Thursday's WAC hoops digest

The recent offer from Texas Arlington didn't sway 2013 Minnesota prepster Conor Voss. Per Ryan James: "St Cloud Cathedral/MN Comets 7-ft center Conor Voss has committed to play at Ivy League school Columbia"

+++++ 

It's sure looking like Idaho is Big Sky bound, football excepted at least for now, as Bob Murphy writes.

Sunday and the WAC basketball universe

Blue Zertuche (a Rivals sub is required) writes that UT San Antonio recruiting target Michael Grant, a 6-foot-4 Lone Star State prep wing, has decided to attend Abilene Christian.

+++++

Jason Groves checks in with a very interesting story involving the Denver Pioneers. As PTW has noted, Coach Joe Scott's squad lacks size and experience at the one and two spots, plus co-leading scorer and outside sharpshooter Brian Stafford has graduated. Call Denver the most stylized team in the new WAC and now someone is chiming in as also the second best.

+++++

Check out Brian Murphy tweeting away:

WAC and Big Sky are back in discussions about alliance to keep WAC alive & keep 2 NCAA bids, according to Idaho officials.

and

Will have much, much more about Idaho's situation in Sunday's @IdahoStatesman

Here's Murphy's Sunday column.

+++++

At the USU Fans Stew's Spectrum MB, Spectrum Magic has the destination for Dalton Nixon, an Aggie 2014 target but someone with certain bloodlines which made it impossible to overcome.

Monday's WAC hoops catchup

Mark Nelke/CDA Press has a post up on multiple subjects involving the WAC, including something PTW has previously noted: why is it 'possible viewers' instead of 'actual viewers' -- longshot possibility versus present and more than likely future reality -- that generates inclusion into a conference?

+++++

Anthony Ray tweeted: "Brophy Prep HS 6-foot-9 senior post Tim Kempton had his best tournament in this year's Adidas Super 64. Many schools are in hot pursuit"

Kempton has an offer from Idaho. 

It's Monday in the WAC basketball world

From Arizona Hot Spot: "Brophy Prep 6'9 post Tim Kempton holds offers from Air Force, Idaho, Idaho State, and Weber State"

+++++

The development of Devonte Elliott and Kevin Panzer just became more critical for the Wolf Pack due to the Raphael Carter situation. Don't know enough about Richard Bell -- is he a paint player or more a finesse face the basket guy? Newcomer Cheikh Fall better be ready for some minutes.

+++++

A recent tweet from Coach Marvin Menzies: "Full day for NMSU basketball. Morning weights/conditioning. Workouts to follow. Then an unofficial visit this afternoon/evening"

+++++

A day late with this: A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be -- Dr. NuNu.

Thursday's slate of games and more

Hawaii and Nevada tangle tonight in Honolulu.

Chris Murray has posted his four keys and also has a prediction for the matchup. Dayton Morinaga goes long and multi-media with his look. Dayton also writes about a blackout and he's not referring to any television showing. Joe Santoro has posted an interesting column touching a number of Wolf Pack basketball subjects. Chris has another post about Nevada getting into the zone.

+++++

Idaho welcomes New Mexico State.

Wendell Faines and Djim Bandoumel talk about the game in a Vandal Nation video. Jason Groves write about stylin'.

+++++

Louisiana Tech will be exposed to The Spectrum Experience but will the students keep up the attendance and therefore the effect for Utah State?

Tony Jones, Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams each preview.

+++++

Fresno State is short-tripping it to San Jose State.

Angel Moreno/The Collegian looks at the Bulldogs and Robert Kuwada drills down to what is different of late about FSU.

+++++

Jason Groves writes about a mini-McK on the Aggie roster.

Jeff Portnoy is back with a new UH hoops column.

Sunday's report on Saturday's WAC scores

It was 44-40 New Mexico State over Louisiana Tech after the initial 20 minutes and the Aggies upped that lead to eventually win 83-72 -- this despite 30 points from Raheem Appleby. Hamidu Rahman led NMSU with 20 points (but just 6-15 at the foul line), Daniel Mullings contributed 15 and Wendell McKines totaled a 15/10 double-double.

