Monday's WAC hoops digest

From Coast 2 Coast Hoops: "Utah State will check out 2014 Hackensack (NJ) shooting guard Rashard Figures tomorrow" 

Here's a June 2012 feature on the 6-foot-3 Figures, a 2014 prep prospect.

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Jason Groves catches up with Reggie Theus.

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Thanks to CrimsonPhantom at the Crimson To The Core Cantina MB for locating a solid feature on New Mexico State's Sim Bhuller.

More on Coach Reggie

Andy Katz writes:

"Former New Mexico State and Sacramento Kings coach Reggie Theus is on the verge of getting the job as head coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA Development League, replacing Eric Musselman, who left for an assistant’s job with Arizona State. The deal is done, according to a source, but Theus hasn't signed it yet; there is a tryout Saturday and Theus will be there. Theus has been anxious to get back into college basketball but hasn’t been able to get a quality sniff of late. Getting a head-coaching job, regardless of the level, is crucial for him to convince an athletic director and/or school president that he’s worthy of another shot."

That last paragraph is telling. He produced on the court in his short stint at New Mexico State but still needs to prove something to future collegiate employers. What's that about? Off court player problems? That, in and of itself, isn't usually much of a barrier if you win games.

Tuesday's WAC hoops roundup

New Mexico State athletics writes about Coach Marvin Menzies distributing WAC championship rings.

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Hoopniks has tweeted: "6'5 SF Roderick Bernstine of Cherokee Trail (CO) announced he committed to Denver. NFL bloodlines, athletic combo forward slasher.

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

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What's missing from this list of teams -- Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Baylor, North Carolina, Georgetown, NC State, Syracuse, Murray State, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Florida State and Kansas -- ESPN is featuring during Midnight Madness?

A: The western United States. Is it a matter of the three hour time difference?

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From Michael Pina: "Former NBA player and head coach Reggie Theus has emerged as the leading candidate to become head coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders, tweets Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski."

So floating Texas Tech was a PTW pipe dream.

A perfect match, to a degree

Now that Billy Gillispie is officially in Texas Tech's rearview mirror, Andy Katz offers up some names as his replacement. One is Coach Reggie.

Stream of consciousness thoughts on this pairing: Reggie Theus needs to get back into coaching somewhere and not as an assistant ... Texas Tech needs to make a splash but one that will also provide fulfillment ... Theus won't stay all that long if he can bring success to a program starved of such but that would take 3-4 years, so is that worth it to TT? ... Theus also needs, if at all possible at this age, to become less high maintenance because such is the last thing Tech's AD needs ... Evans and Sadler are possibilities but what indications are there on the résumé of each that either could turn the Red Raiders into a consistent winner? Evans couldn't do it at Arizona State while Sadler posted a winning record at Nebraska but never made an NCAA appearance (his predecessor earned five Big Dance invites) ... Theus would attract better talent plus transfers than most any other candidate

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) 
 
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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. 

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

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Jeff Portnoy checks in on Hawaii's roster needs.  

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

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

Reggie Theus and Illinois

Although Ohio University Coach John Groce seems to be the current frontrunner, there is some sentiment for Coach Reggie in the coaching carousel swirling for the head coach position at Illinois -- especially from this individual.

Reggie is a high maintenance guy (but certainly not the only one around in the NCAA coaching ranks) but if you want to make your program relevant again, then go for it.