It's early -- too early in fact because all the signings and transfers are not yet complete -- but as of today, which teams look to be better next season in the WAC?
PTW is obviously going to have to update the following but here's the current take:
In alphabetical order, Hawaii certainly has the chance if Bill Amis' contributions can be compensated for by others. There's still a degree of combustibility what with J Thomas and newcomer DeShawn Mitchell residing in the islands but neither will have much, if any, leverage to move elsewhere by entering their junior seasons.
Idaho is a possibility but the departing talents of Jeff Ledbetter and Brandon Wiley definitely leave holes to fill. A sharpshooting replacement for the former is a must, as is the emergence of center Kyle Barone who has to become an All-WAC player in 2011-2012.
Louisiana Tech should be improved based upon the greensters -- all those freshman -- getting solid playing time last season plus the 'fact' that an incoming coach usually gets his squad to play harder. However, betterment is relative here as Coach Mike White needs a couple of very solid JC signings pronto.
Nevada is a 'duh' pick considering the frosh that were the majority of Coach David Carter's squad this go-around. If Olek Czyz can develop consistency then Carter has a star at each position (Dario Hunt and Deonte Burton).
If everyone returns and is eligible (always big IFs in Las Cruces), New Mexico State has to be considered the 2011-2012 WAC frontrunner. TG isn't going to be selected in the NBA draft so his decision will be either to play out his senior year or try overseas. Wendell McKines will be raring to go. The X-factor is wing Remi Barry, who sat out this past season and also his senior one in high school. It appears he has scoring ability, an element needed on this squad, but how quickly can he knock off the rust? The Aggies need to land a long range backcourt shooter, someone who will make offensive life easier for his four teammates on the court.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday's WAC editorial
Monday, April 11, 2011
Mondays's WAC basketball links and notes
Dayton Morinaga features Bill Amis' professional plans (no, not in the videography field, at least not yet) and what the young man is doing to get ready for the challenges.
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Tony Jones has the scoop on a very recent test of the friendship between Stew Morrill and Larry Krystkowiak. Yep, it involves recruiting.
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With Dave Rice now in at UNLV (it that the end of Reggie Theus' college coaching return?), will Fresno State and Steve Cleveland juggle some contract numbers, thus allowing the latter to return to BYU and assist Dave Rose? Of course, Cleveland is 'home' but it will require departing if he wishes to stay in the coaching ranks.
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The second basketball signing period begins on Wednesday so the 'season' has actually yet to end.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday's game previews and overall WAC news
Wes Nakama writes about the noon showdown between Hawaii and SJSU. Plus, Zane and Bill (or Bill's 'n Zane's if you prefer) practice their Saturday Night Live skills once more,
Brian McInnis tell us that UH hopes to roll a 40 today.
Ferd Lewis informs readers that Rainbow Warrior attendance and therefore revenues were up this season. Ferd also has the details on CIT major domo Riley Wallace being there for his former program.
Dave Reardon has a not-so-secret secret plus he scrambles a couple of long-held sports theories.
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Chris Murray informs readers that the Gazette-Journal staff will be live-chatting the Nevada - Fresno State matchup.
Dan Hinxman holds nothing back in his thoughts about the WAC, its tourney and the current Wolf Pack squad.
Joe Santoro offers a look at Nevada and today's contest.
Daniel Lyght looks at the Nevada - Fresno State game from the Bulldog perspective. PTW forgot that Bulldog frosh Kevin Olekaibe is returning to his ol' stomping grounds so will that be a bonus or add pressure?
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Sam Wasson serves up a link to an interview with Coach Marvin Menzies talking about the tournament.
Jason Groves' feature today is about seniors, alas not those in their golden years, being an asset come playoff time. Let's all sing a rousing version of "Are You Experienced?" although we don't think Jimi had basketball in mind.
Jason also blogs about who would be the preferable New Mexico State opponent, Fresno State or Nevada?
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Nick Jezierny goes top-to-bottom is his look at the teams in the WAC tourney.
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Josh Wright provides some background in a feature on Vandal Jeff Ledbetter.
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Kraig Wiiliams' Aggie article today is about being an NCAA lock, or not, for USU.
Shawn Harrison's feature indicates the preference for the Aggies is a rubber match with Idaho.
Tony Jones writes that there are no hard feelings between Utah State and the Big Dance selection committee but that the Aggies want to control their own NCAA tourney inclusion. Tony also blogs about Brockeith Pane.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A couple more links plus the top numbers players
Jason Groves salutes Gordo Castillo in a blog entry that also starts off with a question about the WAC tourney.
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Chris Murray writes about the Nevada - Fresno State matchup Wednesday afternoon.