Jason Groves tweeted the matchup.

Jason provides a game report as does Anthony Esparza while Tim Barnett-Queen has posted a bevy of game photos. 

+++++

Host Nevada owned a 35-31 lead at the break over Idaho, then it was 60-58 the Vandals with four minutes left and finally 72-68 as time expired, with Don Verlin's squad winning. Stephen Madison came off scoring zero last game to lead with 18 points, with Kyle Barone and Deremy Geiger each adding 16. Idaho shot 52% overall plus 10-22 on treys. Deonte Burton's 18 paced the Wolf Pack who won the battle of the boards 35-23 but shot 43% and 6-24 from long distance.

Chris Murray was tweeting.

Josh Wright reports on the pairing while Chris Murray and Joe Santoro were on press row. Chris also added a 'notes' column. Mark Rauh serves up quite a number of photos from last night.

+++++

SJSU and Hawaii were tied at 70 at the end of regulation and it finished 83-81 in favor of the Rainbow Warriors, whose shaky foul line numbers almost came back to bite them. Joston Thomas finished with a double-double of 29/12 while Vander Joaquim posted his own of 17/10. UH shot 54% overall but just 18-31 at the charity stripe. Wil Carter enjoyed his own 22/12 double-double for the Spartans plus backcourter James Kinney added 21. SJSU had a 16-point lead in the second half.

Brian McInnis took to Twitter.

Dayton Morinaga and Jimmy Durkin were present and accounted for.

+++++

The score was a remarkable 21-16 at halftime as Fresno State hosted Utah State and the Dogs carried that to the end, winning 60-54. Bulldog Kevin Olekaibe was on top with 26 points, Jerry Brown added 14/8 plus Tyler Johnson's line was 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and a trio of steals. Morgan Grim's 13/8 was the best Aggie performance. Preston Medlin also scored 13 points but didn't shoot well and totaled five turnovers. Brockeith Pane produced six TOs.

Robert Kuwada, Shawn Harrison (who again traveled with the team. kudos, kudos, kudos) and Matt Sonnenberg all check in.

Sunday report on Saturday's games

It was 28 apiece at the half between host Louisiana Tech and Nevada and the second 20 minutes concluded with the Wolf Pack winning by two, 65-63. Olek Czyz posted a 24/10 double-double for the victors with Raheem Appleby coming off the bench for a team-leading 17 Bulldogs points. Coach David Carter's squad shot 48% to 31% for Coach Mike White's bunch but the Pack committed 22 turnovers to 11 for the Ruston-ites.

Chris Murray was twittering.

Jerit Roser has a game report and Chris Murray was in Ruston (yet another high five to the Gazette-Journal management). Plus, Chris offers a 'notes' column.

+++++

In Las Cruces, New Mexico State led Fresno State 35-27 at halftime, then lost the lead and it was 45 up at the 8:40 mark. The score went back and forth until the the Aggies pulled slightly ahead late and then triumphed 60-56. Wendell McKines was again out front for NMSU with a 20/10 double-double. The Bulldogs were led by Kevin Olekaibe's 17 points. Coach Marvin Menzie's group won the boards battle 42-24, 17 of which were offensive. New Mexico State shot 7-18 from the charity stripe.

Jason Groves tweeted the matchup.

Jason also serves up a multi-media take on the contest while Anthony Esparza offers his perspective.

+++++

Utah State, powered by Kyisean Reed's 21 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, notched a victory it needed with an 82-65 victory over visiting San Jose State. Wing Mitch Bruneel added a season best 15 on 4-5 from long distance as the Aggies overall shot 10-21 on trey attempts. James Kinney paced the Spartans with 21 points and five assists. USU took the rebounding battle 37-29.

Tony Jones and Kraig Williams tweeted.

Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison, Matt Sonnenberg and Tony Jones were in the house. Tony also offers a separate piece on Mitch Bruneel.

