Friday: one game preview plus other links

Utah State hosts San Jose State University tonight. It isn't a so-called critical game this early but the outcome will be fascinating. That's because the Aggies, though undefeated at 4-0, are looking vulnerable a la the any-given-night scenario. The Spartans stand at 3-1 and could establish sincere credibility for this season with a USU Logan takedown. It's also "Beard Out" night. 

Kyle Goon takes a look in a sort of Aggie digest. Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams check in.

Kyle then digs deeper into Marcel Davis' season.

Kyle also offers more on Danny Berger.

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Irv Moss offers a feature on Denver's Cam Griffin.

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Thanks to Picoso @  Crimson to the Core for this Marvin Menzies-penned column.

Wednesday' brings a single game report plus three previews

Denver ventured into Cowboy country and gave it a good effort but Wyoming went to 11-0 with a 71-61 victory. Chris Udofia busted out offensively in scoring 26 points and Coach Joe Scott's crew shot 54% for the game but the Pokes connected on an amazing 65% of their shot attempts.

Pioneer athletics game reports as does Cowboy athletics.

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It's a chance for New Mexico State to even the score and conversely for New Mexico to own this season's rivalry tonight. This one is in Las Cruces.


Jason Groves looks at the rematch of the bigs. Jason also takes an overall look at the pairing. Richard Stevens does likewise.

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UT Arlington is hoping to roil the still waters of Oklahoma State tonight. Maverick athletics previews.

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Seattle welcomes Northern Illinois to the Northwest. Redhawk athletics takes a look.

Friday's WAC hoops weekly closeout

Kyle Goon writes about the Big Three and the Lilliputians in Logantown.

TornBySports is having technical difficulties, so head here to read a lengthy look at the USU Aggies.

Shawn Harrison writes that Utah State has an exhibition game tonight.

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LA TECH athletics recaps an exhibition victory by Coach Mike White's squad.

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Matt Norlander goes Mile High with his WAC team and player rankings.

There will be some contentions about the opinions expressed in the Coach's take section, especially the 'Brockeith Pane being the best Aggie last season' statement.

Plus, a quibble about Preston Medlin: it's true that over half of his shot attempts were treys but what many don't realize is that he went to the foul line 156 times last season -- so he wasn't just a catch-and-shoot type.

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Seattle U Hoops tiers up the members of the WAC.

The 2012-13 University of Denver Pioneers

Here's Coach Joe Scott's 2012-13 roster:

(alphabetical)

Marcus Byrd F 6-7 187 RFr. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Highlands Ranch H.S.)

Nate Engesser G 6-3 180 Fr. Colorado Springs, Colo. (Colorado Springs Christian)

Blake Foeman F 6-7 205 RJr. Weston, Fla. (Cypress Bay H.S.)

Cam Griffin G 6-3 185 So. San Antonio, Texas (Judson H.S.)

Chase Hallam G 6-5 210 Sr. Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite H.S.)

Jake Logan C 6-8 215 RFr. Norwalk, Iowa (Norwalk H.S.)
     
Jalen Love G 6-2 165 Fr. Wichita, Kan. (Wichita East H.S.)
     
redshirting - Griffin McKenzie F 6-9 240 Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Xavier University) (Moeller H.S.)

Royce O'Neale F 6-5 202 So. Killeen, Texas (Harker Heights H.S.)

Brett Olson G 6-5 170 So. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Highlands Ranch H.S.)
     
Bryant Rucker G 6-0 180 Fr. Frisco, Texas (Centennial H.S.)
     
Dom Samac F 6-8 203 Fr. Zagreb, Croatia (North Broward Prep)

Chris Udofia F 6-6 194 Jr. Irving, Texas (Jesuit Prep H.S.)

* Charles Webb G 5-5 155 Jr. Erie, Colo. (Erie High School)

* walk-on

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Here's what we wrote earlier (May 18) about University of Denver hoops:

Coming off a season that produced wins against Utah State, St. Mary's and Southern Mississippi, Coach Joe Scott's Pioneer crew in now a member of the WAC.

But it was a very successful Sun Belt Conference farewell tour as, overall, Denver went 11-5 (and 22-9). This despite not having a player on the roster larger than 6-foot-9 (and he played about 10 minutes a contest).

One of (if not the primary factor) the reasons is the patient offense the Pioneers employ, similar to what many recall Pete Carrill utilizing in his days at Princeton. It requires discipline, patience and selflessness until a defensive breakdown occurs and then the Pioneers strike.

Some very interesting numbers

Scott's 2011-12 team shot 49% overall, 40% from long distance -- opponents shot 44%

It was a three-point shooting machine on the court, attempting 640 versus 383 for opponents.

The Pioneers compiled 484 assists to 264.

Turnovers were 375 for Denver to 453 for opponents.

There was also a large differential in steals, 223 to 154.

For the season, DU was -4 in rebounding numbers, indicative of the lack of size

The Pioneer roster

In the backcourt, it looks like:

6-foot-3 prep shooting guard Nate Engesser could help

* Cam Griffin G 6-3 So (played just 42 minutes last season)
   
* Chase Hallam G 6-5 Sr (7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds per game, a team-leading 44 steals, started every game)

* Brett Olson G 6-5 170 So (as a frosh, he started every game, finished second on the team in minutes, averaged 7.6 points per game, his 46% three-point shooting  -- 117 attempts -- led the conference

* Royce O'Neale G 6-5 So (another freshman who quickly jumped into the fire, 9.9 points on 51% shooting and 5.8 rebounds per game, 43 steals

* Charles Webb G 5-5 155 Jr (maybe a redshirt, maybe just didn't play)

In the frontcourt, it looks like:

* Marcus Byrd F 6-7 Fr (redshirted)

* Blake Foeman F 6-7 Jr (played just 254 minutes)
   
* Chris Udofia F 6-6 194 Jr (14.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, 53% overall shooting, 72 blocked shots and named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year)

* Jake Logan C 6-8 215 Fr (redshirted)

Size will be an issue in matching up with the Utah States and the New Mexico States.

The core is the two now-sophomore backcourters, Olson and O'Neale, who will only get better and the third man in the Pioneer troika, Udofia, who has All-WAC possibilities. Senior Chase Hallam is also one to watch.

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The Pioneer starting five:

* Jake Logan
* Chris Udofia
* Royce O'Neale
* Chase Hallam
* Brett Olson