Monday, April 30, 2012

Utah State offers a 2013 prospect

Eric Sondheimer reports that Utah State has offered 6-foot-6 SoCal prepster Michael Thomas, a 2013 recruit.

New Mexico State 2014 recruiting

Got this from Coach Bob Gottlieb's writeup on his Branch West team's participation in a weekend tournament: "Namon Wright 6'4" 2014 from CIF Champ Pacific Hills also played well. Great job of slashing and finishing in the first half of the Finals when we were struggling to score. It appears USC, New Mexico State and Utah have all offered already"

Kudos to Tony Jones

Kudos to Tony Jones for breaking the news about the departures of USU and SJSU from the WAC. It broke on a Sunday which is usually a light day for newspaper staffing, which makes Jones' scoop even more impressive.

Monday's WAC hoops disintegration

The Signal's Joey Gulino has posted a feature on Trevor Wiseman.

Yes, Wiseman does have starting ability in the right five-man configuration, like being surrounded by two or three ability-to-create-for-themselves teammates. As with 99% of players, it all comes down to fit as his strengths are defending and offensive rebounding. However, his academic concerns and decision to not enter a game are going to limit his welcome wagon opportunities.

+++++

Per Josh Gershon, SoCal prep prospect Blake Hamilton has cast his lot with Northern Arizona. He visited Hawaii last weekend.

+++++

Kurt Kragthorpe writes that Utah State is heading to where it belongs.

+++++

From Josh Paunil's latest post on a young man out of San Diego who will end up in the Pac-12: 

Tyree Robinson | Class of 2013 | Shooting Guard | 6’3 | 190

  • On what’s been going on in his recruitment recently: “Lately I’ve been getting recruited by a lot of Pac-12 schools like Washington, Washington State, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon and Oregon State.”
  • Lists offers from “UC Santa Barbara, Arizona State, Utah, Fresno State, San Jose State and a bunch of other West Coast schools.”
  • On what he’s looking for in a school: “I’m looking for somewhere where I can get up and down, play my type of game, a good academic school because I’m high on academics and I want to go far in the class room and on the court at the same time.”
  • Looking to visit Stanford, California and USC since he likes their mix of academics and athletics.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

It's happening

Tony Jones confirms it -- Utah State and San Jose State University are Mountain West Conference bound. Bank on Louisiana Tech to also make its move.

The real life domino theory is in force.

Forte to NAU

Josh Gershon has the news that Cameron Forte, who visited UH last weekend, has gone with Northern Arizona. The home state lure must have proved tough to resist.

Sunday and the shrinking universe of WAC hoops

Matt Sonnenberg comes through with an out with the old, in with the new column on USU changes. Shawn Harrison and Rhett Wilkinson also check in on ch-ch-ch-changes happening Logan.

+++++

Here's an AP article on Texas San Antonio going rogue. Roadrunners, we hardly met ye.

+++++

We'll never know (so will St. John's bite or is that too high?) but was Hawaii going to succeed with a 5-foot-10 backcourter who performs best as a shooting guard? No knock on Shaq, his game is what it is. Maybe he'll transform into a pass-first QB, maybe not, but his present game is aim and fire and any coach interested in him has to embrace those terms and be prepared to utilize such.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Aaric Armstead honored

The Fresno Bee has selected Aaric Armstead to its Boys Basketball All-Star team. Can't see Cal State Northridge or Northern illinois as his landing spot and the young man is originally from Chicago so Hawaii should certainly have quite the weather appeal.

The latest on Gerry Blakes

From a post by club team Branch West Coach Bob Gottlieb: "Gerry Blakes 6'4" pg from Morningside H.S. is a dominant physical specimen. He is learning to be a true pg. Signed with Hawaii a year ago but the NCAA red flagged him re: the on line courses he took. They have asked for additional work to be turned in, which it has, and he is waiting to hear if the NCAA will rule him eligible. Colorado is showing great interest"

Blakes' situation parallels Jarndyce v Jarndyce in Dickens' "Bleak House" -- no resolution until the wealth being argued over has dissipated.

Jalen Moore gains another fan

Josh Gershon tweets a thumbs-up for Utah State commit Jalen Moore: "I'm liking 2013 Utah State commit Jalen Moore. 6-7 SF with ball skills and three-point range. Skinny but high basketball IQ. Good pickup"

We all knew it was coming -- RIP the WAC

Louisiana Tech is heading to C-USA, Texas San Antonio is also joining the move of the Bulldogs (rather than come to the WAC), Utah State and San Jose State are off to the Mountain West Conference, and so on.

Brett McMurphy has the latest.

The WAC in 2013 is going to be fascinating, with a lot of double-parking so to speak. Plus, where will Boise have its non-football programs?


Saturday's WAC basketball compilation

A recent Joe Davidson tweet: "SacBee hoops Player of Year D'Erryl Williams of Sheldon picks up offers from LMU and Fresno State. Superb leader, skills, toughness"

He's a 6-foot-4 2013 prospect and a 4.0 student with excellent dribble-drive to the hoop talent.


+++++

Dayton Morinaga has video with Shaq Stokes, all about the latter's departure.


+++++


Looking way ahead ...


A recent Alex Kline/The Recruit Scoop tweet: "2014 Oregon D1 Ambassadors (OR) trio Ryan Shearmire, Yadie Dunmore & Ty Cleland are taking an unofficial visit to Denver"

+++++

Chris Gabel has the latest on a Reno prepster with seven offers, going on 70.


+++++


A Seattle assistant coach is departing for another position.

Friday, April 27, 2012

It's Getaway Friday for WAC basketball

Another exit has taken place in Hawaii as Shaquille Stokes is departing. 

+++++

Let the "Good Times" roll as Louisiana Tech lands JJ. Here's an article from when Jaron Johnson signed with Tyler Junior College a couple of years back and below is that photo:

 +++++

Chris Murray writes that the ESPN folks are impressed by the Nevada 2012-2013 squad and that a local senior-to-be prep forward is impressing the basketball pundits.

+++++

Here's the official New Mexico State athletics announcement of the signing of the shooters.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

David Andoh visiting SJSU

Per Alex Kline/The Recruit Scoop, San Jose State University has a recruit on campus -- 6-foot-7 David Andoh of the IMG Academy. He's a prodigal son of sorts as you'll read in this February 2012 article.

A look at the southern Aggies next season

aggiedawg777 has posted an in-depth look and well-deserving read regarding the New Mexico State basketball roster for next season at the Aggie Alert Sports Trough MB.

