kinney added 18 points. Sophomore backcourt walk-on Nick Grieves enjoyed a career best 18 points, going 6-8 from three-point range.

Spartan athletics game reports.

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Jason Groves has a post up chock full of quotes from Coach Marvin Menzies.

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Sophomore point Brett Olson gets the feature treatment from Pat Rooney.

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Below is video of Seattle signee Shore Adenekan:


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Wednesday evening's schedule:

Seattle's expected to have Pacific Lutheran for Thanksgiving, albeit a day early.

New Mexico State stays in-state, welcoming Northern New Mexico College.

Denver and Colorado State will tangle in the Mile High City. Irv Moss/Denver Post previews the Pioneers.

In Provo, Brigham Young and Texas San Antonio match up.

Tuesday's recap of Monday's game, plus more

Louisiana Tech is on a roll winning its latest matchup 67-63 against Southeast Missouri State. Sure, it's not been a Murderers Row of college hoops opponents but the relatively inexperienced and underclassmen Bulldogs are participating in games away from Ruston and back-to-back.

LA Tech athletics has the game report.

Coach Mike White's squad now faces host Chattanooga tonight.

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InsideRunnerSports present a brief interview with Coach Brooks Thompson.

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Jason Groves serves up his current WAC team rankings.

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Idaho hosts the Packers, make that the Phoenix, out of Green Bay tonight, a team that features 7-foot-1 junior Alec Brown. He's a much-lauded multi-talented -- scoring, rebounding and shotblocking -- big and the matchup with Kyle Barone is one to watch.

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San Jose State University welcomes the Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz in what could be called a Silicon Valley versus Silicon Beach pairing.

Kenneth Smith named WAC POW

Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Smith has been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 12-18.

Smith, a sophomore guard from St. Petersburg, Fla. (Boca Ciega HS), led the Bulldogs to a 2-0 record last week with wins over UALR (70-52) and Troy (70-46). Smith recorded a career-high six steals in the win over UALR, tying him for fourth all-time in Louisiana Tech history for most steals in a single game. Along with his six steals, Smith recorded a team-high seven rebounds, seven points and a game-high five assists in the victory. He also anchored a LA Tech defense that allowed only 18 points in the first half against Troy. Smith tallied a game-high seven assists to go along with seven rebounds in the win over Troy.

Other nominees:

* Denver junior forward Chris Udofia recorded a double-double against Cal

* New Mexico State sophomore Daniel Mullings averaged 19.0 points over three games last week

* UTSA senior Kannon Burrage scored 19 points with seven rebounds in a win over USC Upstate

* Texas State junior Joel Wright scored a career-high 28 points against SMU

* Utah State junior center Jarred Shaw averaged a double-double over two games last week.

Monday's report on Sunday's games, plus more

Troy was blitzed (if we can employ a cross sports term) by Louisiana Tech 70-46 in Chattanooga. There was no report regarding the utilization of a horse and a sizable amount of wood in the matchup.

Cordarius Johnson produced 16 points in 20 minutes and Raheem Appleby produced 15. Point Kenneth Smith added just one point but passed for seven assists with nary a turnover for the Bulldogs. Troy shot but 30% for the game.

Louisiana Tech athletics game reports.

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Host Niagara finished with 86 points to New Mexico State's 83 in a contest featuring the tale of two halves. The Aggies led 48-32 after the initial 20 minutes but Niagara exploded for 54 second half points. NMSU also committed 24 TOs.

Daniel Mullings enjoyed 26 points and seven boards during the game for Coach Marvin Menzies's squad. Plus, Chili Nephawe posted a 14/10 double-double in what was hopefully a breakout game for the junior.

Jason Groves game reports.

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Louisiana Tech and Southeast Missouri State square off tonight in Chattanooga. Essentially three road games in a row will test any team's early season conditioning so let's see who prevails.

A very early analysis

The samplings are too thin for any rushing to issue judgements and bellowing proclamations but here are a few names and how they are performing so far:

New Mexico State's Banja Sy is being counted on to play with consistency this season, given the absence of Wendell McKines, but the results to date aren't solid.

* 31 minutes with three points and three boards versus Bucknell
* 34 minutes with five points and 10 boards versus SE LA
* 38 minutes with 12 points and nine boards versus Oregon St.

Sy is shooting 26% overall, 15% from long distance

As for Chili Nephawe:

* 19 minutes with zero points and two boards versus Bucknell
* 20 minutes with eight points and zero rebounds versus SE LA
* 22 minutes with nine points and seven boards versus Oregon State

Nephawe is shooting 36% overall and averaging three rebounds a game.

New Mexico State won't be able to maintain its usual high WAC ranking without these two stepping up. 