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Regarding personal achievements during the regular season:
* Adrian Oliver was the top scorer at 23.4 ppg.
* Dario Hunt and Olu Ashaolu tied in rebounding at 9.4 caroms a contest.
* Kyle Barone was the top shooter at .645%
* Olek Czyz was the best three-point marksmen at .468%.
* Jeff Ledbetter took free throw honors at .875%.
* Hernst Laroche won the assists title with 5.1 a game.
* La'Shard Anderson was the top thief at 2.6 steals each time out.
* Bill Amis was the most prolific shotblocker with 2.2 rejections per matchup.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Thursday a.m. WAC report
Jason Groves has a blog entry up, posted after last night's game -- TG does have a broken thumb. Also, Jason has become one with Twitter mania.
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As expected, Boise State had zero trouble against visiting Cal State Bakersfield. Nick Jezierny reports on the Senior Night game.
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Dayton Morinaga previews tonight's UH - SJSU tussle. Plus, Dayton also borrows from the big screen (Gib Arnold should have made it a point to either sign or land a walk-on with the first name of Ted).
Brian Mcinnis also serves up a preview, one that contains this tantalizing quote from Gib Arnold: "It'll be a team defensive game first..."
Jeff Portnoy talked with former UH Coach Riley Wallace about UH hoops and the CIT.
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Chris Murray writes that intensity is the byword for the Wolf Pack as Nevada faces Louisiana Tech in Ruston tonight. Chris also offers his keys to the game plus a prediction.
Joe Santoro tells us that practice has been different this week for Coach David Carter's squad.
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Idaho is hosting Fresno State tonight.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday morning and the WAC
Courtesy of Dayton Morinaga and with some teammate assistance, Bill Amis captured the sights and sounds resulting from a Rainbow Warrior victory.
Jeff Portnoy looks backwards and forwards at UH hoops.
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Mark Rauh has posted his Nevada - Irvine game photos at Silver and Blue Sports.
Chris Murray's Wolf Pack week in review is up.
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Jason Groves also looks in the rear view mirror and then ahead.
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Shawn Harrison writes about the four better halves of the Aggies and no, he isn't describing a quartet of the top 20 minutes of play for USU.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday's report on last night's games
Visiting Fresno State had the unfortunate timing of following the Utah State loss to Idaho and Tai Wesley was mask-less. That's pretty much all you need to know.
Weston Mangum, Tony Jones here and here, Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams all have game reports. Jennifer Meyers serves up 32 game photos. Plus, Craig Peterson provides 42 photos but we have to ask why none are game-specfic? And who is the Christoper Lloyd-like gentleman?
Daniel Lyght covers the matchup from the Fresno perspective.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday and the world of the WAC
It's host Idaho and Utah State tonight on ESPN2.
On the court, let's begin with Josh Wright who digs deep into Deremy Geiger's background and also offers a Q-and-A feature involving Don Verlin and Stew Morrill.
Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones are all present and accounted for with game previews.
Plus, Brad Rock has Stew Morrill talking about Aggie recruiting -- it's a very interesting piece.
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Jason Groves fills us in on Saturday's New Mexico State - Louisiana Tech rematch, this one in Ruston.
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Dayton Morinaga has Bill Amis channel his inner Jack Kerouac with another "On The Road" video segment.
Jeff Portnoy will have Jay Bilas, Eddie Fogler and Jim Donovan on his radio show tonight.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday's WAC roundup
Nate Bendall, who will be a finance and economics grad in a few months, gets the front and center treatment today from Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones.
Shawn also has the news that E.J. Farris is in and James Walker out as Brockeith Pane's relief.
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Boise State will be in Moscow on Saturday and Nick Jezierny provides the background.
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Sam Wasson's weekly interview with Coach Marvin Menzies is available.
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With a tip o' the hat to Sam for finding it, Lukas Eggen of the Nevada Sagebrush digs into the Wolf Pack's upcoming games.
The Nevada Appeal's Joe Santoro writes about Coach David Carter becoming enamored with the play of his bench.
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It's Bill Amis time with Brian McInnis' latest and Dayton Morinaga has the details on Late Night with Gib Arnold.
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Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday's report on last night's games
Led by a Bill Amis double-double and an almost one by Vander Joaquim, visiting Hawaii finally notched a conference victory, leaving Louisiana Tech by its lonesome.
Here's Ethan Conley, Jeff Portnoy and Dayton Morinaga.
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Nevada punctured a second hole in host Boise State's WAC season. Has Deonte Burton already turned the corner this early in his college basketball career?
Here's Nick Jezierny, Mark Littlefield and Chris Murray with game reports plus Chris re-visiting his checklist preview.