More suitors for Manroop Clair

Tariq Sibiet offers much more on the recruitment of 2013 Canadian guard Manroop Clair. As posted earlier, Seattle has offered but this article also mentions interest from New Mexico State and Hawaii.

Thursday's WAC hoops collection

Jason Groves has the news about a pair shooters launching into Las Cruces.

+++++

Two championships in a row and Gary Wilkinson might not be back in New Zealand. Here's another article covering that territory.

+++++

From a Gilbert Muako tweet: "Weber St, Seattle & UC Riverside offered '13 G Manroop Clair of @DRIVEBasketball expect more to come. Kid is talented"

He's a 6-foot-1 backcourter. Here's a late July 2011 article.


Here's videotape from last summer:

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Kevin Aronis heading to Las Cruces too

Besides, landing 6-foot-5 Matej Buovac, New Mexico State has also secured the services of 6-foot-3 Kevin Aronis, a shooting guard out of Santa Rosa Junior College (CA). He averaged 12.3 points per game as a sophomore, playing for Coach Craig McMillan (himself a former Arizona guard). Aronis also shot 40% on 247 three-points attempts.

Riffing on "New York, New York" -- start spreading the defenses ...

New Mexico State has a shooter

Per Trevor Andershock , New Mexico State has secured the services of Matej Buovac, a 6-foot-5 catch-and-shoot prospect out of Croatia, by way of the Indiana prep ranks. Sounds like Coach Marvin Menzies has his designated trey shooter in hand.

He also visited Tulane and had an offer from UAB.

Wednesday's WAC roundball roundip

Josh Gershon recently tweeted this: "Fresno State and UCSB are the latest offers for 2013 Sacramento Sheldon SF Dakarai Allen"

Allen's physical skills and basketball talents are maximized in a fast-paced style. At 6-foot-6 and 175 pounds, his role will probably turn out similar to that of former UCLA forward now Milwaukee Buck Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, whose defense and rebounding got him to the Big Show. Granted, player comparisons are sketchy at best, especially so when two different positions on the court are also involved in the equation. 

+++++ 

Brian McInnis checks in with more on the Brandon Spearman signing and also an overall UH recruiting interview with Coach Gib Arnold. 

+++++ 

San Jose State University is sprouting bigs as Spartan Athletics report.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A p.m. WAC basketball update

Might end up with nada tomorrow but PTW will take those chances.  

Tony Jones checks in with a Utah State offer to a 2014 prospect. 

Matt Sonnenberg catches his readers up to date with Aggie recruiting.

+++++

An Anthony Ray tweet: "Pasadena JC 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Givon Crump will sign with Cal-State Fullerton today"

Crump tripped to both New Mexico State and Hawaii.

SJSU signs another big

San Jose State University has signed 6-foot-11 Alex Brown of John Logan College in Illinois. He averaged 10.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game as a sophomore, shooting 44% from the floor and 44% at the foul line.

7-foot-1 Mike VanKirk, a post grad, inked a letter-of-intent earlier.

Tuesday's WAC hoops collection of links

Dayton Morinaga writes about Hawaii's latest talent acquisition.

+++++

Tony Jones covers "Nixon's the one" territory.

+++++

From Gary Trousdale's Twitter account comes a photo of 7-foot-1 Mike VanKirk signing with San Jose State University.

+++++

Courtesy of Dave Telep's latest (ESPN Insider) on the adidas and Pangos tournaments in Vegas this weekend:

"John Dawson (Clovis, New Mex./Clovis) owns an offer from Wyoming and interest from Baylor, Arizona, New Mexico State and New Mexico ... Dawson has a Rodney Stuckey-type body and he’ll be pursued by Mountain West teams for sure"
He's 6-foot-3, 185 pounds and a 2013 prospect.

+++++

Via Josh Gershon: "Hunter Myers listed scholarship offers from Nevada, U.C. Davis and Idaho. He's also hearing from California, Stanford, Gonzaga and Arizona State, as well as some Ivy League schools"

He's a 6-foot-6 2013 talent out of the Nevada prep ranks.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Brian McInnis comes through

Brian McInnis names the fourth visitor to Hawaii this weekend plus, more importantly, a UH commitment.

As for the commit, not sure about his outside-shooting consistency -- 41% overall, 33% from long distance -- despite his nailing 53 treys this past season. He's big and strong though.

Here's a 10-minute interview with Spearman prior to his freshman year at Dayton.

An Aaric Armstead recruiting update

Jessob Reisbeck/KMPH Fresno Channel 26 checks in with some updates involving various WAC teams:

"Bullard star basketball guard, Aaric Armstead is getting closer to making a decision about where he'll play college ball. The Chicago transplant is in the midst of setting up official visits to his three front running schools. They are New Mexico, Hawaii, and Arkansas. There are others still in the mix like Northridge and San Jose State. Fresno State has still not contacted the Armsteads. KMPH will keep you posted as the family continues to move through the proces"
Here's a partial ESPN evaluation: "Armstead is a relentless competitor with a rangy frame (long arms/broad shoulders) who is always in attack mode. He loves to penetrate in the mid-range area and he can convert buckets in a number ways-usually of the pull-up jump shot variety. His handle is pretty tight ..."

He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 185.  

Here is some video. 

Utah State -- a mix of change and continuity

Utah State hoops equals change in 2012.

Actually, make that more change.

But the more matters change, the more they stay the same. 

Brady Jardine, Brockeith Pane and Morgan Grim are done.

EJ Farris, Adam Thoseby, Mitch Bruneel and Igor Premasunac were not tendered return invites.

Such an amount of goings is usually the change that takes place when a new coach takes over, brings out the chainsaw and does some clear cutting. 

But remember that last season it was four starters in Tyler Newbold, Pooh Williams, Tai Wesley, Nate Bendall, plus Brian Green, all completing their respective eligibility. So did Matt Formisano while James Walker transferred.

So half a new roster, for various reasons, seems to be the norm -- at least the past couple of seasons for USU.

With the dust apparently cleared, who will don the Aggie uniform come the new season?

Freshman forward David Collette is heading out on his LDS mission.

