Whither idaho?

What is it with Idaho and miscues late in games leading to losses?

After erasing a 17-point deficit against New Mexico State  a foul on a steal attempt with less than three seconds on the clock allowed Daniel Mullings to sink the game winner at the foul line.

Prior to that. the Vandals were up seven against Denver but lost as a pair of turnovers, a Pioneer offensive rebound and no shot attempts in the final minute and a half closed out the contest for Coach Don Verlin's guys.

Then there was the overtime loss in Utah State where an eight-point lead with less than four minutes remaining disappeared in an avalanche of turnovers and missed shots as Preston Medlin (who else?) tied the game in regulation with a three-pointer.

In the second game of the season, Idaho was ahead of Montana by a 15-point margin with 12+ minutes remaining. The game's outcome came down to a final shot and as Vandal athletics reported: "...Idaho stayed within two possessions for the game’s final four minutes and got back possession with 9.4 seconds left after a missed Montana free throw, but Verlin said Idaho ran the wrong play in the final seconds and the Vandals weren’t able to get off a shot before time expired..."

It's frustration on top of frustration because it's not simply a single element that has led to each of these losses.

As for the players and production:

Mike McChristian, Robert Harris Jr. and Denzel Douglas have shared time at the point with none seizing command. Sure, Landon Tatum and Deremy Geiger performed well in 2011-12 Vandal backcourt but these particular late game losses certainly are not solely due to Idaho's backcourt this season. 

McChristian stands at 42/21 in assists-to-turnover ratio with Douglas at 34/17 and these are palatable numbers.

But Idaho is deeply underwater in turnovers -- owning 201 to 123 for opponents and Stephen Madison is unfortunately tops with 34 with Kyle Barone's 31 not far behind. That HAS to change if greater success is to arrive.

Looking at another set of figures, Verlin's crew are just a +14 in points scored despite owning a 47% to 43% overall shooting advantage, 35% to 31% on three attempts.

Maybe the troubles late in games is more an issue of prime time, on-court leadership, as indefinable as such a term is.

The defeats could be simply chalked up to just bad luck but the consistency of such indicates that there are more factors at play.

Kyle Barone named WAC POW

Idaho’s Kyle Barone has been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 24-30.

Barone, a senior center from Garden Grove, Calif. (Pacifica HS), led Idaho to a 71-64 comeback win in its WAC opener at Seattle U. Barone scored 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, despite regularly facing double- and triple-teams all night with leading scorer Stephen Madison on the bench in foul trouble. Barone’s 25 points are a season high and tie his career high. He now has three 20/10 games this season and back-to-back 20/10 games for the first time in his career. Barone had a season-high seven offensive rebounds and a season-high-tying 11 total rebounds in the win. He scored 16 of Idaho’s 38 points in the second half, going 8-of-10 from the free throw line in the second half and converting two of three 3-point plays during the game. In his last three games, Barone is averaging 21.3 points and 9.0 rebounds on 22-of-31 (.710) overall and 20-of-22 (.909) free throw shooting.

Other nominees:

* New Mexico State sophomore guard Daniel Mullings scored a game-high 21 points in at UT Arlington

* San Jose State junior forward Chris Cunningham recorded an 11-point, 14-rebound double-double in a win at Texas State 

* Seattle U D'Vonne Pickett Jr. scored a season-high 17 points versus Idaho

* UT Arlington senior forward Kevin Butler 18 points with six rebounds in a win over New Mexico State

* UTSA junior guard/forward Jordan Sims scored 20 points with five assists against Utah State

* Utah State junior guard Preston Medlin scored scored a season-high 24 points in a road win at UTSA.

Friday: three game reports & three previews

Texas State got Chippewa-ed by host Central Michigan 92-80 last night. Joel Wright went for a 20/10 double-double and Matt Staff scored 18 points (including sinking his only free throw) but such wasn't enough.Cm was at the foul line for 31 attempts as opposed to 10 for the Bobcats.

Texas State athletics game reports as does Central Michigan athletics.

