Friday and the WAC

They like Ike in Poland. Rafter 17 at the SCOUT Boise State site informs us on the basketball MB that former BSU player Ike Okoye is headed to AZS Koszalin Basketball to play for pay. Here's the Wikipedia entry for the Polish club.

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Andy Katz offers some insight and analysis on Karl Benson's presser here.

Jon Wilner of the Mercury News does the same here

It is fascinating that Utah State (initially contacted by the Mountain West Conference) chose to remain in the WAC while subsequent feelers to Fresno State and Nevada were gobbled up. So what does that make USU AD Scott Barnes? A person of honor? Someone soon to be filled with regret? Lacking vision? Add whatever description you wish.

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We will hopefully be back with some recruiting news as we further scour the 'net.

The WAC likes Ike

Ike Okoye is the WAC Player of the Week this go-around. Thanks to Jason Erickson, the Director of Media Relations:

DENVER - Boise State's Ike Okoye has been named the Verizon Wireless Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 23-29. The honor marks the first career WAC Player of the Week award for Okoye.

Okoye, a senior forward from Sacramento, CA, helped the Broncos to a 2-0 record last week with wins over Eastern Washington and North Texas. Okoye recorded his second career double-double in an 82-69 road win at Eastern Washington, registering 21 points with a career-high 17 rebounds. He went 8-of-14 from the field, while making 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Okoye also tied a career high with six blocks against the Eagles. Okoye also scored 13 points with eight rebounds and three blocks in a 79-73 victory over North Texas.

On the week, Okoye averaged 17.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.5 blocks and 2.5 assists per game. He shot 54.2 percent from the field (13-of-24) and 80.0 percent from the free throw line (8-of-10).

Other nominees included:

* Idaho senior guard Steffan Johnson
* Louisiana Tech senior guard Kyle Gibson
* New Mexico State senior guard Jonathan Gibson
* San Jose State senior guard Robert Owns
* Utah State junior forward Tai Wesley

A feature on Boise State frontcourter Ike Okoye

Here a Nick Jezierny feature:

Boise State men would like to see more big games from Okoye
The Wyoming transfer racked up 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks against his former school Wednesday. He hopes to build on that performance tonight against Colorado State at Taco Bell Arena.
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
12/06/08

Boise State forward Ike Okoye showed what he is capable of when he scored 21 points, pulled down 12 rebounds, made nine field goals and blocked four shots Wednesday against Wyoming - his former school...

Go here for the remainder.