The Candidates (as of today)
 
* Quincy Bair, freshman, 6-foot-5, 180

* Danny Berger, junior, 6-foot-6, 175

* Riley Bradshaw, freshman, 6-foot-2, 180

* Spencer Butterfield, junior, 6-foot-3, 205

* Ben Clifford, sophomore, 6-foot-7, 215 (apparently not on a schollie)

* Marcel Davis, freshman, 6-foot-2, 180

* Sean Harris, junior, 6-foot-7, 220

* Marvin Jean, junior, 6-foot-5, 190

* Matt Lopez, sophomore, 6-foot-11,24

* Preston Medlin, junior, 6-foot-4, 175

* Sam Orchard, freshman, 6-foot-1, 175 (a walk-on)

* Kyisean Reed, senior, 6-foot-6, 215

* TeNale Roland, sophomore, 6-foot-1, 165

* Jarred Shaw, junior, 6-foot-10, 235

* Jordan Stone, sophomore, 6-foot-10, 270 

What makes all this movement even more fascinating is that Stew Morrill's system isn't the easiest to quickly pick up, typically meaning a degree of continuity is usually needed in order to be continue on with the success.

Not so in Logan.

Yes, this most recent season wasn't typical for the Aggies but it was successful and such was also accomplished minus Brady Jardine, the top USU frontcourter.

The Aggie roster changes mightily but the W-L record stays very positive.

How does Stew Morrill do it?

Monday's WAC basketball compilation

Per Adam Zagoria, 6-foot-6 wing Marco Bougault, a very solid catch-and-shoot JC transfer, has cast his lot with St. John's. He had tripped to Louisiana Tech earlier.

+++++

Brian McInnis has updates from the twitter accounts of all three of UH basketball's visiting recruits -- lots of positive words but no commits, as yet.

Adios for now.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Jeremy Lin, the anomaly

Daryl Morey, the General Manager of the Houston Rockets, weighs in on the emergence of Jeremy Lin, accepting blame for missing what assets Lin had to offer (when the latter was a Rocket) but also detailing a number of other factors explaining why there are multiple Lin-types available come NBA draft time and why it is impossible to pre-determine who will make it and who won't.

Seattle inks a frontcourter

Eric Angevine has the scoop on Coach Cameron Dollar landing a 6-foot-9 talent from the UK.

Here's video on Jack Crook dunking:

Will UH add someone by tonight?

So will anything leak out of the islands today?

With three visitors and some high pressure salesmanship, PTW is expecting at least one green light before midnight.

Keep a watch on Brian McInnis' Twitter account.

Sunday's WAC basketball report

Tony Jones has the scoop on Mitch Bruneel's departure from Utah State.

Matt Sonnenberg offers an MB Aggie obit.

+++++

Mark Warszawski/Fresno Bee notes (plus has other observations):

"If Upshaw and incoming forward Braeden Anderson are as good as their pedigrees suggest, the Bulldogs may actually sneak up on some teams in the Mountain West Conference.

Which, by the way, is an Andre the Giant-sized step up from the Western Athletic Conference."

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/04/21/2809373/warzone-upshaws-choice-stunned.html#storylink=cpy

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Assessing the northern Aggies

BenD @ Torn By Sports looks at the Utah State roster: the perimeter and then the post.

Saturday's WAC basketball highlights

AggieSurge at the AggieAlert Basketball MB has posted this: "6'6 210 lbs SF Matej Buovac has been offered by NMSU and has already visited Las Cruces"

Buovac is visiting Tulane this weekend. UAB has also offered.

Here's a blog entry from April 17.

It certainly seems like New Mexico State is focused on landing a two or a three whose top talent is shooting, especially from distance.

+++++

Matt Sonnenberg, courtesy of a secret poster, has news about a big change taking place in The Spectrum.

That's it for now.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Two recruiting possibilities for Texas San Antonio

From Anthony Ray's Twitter account comes a pair of Texas San Antonio recruiting items:

* University of Utah transfer and former Westwind Prep and St. Mary's HS graduate George Matthews is leaning towards Texas-San Antonio

He's a 6-foot-5 wing.

and

* Former Basha HS product and South Florida transfer Blake Nash is considering Texas-San Antonio and Arizona State currently.

Nash is a 6-foot point 

Both were very highly regarded coming out of post grad and community college respectively but each struggled in their initial seasons.

Friday's WAC hoops roundup

PTW imagines it's underway (or at least plans for it) but Fresno State should be beginning a basketball season ticket sale push built around the Upshaw-mania currently permeating the San Joaquin atmosphere.

+++++

Matt Sonnenberg goes long in reviewing the Utah State acquisitions for next season.

+++++

Tenale and Marvin isn't the latest new cop series on Fox but the first names of USU's latest additions, as Shawn Harrison details.

+++++

Brian McInnis reports on three basketball-related tourists hitting Hawaii this weekend.

+++++

Jeff Portnoy writes about the bizarro week it has been in NCAA hoops.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Thursday's wide wonderful world of WAC hoops

Tony Jones writes that one point is arriving and one departing in Logan.

Matt Sonnenfeld fleshes out the Farris exit.

+++++

Dayton Morinaga reports on a recruiting weekend that could have the makings to determine where the Rainbow Warriors finish next season in the Big West Conference.

That's it for now.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Loved this string of messages -- there's never too much humor

This is interesting if coincidental ... or maybe, just maybe not ...

From the USU Fans Stew's Spectrum MB -- it begins with:

Late Signee Lefty Attrition?

by Bondar4Aggies » Yesterday, 4:09 pm 

Has anyone else noticed the yearly late signings of left-handed foreigners who leave the program the next year? It's been the case the past 3 years:

'09-'10 - Dominique Cooks (Australia)
'10-'11 - Leon Cooper (Bahamas)
'11-'12 - Adam Thoseby (England)

I noticed that Marvin Jean is a lefty, too, but isn't foreign. Well, New York actually might be considered foreign to many Loganites. ;) Let's hope he produces enough to warrant sticking around for more than a year.
It does make one wonder what all those playbook pages the Aggies coaches flash during games are really transmitting?

Paging Homeland Security ... to the black courtesy telephone ...

Marco Bourgault still in play for LT

Adam Zagoria writes about JUCO shooter deluxe Marco Bourgault who is visiting St. John's but also tripped to Louisiana Tech earlier.

The Bulldog portion of the article: 

"He has already visited Louisiana Tech and said he “really liked it.”

“He enjoyed the visit, there’s minutes for him right away down there and he likes the point guard,” said Notre Dame Prep coach Ryan Hurd, who coached Bourgault for a year and speaks highly of his basketball talents.

“The reality is he’s an incredibly cerebral player,” Hurd added. “If you’re not banking a ton on his athleticism, then he can bring a whole lot to the table as an offensive threat.”

Three new basketballers for Texas State

One of the newest members of the WAC, Coach Doug Davalos' Texas State Bobcats, have signed a trio of talents. Two put pen to paper back in November and one just inked his letter of intent.

The latest is Joel Wright, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward out of Blinn College (TX).He in out of New York City and played previously at Duquesne.

