Wednesday: one game report plus a handful of links

San Jose State University gumbo-ed up New Orleans last night, winning 71-64 as Chris Cunningham went for 11 points plus nine boards and Louis Garrett led the Spartans with 14 points.

Spartan athletics game reports as does Trey Isles.

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Shawn Harrison has written a very insightful piece on USU's Spencer Butterfield. Very few remember that Butterfield was a topnotch wide receiver coming out of high school and had D-1 offers but the love of basketball prevailed.

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Timothy R. Olsen writes about an outbreak of Medlinsanity in and around Logan and Utah State athletics hopes it spreads like a virus.

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Benjamin Miraski writes about the WAC and also offers 1-347 team rankings. He hearts Utah State and Louisiana Tech but also penned this: "...the WAC is looking to make a splash in its final season of relevance..."

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No games involving WAC teams are scheduled for tonight.

The latest NCAA RPI rankings

So the NCAA is now RPI-ing. Here are the WAC placements and numbers.

51. Louisiana Tech

103. Utah State

120. Idaho

170. New Mexico State

178. Texas Arlington

181. Denver

191. San Jose State University

274. UT San Antonio

278. Seattle

302. Texas State

What do we know at this point

So what do we know after a couple of weeks of WAC play?

We know the team records:

Utah State 4-0
Louisiana Tech  3-0
San Jose State University 3-1
Denver 3-1
Idaho 2-1 (in three road games)
New Mexico State 2-2
UT Arlington 1-2
Seattle 0-3
UTSA 0-4
Texas State 0-4

* Other than say Utah State most of the time (with Louisiana Tech approaching such status), predicting league W's and L's is a near impossibility this season what with the ups-and-downs, what-are-you-going-to-see-tonight question marks surrounding the other teams.

* UT Arlington is having trouble with accuracy at 36% shooting but also holds opponents to an amazing 32%.

* Wow. Treys aren't allowed often in Louisiana, Idaho and Texas with the Bulldogs at a spectacular 18%, the Vandals at 21% and the Mavericks of Arlington at 21% in three-point shooting defense.

* Arlington also has a +11 rebounding margin despite having just one 6-10 guy on the roster and he plays alongside a 6-foot-6 power forward (but that's Brandon Edwards at 10.7 rebounds a game).

* Kyle Barone is doing it this season, this despite you-don't-know-what-you-are-going-to-get outside shooting from his teammates.

* Nobody predicted Idaho's Mike McChristian to be ninth in the WAC in rebounding (6.7) nor SJSU's Chris Cunningham to be residing at 13.3 points and 9.3 boards.

* Also, nobody predicted that USU freshman Marcel Davis would be leading the conference in assists per game (5.3)

* Likewise, Jordan Reves to be atop the blocked shots category at 4.0 for Texas Arlington (he had 57 in 33 games last season)

* Or Kyisean Reed to blossom to 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 61% shooting percentage, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocked shots per outing

* What we don't know is way too long to list so let's leave it at this one: why is New Mexico State W-L record at .500 if the Aggies are  shooting 50%?

Tuesday: one preview plus other notes

San Jose State University has a home rematch with New Orleans. The 3-10 Privateers won the opening game of the season between these teams 72-68 back on November 9. NO is winless (0-6) on the road this season and this game concludes a six-game away-from-home stretch for them.

Spartan athletics and Privateer athletics preview as does Trey Iles.

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A Bob Condotta tweet: "Seattle University has just announced that guard Sterling Carter is no longer part of the team"

From Seattle athletics: "Carter played in eight games during the 2012-13 season, averaging 7.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game for the Redhawks. During his Seattle U career, he appeared in 66 games, including 54 starts, collecting 759 points (11.5 ppg), 212 rebounds (3.2 rpg), and 110 assists (1.7 apg). Carter hit 170 three-pointers during his time with the Redhawks, second-most in program history"

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Shawn Harrison looks in on the state of the Aggies. 

Preston Medlin named WAC POW

Utah State’s Preston Medlin has been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6.