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Yikes! 52-39, it's the Aggies over the host Bulldogs. Tim Steed returned from injury for Fresno State and played 31 minutes but provided rusty-like numbers.
Daniel Lyght, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones all were present (thank you) and provide their takes.
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New Mexico State took out visiting and Adrian Oliver-less San Jose State 78-53.
Here's Sam Wasson and Jason Groves. Jason also offers a number of blog posts.
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Host Cal State Bakersfield got Ledbetter-ed as the senior Idaho backcourter nailed a very last second overtime trey to put the Vandals into the win column. Kyle Barone led with 20 points.
Jeff Evans of the Bakersfield newspaper has the writeup.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The WAC on Thursday
Shawn Harrison goes in depth on Tyler Newbold in an especially good feature. TN is the national leader in a very important statistical category.
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It's unclear who made the actual decision and how it was determined but Tony Jones/Aggieville lauds Coach Marvin Menzies for having Wendell McKines redshirt this season.
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Daniel Light is here and here with Matt James here all about Fresno State hoops -- it's the Battle of the Bulldogs in Ruston tonight.
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We didn't know Jack Nixon was fluent in French but mais oui -- check out Jason Groves' latest for the meaning to all this.
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Vander Joaquim receives the full feature treatment today in an article by Brian McInnis. Dayton Morinaga is loaded with video on the return of Bill Amis plus UH taking on the Idaho Vandals tonight.
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Nick Jezierny looks at the task of taking on Adrian Oliver plus Justin Graham as the Broncos put their undefeated WAC record on the line against host San Jose State.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
No game reports but plenty of links
Sam Wasson starts us off with his weekly interview of Coach Marvin Menzies.
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But the biggest news is Bill Amis' declaration -- Brian McInnis has it.
Dayton Morinaga features Miah Ostrowski in print, photo and video.
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Jason Groves blogs on Wendell McKines' decision.
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The status of Steed leads the Fresno State basketball news from Daniel Lyght.
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It's not until Thursday but the Daily Bronco site has an early statistical preview of the Boise State venture to San Jose State.
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Kraig Williams serves up a new edition of his Aggie Notebook.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tuesday's WAC items
It's never this simple but Steed and Fresno were too much -- 80 to 74 -- for visiting Czyz and Nevada Monday night.
Check out Daniel Lyght's game report while AW Prince and Chris Murray also offer looks at the game.
Alluding to our pre-game buildup, Dario Hunt earned a 13/12 double/double and Greg Smith put up 15/9. The Bulldogs were better in assists (18-11), steals (11-2) and turnovers 8/15.
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Dayton Morinaga reports that Bill Amis is ill -- what more can hit the senior?
Is Dominick Brumfield ready and able to fill the hole left by Amis' absence? Brian McInnis takes a look.
Jeff Portnoy has posted new entries, (1) and (2). The second looks at the Mississippi State circus.
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Head to the last few paragraphs of Sam Wasson's Daily Aggies for a look at Wendell McKines' coming back this season or redshirting and returning in 2011-2012.
Monday, January 3, 2011
A lite Monday
Daniel Lyght takes a look at tonight's Fresno State - Nevada matchup -- the Greg Smith/Dario Hunt pairing will be intriguing and critical for both squads.
Here's a candidate for line of the year from Daniel -- talking about the lack of Bulldog depth last season as opposed to this go-around: "...There were times coaches were left without much of a selection on the bench when a starter went cold or deaf..." +1
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Bill Amis -- the videographer -- covered UH's recent road trip for the Warrior Insider site.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday's a.m. WAC basketball report
Here's a Boise State - Drake game report from the Des Moines newspaper.
The Daily Bronco provides a numbers-oriented recap.
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From the Eastern Washington athletics site comes this game report of San Jose State's home victory.
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As Shawn Harrison notes, Nate Bendall scored 13 points and nabbed 14 rebounds in the USU win over Bakersfield -- all in 26 minutes. Plus, Utah State's 'D' handcuffed the top three Roadrunner scorers.
Utah State athletics features a video interview of backcourter Brian Green who certainly has achieved more than many coaches expected, and good for him.
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Brian McInnis/Court Sense has an entry on the status of froward Bill Amis.
Dayton Morinaga informs us that Hawaii provides its players with a pre-game meal -- some teams do pre, some do post, not sure why one is chosen over the other.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday's WAC-aroo
Utah State topped Cal State Bakersfield with what Aggies fans hope are a change of fortune in Tyler Newbold's shooting prowess this season. Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones all contribute game reports. It's worth noting that Stew Morrill made some starting lineup changes. Craig Peterson of the Cache Valley Daily offers up 41 game photos here with Weston Mangum's story on the game..