Ray Dorsey

Darius Richardson

Guards Ray Dorsey and Darius Richardson came aboard in early November. Richardson was at Texas Arlington earlier. Here's video on Dorsey.

Wednesday's WAC rundown

Add 6-foot-5 sophomore Lonnie Smith to the list of transfers out of the WAC. He played 9.4 minutes a game in 16 contests, averaging 2.9 points each time out for Louisiana Tech. The season before, it was 22 minutes on the floor a night but an influx of other talent bypassed him in the rotation. Freshman Alex Carr also departed earlier.

+++++

Dayton Morinaga keeps readers current on Hawaii's recruiting.

+++++

Matt Sonnenberg does the same with Utah State's backcourt replenishment as a JC point has Aggie-ized himself.

+++++

Robert Kuwada writes that the coming season's schedule was also a lure for Robert Upshaw.

+++++

San Jose State has added a JC backcourter to its roster.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Former Fresno State commit to Antelope Valley

Man, Mel Grussing is everywhere. We're picturing MG video cameras and mics all over the Antelope Valley College athletics department because nothing escapes his attention.

The latest is guard Julius Bilbrew, a former Fresno State signee, joining up with Coach John Taylor's AVC posse. It's a program having three sophomores already heading to D-1 next season, with two talents yet to land.

What's that line? We don't rebuild, we restock. How's that for a mantra? C'mon put it on the marquee in Palmdale.

Tuesday's collection of WAC hoops links

Wendell McKines was named to the All-Tournament team based on his play over the weekend at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. He averaged 15.7 points and 12.3 rebounds over three games and measured out at 6-foot-4 and a quarter and 239.8 pounds.

+++++

Jeff Portnoy looks after next year's to date UH roster and roles.

+++++

 Don't know where he is headed but ex-Hawaii backcourter Jordan Coleman played this season at Southwestern Illinois, averaging 10.2 points per game on 46%, 39% and 72% shooting respectively. He also grabbed three rebounds and passed for three assists a contest. Here's an October 2011 interview of sorts with Coleman.

+++++

Here's a fascinating piece -- going far beyond the norm -- on former Nevada star Luke Babbitt. You are guaranteed to learn so much more than what usually gets into print. Thanks to Packfan11 for posting the link at the Silver and Blue basketball MB.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Fresno pursuing a Kansas wing

Fresno State is after a 6-foot-7 sophomore community college wing, one out of the Kansas CC ranks. This information courtesy of DogEatDawg at the Barkboard's Save Mart Center MB.

Gary Wilkinson's team in New Zealand

Here's an interesting article on former Utah State center Gary Wilkinson's squad in New Zealand, one on the verge of winning another league title. The owner has a pronounced policy on who he signs.

Mike VanKirk goes with SJSU

La Jolla Prep's Mike VanKirk had aligned himself with San Jose State University. He's a 7-footer out of Paraclete High in southern California who decided to do a prep year with Coach Gary Trousdale in the San Diego area.

VanKirk was a volleyball player earlier in high school who switched over to the basketball court.

Here's some video.

Monday's WAC roundball report

Robert Kuwada has a blog entry up on Robert Upshaw's becoming a Bulldog, followed by a full report.

This may not be the most important point but Upshaw's presence on the Fresno State roster allows a greater degree of normality for a number of the rest of the players. Jerry Brown's days (actually nights) in the middle should be a thing of the past for the 6-foot-7 junior. The option for 6-foot-10 Tanner Giddings to redshirt as a frosh and upgrade his body just increased. Even Kevin Foster can stay away from having to handle guys so much bigger than himself, at least for the most part. The days of being forced to play a number of his guys out of their true positions are over for Coach Rodney Terry. Additionally, the outside shooting of Kevin Olekaibe and Allen Huddleston will make the jobs of Upshaw and Braeden Anderson much less double-teamed inside, but also vice versa.

+++++ 

Sportsbow reports that Indian Hill College backcourter Brandon Spearman is tripping to the islands next weekend. He's a well-built shooting guard but his accuracy numbers all-around are a bit low for such a role.

+++++

Jason Groves tweets that New Mexico State had a backcourt visitor this weekend. The young man is a catch-and-shoot distance shooter (think Gordo Castillo) who finished second on his Santa Rosa (CA) Junior College team with 12.3 points per game. He went 99-247 from long distance (40%), taking but 83 two-point attempts, as part of an offense built around precision patterning.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

This cannot wait

6-foot-11 Robert Upshaw just became the newest, and therefore the most popular, Fresno State student in ... decades. Thanks to both David Loewen and Jerry Albright for notifying PTW of this magnitude ten turn of events -- just got back and was wondering which college Upshaw had chosen.

Getting Upshaw and Braeden Anderson (earlier) should put to rest Coach Rodney Terry's recruiting prowess, or alleged lack thereof. What's fascinating coincidences are that both of these young men had initially pledged to other schools but became available and that's when FSU became a player plus in those particular recruiting scenarios.

As was written earlier, the Mountain West and the Bulldogs are perfect places -- quality competition, immediate playing time -- for the senior high schooler. He will also have the opportunity to establish a legacy in the area in which he grew up. That is, taking (with help) the Bulldogs to a level not enjoyed for decades.

Sunday morning WAC hoops notes

San Jose State University AD Tom Bowen has accepted the same position at Memphis.

+++++

Matt Sonnenberg announces the Utah State signing of three man Marvin Jean.

That's it so far -- heading out to catch a basketball tournament.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

More on Emerson Murray

Now Seattle Redhawk and Cal transfer Emerson Murray played just 178 minutes as a 6-foot-3 sophomore guard last season for the Golden Bears, 6.6 minutes a contest.

Jorge Gutierrez departs for Coach Mike Montgomery but Justin Cobbs and Allen Crabbe return for their junior seasons and redshirt sophomore Ricky Krelow becomes eligible. Plus, TJ Wallace, a heralded backcourter out of Bakersfield, is arriving in September.

Backcourter Alex Rossi also is departing Cal.

The scuttlebutt is that Murray was raw but with potential and matters didn't look promising with two years remaining in his eligibility.

More on Isiah Umipig to Seattle

Casey Olson writes about prodigal son Isiah Umipig returning home. He scored 13.5 points per game last season (third on the team) while shooting 43%, 40% and 87% respectively, He grabbed 2.7 rebounds and passed for 2.3 assists a contest. Umipig also was on the floor for the most minutes each time out (33.6) and started every contest for Fullerton.