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San Jose State University's James Kinney is leading the Spartans in scoring at 22 points per game but his ability to produce points isn't a question. Doing so efficiently is. Kinney is shooting 43% overall, 32% from long distance and is underwater in assist-to-turnover ration with 5/10.

Last season, he finished at 41% overall shooting, 40% from three-point range with 85/92 assist-to-turnover numbers.

What also deserves noting that Kinney is averaging just under 6.7 rebounds a contest.

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Texas State's Joel Wright, a  6-foot-7 JC newcomer, sits at 22 points and just under eight boards a game, with more offensive rebounds than defensive to date.

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Seattle's 6-foot-7 Deshaun Sunderhaus, a redshirt freshman, is tops in scoring and rebounding for the Redhawks with 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. On a team shooting just 36%, he's at 53%.

PTW will rustle up a few more surprising -- good and bad -- for other WAC players in the next few days.

Sunday's report on Saturday's contests, plus previews

It was an in-state matchup between Texas State and SMU and the latter prevailed by three, 78-75. Newcomer Joel Wright exploded for 28 points for the Bobcats while sophomore guard Wesley Davis added 14 points plus four steals. Texas State was outshot 49% to 40% by the Mustangs and lost the battle of the boards 35-23.

Texas State athletics game reports.

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Seattle traveled to Tony Bennett land (the coach at Virginia, not the crooner) and the Redhawks fell 83-43 after trailing 44-13 at halftime.

Seattle athletics posted a game report.

Coach Cameron Dollar tweeted: "Anytime a team is tougher than you, in my opinion it's the coaches fault. I will take it and get better"

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It's rare when teams like New Mexico State and Bucknell face off and the former will probably want to make sure it remains that way after falling 62-49. The Aggies shot 14-48 for the game as Daniel Mullings led with 22 points.

NMSU athletics game reported. Jason Groves does likewise.

Jason also tweeted the game.

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Texas San Antonio hosted USC Upstate and nabbed a 67-59 victory behind 22 points from tha aptly named Kannon Burrage. Jeromie Hill contributed 14 points plus eight boards.

UTSA athletics has the game report as does Inside Runner Sports.

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Utah State faced a far lesser challenge than the other night, this time welcoming Texas A&M Corpus Christi of the Southland Conference. The northern Aggies were ahead 31-25 after the initial 20 minutes and won 77-68. USU shot 57% and won the rebounding battle 32-20 as Jarred Shaw went for 17/7, Preston Medlin also totaled 17 plus Kyisean Reed contributed 15 points, six boards and three blocked shots.

Kraig Williams and Kyle Goon tweeted the game.

Williams provides a report, plus analysis. Goon, Rhett Wilkinson, Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams all also check in.

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Idaho and Montana went at one another in Moscow, a preview of matters to come when the Vandals join the Big Sky Conference. Don Verlin's bunch was ahead 34-30 at the half and bolted to a 10 point lead soon in the second 20 minutes. Then it got to 15. But Montana came back, got close and crept ahead near the end, winning 66-63.

Stephen Madison posted 22 points and eight boards with Kyle Barone going for 19/7. The Vandals shot 42% for the game, 26% on 5-19 three-point attempts.

Idaho athletics game reports. Josh Wright offers his take.

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It's Louisiana Tech versus Troy today, followed by matchups with Southeast Missouri State and then tourney host Chattanooga the next two days.

LT athletics previews all three pairings.

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Niagara welcomes New Mexico State University today. Will the Las Cruces squad take a row boat over the falls or right the ship so to speak?

Jason Groves serves up the keys plus a prediction.

Saturday's recap of last night's games plus tonight's previews

Host Texas Arlington led early, fell behind, crept back near the end, then tied the score but Oklahoma prevailed last night 63-59. Kevin Butler led the Navs with 16 points, Karol Gurszecki scored 15 and Jordan Reves produced 10 rebounds plus four blocks.

A record crowd of 6,421 showed up for the game.

UTA athletics offers the game report.

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Denver tangled with visiting Cal and fell 72-61. Soph backcourter Brett Olson topped the Pioneers with 17 points and Chris Udofia produced a 16/10 double-double. Denver shot 37% overall to 51% for the Bears and also lost the rebounding battle 40-28.

UD athletics serves up the game report.

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It's Texas State hosting Southern Methodist (and Coach Larry Brown) tonight -- two bright stars for the Bobcats: "...Texas State is 2-0 heading into the weekend. Matt Staff is the Bobcats leading scorer and rebounder with an average of 22.5 ppg and 10.0 rpg. Staff and Joel Wright each have a double-double on record and have shined in the Bobcats two wins. Texas State enters the weekend having scored 86 points in each of their first two games..."  