Craig J. Peterson has posted 43 game photos.

+++++

Idaho welcomed Hawaii into Moscow and it was next to even, 36-35 in favor of the Vandals, after the initial 20 minutes. UH eventually pulled it out 76-70 in what defines a true team victory.

Brian McInnis was twittering.

Dayton Morinaga, John Blanchette and Theo Lawson all offer takes on the matchup.  

Thursday's WAC hoops report

Finally, it's game night.

Kraig Williams leads off with his look at the USU - New Mexico State matchup in Las Cruces -- add Tony Jones and Shawn Harrison to the northern Aggie mix. Jason Groves offers his southern take. Jason also posted a blog entry.

The Sun-News is going all out with live coverage of the pairing.

Professor Sonnenberg has issued his first semester grades for Utah State's players. There's no cruising through Sagebrush 101.

+++++

Nevada is welcoming San Jose State so that means Chris Murray has his 'keys to the game' and his 'prediction' posted. Plus, Chris also serves up a 'notes' column. Making it a threesome, Chris has posted a third piece on the Spartans and Wolf Pack.

+++++ 

Louisiana Tech is hosting Idaho in what actually is an important early season match because LT needs to defend its home court at every opportunity while the Vandals have to nab a road victory here and there to end up beyond .500. 

Josh Wright provides the Idaho perspective plus updates and Cody Futrell does the same for LT.

+++++

Hawaii is away from the islands and in Fresno. While the Rainbow Warriors need proficiency at the point and 15-20 points from Zane Johnson, the primary key is who wins the paint -- the UH bigs versus the Bulldog not so bigs.

Robert Kuwada writes about possessions, efficiency and KO. Robert also has a blog entry on Bulldog Kevin Foster getting back to normal physically.

Sunday's report of last night's WAC games

Hawaii did it and definitely possesses the mighty mo heading into the last week of the regular season. What a turnaround for a team with a large contingent of newcomers. So much so that Gib Arnold just might grab some Coach of the Year votes if UH keeps moving forward.

Dayton Morinaga, Brian McInnis and Sam Wasson provide reports of the host Rainbow Warrior win over New Mexico State. Bill Amis and Vander Joaquim earned double-doubles. Has the latter played himself into Newcomer of the Year contention?

Dayton also has the news of a prep commit to the UH hoops program. Dave Reardon contributes a column and we catch up with a Ferd Lewis column we missed the other day.

+++++

Boise State didn't mind any road woes, taking down a fast-slipping Nevada last night as La'Shard Anderson again led the way.

Mark Littlefield, Chris Murray and Joe Santoro fill us in on the 40 minutes of play.

Nick Jezierny was in Reno (thanks from us goes out to the Idaho Statesman management) and we benefit from his game report.

Mental readiness, or the lack thereof, is missing from the Wolf Pack, as Chris Murray covers. Here is Chris' notes article about the game.

+++++

Host Utah State has no trouble in the rematch with Idaho.

Josh Wright, Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones.

Also, here are 21 Alan Murray game photos and 26 Craig Peterson photos. Craig also offers another gallery of 65 photos.

Tony Jones also writes about the duo of Wesley and Pane.

+++++

No newspaper report of the host San Jose State University - Louisiana Tech matchup was available so we're going with the SJSU athletics game report of the 72-60 Spartan victory.

+++++

Daniel Lyght looks at the state of Bulldog basketball.

Previews of Saturday's games plus good news about The Refraction

The Idaho edition -- a two pager at that -- of The Refraction is up and what might be the last edition goes out with a bang. No, wait........the spawn of Kraig Williams and Matt Sonnenberg are in place so there will not be a void next season in our WAC basketball lives. The Refraction lives! But there are big shoes to be filled.

+++++

Josh Wright leads off the UI - USU preview coverage. Here are Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones also are present and accounted for.

Don't forget that it is going to be Senior Night for six Aggies, another obstacle for the Vandals. Shawn Harrison highlights this sextet.

