Way, way too early but what the heck

Yes, it's ridiculous to even go 'there' at the beginning of December with no conference games having yet been played ('there' being the top player picks in the WAC) but let's have some fun anyway.

Baring our forecasting proficiency or deficiency by re-posting the 2012-13 PTW WAC pre-season selections, here you go:

Player of the Year: Preston Medlin, Utah State (but watch for Denver's Chris Udofia)

Newcomer of the Year: K.C. Ross-Miller, New Mexico State

The All-WAC Team (four players in addition to POY):

* Kyle Barone, Idaho (counting on him returning)
* Raheem Appleby, Louisiana Tech
* Daniel Mullings, New Mexico State
* Chris Udofia, Denver Pioneers

Want five more player names constituting the All-WAC Second Team?

Here you go:

* Jarred Shaw, Utah State

He is going to block shots and board well enough but will he hit double figures in scoring? The forecast is yes.

* James Kinney, San Jose State University

This spot is his if he upgrades his offensive efficiency.

* Matt Staff, Texas State

Leading your team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots should do it.

* Kyisean Reed, Utah State

As strange as this sounds, he should be surrounded by enough offensive weapons to be the second leading scorer on the Aggies.

* Stephen Madison, Idaho

Expectations are that he will be the leading scorer for the Vandals in 2012-13. 

+++++

Okay, reality to date is:

Preston Medlin (13.2 points, 3.8 assists) just may get passed by Jarred Shaw for POY but such would mean a very successful season for Utah State. As posted earlier, Shaw is a shoo-in for Newcomer of the Year. His numbers thus far: 14.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 58% shooting, 1.4 blocks.

Kyle Barone (15.8, 8.0, 58% shooting), Raheem Appleby (19.0) and Daniel Mullings (13.0 points, 3.0 assists, 2.1 steals and he should be healthy and scoring more by league play) look to be on target for All-WAC selections.  

Chris Udofia (12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds. 3.6 assists, 2.4 blocks, 2.0 steals) is solid but being challenged by a teammate so call him a maybe right now.

Who will press to oust one or more of these players?

SJSU's James Kinney leads the conference in scoring at 20.9 points per game, plus 6.6 boards and 3.2 steals.

Texas San Antonio talents Kannon Burrage and Michael Hale III are third and fourth respectively with 17.8 and 16.5 each time out.  

Joel Wright on Texas State is sixth, scoring at 15.2 points per contest.

Do keep a watch on Jordan Reves of Texas Arlington as he leads in rebounding with 12.3 plus 9.5 points and 2.5 blocks a match.

Also keep an eye on Denver's Royce O'Neale who is scoring 13.4 points. grabbing 5.8 boards, passing for 3.8 assists and nabbing 2.4 steals a game.

But what about Matt Staff, Kyisean Reed and Stephen Madison?

Staff: 15.0 points, shooting 53%, 5.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks

Reed: 11.4 points, shooting 58%, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks

Madison: 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists

The most remarkable number: Tyrone Watson's 74% on free throws. He finished at 59% last season. On treys, he at 4-9 thus far versus 2-24 in 2011-12.