Definitely a good pickup but anyone know why he chose to depart? Yes, the Titans had at least a couple of other backcourters redshirting but any major reduction in minutes per game seems unlikely.

PTW did find this item in USA TODAY: "Cal State Fullerton's season ended in turmoil after a rumored locker room uprising resulted in two players leaving the team before the Titans played Loyola Marymount in the opening round of the CIT. Sophomore G Isiah Umipig and senior G Orlando Brown both "opted out of the game," according to a team press release. Umipig started and played a key role for the Titans this season, averaging 13.3 points per game to earn All-Big West honorable mention. He was second in the Big West in 3-point goals and ranked among the top 10 in scoring, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage."

Robert Upshaw to decide tomorrow

Andy Boogaard checks in with the latest on 7-foot-0 Robert Upshaw.

How well will the Fresno State coaches sleep tonight?

Upshaw choosing the Mountain West Conference would be a good match, a solid challenge of opponents and doing so would certainly would plug a hole on the Bulldog roster.

Anyone want to bet that Upshaw signs another aid agreement and not a letter-of-intent?

Saturday's WAC roundball digest

From Anthony Ray on Twitter: "Texas Tech 6-foot-7 freshman transfer Cameron Forte will take an official recruiting visit to the University of Hawaii on April 19th"

It appears that Forte redshirted last season.

Here's an article when Forte signed with TT. Here's another.

Dayton Morinaga reports that Trevor Wiseman has joined Joston Thomas and Bobby Miles in departing from the Rainbow Warrior basketball program. Wiseman is seeking a starting position which wasn't going to happen at UH. So will it be Forte for Wiseman? Offense for rebounding and defense (but Forte will have to sit out a season)?

+++++

In a first, PTW has a note on Seattle Redhawk hoops: a pair of transfers have been signed by Coach Cameron Dollar. 6-foot-3 guard Emerson Murray comes from Cal and 6-foot-1 Isiah Umipig, another backcourter, was last at Cal State Fullerton.

Here's the background information from the Seattle hoops site.

More on each later.

+++++

Shawn Harrison rounds up the Utah State season and offers awards to various Aggies.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Another Spencer Butterfield article

Jimmy Graben at the local newspaper writes about Spencer Butterfield's heading to Utah State.

One measly item for you

Was ready to post that nothing happened in the WAC last night but got rescued by this:

In his second game at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, Wendell McKines went for 12 points and 14 rebounds in 31 minutes (6-19 shooting).

It was 16 and 10 (7-18 shooting) for McKines in game one.

Individual workouts with teams will carry much more weight but McKines is demonstrating his biggest strength (hitting the boards) and his weakness (getting clear shots -- once away from WAC defenders). But, in his favor, it's has to be hard to play with any sort of rhythm in a Portsmouth kind of setting.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Cuesta College forward goes WCC

Malte Kramer, a sharpshooting 6-foot-7 California community college forward, has gone with Pepperdine. He had offers (current, or not) from both Seattle and San Jose State University.

Thursday's WAC basketball digest

Patrick Sheltra breaks it down and his finding is that Idaho should head back to the Big Sky Conference.

One question: what about an exception for Vandal hoops?

Make that two: would parking every other sports program in one conference with basketball in another be feasible?

But as we've witnessed of late, it's been football in one league, the rest in another.

+++++

 Robert Kuwada has the news that 6-foot-3 Marvell Harris has signed a Fresno State LOI. He averaged 24 points per game at Eisenhower High at Railto High (southern CA) and also played wide receiver in football. Harris is an ultra-athletic high flyer.

Robert also posted a feature on the addition of Harris.

+++++

Dayton Morinaga has an update on a pair of UH hoops returnees.

+++++

Chris Murray checks in with a Wolf Pack basketball notes collection.

+++++
 Spencer Farrin makes it official on the Antwann Scott to Idaho story. He's a 6-foot-1 junior college backcourter out of Texas who averaged 15.1 points per contest on 44%, 37% and 77% shooting respectively.

+++++
 San Jose State University has inked Louis Garrett, a 6-foot-6 small forward out of Salt Lake City College. He averaged 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds a game last season, shooting 43%, 35% and 73% respectively while leading his team in steals with 44.

+++++

Matt Sonnenberg grades out Danny Berger's 2011-2012 output and Shawn Harrison reviews the Aggie season.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Not WAC-related but worth a read

Utah Coach Larry Krystkowiak has divorced a signed recruit, one day before the new letter-of-intent period opens. Go here and here.

Absolutely disgusting behavior and values.

UW liking Robert Upshaw

Mark Knight/Husky Haul has Washington in the pursuit of Robert Upshaw: "Robert Upshaw is the main back to the basket guy on their radar"

Wednesday WAC basketball roundup

Add him to the WAC transfer list: Alex Carr, 6-2, G, Fr., Louisiana Tech (16 games, six minutes a contest) 
 
+++++

Had this (below) ready and then Jason Groves beat us to it (and good for him).

Didn't know this fact until stumbling across it: "The names that seem to be getting a lot of play are ... and Reggie Theus, who hasn't been the head coach at any level since 2008, but apparently is a good friend of LSU Chancellor Mike Martin from their shared time at New Mexico State back in 2007."

Could this previous partnership play a factor? Would Coach Reggie play in Baton Rouge? You bet. Heck, he could become governor if the Tigers regain their bite with him at the helm. 

+++++ 

Tony Smith has Coach Stew Morrill saying 'giddyup' and get next season here. 

++++
 
Jeff Portnoy checks in on Hawaii's roster needs.  

+++++ 

Robert Kuwada looks at the Robert Upshaw Decision (still to come). 

+++++ 

Matt Sonnenfeld eyes the goings and then the rivals in Logantown.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

MM staying in Las Cruces

Jason Groves on Twitter: "Multiple people have told me today that Marvin Menzies is staying at #NMSU"

Jason then followed up with an article on the subject.

Two leave Utah State

seldomseensmith (does anything ever get by him?) has the scoop at the USUFans Stew's Spectrum MB on Adam Thoseby and Igor Premasunac departing from Utah State.

So that makes Bobby Miles and Joston Thomas (UH), Keith Shamburger (SJSU), Thoseby and Premasunac as known transfers.

Todd Okeson to Southern Utah

Former Nevada backcourter Todd Okeson has just been named as an assistant coach at Southern Utah University. PTW recalls Okeson's outside shooting proficiency when he played for Trent Johnson and the Wolf Pack.

Here's a 2004 article covering the highlight of Okeson's collegiate career.

