Thursday's WAC basketball check-in

If it hadn't already reached such proportions, Brady Heslip's recruitment has gone bi-coastal and Tony Jones has the scoop here.

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We didn't know there was an election held nor who was eligible to vote but this headline sure intrigued us.

Here's more and more on Dwain Williams and UH basketball.

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That's it for now.

Your Wednesday WAC Roundup

As expected, another of Bob Nash's recruits will be seeking a new landing spot:

Brian McInnis has the scoop here.

Who ultimately knows what were all the factors being considered but Gib Arnold ultimately decided taking a chance on such an individual talent ultimately wasn't worth it. He has a brand new squad, one loaded with young players and any possibility of a disruptive force on the roster was a danger he wasn't willing to take.

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New UH assistant Bengy Taylor receives a formal introduction from Dayton Morinaga here.

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Chris Murray has the draft ceiling and floor for Luke Babbitt here.

Headed to divorce court

This was a marriage not given the greatest of odds in Las Vegas for success. Hawaii needed a shooter/points producer in the backcourt, Dwain Williams needed a fresh start. If it worked happily ever after, then all would truly benefit but the pairing was a distinct roll of the dice. It seems now that a split is inevitable.

UH guard Dwain Williams suspended indefinitely
Brian McInnis
Honolulu Star Bulletin
February 4, 2010

Hawaii basketball guard Dwain Williams has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules by UH coach Bob Nash.

"This is a matter that has some sensitivity to it and I'm not at liberty to discuss those matters with anyone other than Dwain and his family," Nash said. "It's an indefinite suspension. It could be any length of time."

Williams told the Star-Bulletin he was suspended for missing a class yesterday. When asked if he expected to rejoin the team eventually, he said, "I really hope so..."

Go here for the remainder.

A couple more WAC items

Draft Express has an update on Luke Babbitt:

Joseph Treutlein
Assistant Director of Scouting
Draft Express
2-3-2010

One of the highest impact freshman in the country last season, Luke Babbitt has picked up right where he left off as a sophomore, upping his numbers across the board and just playing outstanding basketball for the Wolf Pack.

On the offensive end, Babbitt possesses an extremely high skill level to go along with an outstanding feel for the game, assets which allow him to score easily and efficiently from all over the floor. The smooth left-handed shooter is hitting with deadeye accuracy from the free-throw (89%) and three-point lines (41%), while also showing strong ability off the dribble, namely with his mid-range jumper...

Go here for the remainder.

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Jeff Portnoy is not wanting Dwain Williams to return:

on tobacco road
Jeff Portnoy
Hoops Talk
February 2, 2010

if you think Bob Nash and the rainbows are struggling, you should hear the angst here in Chapel Hill as the Tarheels suffered their worst home loss under Coach Roy Williams Sunday night against Virgina. TheTarheels are perilously close to missing the NCAA tournament after winning two National Championships in the last 4 years. And Duke got smashed by Georgetown over the weekend and look to rebound against Georgia Tech Thursday night. Frankly, both teams have problems defending quick guards, but i suspect Duke is a possible final 8 team while it may be the NIT for the Heels (something Rainbow fans would give their eyetooth for)...

Go here for the remainder.

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It's WAC Wednesday with news and notes and links

I guess the expectation is that we are supposed to rip Troy Gillenwater , New Mexico State basketball, Dr. Boston and Marvin Menzies all a new one but the following is our take. The NCAA doesn't give a damn about WAC schools and there is certainly no 'favoritism' or leniency ever from the powers-that-be in Indianapolis. Gillenwater met NCAA academic requirements and so be it. He harmed his team with a lackadaisical approach to academics and he and the team paid the price for his doing so. Let's hope he learned something valuable from all this. It certainly appears his presence will aid the Aggies -- another inside threat was really needed -- but let's also see who now receives less minutes and how that plays out.

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Chris Murray has a recruiting update on local Reno-ite Tre Johnson here and there is a mention of another WAC team.

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Brad Rock has an insightful feature on Stew Morrill here. Morrill's situation is a rarity as are his numerous achievements. We don't now how far any talks with Washington State advanced but we're thankful he remains in Logan. It's great for the WAC despite all those losses the Aggies inflict on others.

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Shawn Harrison features Nate Bendall here.

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Dwain Williams has returned to the team in Hawaii and Dayton Morinaga has the feature.

Brian McInnis writes about the health status of a few of the the UH players here.

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Not in anyway making light of a very serious situation but a pulmonary embolism took the court with Travis Mason-Bushman and is being vanquished as we speak. Vandal Nation is tough home and away and we're hoping he is back writing and taping soon.

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Do bookmark Jeff Portnoy's blog

Jeff Portnoy is certainly adding to the information about Hawaii men's basketball and we appreciate his forthrightness. He has another column posted at the Honolulu Advertiser site in which he offers a shout out to Brandon Adams plus an item speculating that Dwain Williams might not be collecting his mail in Honolulu for much longer -- for a combination of reasons.