Medlin, a junior guard from Carrollton, Texas (Hebron HS), led Utah State to a 3-0 record last week with wins over Texas State, Seattle U and Idaho. In Monday’s 81-57 win at Texas State, Medlin scored 21 points in netting a season-high five three-pointers on 5-of-10 shooting behind the arc as part of a 7-of-15 shooting effort, adding six rebounds. In Thursday’s 75-66 win over Seattle U, Medlin tallied 18 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including two threes and a 6-of-6 effort from the charity stripe. He also dished out five assists and recorded a season-high three steals against the Redhawks. In Saturday’s thrilling 82-75 overtime win against Idaho, Medlin drained a three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to force the game into overtime, part of his game-high 22 points, including nine points in overtime. He ended the night against Idaho connecting on 5-of-14 shots from the field, including three makes from long range. He also hit 9-of-14 shots from the free throw line and collected seven rebounds, two steals and one assist. For Medlin, it marks the second time this year he has sent a contest into overtime as he hit the game-tying three at Santa Clara with 2.4 remaining. USU went on to win that game 80-78.

On the week, Medlin averaged 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He shot 41.5 percent (17-of-41) from the field, 41.7 percent (10-of-24) from three-point range and 73.9 percent (17-of-23) from the free throw line.

Other nominees:

* Denver senior guard Chase Hallam averaged 10.0 points in three wins

* Idaho senior center Kyle Barone averaged 14.5 points and 11.5 rebounds over two games

* Louisiana Tech freshman guard Alex Hamilton tallied a career-high 20 points in a win over New Mexico State

* New Mexico State senior forward Bandja Sy averaged 16.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in three games last week

* San Jose State senior guard James Kinney averaged 21.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in three games

* Seattle U freshman forward Deshaun Sunderhaus scored 23 points with 10 rebounds at Utah State.

Monday: one game report and a bevy of links

Texas San Antonio went into The Mile High city but definitely didn't elevate their game and lost 75-50 to Denver. The Pioneers led 39-19 at the half. Coach Joe Scott's group shot 53% overall, a very nifty 14-30 from long distance and earned 24 assists on 26 baskets. Freshman forward Marcus Byrd led with 12 points, Chase Hallam had 11 plus Chris Udofia and Royce O'Neale each scored 10. The latter posted a double-double with 10 boards. The Roadrunners were led by Jeromie Hill's 13 points but shot 33% as a team as backcourters Michael Hale went 2-8 and Kannon Burrage 1-9.

It has to sting that Hallam, Udofia and O'Neale are all from the Lone Star State.

Pioneer athletics and Roadrunner athletics game report. So does Irv Moss and Jerry Briggs.

Not to belabor the point but what's up with Texas basketball WAC members?

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Missed this from earlier: Matt Vines with Coach Mike White talking about Louisiana Tech's Alex Hamilton and Kenyon McNeail.

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Skiildawg has a post up on Louisiana Tech sophomore big Michale Kyser and his astounding shotblocking prowess. Basketball sandwiches anyone?

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Fabulous twitter post by Assistant Media Relations Director for Idaho Athletics Spencer Farrin: "Idaho's 1986-87 MBB coaching staff: Tim Floyd (HC), Larry Eustachy (AC), Kermit Davis (AC), Randy Bennett (GA)...All head coaches now"

Wow. Not just head coaches but winning HCs. It's probably happened before where all the members of a staff went on to become head coaches but the success of all these guys (despite their various 'warts') is amazing.

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After this weekend of play, it's very difficult not to go with Utah State as the top team in the WAC. The Aggies currently are not a great team and a one-and-done in the Big Dance if it breaks that way but every other WAC squad has a hole or holes and generally needs solid contributions from every member of the starting five or a couple of reserves playing up in order to grab a W. However, in a short span such as the WAC tourney, anything can happen. Louisiana Tech comes to Logan on January 26 and the Logan-ites hit Ruston on February 28 -- both contests should be on national television, ESPN2 specifically (hint, hint).

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There are no games scheduled for today.