A New Mexico State recruiting target: Givon Crump

6-foot-7, 210-pound Givon Crump, a sophomore out of Pasadena (CA) City College, is still in the midst of his recruitment process (go here for an earlier article on him).

He tripped to Utah two weeks ago -- "it was a very good visit" -- and Crump's already familiar with the Cal State Fullerton program from its close proximity in southern California. The third school he has under consideration is New Mexico State and his visit there will occur this coming weekend.

Crump plans on making his decision soon after hitting Las Cruces.

"I'm looking at my options and making comparisons," Crump explained.

He scored 20.3 points per game this past season, shooting 41%, 83% and 38% respectively as the primary Pasadena offensive option. Crump went to the foul line a majorly 181 times. He also led the Lancers with 7.0 rebounds a contest and finished second on the squad with 31 steals.

Tuesday's WAC-aroo

Thanks to Dan for the tip -- seldomseensmith has broken the news of another Idaho Vandal to-be at the GoVandals.net basketball MB. Antwann Scott is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound sophomore guard whose numbers indicate shooting, passing and rebounding ability.


+++++

Jason Groves digs into the coaching situation at New Mexico State.

+++++

Both Dayton Morinaga and Brian McInnis have talked with incoming UH transfer Keith Shamburger who is finishing up classes at SJSU.

+++++

Ben Clifford comes out looking pretty good per Matt Sonnenberg's latest.   

Monday, April 9, 2012

More thoughts on the WAC

So the basketball portion of the Western Athletic Conference, at least right now (key term), is going to consist of:

* Denver
* Idaho
* Louisiana Tech
* New Mexico State
* San Jose State University
* Seattle University
* Texas Arlington
* Texas State
* UT San Antonio
* Utah State

There's no talk of two divisions but it geographically rounds out to:

* Denver
* Idaho
* San Jose State University
* Seattle
* Utah State

* Louisiana Tech
* New Mexico State
* Texas Arlington
* Texas State
* UT San Antonio

Plus, Boise State will rejoin the WAC in basketball on 7-1-2013 although it's seem a sure bet that the conference membership will have changed by then.

Overall, this is dispiriting.

The fact is the losses of Nevada, Hawaii and Fresno State really lower the conference stature although it's also true that having them as members didn't exactly have the league breaking into the top ten nationally.

Plus, quick words of warning spoken and typed earlier: New Mexico State and Utah State have to win the WAC 2013 tourney or face participation in a second or third tier post-season tournament. That isn't changing.

But as for the newbies:

Denver finished 22-9, 11-5 in the Sun Belt Conference (with wins against Southern Mississippi, St. Mary's and Utah State) but loses five seniors. What's also interesting is that the Pioneers play a Princeton-style offense which frustrates defenders. Also, Joe Scott's squad isn't very big on the frontline.

As an independent, Seattle completed the season at 12-15 (twin losses to Idaho, one to SJSU and and a split with Utah State) and three seniors who started most of the season are departing.

Texas Arlington notched a 24-9, 15-1 year, with two seniors starters now saying sayonara. The Mustangs were members of the Southland Conference.

It was a 13-17, 5-11 finish for Texas State and two senior starters bidding adieu to the Bobcats, also in the Southland Conference.

The third Southland Conference squad, UT San Antonio, posted an 18-14, 10-6 record and will be minus but one significant contributor. The Roadrunners (gotta love that nickname) topped Fresno State but fell to San Jose State University this season.

Maybe new rivalries can be developed but it's very hard, considering the additions, to see any sort of fan/media attention increasing locally or nationwide nor attendance going up at the WAC tournament.

Monday's sparse WAC hoops listings

Matt Sonnenberg continues with his Aggie player ratings -- Mitch Bruneel is in the hot seat today.

+++++

Not WAC-related but what a series of very intriguing coaching moves at Texas Christian University. Jim Christian departs after an 18-15 and 7-7 season (his best record there but still 56-73 overall) in the Mountain West Conference, just prior to a jump to the Big 12.

He lands at Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference (he used to coach at Kent State). It seems like a step down in prestige although his new and old salaries are supposed to be similar. There had to be some heat for the earlier records so maybe he was getting ahead of any move by his Horned Owl AD.

Now, Trent Johnson (who was certainly under fire), departs LSU (67-64 record in four seasons) and the Southeastern Conference for TCU (and the Big 12). That is a step down but he obviously felt the ejection seat was approaching.

Christian had great success earlier while at Kent State so the attraction from the Bobcats is understandable.

Johnson was so-so (79-74) at Nevada but much more successful at Stanford. He departed The Farm after some sort of difficulty with the AD there. TCU will always be a football school and life in the Big 12 (Kansas, Baylor, Texas, Missouri, et al) doesn't appear to be more amenable. Plus, it was certainly much easier to recruit to Baton Rouge than it will be to Fort Worth.

The Dee Glenn Smith Spectrum reviewed

Tyler Huskinson at Paul Swaney's Stadium Journey site has a look at plus a take on The Spectrum.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Since Seattle is joining the WAC

Saw this on Alex Kline's The Recruit Scoop Twitter account: "2012 La Jolla Prep (CA) center Mike VanKirk is taking an official visit to Seattle this weekend, followed by Evansville in two weekends"

It's a March 22 tweet so it seems that would make it Evansville for VanKirk this weekend. Not sure about the missing weekend (or next weekend) but Tennessee Chattanooga and San Jose State University were other colleges in the mix.

Why isn't Marvin Menzies a saint in the city of the crosses?

KrimsonKrazy has a post up on the Aggie Alert Sports Trough MB about NMSU AD McKinley Boston hoping to sweeten Coach Marvin Menzie's Las Cruces bank account as Colorado State appear majorly interested in getting the Aggie coach to change addresses.

It doesn't matter what league, the level of competition or whether you recruited all your guys, or not -- you get your team to a pair of very recent Big Dance appearances (damn near taking down Michigan St.) and a halo rightfully appears above your head. Period.

Criticize all you want (as some but certainly not the majority) are doing on message boards about Menzies' abilities or lack thereof, the reality is he has succeeded. That cannot be argued.

Evidence triumphs what ifs.

A Wolf Pack recruiting note

Grabbed this from NorCalPreps' Doug Benton (sub required) in his writeup on a tourney this weekend: "Hunter Myers 6-foot-7 F Douglas-Nevada (2013) Nevada CC Wolverines Elite: Myers is a rising sleeper who is in line for a breakout club season. He can step out to the three point line with good athleticism finishing at the rim. He had two threes and an impressive alley-oop against the Soldiers 17 squad. He has offers from UC Davis and Nevada with interest from Stanford, Cal, Gonzaga, Virginia, Harvard and Yale"

For Fresno State fans

A quick note to Bulldog fans: spoke with Sterling Smith last week and he and Coach Rodney Terry have yet to make acquaintances. So any interest that was located on the 'net was based on interaction with the previous FSU coaching staff.