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Utah State started its tourney versus Nicholls State and led 43-22 at the half. But the lead closed to 60-54 at the eight minute mark with the Aggies finally winning 79-72. Kyisean Reed went for a 20/12 double-double (how appropriate!) and added a quartet of blocked shots while Jarred Shaw enjoyed his own 19/11 double-double. Freshman poin t Marcel Davis started, took but one shot but passed for seven assists. USU took 47 shots to 69 for Nicholls State but the free throw count was reversed at 34 to 18.

Kyle Goon tweeted the game.

Kyle, Matt Sonnenberg,Tavin Stucki, Kyle Heywood and Shawn Harrison game report. Curtis Ripplinger offers game photos.

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Idaho enjoyed a 37-29 lead after the first 20 minutes in a rivalry matchup with Boise State but the Broncos busted out in the second half to win 78-68. Kyle Barone posted a double-double of 22 points and 10 boards plus three blocked shots while Stephen Madison put up 14 points and five rebounds. The Vandals shot 2-10 from three-point range.

Vandal Nation tweeted the game.

Josh Wright game reports.

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Friday brings:

* Denver hosting Southern Utah -- Pioneer athletics game previews.

* Texas San Antonio at Texas A&M Corpus Christi -- Roadrunner athletics game previews.

* Utah State is back in action right away versus UC Davis

Friday's WAC report: one game summary plus a bit more

Idaho headed across the border to Eastern Washington last night and took an 81-79 victory in overtime. Stephen Madison posted a monster 29/10 double-double on 12-23 shooting while Kyle Barone earned his own double-double and more with 20 points plus 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. The Vandals won the battle of the boards 51/29.

Vandal Nation tweeted the contest.

Eastern Washington athletics game reports.

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Matt Sonnenberg offers the latest on Danny Berger's condition.

Andy Katz serves up a solid column lauding all the adults involved.

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Steve Coulter.Denver athletics writes about the positives and the concerns in his piece covering the top Pioneer players.

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There are no games involving WAC teams until Saturday.

Sunday: five game reports, plus a pair of previews

It was the Spartans versus the Bobcats as SJSU hit Big Sky Country to face Montana State and came away with an 82-74 victory. It was the James Kinney Show again as the SJSU senior backcourter went for 23 points and seven boards. Forward Chris Cunningham earned a 15/10 double-double. Coach George Nessman's crew shot 53% overall and held MSU to 38% but committed 22 TOs. Gidal Kaiser was present and offers this game report.

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Host Texas had been struggling but won the first half 38-18 versus Texas Arlington and went on to a 70-54 win. Jordan Reves posted a double-double consisting of 15 points and 10 boards for TA. The Mavs shot but 30%. TA athletics game reports.


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Southern Mississippi was in Las Cruces and thoughts of nabbing a victory hit a big roadblock to the tune of 68-60 primarily because of freshman Sim Bhullar's 17 points, seven boards and pair of blocks. But Daniel Mullings showed his mental strength with a 21/11 double-double. Jason Groves game reports. Bhullar also had a special visitor.

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Texas San Antonio rode into Merle Haggard country but without the services of backcourter Michael Hale III due to injury. Fellow guard Kannon Burrage led with 18 points but no other Roadrunner scored in double figures as the Texans fell 85-52 to Cal State Bakersfield. 26 TOs certainly contributed to the defeat. UTSA athletics game reports.

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Host Idaho hung out the welcome mat to UC Davis and prevailed 73-66. Stephen Madison posted a 21 point, seven rebound line. Josh Wright game reports. Vandal Nation tweeted the matchup.

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Denver is on The Farm facing Pac-12 member Stanford today. Pioneer athletics previews.

Seattle hosts Michigan State and Creighton beater Boise State. Seattle U Hoops previews.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wednesday WAC roundup

Finally located the whereabouts of former Utah State wing/guard Steve Thornton. It's Citrus College in southern California, a perennial contender for the state community college championship.

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Andy Glockner offers some 'mid-major' players to track and Preston Medlin is listed:

Learn the name because he has the game and the Aggies may splash back onto the national scene come March as their young roster has started to mature. The Aggies usually run very efficient offense, but it helps when you have a guy who shoots 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from the arc.