Sunday: a quartet of game reports, one preview

UT Arlington and Louisiana Tech went at it in Ruston and the Bulldogs prevailed in a low-scoring 55-52 affair. The Mavericks were ahead 28-23 at the half but were outscored by eight in the second 20 minutes as Coach Mike White's crew actually was down by 10 points late. It was Alex Hamilton time again as the freshman backcourter scored 14 points alongside five rebounds and four assists. Brandon Edwards went for 15 boards plus seven points for Arlington. LT shot just 28% (3-22 on long distance tries) and lost the battle of the boards 48-34 but Arlington was pinned with 23 turnovers.

Bulldog athletics and Maverick athletics game report.

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New Mexico State welcomed Texas State and it was 37 apiece after the initial 20 minutes. The Bobcats hung tough but in the end fell by a score of 78-67. Daniel Mullings owned the stat sheet with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Teammates Sim Bhullar shot a perfect 9-9 and finished with 20 points while Bandja Sy posted a 16/10 double-double. Joel Wright had 17 points and seven boards for Texas State but had two late turnovers.

Jason Groves live tweeted the game.

Check out Jason's keys and game prediction and then his game report.

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The WAC is clearly not boding well for those squads with Lone Star state zipcodes as the trio of teams have but one win in 10 WAC matchups (Texas Arlington 1-2, Texas San Antonio 0-3 and Texas State 0-4)

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Host Utah State versus Idaho had each with 30 points at halftime. With 13 minutes remaining, it was tied at 45. After 40, it was 69 apiece. The Aggies, via Medlinization, took the overtime to win 82-75, making this one the marquee contest of the night. All five USU starters scored in double figures: Preston Medlin 22, Kyisean Reed 17, Marcel Davis 14, Jarred Shaw 12 (plus 12 rebounds) and Spencer Butterfield 11. Stew Morrill's guys shot 41%, won the boards 44-33 and had just five turnovers. For the Vandals, Kyle Barone posted a 13/10 double-double, Connor Hill led with 18, Stephen Madison 14 and Mike McChristian was on the top of his game with 11 points, 10 boards and four assists. Idaho shot 48% and enjoyed 20 assists on 29 baskets

Kraig Williams and Kyle Goon live tweeted the game.

Kraig, Kyle, Shawn Harrison, Rhett Wilkinson, Kyle Heywood,  Matt Sonnenberg and Josh Wright game report. Curtis Ripplinger offers a bevy of game photos.

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San Jose State University was challenged by visiting Seattle and beat back the Redhawks 76-69 behind 26 points from James Kinney plus 21 from wing Louis Garrett. Forward Chad Rasmussen topped Coach Cameron Dollar's guys with 15 points while Deshaun Sunderhaus finished with just seven. The Redhawks shot but 34% including 8-28 from long distance. When a pressing team has more TOs (20) than its opponents (19), there will not be a rosy conclusion.

Seattle U Hoops live tweeted the game.

Redhawk athletics and Spartan athletics game report.

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Denver has Texas San Antonio coming to town in an afternoon matchup today.

Pioneer athletics and Roadrunner athletics preview.

Saturday: game previews galore

It's UT Arlington and Louisiana Tech in the Lone Star State and its an intriguing matchup. The Mavericks held Denver to 38% shooting and New Mexico State to 33% while Coach Mike White's guys are at 44% overall accuracy plus 49% from distance in the first two WAC contests. What or more accurately, who will give?

Maverick athletics previews as does Bulldog athletics.

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New Mexico State welcomes Texas State to Las Cruces. Can the Bobcats score enough to make it a game? The Aggies aren't an offensive juggernaut but should be able to defend TS well enough to succeed.

Aggie athletics previews.

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In Logan, Stew Morrill says hello to his former assistant Don Verlin. Utah State is undefeated but not (yet) firing on all cylinders while the Vandals are coming off a road win in San Jose.

Kraig Williams and Shawn Harrison preview. Hipsterdoofus21 is back and all over the Vandal starting five.

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San Jose State University hosts Seattle in a Silicon Valley versus Northwest Tech battle to the blue screen of death finish. Does James Kinney carry SJSU to victory or does forward Deshaun Sunderhaus perform that feat for the Redhawks? How will the Seattle press work out?

Seattle U Hoops previews.

Friday: four last night game reports

Have to post this a bit early, call it late night -- not around tomorrow til late.