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More Monday WAC links

MJ has a nasty dunk here courtesy of Travis Mason-Bushman/Vandal Nation -- the Idaho MJ.

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Aggieville: USU Sports
Tony Jones
Salt Lake City Tribune
November 30, 2009

As a league, the Western Athletic Conference isn't setting the world on fire with its performance in the preseason. Hawaii looked bad on national television against a Northern Colorado team from the Big Sky. New Mexico State, without two of its best players, hasn't looked great and there hasn't been one single marquee win in the month of November...

Go here for the remainder.

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Dwain Williams is back attending if not yet participating in practice for Hawaii.

UH glad to see Williams back
Brian McInnis
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
November 30, 2009

After falling apart in its last three outings of a five-game homestand, the Hawaii men's basketball team is trying to pull together before its first road trip of the season.

Guard Dwain Williams returned to practice yesterday in a limited capacity after missing all team sessions last week, including UH's 83-71 loss to New Mexico on Friday. It was the first part of a two-game suspension for the Providence transfer (for breaking a team rule) announced by coach Bob Nash after the loss to the Lobos...

Go here for the remainder.

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Shawn Harrison/Herald Journal offers a feature on a Utah State frosh.

Medlin busts out big time
Shawn Harrison
Herald Journal
November 30, 2009

For more than 39 minutes of college action, Aggie true freshman Preston Medlin had not scored a point.

While that may not be a big deal for some freshmen, this one came to Utah State with his greatest strength being able to score. Men’s head basketball coach Stew Morrill had praised Medlin on several occasions this fall for his ability to shoot and score points in a hurry...

Go here for the remainder.

A few Turkey (or Tofurkey) Day links

Here's a few links to tide you over:

Williams did not disappoint
Shawn Harrison
Herald Journal
November 26, 2009

When Pooh Williams was introduced as a starter Tuesday night, the home fans greeted him with a hearty applause.

The Utah State junior didn’t disappoint in his first start of the young season. No. 5 played tough defense and even got involved on the offensive end against Idaho State at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

“It was more comfortable being out there, having the fans behind your back and having more practices in,” Williams said. “It was hard to get in a rhythm last time. Today just felt a lot better...”

Go here for the remainder.

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One backcourt newcomer is helping Bob Nash and the RBs:

Junior guard not one to lay low
Dayton Morinaga
Honolulu Advertiser
November 26, 2009

Jeremy Lay is still trying to figure out the lay of the land in NCAA Division I basketball.

For now, he is the sparkplug — on and off the court — for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

"I just like to have fun, man," the 6-foot junior point guard said. "I'm the one always talking to my teammates, trying to fire them up, or joking with them if we need a laugh. But once the whistle blows and the game starts, I'm serious. I want to do what ever I can to help this team win..."

Go here for the remainder plus a note about the status of Dwain Williams.

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Brian McInnis has more on newcomer Dwain Williams and it's a bit of a mystery. Let's hope all is well or turns out well -- Williams has a 'checkered' history and this will be his last D-1 stop if the issue or issues turn out to be more than illness:

Williams likely out against New Mexico
Brian McInnis
Honolulu Star Bulletin
November 26, 2009

There is likely one less thing for which the Hawaii men's basketball team to be thankful.

UH guard Dwain Williams missed a third straight team practice yesterday and the Rainbow Warriors (2-2) are proceeding as though the Providence transfer won't be available in tomorrow's game against unbeaten New Mexico (5-0) at 8 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The 6-foot Williams -- the Rainbows' second-leading scorer through four games with a 13.3 average -- has been dealing with an illness, the team has maintained. But coach Bob Nash hinted that it might be something more after yesterday's practice...

Go here for the remainder.

Hawaii's new backcourt

Coach Bob Nash needs point production, outside-shooting and the creation of scoring opportunities for his bigs out of his Rainbow Warrior backcourt this season and has a pair of newcomers who seemingly fit the bill. Brian McInnis has a feature today on Dwain Williams and Jeremy Lay:

UH guards provide hope
Brian McInnis
Hopnolulu Star Bulletin
October 15, 2009

One is coming to the realization that he is, in fact, a Division I basketball player. The other feels blessed just to have another chance at D-I ball.

Hawaii guards Jeremy Lay and Dwain Williams may not fit the prototype of hoops saviors, but the expectations around Manoa are just that for the two new Rainbow Warriors in the backcourt.

The Rainbows officially begin practice tomorrow at 5 p.m. in a fresh season full of promise, and the 6-foot junior guards are considered crucial pieces to help the team become a legitimate threat to make a national tournament for the first time since 2004. The practice is closed to the public.

Lay and Williams, two of the 'Bows five offseason acquisitions, will be scrutinized as they will be counted on not just to drain 3-pointers with regularity, but also to absorb and run the team's flex-motion offense over the next two weeks...

Go here for the remainder.