Under 'Breakout Stars' comes Denver's Chris Udofia:

The overall stats won't blow you away because the Pioneers play so slowly on offense, but he's a major athlete who can score and board. Joe Scott's men could win the WAC in their debut season.

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Sean Kramer writes that Idaho's playing rotation is firming up very early.

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Jason Groves offers his latest on New Mexico State's depth chart.

Teddy Feinberg checks in with his Aggie player and team take.

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Michael Eldridge/Texas Arlington athletics previews the Mavs.

Saturday's WAC hoops compilation

Per William Whelan (a Rivals sub is required), Utah State and San Jose State University are watching 6-foot-1 2013 Arizona prep shooting guard Ryan Berg.

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Raphielle Johnson previews the WAC.

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Kyle Goon focuses on the USU frontcourters.

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AggieDude at the AggieFans Stew's Spectrum MB writes about viewing a recent Aggie scrimmage.

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Idaho took down Central Washington 92-75 last night with Kyle Barone back on the court. Interesting note: former Nevada et al player Mark McLaughlin scored 28 points for the CW but didn't shoot all that well.

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Also, LA Tech handled Central Arkansas 66-56 as Bulldog athletics provides the game report.

Coach Mike White discusses the game:


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KrimsonKrazy at the AggieAlert MB posted Jack Nixon's tribute to the contributions and effect of Tyrone Watson.

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Per Jason Groves, Coach Marvin Menzies re-upps with New Mexico State.

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Seattle U Hoops profiles redshirt freshman backcourter Luiz Bidart.

Sunday's WAC week wrapup

Per Blue Zertuche/Texas Hoops (a Rivals sub is required), Utah State is among a number of teams checking out 6-foot-3 2013 point Zach Dickerson.

The Logan-ites also recently received a visit from 2014 prospect Jared Stutzman.

Landon Helmsley has posted the fave Spectrum moments in USU basketball history.

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Vandal athletics reports on Idaho's victory over Seattle Pacific. Ditto for Josh Wright, who also reports that Kyle Barone is on the verge of returning.

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Jason Groves offers news and notes after viewing New Mexico State's scrimmage. Jason also notes that New Mexico State basketball is appearing just in time for a school and community needing a sports boost.

Bill Harty also recap the scrimmage for the BleedCrimson site.

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Per Brian Persky, 6-foot-6 Seattle backcourter Tucker Haymond has de-committed from Western Michigan. Might that provide an opening for Cameron Dollar to move in as Haymond also owned a Redhawk offer?

Here's a May 11, 2012 feature on Haymond.

Here's Kevin Cacabelos on May 4.

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There's only so much room -- 30 spaces -- so congrats to Denver's Chris Udofia for making Jeff Borzello's Top 30 Under The Radar Players (but where in the heck is Preston Medlin?)

His numbers aren’t as eye-popping as some of the other guys on this list, but he consistently makes an impact at both ends of the floor and is extremely efficient. He passes the ball well, blocks shots, rebounds – and still finds time to average nearly 15 points a game. Udofia is tough to defend because of his energy and nonstop motor. 

Saturday's roundup of WAC links

Idaho, except for its football squad, will have a new conference home in 2014, as Bob Murphy reports.

For Vandal basketball, the overall competition should lessen but now it will be Montana playing the role of Utah State/New Mexico State plus Weber State looking to continue on with it's rise, even post-Damian Lillard.

What's difficult to determine is what, if any, effect the move will have on Idaho hoops recruiting.

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Jason Groves offers his WAC ballot plus recruiting items.

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Shawn Harrison takes a peek at this season's Aggies and provides some interesting Kyisean Reed quotes.

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InsideRunnerSports looks back at the first week of practice for Texas San Antonio.

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Seattle U Hoops ponders the Redhawk starting five.

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College Sports Madness serves up various All-WAC picks but with no accompanying explanations and some very interesting choices.