A few words on Spencer Butterfield

No, Spencer Butterfield isn't the second coming of Jaycee Carroll. But, as Seinfeld-ians purr "but there's nothing wrong with that." He's the first Spencer Butterfield.

What that means is:

* He plays hurt, he plays hard, he's Mr. Intangible.

* Nobody is more competitive -- as we wrote in an earlier article: "As [Yuba Coach Doug] Cornelius said ... "He plays so hard, he rubs off on other players. Spencer wants to win every sprint, he stays after to lift or heads out to the track ..." Put him on "Survivor" and he either wins it easily or gets voted off early on because he's going to emerge the victor in every contest and be too much of a threat.

* He is already experienced blending in with the best talents off of high school teams as his 33-4 Yuba squad had a different high scorer most every game.

*The physical nature of D-1 ball and the Utah State style will be to his advantage.

* He was a strong dribble-drive scorer in high school, developed his shooting range and consistency at Yuba and now is proficient in both.

* He's has the perfect skills set to team up with Preston Medlin plus an efficient point.

* Simply put, every other WAC team would love to have him sporting a jersey.

Sunday morning's WAC hoops liturgy

From Westwind Prep Coach Adam DeSautels: "Just saw that Brophy's Tim Kempton got offered by Idaho today. Nice choice by UI. He was tough 1st time we played, 2nd time, we were ready"


He's a 6-foot-8, 210 2013 recruit whose (we think) father played ball at Notre Dame and in the NBA.

Here's a bit of a mid 2011 evaluation:
Strengths:

Kempton is a terrific spot-up shooter who can knock down shots within 17-feet all over the court. His release is high and he possesses a soft touch. In addition, he has become much stronger in the upper body since the spring.
+++++

Per sjball at the Inside Sparta Basketball MB, Alex Brown of John Logan College in Illinois was San Jose State University trippin' this weekend. He's 6-foot-10 and 190 pounds, averaged 10.6 points and 6.8 boards last season while shooting 45% from the floor and 45% at the foul line. He swatted away 2.4 shots a contest.

 In June 2010 MidStateHoops described him thusly: "Though raw and athletic the former SIU-Edwardsville signee could find himself playing at a much higher level when his years as a Volunteer are over if he puts the work in.  He’s got a long frame and is a solid shot blocker and rebounder. He will have time to develop a more diverse offensive repertoire under the current JAL coaching staff"

+++++ 

Dayton Morinaga offers a 4+ minutes video interview with Coach Gib Arnold.  

+++++ 

Matt Sonnenberg grades the season of EJ Farris.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Had a few minutes, so a few more links

Matt Sonnenberg keeps the Spencer Butterfield bromance aflame in Logan.

+++++

Teddy Feinberg looks into the Marvin Menzies - Colorado State possible pairing.

+++++

Joe Santoro goes long with Coach David Carter, in a very informative piece.

Friday, April 6, 2012

About Keith Shamburger

As there are some naysayers and some celebrating, here's a few comments regarding what Keith Shamburger brings to the court:

* He is small, probably 5-foot-9, and best suited to play the one

* Call him much more crafty than a blow-by-his-defender speed demon

* But he did go to the foul line a very good 150 times this past season

* He was a volume shooter in 2011-2012 -- based on need -- which is not necessarily a role for which he is best suited

* His assist-to-turnover ratio was a solid 155/63 on a team that shot 39%

* While he grabbed just under three rebounds a game, some of that number was due to a lack of bigs

* The junior-to-be tied for the team lead with 40 steals, a total derived from a combination of his quick hands and sense of anticipation

* He lives to compete

* Position him with a big or two, another outside shooter and a dribble-drive creator and you'll have a very able contributor

* He's not a take-over-the-game-guy but, really, how many of them are available?

Saturday's WAC hoops dossier

Coming to you late Friday night due to extenuating circumstances ...

Jason Groves is all over the Marvin Menzies - Colorado State pas de deux.

Wendell McKines will be sporting a Norfolk Sports Club jersey during his participation in the Portsmouth Invitational which takes place April 11-14. Sam Wasson offers background.

+++++

There's a bit of Shamburger-mania in the islands right now per Dayton Morinaga and Brian McInnis. Feel free to appropriate the term Sham Wow.

+++++

Tony Jones is all over Utah State's recruiting

+++++

Chris Murray is reporting that Doug Novsek is staying put in Reno. Chris also analyzes Nevada's mystery player, Richard Bell.

Shamburger to ...

5-foot-11 guard Keith Shamburger has made his decision and will next be a Hawaii Rainbow Warrior.

The sophomore transfer from San Jose State University will have to sit out a year as a redshirt and then resume play in the 2013-2014 season.

One factor facilitating this move is Hawaii's jump to the Big West Conference in basketball. This means the southern California native will be facing mainland opponents such as Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Cal State Northridge, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara.

Also, transferring to an in-conference often means having to sit out two years but UH's new affiliation made this moot, if it ever was in play.

Two years ago, Hawaii Coach Gib Arnold recruited Shamburger out of Serra High but the decision was made to go with SJSU.

Brylle Kamen resurfaces

6-foot-7 Brylle Kamen spent less than a season at San Jose State University back in 2010-2011 and PTW has always wondered where he landed. Now we know: the University of British Columbia in Vancouver:

In the frontcourt, Morgan will be part of a group that may well be led by French native and San Jose State transfer Brylle Kamen, who not only shoots with range and revels in high tempo, but can play every position shy of point guard.

“He would be in the top five basketball minds we’ve had play for us in terms of understanding the game,” Hanson remarks.

It's a lookin' like USU & SJSU are ready to order the moving vans

Tony Jones looks at the Utah State (plus San Jose State) chances of receiving a bid from the Mountain West Conference. If the invites come, the answers will probably be heard throughout the states of Utah and California, minus any sound projections.

More on Coach Menzies - Colorado State

From the folks at the Hoop Dirt site: "I keep hearing New Mexico State head coach Marvin Menzies name come up when talking about Colorado State. As I mentioned earlier today, current CSU assistant Craig Smith has interviewed for the job, but everyone I talk to keeps mentioning Menzies. His Aggies won 26 games this past season and received an NCAA bid"

If it's true, can't blame Menzies. It's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately, two-way street profession and a salary of a half million is awfully enticing. Plus, Menzies probably has 10-12 years left as a head coach (if he keeps winning) and it's time to make some real coin.

