Sunday WAC links

Here's you go with an hour gained:

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal goes in-depth on Boise State here.

Shawn Harrison provides a Nate Bendall (aka Gary Wilkinson replacement) feature in today Herald-Journal. Bendall will be a better rebounder than Wilkie so let's see if he can convert his shots at a similar rate.

For those who prefer not to register themselves all over the 'net, Mslacat (Mr. State of Montana athletics) has a much lengthier excerpt of the Vaughn Autry-Utah State article than we provided yesterday.

Center Dewayne Dedman (already committed to USC although he has two years still to go at Antelope Valley College) and point Rod Singleton (a gun to our head our guess is that he will be at USC next season) are the two young men receiving the most acclaim of all the talented AVC squad members. But we say pay attention to Matt Stern, a 6-foot-7 forward who can play at more positions than anyone else among all of Coach Dieter Horton's players and will put up solid numbers in just about every category. Yes, he is the older brother of Corey Stern so you gotta like Idaho's chances. This guy will be ready to help right away.

Last but certainly not least, Kyle Whelliston and the Mid Majority is back. He provides so much more insight and daily feasts for the mind than a dozen Dick Vitales so go figure what ESPN was thinking. We can only guess that America's entertainment leader prefers bells and whistles over substance (and that's okay if your sole life purpose is securing numbers but what would you prefer having offered or, for that matter, consumed on your death bed?) Gary Smith is a saint -- at least to us -- at Sports Illustrated and we put Whelliston in that category. Here is his opening feature of the basketball season.

Idaho had a visitor

Idaho is seriously interested in a backcourter at Antelope Valley College (southern CA). 6-foot-2 guard Nick Bennett tripped to Moscow this past weekend. From Melvin Grussing's wonderful AVC fan site:

"...Freshman qualifier, combo guard, Nick Bennett visited the University of Idaho this weekend..."

From an earlier post by Grussing: "...Nick Bennett, 6’2”, 175 is so smooth with a shot that drives a stake into heart of the opponent. Add to that his great great floor vision and he is a winner."

Bennett redshirted at Arizona State last season -- we're not sure if he was a walk-on or on scholarship..

The Antelope Valley roster is loaded this season, including one Matt Stern, the 6-foot-7 brother of Idaho's Corey Stern.

A mention of Corey Stern's brother

We didn't know this until stumbling across it in search of something else: Idaho freshman Corey Stern has a brother playing junior college basketball at Antelope Valley College in southern California. From the best community college men's basketball site in the country:

"Matt Stern, 6’7”, 220, sophomore forward, graduated from ThunderRidge High School, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Matt had a great tournament at the Cypress Shootout last weekend. He scored by powering to the basket and ripped down numerous rebounds. He is quick enough to play on the AVC “quick” team and strong enough to play on the “power team.” Matt has solid post moves and is a tenacious defender.

Matt’s younger brother Cory, is a freshman at the University of Idaho, and is expected to make a big impact for the Vandals."