+++++

The Irish in the Rainbow Warriors comes out as Dayton Morinaga reports. Dayton also offers a UH - New Mexico State game preview. NMSU is rocky and Hawaii is rolling so don't count Gib Arnold's squad out on this one.

Brian McInnis reports that it's senior night in Honolulu and that should give the hometowners even more fire in the belly. Brian also serves up a WAC tourney outlook at his Court Sense blog.

+++++

Jason Groves quotes Coach Marvin Menzies about must-win games in his preview of tonight's matchup. Jason also has posted a "Luck of the Aggies" (as we continue with the 'Irish' theme) blog entry.

+++++

Daniel Lyght writes that Fresno State is in the WAC tourney but it's certainly been a conference run of streaks for the Bulldogs.

+++++

A hot (even in this weather) Boise State team finally made it to Reno as Nick Jezierny reports. Say La'Shard Anderson continues his points barrage and the Broncos win their last two games -- does that top shelf him into most valuable player consideration?

+++++

Here is a preview of the host San Jose State University - Louisiana Tech matchup.

+++++

Mark Rauh at Silver and Blue Sports has posted a bevy of Nevada - Idaho game photos.

One game from last night and all the game previews for today

San Jose State University cooled down a surging Weber State last night -- head here for the game report. Roy Burton of the Ogden Standard-Examiner also has an article posted.

+++++

Gotta set aside time to watch the Utah State - host St. Mary's tussle. Shawn Harrison  (who is there), Kraig Williams,and Tony Jones all check in.

+++++

Brian McInnis offers an interesting game preview as the Rainbow Warriors are at UC Davis today.

+++++

Northern Colorado is in Las Cruces and PanAmmunition is all over the matchup. Jason Groves also serves up a look at the pairing plus the inside story of Tyrone Watson which will give opposing fans pause about ever booing the sophomore.

+++++

Mark Littlefield previews host Nevada welcoming UC Irvine to Reno. Joe Santoro checks in, too.

+++++

Daniel Lyght writes that familiarity is the byword when UC Riverside shows up at Fresno tonight.

+++++

Boise State is on the beach at UC Santa Barbara for what should be a fast-paced game -- Nick Jezierny has the details.

+++++

Also, Louisiana Tech hosts Georgia State and Idaho matches up with Montana State in Bozeman.

Mostly previews of Saturday's games

As New Mexico State heads to Ruston to tangle with Louisiana Tech, the assisting of Hernst Laroche is featured in Jason Groves' latest.

+++++

This pairing should bring out the best in creative animosity -- we hope. Nick Jezierny covers the buildup to the host Boise State - Idaho get together tonight.

+++++

Referencing a couple of cultural icons, Joe Santoro writes about Nevada and the road this season. The traveling Wolf Pack match up with San Jose State University this evening.

+++++

Daniel Lyght unveils that Fresno State's Bracken Funk will start tonight in a venue where the freshman forward is undefeated. Here are Shawn Harrison, Kraig Williams and Tony Jones. Tony gets to the point with this. Does BillS have a make-fun-of-a-Bulldog costume?

+++++

Dayton Morinaga has been busy with a post about a European point currently playing back East who is interested in UH (as well as Utah State) and another focus of Gib Arnold's this week. Brian McInnis has posted an entry at his Court Sense blog.

Friday's WAC report

Nick Jezierny has the game report of the BSU win over Fresno State. Here is the Fresno Bee offering.

+++++

Gaylen Woods/Go Vandals recaps Thursday night's Idaho triumph over Utah State. So does Pat Hauge.

+++++

Chris Murray reports Coach David Carter has no fear about the youthful Wolf Pack wearing down as conference play enters. the backstretch.

+++++

Sam Wasson offers up his weekly Coach Marvin Menzies interview.

Sunday's report on Saturday night in the WAC

What an up-and-down WAC season it has been so far, Utah State excepted.

Idaho frustrated Hawaii up in Moscow. Doug Bauer, Dayton Morinaga and Josh Wright all provide game reports.