Spencer Butterfield to Utah State

The reports are accurate -- talked with Yuba (CA) College guard/wing Spencer Butterfield this morning and he is indeed going to be an Aggie. Loved everything about his visit -- "I was blown away" he said. More later.

Friday's WAC roundball roundup

It's the Malik Story that Chris Murray analyzes in today's edition.

+++++

Jason Groves explores the Colorado State coaching opening.

+++++

Liked the pace exhibited in Matt Sonnenberg's latest column. He warms up with an new scoreboard item, followed by a new uniforms entry. After that, it's a whoa Nelly, skip third gear, multiple bottle downings of those five hour energy concoctions blast bagging the neighbor's program and Rivals too. Glad nobody sporting a BYU emblazoned shirt crossed his path while he was hitting the keyboard 'cause it wouldn't have been pretty. Do take a read.

+++++

Dayton Morinaga writes about UH basketball beginning off-season workouts. Note the photo with the tanktop and shirts off. Ah that Hawaiian weather. Please export it. 

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Don Verlin interviewed

92Van at the GoVandals Vandal Basketball MB has posted a link to an audio interview with Coach Don Verlin.

Thursday's WAC hoops digest

As part of his continuing series, Chris Murray zeroes in on Wolf Pack big Kevin Panzer.

+++++


Adam Zagoria is reporting that LA TECH is in the running for a community college backcourter:
... The Johnnies are also expecting a visit this month from Monroe (N.Y.) College guard Marco Bourgault ... on April 20-22.

Bourgault will also visit Louisiana Tech on April 16th, he told SNY.tv. He’s also planning visits to Penn State and St. Louis ...
Bourgault is a 6-foot-6 sophomore out of France

From the Monroe basketball site:
There are many dimensions to Marco’s game, but the facet that stands out the most is his ability to shoot the basketball and for a player his size, that’s impressive. He also has what Coach Brustad likes to call a “high basketball IQ” which backs up his variety of skills, including getting to the basket on the drive as well as shooting from the outside. In addition to his experience in basketball, he’s an accomplished swimmer and soccer player.Marco went to Cholet Bookir from 2005-2009. In 2009-10 at Notre Dame Prep he played in one of the nation’s best prep school programs for Coach Ryan Hurd, Marco averaged 18 ppg, but hurt his knee, which limited his effectiveness. Last year he red-shirted at Monroe. 
In March of this year, picodulce wrote a feature on Bourgault for the Rumble In The Garden site.

+++++

Both Dayton Morinaga and Brian McInnis have the news on Bobby Miles leaving the Hawaii program.

Going on PTW's shaky memory, it's Joston Thomas, Bobby Miles (UH) and Keith Shamburger (SJSU) as WAC departures to date.

+++++

The Sun-News has a post up about Coach Marvin Menzies and the opening at Colorado State.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Wednesday's WAC digest

Chris Murray reviews and previews Patrick Nyeko, leading to the question: how many minutes does a player need to be on the court per game to be considered for a conference's all-defensive team?

Also, Chris has an update on Associate Head Coach Doug Novsek, who is interviewing for the Eastern Illinois opening.

Chris also reports that Luke Babbitt is seizing the opportunity available to him in Portland.

+++++

Matt Sonnenberg goes comprehensive in attempting to sort out the Utah State recruiting situation.

+++++

Jim Basnight/Husky Digest recently tweeted this: "Husky Digest reporting that according to a text from a source, "(2012 JC guard) Mark (McLaughlin) to UW, not official, but it's decided"

Hawaii was recently looking at McLaughlin.

In recent days, UW's Terence Ross and Tony Wroten have declared for the draft, leaving a lot of shots to be divvied up.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Tuesday's world of WAC-dom roundball

Chris Murray explores the future role of Wolf Pack backcourter Keith Fuetsch.

+++++

The curious case of Utah State recruiting target Marvin Jean is getting curiouser. Tony Jones writes (@ 5:40 p.m. yesterday) that it's not yet a done deal yet Professor Chaos @ the USUFans Stew's Spectrum MB writes that Jean's Twitter account, posted on March 31, says he will be an Aggie. In fact. Jean has more than one tweet mentioned his coming Aggie-ness.

+++++

Alex Kline/The Recruit Scoop mentions Idaho (and many others) in connection to a San Diego area post grad: "2012 La Jolla Prep (CA) SF Aaron Valdes lists Maine, Hofstra, Hartford, Gardner-Webb, UTEP, Towson, Idaho, Pepperdine and Florida Gulf Coast"

He's 6-foot-5 and definitely a leaper, per this video.

Here is Kline's feature on Valdes. 

+++++

Matt Sonnenberg grades Jordan Stone's season, sensing that a redshirt year could be in the offing.

Monday, April 2, 2012

How true

 captures the sentiment of a time lost:

College basketball will never regain its former luster until they do away with the one-and-done rule.

It shouldn't take until the Final Four for us to recognize anyone on the court besides the guys wearing Armani suits.
Call me old, say 'get with the times' but it was much more fun seeing familiar guys develop over the years. Oh well.

Monday morning -- hey, rumor has it there's a game tonight

bpd must have his ear to the ground (or a phone line tapped) since he is consistently posting information about Aggie recruiting at the USUFans Stew's Spectrum MB. His latest is about Marvin Jean, a 6-foot-5 sophomore backcourter out of Sullivan Community College in New York. Jean was a first team selection on the Mid Hudson Conference this season and averaged 13 points per game on 41%, 40% and 73% shooting. He grabbed 6.7 rebounds a game and totaled 83 assists in 30 games. He was the conference MVP the season before.

+++++

Matt Sonnenberg evaluates Adam Thoseby's season.

+++++

Kraig Williams rates the USU performance over this season.

+++++

Joe Santoro does the same with a Wolf Pack autopsy.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Sunday's WAC hoops news

Another community college point, Steven 'Quan' Conner, will be tripping to Logan, this per bpd at the USU Fans Stew's Spectrum MB. He averaged 18.5 points per game this past season, shooting 43%, 36% and 71% respectively. Conner also passed for just under four assists a contest.He is listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds.

Here's some high school video.

Here's some college video.

+++++

Nevada signee Marqueze Coleman is the Cal-Hi Sports State Athlete of the Week.

+++++

Dayton Morinaga covers the final numbers for UH hoops.

+++++

It looks like Matt Sonnenberg will be grading each Aggie's season performance, beginning with Igor Premasunac.