Randy Stevens game previews.


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Seattle is on the road versus Virginia, a squad sporting a 1-2 record and struggling offensively: "...As a team, Virginia is shooting 38.5 percent from the field, including 28.0 percent from behind the three-point line, and 64.0 percent from the free throw line..."

Seattle U Hoops previews.


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Also, NMSU is in Niagara Falls, NY to first face Bucknell. Jason Groves previews and also provides his game keys plus a prediction.

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Shawn Harrison looks at the Utah State - Texas A&M Corpus Christi matchup.

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Idaho has Montana coming in and Sean Kramer assesses the matchup.

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Per Doug Hoffman, Stew Morrill signed a third player (besides Jalen Moore and Carson Shanks).

Cam Dollar says come here and tweet to your heart's content

A tweeting limit controversy broke out at a Washington basketball game, allowing Seattle Coach Cameron Dollar to issue at invitation.

Sim Bhullar is BIG!

Just caught this cute-ish feature on New Mexico State's Sim Bhullar by Kenny Ocker/The Mid Majority.

Friday Night Lights

Tonight, UT Arlington hosts Oklahoma while Denver welcomes California. Gives a big raise to the TA and UD staff responsible for getting such on the schedule.

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UTA athletics leads with this line: "The most-anticipated home game in UT Arlington history is almost here..."

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UD athletics previews the Cal contest.

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It's confirmed:  Coach Cameron Dollar has added another big Brit to the Redhawk roster, per Seattle U Hoops.

Friday and world of WAC basketball

St. Mary's came into Logan and emerged victorious 67-58 despite 17 points (5-13 shooting) and 15 boards from center Jarred Shaw plus 16 points, eight rebounds and four steals from Kyisean Reed. The Aggies owned the battle of the boards 46-27 but shot a very un-USU-like 32%. Preston Medlin shot 3-11, Tenale Roland 1-9.

Kyle Goon tweeted the game as did Kraig Williams.

Kyle also game reported and did Matt Sonnenberg (who did an exceptional writeup plus analysis), Rhett Wilkinson, Kraig Williams and Shawn Harrison.

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New Mexico State, as expected, handled Southeastern Louisiana 81-56. Tyrone Watson led with 24 points, including a remarkable 10-10 from the foul line.

Jason Groves tweeted the game. Jason also game reports. To complete the trifecta, Jason also blogged after the game. Give that man a vacation.

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Big Sky Conference power Weber State (even minus Damian Lillard) hit San Jose to face the Spartans and the matchup went into overtime with SJSU winning 68-67. James Kinney finished with 21 points for the victors.

Spartan athletics checks in with a game report. Weber State athletics ditto.

A little more for today

Jason Jones (a Rivals sub is required) writes about a Michigan - Louisiana Tech connection, the article spurred by LT's signing of a pair of talents with Wolverine state roots.

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Seattle U Hoops has tweeted: "Alright, here goes: I'm hearing that British big man Shore Adenekan, from Lamar CC, has committed to @seattleu!"

He's a 6-foot-9, 235 pound frontcourter out of London who averaged 10.5 points and 8.1 rebounds a game last season for Lamar, shooting 53% overall and 53% from the foul line.

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As part of Louisiana Tech recruiting efforts after last season, PTW recalls Northwest Florida State College's Demetrius Moore signing with the Bulldogs last November.

But then we noticed his absence on the current LT roster.

Something obviously came up because he is listed at the NFSC site as being at Troy University this season. But he isn't on the 2012-13 official Troy roster so maybe he is redshirting there. We're guessing it was academics that caused the change.

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The University Star editorializes on Texas State basketball

Thursday's roundup: last night games, tonight's contests and signings

Louisiana Tech faced the challenge of Arkansas Little Rock last night and turned back the visitors 70-52. Cordarius Johnson exploded for 17 points on 7-11 shooting while point Kenneth Smith produced a seven point, seven rebound, six steal, five assist line. LT shot only 36% but forced 19 TOs.

LT athletics serves up the game report, including a post-game interview with Coach Mike White.

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Denver and Texas A&M Corpus Christi met up last evening and the elevation squad topped the coastal dwellers 68-51. Chris Udofia produced 17 points and seven rebounds with guard Brett Olsen totaled 11 points. Coach Joe Scott is employing junior Blake Foeman as his big and he stands 6-foot-7 205 pounds (similar to the numbers for Udofia).

SB Nation Denver and Denver athletics provide game reports.

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Utah State hosts St. Mary's tonight. Kraig Williams, Kyle Goon and Shawn Harrison all preview.

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New Mexico State welcomes Southeastern Louisiana. Jason Groves provides his pre-game take and prediction plus another look.

