Monday morning's WAC roundup

Dayton Morinaga is rolling through the members of UH's 2011 squad and it's redshirt Christian Standhardinger's turn today.

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Blue Zertuche (a Rivals sub is required) features Holt Harmon, a 2012 Texas frontcourter will be tripping to Utah State late this month. He's 6-foot-8 and 230.

Here's a very good four minute video of Harmon.

Here's another good one, 13 and a half minutes long.

Based on his current skills set and potential, he looks like a priority recruit.

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David Folse @ Bleed Tech Blue (a Rivals sub is required) serves up a feature on 2012 Alabama prep backcourter DeOndre Haynes who says he has interest in Ruston.

Here's a late March 2010 feature on Haynes who, based on a few short videos, appears to have spectacular physical talent.

A big in Fresno State's recruiting orbit

Anthony Ray (a Rivals sub is required0 writes about 6-foot-10 Arizona prepster Lucas O'Brien who has four official visits lined up and is ''hearing" from Fresno State.

The young man needs 20-25 more pounds of muscle for college ball but demonstrates some intriguing skills. 

Looking at Hawaii

Minus any 'news' to report, here's a look at UH hoops:

Hawaii's 2011-12 roster will contain better talent than years past but who is going to play where, how much, get what number of shots and are there fits for the various roles are the questions to be answered.

Vander Joaquim is the starter at center. He is back on campus to the glee of the coaches and fans.

PTW is envisioning Shaquille Stokes and Zane Johnson in the backcourt when the ref tosses the ball in the air (although there has been talk of Johnson at the wing spot).

It's a fairly educated guess that Joston Thomas and Hauns Brereton will be upfront when 20:00 first appears on the clock.

These are the five best talents and the players with the most potential on the squad.

Writing this sure makes it seem that the Rainbow Warriors will have five double figures scorers -- in the starting lineup alone. That can be a tricky situation but not as long as unselfishness and sharing prevails.

But what about the backcourt defense? With Stokes as a freshman and Johnson not noted for defensive effect, does that mean newcomer Garrett Jefferson, noted for his point-stopping prowess, earns solid playing time? That's PTW's guess.

However, don't forget that Trevor Wiseman can swing between the wing and the two guard, offering defensive intensity and rebounding.

Davis Rozitis will back up Joaquim in the middle, providing points but anything else remains to be seen.

Miah Ostrowski and Jace Tavita will help out in the backcourt come January.

If Thomas becomes the top rebounder on the team (or is right there with Joaquim), then Gib Arnold will be a very happy man.

Arnold is absolutely in a situation that coaches prefer -- multiple tools and versatile players at his chess match availability, as opposed to having holes to try and disguise offensively and defensively.

Minus any starting five injuries, UH should be a contender for the top spot in the WAC.

A fourth MVP contender

Nobody had a better freshman season in the WAC than Deonte Burton. His outside shooting improved from his prep days and he retained his marvelous ability to drive and finish. Heck, just look at what he did pre-conference play compared to the WAC schedule: 42% overall shooting to 49%, 35% to 45% from long distance and 13.7 points per game to 15.8. He also topped the Wolf Pack in assists -- all this as a frosh.

So what can he do better in 2011-12?

1) This will be a task for Burton, his teammates and Coach Carter to work out -- that being a sophomore as the leader of the team. It's something accomplishable but will require the other team mainstays to fully buy in. The shot attempts of Burton, Dario Hunt and Olek Czyz need to go up while Malik Story's (36% overall, 30% from long distance) are reduced, at least to a degree.

2) Which Burton numbers can be elevated and which reduced?

PTW envisions Burton at 20 points per game in 2011-12 plus something better than a 72% number at the foul line. It's difficult to pinpoint a reduction but he did average more than two turnovers a game last season.

3) What can he do to make his teammates more effective?

Additional dishing on his dribble-drives -- he's really the sole creator in the backcourt so a greater amount of layups and open looks for his teammates have to come from him.