The hosts in the WAC went 3-1 last night. Does that constitute putting out a welcome mat or just the opposite? Philosophical minds want to know.

* Seattle experienced The Spectrum and nonverbally offered a so-what for much of the game before falling 75-66. It was a night for the smaller forwards as Utah State's Kyisean Reed posted a double-double of 20/10 while Deshaun Sunderhaus went for a 23/10 double-double for the Redhawks (10-13 shooting) but nobody else stood out for Coach Cameron Dollar. Aggies Preston Medlin enjoyed an 18 point, five assist night while frosh backcourter Marcel Davis went for 13 points plus seven assists. Seattle was 4-9 from the foul line, an extremely low number and a foul percentage (no pun intended). 

Kyle Goon and Kraig Williams and Seattle U Hoops live-tweeted the game.

Kraig, Kyle and Shawn Harrison all game report.

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It's official: the Texas-based WAC teams are on offensive life support. First, New Mexico State took down visiting Texas San Antonio 82-62. It was 38-32 Aggies at the half. Bandja Sy exploded for 25 points (9-12 shooting plus eight boards) while Sim Bhullar shot 7-8 on his way to 15 points and Daniel Mullings went for 14 on 6-8 from the floor. The Aggies shot 69% from the floor but still struggled at the foul line (11-19) and from distance (1-6). The Roadrunners shot 42% and were led by 14 points apiece from Mychal Hale and Kannon Burrage plus 13 points from Jeromie Hill. NMSU also owned the boards at 35-17.

Jason Groves live-tweeted the game.

Roadrunner athletics and Aggie athletics game report as does Jason. Check on Jason's keys and prediction.

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Then, Texas State mixed it up in and with Denver but came out on the losing end 64-53. Chris Udofia led the Pioneers with 15 points and backcourter Brett Olson totaled 13. The best story for Coach Joe Scott is Cam Griffin's output in 28 minutes of court time: nine points, seven rebounds, five steals and fours assists. The Bobcats were led by Vonn Jones' 16 points and didn't reach 30 points in either half.

Pioneer athletics and Bobcat athletics game report as does Irv Moss/Denver Post.

Coincidentally, Cam Griffin is featured in an article by Pat Rooney.

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Host San Jose State University got Vandalized 64-55 by Idaho as Kyle Barone continued his strong conference play with 16 points, 13 boards and a trio of blocked shots. Stephen Madison added 15 points as Coach Don Verlin's squad, which went with a three guard offense, shot 50% for the game. James Kinney led the Spartans with 17 points but connected on just 6-21 attempts as his team went 20-71 overall, 3-20 from long distance.

Vandal Nation live-tweeted the game.

Spartan athletics and Vandal athletics game report.

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No WAC games are scheduled for Friday.

Ken Pomeroy on the WAC (as of January 1)

Ken Pomeroy has been in his lab and emerged with his conference title predictions and league finishes. Here is his explanation:

With the calendar turning over, it’s time to forecast the regular season champs for each of the 32 conferences. As a reminder, here are the assumptions…

Using the offensive and defensive ratings through 12/31, 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season were run. I dumbed down the pythagorean exponent a bit for this exercise since there’s slightly more uncertainty in predicting things in the more distant future than with tomorrow’s games.

Listed next to each team is the number of times it won the conference in the 10,000 simulations. Divide by 100 to get the chance in percent of a team winning the regular season race. If a team is not listed, they didn’t win or tie a single simulation. Better luck next season.

I’m not exactly predicting conference champs here, but the team that would get the one-seed in their conference tournament. Thus, in the case where multiple teams tie with conference’s best record, fractional credit is given to the tied teams. This fraction is rounded in the final total. I don’t spend any time applying conference tiebreakers.

Below is his WAC rundown (I've taken the liberty to not list the numbers he refers to in his third paragraph):

WAC

Denver           
Louisiana Tech   
Utah St.        
Texas Arlington   
New Mexico St.    
Idaho             
San Jose St.      
Seattle

Texas State and Texas San Antonio do not appear (again, check the end of the third paragraph).            