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Host San Jose State University has a challenge with Weber State coming to town. From WS athletics: "...The Wildcats are 1-0 and coming off a 110-52 win over Arizona Christian in the season opener last Friday at home.  WSU host 64 percent from the field and had seven players in double figures in route to the 58 point win, the second largest in school history..."

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Chuck Stark profiles Seattle backcourter Jarell Flora.

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Denver signed small forward and in-state talent Drick Bernstine -- Pioneer athletics has the details. Here is Bernstine's Twitter account. His first name actually is Roderick.

An evaluation from noted analyst Gerry Freitas: "Bernstine is an athletic combo forward who can run and jump. He handles it ok and is a very consistent driver. He shoots it ok with 3-point range and is a solid rebounder. Bernstine’s ultimate level is somewhere in the low to mid major range."

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Coach Mike White netted the signatures of an in-state backcourter and a frontcourter from the Motor City -- LA TECH athletics offers the background. The Shreveport Times has more.

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Texas San Antonio athletics covers the signing of Luke Wilshire.

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Kyle Goon notes Utah State's two signings -- a big and a legacy commit.

Matt Sonnenberg ventures into similar territory.

The 7-footer will redshirt next season while Moore will soon become an all-leaguer. He's a tremendous addition as the Aggies enter the Mountain West Conference

Wednesday's roundup of last night, plus more

Host Texas State handled Texas Tyler 86-66 Tuesday night behind frontcourt cornerstone Matt Staff's 28/11 double-double (10-14 shooting). Newcomer and JC transfer Joel Wright scored 19 points and fellow forward Reid Koenen produced 13 points plus eight boards. Vonn Jones passed for six assists.

The Bobcats outscored their opponent by 10 in each half.

Texas State athletics has the game report.

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In a tale of two halves, visiting Houston jumped out to a 44-26 halftime lead but San Jose State University eventually owned the second 20 minutes although ultimately two points less than the Cougars as the final was 77-75.

Spartan sophomore backcourter DJ Brown paced his squad with 24 points. Teammates James Kinney totaled 19 (but shot 7-23) while forward Chris Cunningham added 15 points.

Spartan athletics provides a game report.

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Louisiana Tech faces Arkansas Little Rock in Ruston tonight.

Didn't know this: "The Thomas Assembly Center being a home court advantage for the Louisiana Tech men's basketball team is an understatement.Spanning the last five seasons, the Bulldogs have gone an impressive 22-0 in non-conference home games..."

Denver hosts Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

From Denver athletics: "...The Islanders went 6-24 overall and 4-12 in the Southland Conference last season. TAMCC, which won its opener 60-49 over Texas Lutheran on Nov. 10, has no seniors on its roster that averages 20.25 years old. Junior college transfer Will Nelson and Johnathan Jordan each had 13 points in the victory to lead the Islanders. Jordan led the Southland in assists last season. Willis Wilson enters his second season as the head coach of the Islanders..."

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InsideRunnerSports lists one expected Texas San Antonio signee and writes that will be it for the first signing period.

Tuesday's WAC roundup

San Jose State University welcomes Houston -- an 81-76 winner over Florida A&M in its initial game -- tonight in the Spartan home opener. From that Houston - FAM contest:

"...Against the Rattlers, the Houston frontcourt of senior Leon Gibson and sophomore TaShawn Thomas combined for 31 points and 30 rebounds in the first meeting between the two teams. Gibson, the lone senior among the 2012-13 Cougars, scored a career-high 20 points and added 10 rebounds for the 10th double-double of his career.

Thomas posted 11 points and a career-high 20 rebounds against Florida A&M...

...Making his first start in his collegiate debut, redshirt freshman guard Jherrod Stiggers scored 19 points, thanks to a game-high five 3-pointers..."

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Texas State hosts D-III UT Tyler, a team whose 17 members include 16 from the Lone Star State, in an exhibition game.

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Crimson Illustrated gets to the point.

loobh8er analyzes the opening game play of a few of a few of Coach Marvin Menzies' bunch at the Aggie Alert MB.

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Jason Jones/BleedTechBlue confirms prep guard Dominic Jackson will be signing with Coach Mike White and Company tomorrow.

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Chris Udofia and Denver hoops are getting heaped with praise as Denver athletics details.

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Seattle U Hoops reviews the Redhawk victory over Montana State, liking what Clarence Trent and Deshaun Sunderhaus showed.

Hale win POW award

UTSA’s Michael Hale III has been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 5-11.