4) Sort of tied into the first listing -- be a coach on the floor -- as Nevada is minus a true point and, although  teams rarely look at a sophomore (for good reason), Burton can handle this task.

Fresno State in consideration for a visit

Van Coleman is reporting that the Bulldogs are in contention for a visit from a 6-foot-7 SoCal frontcourter.

Here's a very good CaliHighSports evaluation of the young man.

Yes, there is a little basketball news on this Saturday of football

Dayton Morinaga in multiple media introduces Garrett Jefferson, one of the new Rainbow Warriors. An A.A. in a year and a summer -- the young man certainly won't need a regimented study hall.

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The son of a high school coach, Texas prep guard Jordan Mason, has received an offer from Fresno State as well an many others. He will decide in November.

Blue Zertuche at TexasPreps offers a feature detailing the multiple offers (a Rivals sub is required).

That's it so far.

The latest from Greg Crawford

Now this isn't necessarily basketball or even WAC-related but it certainly struck a chord (and not because PTW is mentioned). Read Greg Crawford and make sure those who are important to you know it.

Friday's wide world of WAC hoops

Seldomseensmith leads us off with a note on the USU Fans Stew's Spectrum MB about a second JUCO backcourter of interest to Utah State. Both this young man and Jordan Aaron yesterday look like combo guards despite lacking the requisite height for a 2.

Just had this thought: doesn't the name Riley Bradshaw (an Aggie commit) fit perfectly for USU basketball? PTW doesn't see that name 'working' on any other team in the WAC.

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Jason Groves has the scoop on Sir Troy's move into the play-for-pay ranks overseas.

Jason also serves up a Top 15 of the WAC talents he has witnessed play.

Must be the new math

How can Jack Nixon be starting year #32 as the New Mexico State sports broadcaster when he isn't a day older than 39? A child prodigy?

KrimsonKrazy on the AggieAlert Sports Trough MB is alerting fans about both Jack's tenure and the enjoyment  in listening to him.

May there be many more seasons and years in Jack's voice.

Two high schoolers to check out Nevada

Chris Murray offers the scoop on a pair of preps -- a backcourter and a frontcourter -- who will be visiting Reno in mid-month.

Utah State has offered a JUCO backcourter

Zach Braziller recently tweeted this item of interest to Utah State fans:

"Former Wings standout Jordan Aaron, now at Southeastern College (JUCO), has offers from Iona, Hofstra, Wichita St. Utah St., Creighton"

Here's a second Braziller tweet on the subject.

Here's a March 2011 feature on Aaron who is listed at 5-foot-11.

Here's a video of Aaron and what appears to be his high school basketball coach.

Just asking I

Which conference will your team reside in tomorrow?

Just asking II

Are NCAA student-athletes supposed to just shut up and accept what they receive as athletic scholarship recipients while their school presidents and ADs relentlessly pursue bigger dollar amounts regardless of any resulting negative effect on their players?

Where Momir Gataric is

Homestead High backcourter Momir Gataric #15, announced on August 15 as attending Fresno State and as part of the Bulldog basketball squad in an invited walk-on status, instead will be attending Foothill College.

Foothill is a community college located in Los Altos Hills, an upscale section of the Santa Clara Valley.

The Owls basketball program is headed by Coach Shanan Rosenberg and plays in the Coast Conference North Division, home to defending state champion City College of San Francisco and other powers like Chabot and Ohlone Colleges.

Thursday's WAC hoops roundup

The USUStats site folks are all over Utah State 2012 commit Riley Bradshaw.

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Good for backcourter Keith Fuetsch and Coach David Carter. The longtime Nevada walk-on will be on scholarship as was reported yesterday. Here's the official announcement. It's always nice to hear of hard work being rewarded.

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Inquiring minds would like to hear more about the celebratory “media night” experienced by Dayton Morinaga and Brian McInnis on the last evening of the UH basketball trip to Asia. Details please. Better yet, photos.