+++++

Host Nevada re-started the momentum in a 'Hunt' against San Jose State University.

Mark Littlefield, Chris Murray, Chris again and Joe Santoro fill us in on the matchup.

+++++

If possible, Boise State would have settled for a tie but got "Tai-ed' instead.

Nick Jezierny (who made the trip to Logan), Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison, Tony Jones and Weston Mangum tell us all we want to know about the contest. Craig J. Peterson serves up 47 photos, heavily emphasizing the female Aggie species.

+++++

It's two in a row now for Fresno State as last night's was a victory over Louisiana Tech..

Daniel Lyght took in the game and also offers a blog entry on how the southern Bulldogs utilized planes, a bus and automobiles to reach the San Joaquin -- all for naught.

Saturday's game previews

Hawaii is hopped up and Idaho just lost a game that was being placed in the W column plus is in a four game downslide so who gets the win tonight in Moscow?

Dayton Morinaga, Brian McInnis and Jeff Portnoy all provide coverage.

It sure looks like Bill Amis is on his way to earning All-WAC first team honors this season.

+++++

Chris Murray writes about Olek Czyz and looking for the sophomore to aim and fire from outside from here on out. Nevada and visiting San Jose State University tangle tonight.

+++++

Daniel Lyght covers the matchup between host Fresno State and Louisiana Tech. Steve Cleveland also wrote an appeal to Bulldog fans to turn out and turn it up tonight.

+++++

Nick Jezierny provides the details to this question: will Boise State get Spectrum-ized tonight?

PTW is oversimplifying it but is it speed versus power tonight in Logan? Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones each cover what took place the last time these two teams faced off.

A pair of Aggies are matching their on-court contributions with effort in the classroom.

Thursday's a.m. WAC report

It was exciting for 20 minutes but then the Aggies began dominating. But Nevada's early second half shot selection fed the Utah State breakout.

Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones all report. So does Weston Mangum while Craig J. Peterson serves up 45 game photos.

Chris Murray (who was In Logan/a tip o' the hat to RGJ management) is here and here (the latter an informative look at the key factors).

Joe Santoro writes a fascinating column, completed prior to the tussle with Utah State.

+++++

Dayton Morinaga writes that the UH team facing host Boise State tonight is a different one than in the earlier matchup between these two teams. Brian McInnis covers the confidence factor now emanating from the Rainbow Warriors.

According to Nick Jezierny, Leon Rice is calling it a very critical game for his Broncos.

+++++

Can New Mexico State broom it versus host Fresno State? Jason Groves is here.

Daniel Lyght covers the visa players for the Aggies.

+++++

Idaho is hosting San Jose State University in another rematch tonight. Will the Vandals sweep or the Spartans even the score?

Sunday's report on Saturday's games

A couple of weeks back, it certainly appeared that LA TECH was minus the experience and shooting prowess to make a run but the Bulldogs have proven conventional wisdom wrong. Kerry Rupp's team bopped Boise State in Ruston last night.

Read about it here, here and here.

+++++

Wow. Utah State hits the islands and escaped with an 89-84 double overtime win. Is Brian Green playing his way into an All-WAC spot?

Here are Dayton Morinaga (with print, photos and video) and Brian McInnis (with print and photos). Shawn Harrison has a lengthy report.

+++++

New Mexico State took down Idaho in Las Cruces -- here are Jason Groves, plus he offers a blog entry, and Josh Wright look at the game from the Vandal angle.

We couldn't access the Bleed Crimson site but we'll go back later.

+++++

Rivals San Jose State and Fresno State matched up again and the host Spartans topped the Bulldogs by 12.

Daniel Lyght covered the matchup.

+++++

Here are the WAC standings to date:

Utah State 9-0    
New Mexico State 6-3    
Nevada 5-3    
Boise State 5-4    
Idaho 5-4    
Hawai'i 3-6    
Fresno State 3-6    
San Jose State 2-7    
Louisiana Tech 2-7

Saturday's WAC game previews

UH hosts Utah State and the call is out for every living being in the area to be there and vocal. Here's Dayton Morinaga (key word poker), Brian McInnis (key word rebound) and Brian also offers some Court Sense entries. Jeff Portnoy is here.