Hale III, a senior guard from Federal Way, Wash. (Federal Way HS), led the Roadrunners to a 2-1 record to claim the team title at the Liberty Tax Classic in Norfolk, Va. In the Sunday finale against host Old Dominion, the senior point guard poured in a career-high 29 points behind a 10-for-14 performance from the floor, including a 4-of-7 mark from long range. He also added three rebounds, three assists and a steal in the victory. It marked the most points by a Roadrunner since Melvin Johnson III scored 29 in UTSA’s historic 70-61 win against Alabama State in the NCAA First Four in 2011. Hale III posted 17 points, four steals and three treys to help UTSA down Holy Cross, 60-56, on Saturday and he added 15 points in Friday’s season-opening setback to Morgan State. Hale III was named the Liberty Tax Classic MVP.

Over the three games, Hale III averaged 20.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He shot 54.3 percent (9-of-19) from the floor and 77.8 percent (14-of-18) from the free throw line.

Other nominees:

* Denver junior forward Chris Udofia scored 20 points in a setback to Iona

* Louisiana Tech sophomore guard Raheem Appleby scored 20 points in a loss at Texas A&M

* New Mexico State senior forward Tyrone Watson scored 14 points with eight rebounds at Oregon State

* Seattle U junior forward Clarence Trent scored 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds in a win over Montana State

* UT Arlington senior center Jordan Reves registered a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double in a win at CSU Bakersfield

* Texas State junior forward Joel Wright tallied 19 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Fordham

* Utah State junior guard Preston Medlin scored 14 points in a win over Idaho State.

Commits to date

The NCAA signing period is upon us this week -- November 14 through November 21 -- so who in the WAC has a verbal in hand and who is still beating the bushes for additions?

Denver


Idaho

* Sekou Wiggs, 6-foot-3, 180 (prep school in Georgia)

* Perrion Callandret, 6-foot-2, 175 (Washington high school)

* Ayodele Ojo, 6-foot-7, 240 (Missouri junior college)


Louisiana Tech

* Leo Edwards, 6-foot-7, 220 (Michigan high school)

* Dominic Jackson, 6-foot-3, 165 (Louisiana high school)


New Mexico State

*Jalyn Pennie, 6-foot-7, 180 (North Carolina prep school)


San Jose State


Seattle U


Texas State


UT Arlington

* Anthony Walker, 6-foot-9, 210 (Texas junior college, signed with UTA back in 2010 out of high school)


Utah State

* Jalen Moore, 6-foot-7, 200 (Utah high school, a legacy commit)

* Carson Shanks, 7-foot-0, 225 (Minnesota high school)


UTSA


Has PTW missed anyone?

The next signing period is April 17 through May 15.

Monday's roundup of Sunday's matchups, plus more

Unlike Saturday, the WAC went undefeated on Sunday.

It was 41-30 in favor of host Oregon State over New Mexico State at the half and that eventually turned into a 71-62 win for the Beavers. Daniel Mullings and Tyrone Watson each scored 14 points for the Aggies with Bandja Sy adding 12. NMSU shot just 36% (1-11 from three-point range) while allowing OSU to shot 42% but Coach Marvin Menzies' group won the battle of the boards 46-33.

Jason Groves game-tweeted. Jason also game reported, with analysis. Kevin Hampton does the same from the Oregon State perspective.

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Seattle held a 43-30 lead over visiting Montana State after 20 minutes and went on to victory 87-72. Four Redhawk players scored in double figures: Clarence Trent 18 (plus nine boards), Deshaun Sunderhaus 14 (plus eight rebounds), Chad Rasmussen 12 (4-9 from three) and Prince Obasi 10. Seattle won on th boards 51-41 and pilfered 17 steals. The downside? Starting center Louis Green suffered five fouls in six minutes of play and freshman big Jack Crook ditto'd in seven minutes of action.

Seattle U Hoops game-tweeted.

Seattle athletics has this game report.

Crook tweeted this: "And after my dunk people chanted god save the queen, was very funny"

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Texas San Antonio topped Liberty Classic tourney host Old Dominion 79-70 as Michael Hale III scored 29 (10-14 overall shooting, 4-7 from distance) plous three assists and zero turnovers in 28 minutes of court time. Fellow backcourter Kannon Burrage totaled 20 points. Jeromie Hill just missed a double-double with 14/9. The Roadrunners shot 50% for the game to 35% for OD.

Hale was named the MVP of the tournament and Jeromie Hill grabbed a spot on the all-tournament team.

InsideRunnerSports game reports. So does Texas San Antonio athletics.

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In a Kyle Goon piece, Spencer Butterfield's contributions are highlighted. Kyle also offers a post-game video interview with Preston Medlin.