The 2012-13 Idaho Vandals

Here's Coach Don Verlin's 2012-13 roster:

(alphabetical)

Robert Harris, Jr. G 5-10 180 Jr. Kent, Wash. (Eastern Arizona)

Mansa Habeeb G 6-3 215 Sr. Buffalo, N.Y. (Southeastern CC)

* Mac Stannard G 6-2 170 Jr. Moscow, Idaho (Walla Walla CC)

Connor Hill G 6-2 190 So. Post Falls, Idaho (Post Falls HS)

Denzel Douglas G 5-10 180 Jr. Los Angeles, Calif. (Casper College)

* Westin Hill G 5-11 180 So. Bakersfield, Calif. (Liberty HS)

Mike McChristian 6-2 200 Sr. Vacaville, Calif. (Yuba College)

* Max Salesky G 6-2 170 Fr. Priest River, Idaho (Priest River Lamanna HS)

Matt Borton G 6-5 195 So. Yakima, Wash. (West Valley HS)

Antwan Scott G 6-1 170 Jr. Wylie, Texas (Ranger College)

Marcus Bell F 6-8 220 Jr. Modesto, Calif. (Marshalltown CC)

Allen Jiles IV G 6-2 200 Jr. Los Angeles, Calif. (Cal State Northridge)

Kyle Barone C 6-10 220 Sr. Garden Grove, Calif. (Pacifica HS)

Stephen Madison F 6-5 205 Jr. Portland, Ore. (Jefferson HS)

Ty Egbert F 6-8 195 Fr. Coulee Dam, Wash. (Lake Roosevelt HS)

Joe Kammerer C 6-9 225 Jr. Eugene, Ore. (North Eugene HS)

Wendell Faines F 6-8 250 Sr. Lincoln, Neb. (Saddleback JC)

* indicates walk-on

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Wrote this back on May 13:

Roster inhabitants for the Idaho Vandals always seems a super secretive subject, which probably goes with the territory when you're based in Moscow. So without the use of moles, double agents and the like, here we go.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Vandal starting five:

* Kyle Barone
* Marcus Bell
* Stephen Madison
* Connor Hill
* Denzel Douglas

Back in the saddle Monday

Nate Schmidt tweeted: "Leo Edwards 2013 F Romulus (MI) just committed to Louisiana Tech while on his official visit"

Congrats to Coach Mike White for landing the 6-foot-8 frontcourter. The young man is on the thin side and raw but displays plenty of potential.

One description from back in 2010:

Edwards is an intriguing prospect for many reasons but one of the main reasons is that he’s 6-8 at the age of 14. He’s slim but athletic and once he grows into his body he’ll have a good build. He still has a lot of work to do, but showed a ton of promise. He doesn’t have much in the way of post moves, but he went after every rebounds and played pretty good defense in the post against some stronger players. I would have liked to see him call for the ball more and assert himself in the post but he seemed content to get putbacks off of misses by Morris and Watts. He’s so young you can’t really fault him for not asserting himself, especially since he’s playing with a bunch of 16-year-olds. Very exciting prospect.

One question: what's LT's connection to Detroit or Michigan?

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Denver's Chris Udofia receives some national print from Nick Masulo:

"...Playing for a team that won nine more games last season than it did the year before, Udofia has become the centerpiece of a program that is knocking on the door. One of the most physical big men in the country, the senior will look to lead the Pioneers and challenge Utah State in the WAC for the program's first NCAA Tournament berth. Check him out in early season games against the PAC-12's Cal and Stanford." 

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Jason Groves features Tyrone Watson and Chili Nephawe.

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Kyle Good writes that Kyisean Reed wants to erase the word 'consistency' from ever being mentioned again alongside his name.

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The InsideRunnerSports staff write about Texas San Antonio's initial practice appearance.

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Vandal Nation offers print and video of Idaho Coach Don Verlin plus returnees Stephen Madison and Mike McChristian.

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Kyle Goon goes likewise with Utah State hoops.

Kraig Williams tweets: "TeNale Roland is All-Amalgamated first-team, Preston Medlin All-Country Club third-team and Danny Berger and Spencer Butterfield All-Edible"

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Former SJSU frotncourter Moses Omolade was among those trying out for the Santa Cruz Warriors.