Commentary on the 2012-13 WAC Men’s Basketball Postseason Award Winners

Player of the Year: Kyle Barone, Sr., C, Idaho

It's extremely rare for an MVP to come from a sixth place team but with 18.2 and 10.9 numbers, both tops in the conference, nobody can rightfully argue.

Freshman of the Year: Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State

It doesn't take a weatherman to know don't ever argue about honors awarded to someone standing 7-foot-5, even if he doesn't know your home address. But really, no other candidates were consistent enough to even make it close.

Don Haskins Coach of the Year: Michael White, Louisiana Tech

It's impossible to ignore what Joe Scott achieved this season but LT and Coach White came the furthest vis-a-vis the pre-season rankings of the coaches, so he gets it. 

All-Conference
First Team

Chris Udofia, Jr., F, Denver
Kyle Barone, Sr., C, Idaho
Raheem Appleby, So., G, Louisiana Tech
Kenneth Smith, So., G, Louisiana Tech
Bandja Sy, Sr., F, New Mexico State

Kenneth Smith just jumps out to the reader. He averaged 26.3 minutes an outing, shot 37% overall, 42% from long distance and 66% from the foul line, 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds a contest with an 88/37 assist-to-turnover ratio, plus 17 steals in 18 games. His 4.9 assist a game led the WAC. There's nothing 'overwhelming' here so the sense is the intangibles he brought to the team and court were also a major part of the reasoning for his inclusion.

Plus, Chris Uodfia averaged 12.9 points per contest and isn't in the Top 15 in rebounding. But talk about intangibles again, alongside 3.1 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.7 steals a a game.

These inclusions are great examples of numbers not being the sole qualifying attribute for recognition of contributions.

Plus, you have to love that two sophomores made it (and PTW wasn't sure any Louisiana Tech Bulldogs would be recognized).

Second Team

Chase Hallam, Sr., G, Denver
Daniel Mullings, So., G, New Mexico State
Joel Wright, Jr., F, Texas State
Spencer Butterfield, Jr., G/F, Utah State
Jarred Shaw, Jr., F/C, Utah State

Wouldn't you like to have it play out where Utah State has no injuries and see where Butterfield lands? Like with Smith and Udofia above, Butterfield's approach and style of play cries out for acknowledgement, especially from opposing coaches, regardless of any stats.

Let's also look at the numbers of Daniel Mullings to see if he should have garnered a First Team nod: 36.2 minutes an outing, with 45%, 32% and 72% shooting numbers, 14.7 points and 5.2 rebounds a contest with a 46/61 assist-to-turnover ratio plus 47 steals in 18 games. It's a bit of an apple/orange comparison since he's a two guard and Smith is a point but Mullings looks mighty strong here.

Third Team

Brett Olson, So., G, Denver
Royce O’Neale, So., F, Denver
Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State
Kevin Butler, Sr., F, UT Arlington
Michael Hale III, Sr., G, UTSA

Backcourt teammate Kannon Burrage averaged one more point per game than Hale but the latter posted 71 to 16 conference assist advantage that obviously provided the separation.

All-Defensive Team

Chase Hallam, Sr., G, Denver
Chris Udofia, Jr., F, Denver
Michale Kyser, So., F, Louisiana Tech
Kenneth Smith, So., G, Louisiana Tech
Daniel Mullings, So., G, New Mexico State

Love it that three guards were recognized, a none-to-easy task when blocking shots is given off-the-chart status for defensive prowess. Do note that Smith's prowness on defense was honored 

All-Newcomer Team

Alex Hamilton, Fr., G, Louisiana Tech
Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State
Joel Wright, Jr., F, Texas State
Spencer Butterfield, Jr., G/F, Utah State
Jarred Shaw, Jr., F/C, Utah State

Two words: where's Smith?

It's good to see freshman Alex Hamilton recognized: 18.4 minutes an outing, 40%, 22% and 73% shooting, 8.6 points and 2.7 rebounds a contest with a 53/36 assist-to-turnover ratio plus 19 steals.