Sunday's game lineup plus Saturday's outcomes

Texas San Antonio got on track Saturday night, taking down Holy Cross 60-56 as Jeromie Hill bounced back from a subpar contribution the night before by positing a 17/10 double-double. Michael Hale also posted 17 points. It's tounrey host Old Dominion up next this afternoon.

Texas San Antonio athletics has the game report. So does InsideRunnerSports.

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Idaho State played tough in Logan but Utah State took the win 56-48. Preston Medlin led the way with 14 points, five boards and three assists. The Aggies outshot ISI 47% to 40% and grabbed 13 more rebounds but 17 turnovers kept it close.

Kyle Heywood,Matt Sonnenberg, Rhett Wilkinson, Kyle Goon, Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams each game reports.

Curtis Ripplinger serves up 24 game photos.

Missed this from earlier: Timothy R. Olsen looks at the four spot for Aggies and you'll learn Danny Berger is now 6-foot-8, plus more tidbits. Thanks to MetsJetsAggies (there's some mix and match loyalties for you) for posting the link at the USUFans Stew's Spectrum MB.

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Jason Groves offers three keys and a prediction on New Mexico State's matchup with host Oregon State University. Jason offers more, including his selection for game closer.

BleedCrimson has posted an interview with OSU blogger Connor Pelton.

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Louisiana Tech athletics offers a post-game Q-and-A with Coach Mike White where readers can actually learn something (not the usual after game utterings from a coach). The Raheem Appleby portion is very interesting.

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Seattle is hosting Montana State early Sunday evening as part of the Elgin Baylor Classic. Here's a video interview with Redhawk backcourter Sterling Carter.

Saturday's WAC roundup and preview

Utah State hosts Idaho State Saturday evening while Texas San Antonio challenges Holy Cross State in Norfolk, Virginia as part of the Liberty Classic.

Shawn Harrison previews the Aggie roster and Kyle Goon does the game.

Listen to USU Stats The Front Row Show featuring the dulcet voices of Jeff Browning, Josh McDonald and Matt Sonnenberg talking Aggie hoops.

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From Friday night's games (it was an auspicious beginning for the WAC):

* In San Marcos, Texas State handled Fordham 86-76 with five players getting into double figures: frontcourt newcomer Joel Wright with a 19/12 double-double, Matt Staff in the middle with 19 points and nine boards, Corey (former Idaho Vandal) Stern with 16 and nine plus Vonn James and Wesley Davis contributing 10 points apiece. The Bobcats went to the foul line 35 times.

Texas State athletics has the game report.

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* On the road, Texas Arlington took care of Cal State University Bakersfield with very solid play from center Jordan Reeves who totaled a 13/14 double-double, scored the winning basket and blocked a shot near the end. Brandon Edwards contributed his own 10/10 double-double. TA shot but 37% for the game but held Bakersfield to 27%.

Texas Arlington athletics has the game report.

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* Texas San Antonio fell 71-59 to Morgan State at a neutral site with guard Kannon Burrage leading the effort with 18 points. Michael Hale III totaled 15 points, including a quartet of treys. Jeromie Hill went for eight points and five boards in 33 minutes.

Texas San Antonio athletics has the game report.

InsideRunnerSports offers ditto.

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* Denver fell 65-58 to Iona in New Rochelle despite Chris Udofia posting 20 points, six boards, five assists and a pair of blocked shots. It was 40-17 at the half before the Pioneers got hot -- 31% shooting in the initial 20 minutes to 58% in the second half. Iona shot 53% overall.

Denver athletics has the game report.

SB Nation Denver does likewise.

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* Wright State proved to be rude guests in Moscow, topping Idaho 80-70. Kyle Barone just missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. The Vandals outshot their opponents 54% to 46%, shot 10 more free throws and won the rebounding battle by six but endured 13 turnovers to six for Wright State.

Idaho athletics has the game report.

Sean Kramer/Vandal Nation and Kyle Wright offer game reports.

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* In College Station, Texas A&M stopped Louisiana Tech 71-59 despite 20 points from Raheem Appleby. Brandon Gibson scored 13 for Coach Mike White's squad. Tech shot 36% overall, 27% from long distance

Louisiana Tech athletics has the game report.

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* Maybe it was too much jumbalaya but San Jose State University fell 72-68 to New Orleans in the Crescent City. UNO fell down early but pulled within five at the half. Backcourter James Kinney paced the Spartans with 23 points (10-16 shooting) plus four assists while wing Lavanne Pennington chipped in with 13.

Spartan athletics has the game report.

TreyIles/The Times Picayune was present and serves up his take.

More for Friday

Matt Sonnenberg gets different in his part one USU Aggie assessment.

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Sam Wasson presents his weekly interview with Coach Marvin Menzies.

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Jim Meehan has Coach Don Verlin talking about Christmas and overseas recruiting.