Thursday's single game report plus four previews

Boise State was just too much for host Texas Arlington and the Broncos downed the Mavericks 64-46 on Wednesday night. TA scored 18 first half points and followed that up with 28 in the second 20 minutes. Nobody on Coach Scott Cross' squad reached double figures but forward Brandon Edwards went for nine points plus 10 boards. BSU shot 49% overall while Texas Arlington went a cold 33%, 18% and 55% respectively.

Maverick athletics game reports.

The Lone Star State teams are having scoring difficulties with Arlington, San Antonio and Texas State all below 40% in shooting percentage.. 

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Kyle Goon gives Spencer Butterfield the full feature treatment.

Tonight brings:

* Seattle experiencing The Spectrum in USU-land although message board chatter is indicating the game time atmosphere there isn't on a level with previous seasons.

Shawn Harrison look at the Aggies season-to-date.

Redhawk athletics game previews.

Hipsterdoofus 21 goes all Refraction-like on Seattle.

Treesap32 has the latest on Danny Berger.

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Texas State get to experience a two-fer: the elevation of Denver and the Pioneer basketball team.

Denver athletics and Bobcat athletics preview.

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Host New Mexico State gets the chance to right the HMS Menzies, which is currently taking on water in the Rio Grande, versus Texas San Antonio.

Roadrunner athletics previews.

Teddy Feinberg writes about the the need for primary players on this year's Aggie squad.

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San Jose State University hosts the Spuds, aka the remaining-on-the-road Idaho Vandals. The Spartans have victories over Texas State and Texas San Antonio while Coach Don Verlin's crew took down host Seattle with Kyle Barone owning the game. The matchup between Barone and Alex Brown in the paint is the one two watch as Brown is averaging 3.5 blocked shots per game.

Vandal athletics and Spartan athletics preview.

The deteriorating quality of basketball play

Luke Winn, in a column, wrote: "Scoring will continue to trend downward, hitting yet another low for the shot clock era and forcing the NCAA to have serious talks about fixing the problem. The NCAA can't demand that its coaches play faster basketball, but it can make bigger efforts to cut down on physical play that restricts movement, and bring the shot clock down to 30 seconds. I don't expect those changes to actually go into effect in 2013, but with final scores in the 50s and 60s becoming all too prevalent, new rules will at least be up for discussion, rather than existing only in sportswriters' fantasies."

Yep, large swaths of college games are cringeworthy.

The shot clock can be reduced and football-like tactics on the court penalized but how does that alter the deteriorating quality of skills at all levels?

Have you noticed the number of bad shots this season (although certainly not new to 2012) in the high school and college ranks, meaning those attempts after a single pass or none, regardless of time on the shot clock and level of defensive pressure?

But just as glaring is the must-go-to-the-basket as the nowadays pre-programmed offensive foray. It's direct yourself to the hoop and get a shot up, any shot despite the number of defenders, consideration of height and jumping prowess plus ability to create separation. The mind set appears to be additional points will be rewarded for degree of difficulty.

Yet the percentage for successfully employing this maneuver lessens with each step up the proverbial ladder -- varsity basketball, community college ranks, D-I, D-II and NAIA, the play-for-pay level -- as the opponents become taller, stronger and more adept at preventing or altering close in shot attempts.

Then there is shooting consistency, both from the field and foul line. There is scholarship money for the taking for those whose best and maybe sole asset is catching the pass, squaring up and sinking the shot. The three point shot has opened up recruiting to those with such a proficiency. So why are shooting percentages from distance going down? And don't get me started on points frittered away at the foul line. Those are gimmes and Ms. Manners says all presents should be accepted.

It's also alarming viewing the lack of dribbling prowess on display. This is an aspect that takes no special equipment to improve on but it appears a lack of working under defensive pressure on improving this particular skill is not happening nearly enough. Every kid goes between his legs with the ball during warmups so that element has been 'mastered' but start pressing and it's "I don't want the ball, you bring it up" time for too many.

Finally, there's the concept of spacing. Is it being taught? Yes, but maybe just not grasped enough? It's not exactly rocket science that one defender can better work against two opponents bunched together than apart but it takes a level of court awareness by five guys to not only be where they are supposed to be but on time. Synchronicity is a wonderful element to behold but doesn't have to be limited to a once in a blue moon appearance.