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In a rematch, New Mexico State fell again to in-state rival New Mexico, plus Troy Gillenwater injured an ankle. Jason Groves is here. Sam Wasson offers his Bleed Crimson game report here. The good new is that Hamidu Rahman got back on the court. Jason also posted a blog entry here.
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It's near impossible to find Waves in Fresno (maybe one of the nearby lakes?) and the Bulldogs dispensed visiting Pepperdine back to the Pacific Coast with a loss -- Daniel Lyght reports.
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Louisiana Tech fell on the road to intra-state rival McNeese State -- LT athletics reports.
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Per Idaho athletics, Seattle took down visiting Idaho by beating the Vandals in most of the statistical categories.
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As expected, Nevada topped San Francisco State behind Dario Hunt's double-double -- here's Mark Littlefield of the Silver and Blue site. Chris Murray is here and also posted a game notes column here.
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Hawaii also took down HP (Hawaii Pacific, not Hewlett Packard -- Carly Fiorina did that). Dayton Morinaga has print, photos and video on the game, plus information about the status of Bill Amis. Brian Mcinnis is here plus added an entry at his Court Sense blog. Jeff Portnoy writes more about Hawaii and the Big West.
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Boise State faces Missouri Valley Conference member Drake this afternoon as Nick Jezierny reports. Will the Broncos love the Drake?
San Jose State hosts Eastern Washington in a rematch of one month ago.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The WAC in mid-week
This was inevitable. Upon taking over, Gib Arnold had so many scholarships to fill that the numbers indicated some of the newcomers would be unhappy with playing time, experiencing homesickness or you name it during the season.
Two signees have decided to ply their trade elsewhere.
Brian McInnis @ Court Sense has the details, plus a hint about someone new. He also wrote this in the Star Advertiser.
Bill Amis performs as a travel guide on behalf of the Warrior Insider site.
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Utah State had no trouble with visiting Long Beach State last night. Kraig Williams is here, Shawn Harrison here and Tony Jones here .
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Jason Pugh/Shreveport Times reports on LT's fall on the road to Northwestern State, with a great opening line: "The sum of the Northwestern State Demons was more than a sublime effort from Louisiana Tech’s DeAndre Brown..."
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The Fresno Bee provides the game report of the Bulldogs grabbing a road victory in San Diego with SignOnSanDiego proffering this.
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Nick Jezierny tells us Boise State will be getting a taste of life facing the upper crust of Mountain West Conference basketball tonight, and on the road.
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Chris Murray has a piece up on the thoughts and feelings of the Wolf Packers after seven consecutive losses. Not based on anything heard or read but Nevada is another team with a large number of newcomers and therefore 'eligible' to have a player or two unhappy with playing time. But 10 guys are currently on the court for double figure playing time which keeps kids happy. However, the soon-to-happen eligibility of Olek Czyz will eat into the PT of some of the frontcourters.
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Vandal Nation offers a photo gallery of Idaho matching up in the Travelers Basketball Classic from last weekend.
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Sam Wasson/Bleed Crimson has posted video of the New Mexico State - New Mexico game.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday's WAC-itude
Sam Wasson reports on NMSU's fall to UTEP.
Jason Groves offers a game story and a blog entry.
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It's Arkansas Pine Bluff right after Central Arkansas as Hawaii is expected to continue kicking the basketball fanny of The Natural State -- go here.
Ferd Lewis writes about what the absence of Bill Amis means to UH hoops.
Brian McInnis features Joston Thomas and his swagger wagon addition to Warrior basketball.
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Fresno State has announced a pair of basketball signings.
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The storyline of Utah State's matchup with Utah is Morgan Grim returning to face his former coach. Shawn Harrison has the details and Mike Sorenson also covers it,
Just asking: will Nate Bendall make a Willis Reed-like appearance, circa 1970?
Lya Wodraska is going to miss the USU - Utah basketball battles.
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Nick Jezierny introduces newcomer Ryan Watkins to Boise and WAC basketball fans.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday's a.m WAC roundup
We should do a poll -- will Coach Don Verlin burn or flush the tape of last night's game? Here's a brief report from the Spokane Spokesman-Review. Here's hoping the Vandal practice gym is soundproof.
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Bill Amis will miss at least a month, per Dayton Morinaga at Warrior Insider.Jason Kaneshiro is here with his report.
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Neil Henderson at Silver and Blue Sports offers a game report and analysis on Nevada's close loss to GW. Here's an article from George Washington athletics.
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Stew Morrill went Green before it was fashionable (and critical) when a lot of other coaches took a look and chose not to, and it's paying off bigtime.
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