Alternatively, Here's Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams (with Coach Stew applauding the character of his players).

+++++

Jason Groves previews Idaho coming to Las Cruces. Jason has also posted a very informative look back at the Aggie victory over Boise State.

+++++

Daniel Lyght sees Fresno State's trip tonight to San Jose as a W column one.

+++++

Nick Jezierny recounts the travelogue trials and tribulations for Boise State basketball as the Broncos head into Ruston.

+++++

Chris Murray serves up a Nevada basketball notes column. Mark Rauh at Silver and Blue Sports has posted some terrific Wolf Pack - Fresno State game photos. Joe Santoro has issued his grades for the game.

The Friday morning scoreboard

Tony Jones was prophetic as visiting Utah State used Mr. Clean Energy in propelling past San Jose State University 84-65. Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones were there (thanks to HJ management and the suits at the Salt Lake Tribune respectively-- now, do they get to go to Hawaii?) plus Tony tweeted the game. Ray Hacke covered the game for the Mercury News.

+++++

Sam Wasson/Bleed Crimson is all over New Mexico State's overtime win against the Boise Staters. 21 crisp photos are here, AggieVision video here and the game report here. Jason Groves offers a game report. 47 Aggie free throws, 13 coming in the OT period, will probably require some floor touchup around the charity stripes in Las Cruces.

+++++

Host Nevada got past Fresno State -- read all about it from Chris Murray here, here and here. Joe Santoro is here. Mark Littlefield, along with three superb game photos, is here. The Fresno Bee's report is here. Daniel Lyght tweeted the contest.

+++++

Ethan Conley and Jason Pugh report on Louisiana Tech getting into the WAC win column with a victory over Idaho.

+++++

Besides the games, Dayton Morinaga has a feature revealing the nicknames of various UH basketballers. Brian McInnis writes about the Rainbow Warriors getting defensive, but in a good way (both the quality of the article and the effort and focus of the players). Jeff Portnoy muses about hoops and life, not necessarily in that order.

The Sunday report of last night's games

Even lipstick wouldn't cover the fact that the Utah State - New Mexico State matchup was, for the fans, an I-went-to-a-college-basketball-game-and-a-hockey-match broke out. This just in: Wendell's feelings about Logan just intensified.

Shawn Harrison, Tony Jones, Kraig Williams and Weston Mangum all report on the game. The Cache Valley Daily News' Craig Peterson offers 38 game photos.

From the NMSU perspective, here is Sam Wasson.

Anyone know what outfit BillS wore in The Spectrum last night? Better yet, any photos?

+++++

Chris Murray is all over -- game report, game notes -- Nevada's getting past visiting Louisiana Tech. It was another not so pretty affair. Mark Littlefield offers a game report plus a pair of ultra crisp photos. Joe Santoro completes the trifecta with his take. The Wolf Packers are now riding a three-game winning streak.

+++++

Make it three in a row also for resurgent Hawaii as the Rainbow Warriors downed visiting SJSU. The Rustoleum folks should be approaching Bill Amis ASAP.

Dayton Morinaga and Brian McInnis took it in.

+++++

Boise State went into the heart of darkness and emerged with a close win, abetted by a controversial non-call with just over a minute to play. Hint: the ball didn't touch metal.

Nick Jezierny traveled to Moscow, as did Josh Wright.

PTW resides in central California and we have a very basic cable package. While dial flipping early last night, we caught the last five minutes of this contest on a Comcast station that usually shows regional high school games. There was a WN (we think) insignia on the screen but we're not sure what that stood for. Who really impressed us (but we don't know who it was): the color announcer. He was sharp, knew the game and wasn't afraid to spell it out when a player did something poorly. Can anyone fill us in with a name?