Yes, call me the cranky old guy from the peach basket days but I want, no make that need, some of the beauty back in the roundball game.

A single game tonight

UT Arlington sets aside WAC play to face visiting Boise State tonight. Maverick athletics previews.

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So what can be gleaned from the opening set of WAC conference matchups? PTW still thinks it's any conference team can beat any other conference team on a given night and, since all teams make the tournament in Las Vegas, hope abides until early March for all. But as is usual, but especially so this season, the Western Athletic Conference is certainly a one bid Big Dance entity.

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USU Stats offers some more on 2014 Aggie recruiting target Rashad Figures. Just on the surface, it appears he will be difficult to pry out of the east.

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Not good news on Herb Pope.

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It's free. It takes place at the charity stripe. So why do some never become free throw efficient or lose their touch? More importantly, what can be done about it?

Confidence building, repetition, mechanics and pretty women as Chris Herring reports. Bet the latter has convinced you to click on the link.

Boise finally settles on a home

Brian Murphy has the details of Boise State remaining in the Mountain West Conference -- this note for San Jose State and Utah State fans. Idaho aficionados can't be happy about this latest decision.

Now will BYU and/or San Diego State return too? Of course, there are now also rumblings about UTEP and others vis-a-vis the Mountain West Conference.

Tuesday: four reports from yesterday's games

Unless a turnaround occurs and the odds aren't good, Texas State looks to be the caboose in the WAC as the host Bobcats lost to Utah State 81-57 last night, making it two home game losses by big margins for Coach Doug Davalos' squad. It was 31-23 at the half but the Aggies put up 50 second half points. Preston Medlin led the victors with 21 points, Spencer Butterfield totaled 18 and Jarred Shaw 17. USU garnered 21 assists on 30 baskets, shooting 52%. Guard Wesley Davis scored 22 points for the Bobcats, shooting 10-12 overall. It was that kind of night again for Texas State as Matt Staff missed another free throw.

From the media, Tyler Mayforth, Shawn Harrison (more kudos to the Herald Journal management for having Shawn in San Marcos) and Kyle Goon game report.

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It seemingly wasn't a night of points for Texas teams in the WAC as visiting Denver handled Texas Arlington 50-35. The Mavs 'enjoyed' 17 and 18 point halves -- however it was just 21-17 in favor of the Pioneers after the first 20 minutes.

Contrast these numbers: 35 of Denver's 45 shots were trey attempts versus 3-9 shooting on threes for Arlington. The Pioneers went 5-8 on the foul line, the Mavericks 6-7. 14 of the 17 makes for Coach Joe Scott's group were assisted. It wasn't a night for torching the nets as the Pioneers shot 38%,TA 28%.

Pioneer athletics and Maverick athletics game report.

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Continuing the Lone Star State trend, San Jose State University won both 20 minute periods and that carried the Spartans to an 80-57 victory over Texas San Antonio in the Alamo state. James Kinney, with a en fuego second half, posted 22 points plus seven assists for the Spartans while Lavanne Pennington added 15. Forward Chris Cunningham just missed a double-double with 19/8. Jeromie Hill led the Roadrunners with both 22 points and seven rebounds and Michael Hale, feeling better, contributed 11 points and six assists.

Roadrunner athletics and Spartan athletics game report plus there is this from Inside Runner Sports.

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Louisiana Tech handled visiting New Mexico State 81-72, earning a 49-39 halftime lead and holding it.For the Ruston-ites, freshman guard Alex Hamilton exploded for 20 points, 10-10 at the foul line, Brandon Gibson totaled 15 on 5-5 from three-point range and Kenyon McNeail enjoyed 14 points, going 4-6 from long distance. LT shot 11-22 from beyond the arc. The Aggies were paced by Daniel Mullings' 21 points but overall they shot 1-12 on three attempts.

Check in on Jason Groves' three keys and a prediction.

Jason live tweeted the matchup.

Jason and Matt Vines game report.

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The next game involving a WAC team is Wednesday when UT Arlington welcomes Boise State.