Josh Wright has Coach Don Verlin wanting to grab some WAC tourney wins. Wright also touches upon the keys to the kingdom for Idaho basketball to be successful. Completing the trifecta, Wright pinpoints soph returnee Conner Hill and JC newcomer Antwan Scott as needing to step up and provide points.

it's Friday and the season begins

Now on to the games:


Texas State hosts Fordham tonight. An excerpt:

“...Last year was fun, being able to play with everybody,” said [point Vonn] Jones. “It was good to get some games under my belt and having the experience to play at the Division I level.  We have prepared for this year better than last year, and we’re ready to play.”

Jones went on in 2011 to start 16 games.

“He’s so much further along,” [Coach Rudy] Davalos said. “He’s always had the mentality of a pure point-guard, a guy who makes his teammates better and looks for the pass first and for his own shot second. The difference now is he’s more comfortable and has figured out our system. His program experience has been evident in our preseason scrimmages.”

Along with Jones, Texas State returns Staff, who averaged a team best 13.3 ppg. The Bobcats’ next two leading scorers for 2011, Brooks Ybarra and Eddie Rios, are no longer with the team..."

Fro the WACSports site:

Senior Matt Staff, an All-Southland Third Team selection will guide the Bobcats this season. Joining him is senior point guard Vonn Jones, who finished last season with the ninth-most steals in a single season at Texas State with 52 ... Doug Davalos enters his seventh season at the helm of the Texas State basketball program ... the Bobcats have ranked in the top 25 in the nation in scoring offense for the past five years ... the Bobcats have three returning starters, and eight returning letterman. Texas State has eight newcomers ... look for Joel Wright, Corey Stern, and Darius Richardson (all Division I transfers) to make an immediate impact for the Bobcats. Texas State is known for scoring a lot of points, and the 2012-13 season should bring the same outcome ... Davalos is the sixth-most winningest coach in Texas State history with 80 career wins ... Matt Staff is tied for fifth all-time in career blocked shots (56).

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San Jose State University is in New Orleans for a Friday night pairing with the Privateers. From Spartan athletics:

The Privateers finished the 2011-12 season with a 17-15 overall record, including a 13-2 home record.  The team plays as an NCAA Division I Independent after playing the past two years as a transitional team to Division II. UNO currently competes in 10 sports under a sport-sponsorship waiver received from the NCAA in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Head coach Mark Slessinger is in his second year at the school.  Prior to coming to New Orleans, Slessinger worked for 11 years as the top assistant coach at Northwestern State.

This is first of two meetings between the two schools this season.  San Jose State will host the Privateers in a non-conference game on Tuesday, January 8, at The Event Center.

From WACSports:

Senior James Kinney set the San Jose State single season records with 86 three-pointers made on 216 attempts.  Nationally, he finished the year ranked 25th in three-point goals per game at 2.77, and 38th in three-point percentage at 39.8 ... San Jose State returns five letterwinners and three starters from last year’s 9-22 team ... head coach George Nessman returns for his eighth season at the helm of the program with a 77-141 record at San Jose State ... Kinney returns after leading the Spartans in scoring at 15.8 points per game in 2011-12.  He scored in double-figures in 23 games including 31 points at Seattle and 30 points against UTSA

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Texas San Antonio is in Norfolk, Virginia to take on Morgan State first, then Holy Cross and finally host Old Dominion in the Liberty Tax Classic. From WACSports:

The Roadrunners have captured seven conference titles including four tournament crowns, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times (1988, 1999, 2004, 2011). In its last appearance in 2011, UTSA defeated Alabama State, 70-61, for the school’s first-ever NCAA postseason victory in any sport ... UTSA returns six letterwinners, including a pair of starters, from last year’s team that posted an 18-14 overall record and finished third in the Southland Conference West Division with a 10-6 mark ... the Roadrunners have won 76 games during the last four seasons, the program’s most successful such stretch in two decades ...last year, UTSA led the Southland Conference in free-throw percentage, 3-point field goal percentage and 3-pointers per game ... UTSA will be tested on the road this season with only one regular season home game prior to its first-ever WAC contest on Dec. 29.

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Louisiana Tech easily has the toughest opening opponent, Texas A&M, in College Station on Friday. From WACSports:

Raheem Appleby was tabbed as the WAC Freshman of the Year, and was also named to the second team all-WAC and all-Newcomer team ... Michael White enters his second year as the Bulldogs head coach after registering a 18-16 record in his first year ... the Bulldogs return three starters and six other letterwinners from a year ago, with only two seniors in J.L. Lewis and Brandon Gibson ... the Bulldogs advanced to their first-ever WAC Tournament final last year after a semifinal win over Nevada 78-73 ... the Bulldogs attempted 777 three-point field goals last season, a new program record.  The previous record was 598 set in the 2009-10 season.  They made 258 of those three-pointers which was also a school record

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UT Arlington is on the road Friday against Cal State Bakersfield. From WACSports:

The Mavericks opened up its new College Park Center last season which is home to men’s and women’s basketball as well as volleyball. The facility can sit 7,000 for basketball events ... UTA lost just one conference game last season, falling on the road to UTSA in its final regular season Southland Conference game ... UTA played in the NIT for the second time in school history in 2012 (also 1981) ... the appearance was the programs third in post-season play ... UTA reached the NCAA tournament in 2008 before falling to Memphis 87-63 in the first round ... the Mavs finished the regular season ranked No. 21 in the final collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 and No.  102 in the USA Today Sagarin rankings ... three returning starters return this season featuring Kevin Butler who scored 10.9 PPG last year.

From UT athletics:

UT Arlington returns a veteran team with eight returners and seven newcomers.

A pair of seniors in forward Kevin Butler and center Jordan Reves anchor the frontline, with junior point guard Shaquille White-Miller back to run the offense.

"It all starts with Shaq," Cross said. "Point guard is basically an extension of the coaching staff. He does a great job with that. He's tough and plays hard and gets the ball where it needs to go. Jordan and Kevin also bring another element of leadership."  

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Denver is back in New Rochelle to match up with Iona tonight. From Pioneer athletics:

The Pioneers return seven players, including four of the top five scorers, from last year's squad that won a team-record 22 Division I games and finished second in the Sun Belt Conference West Division. Denver returns Preseason All-SBC First Team member Chris Udofia, who was voted 2011-12 SBC Defensive Player of the Year and All-SBC First Team last season. Udofia was tied for fourth in the Sun Belt in scoring (14.5 ppg) last year, and led the team in field goal percentage (.534), assists (2.6 per game) and blocked shots (2.3 per game). Additionally, Royce O'Neale is back after leading the team in rebounding (5.8 per game), Brett Olson, who was second in the SBC in three-point percentage (.456), and 2010-11 All-SBC Second Team selection Chase Hallam. DU welcomes five newcomers to the roster. In their first year in the WAC, the Pioneers were picked to finish third in the WAC Preseason Polls by both the coaches and the media.

From WACSports:

DU led the Sun Belt in scoring defense, free-throw percentage, three-point percentage, assists, assist-turnover ratio and rebounding defense last year ... the Pioneers return four starters from the 2011-12 season - senior Chase Hallam (7.5 ppg.), junior Chris Udofia (14.5 ppg.) and sophomores Royce O’Neill (9.9 ppg.) and Brett Olsen (7.6 ppg.) ... junior Chris Udofia led DU in scoring 10 times and finished second in the SBC with a team-best 15.6 points in league-play ... he earned Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

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Finally, Idaho welcomes Wright State to Moscow for a Friday faceoff. From WACSports:

In Idaho’s first three seasons of WAC play, the Vandals posted a combined 7-41 record against the conference. In Don Verlin’s four years as head coach since 2008-09, Idaho has won 33 WAC games and finished at least third in the conference three times ... Idaho’s back-to-back postseason bids to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament in 2011 and 2012 mark just the fourth time in school history that the team has qualified for postseason play in back-to-back seasons ... this year, the Vandals will try to become the second Idaho group to make it to the postseason three years in a row (1981-83) ... senior center Kyle Barone is the WAC’s top returning rebounder ... he was fifth last season with 8.0 boards per game ... Kyle Barone enters his final season at Idaho on pace to become one of the best all-around big men in UI history ... he can become the first Vandal man to reach 1000pts/750reb/100ast/100bks.

Thursday's round of WAC links

Kyle Goon looks at this season's Aggie squad and why it should be better than last year, with Coach Morrill issuing the standard 'we must walk before we can run' warning.

Shawn Harrison covers similar territory.

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Jason Pugh talked with Louisiana Tech Coach Mike White about his second squad. PTW still wants to know how the bigs are progressing for the Bulldogs.

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It was Seattle 117 to Evergreen State's 34 last night as Coach Cameron Dollar started Sterling Carter and D'Vonne Pickett in the backcourt, Louis Green in the middle and Clarence Trent plus Deshaun Sunderhaus in the corners. It will be interesting to see if they are the starters or if Dollar mixes and matches his opening quintet early in the season.

Seattle U Hoops offers a game recap, with analysis.

Bob Condotta previews the 2012-13 Redhawks.

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treesap32 at the USU Fans Stew's Spectrum MB has the news that, as expected, Riley Bradshaw is headed to Montana.