Tuesday: one preview plus other notes

San Jose State University has a home rematch with New Orleans. The 3-10 Privateers won the opening game of the season between these teams 72-68 back on November 9. NO is winless (0-6) on the road this season and this game concludes a six-game away-from-home stretch for them.

Spartan athletics and Privateer athletics preview as does Trey Iles.

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A Bob Condotta tweet: "Seattle University has just announced that guard Sterling Carter is no longer part of the team"

From Seattle athletics: "Carter played in eight games during the 2012-13 season, averaging 7.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game for the Redhawks. During his Seattle U career, he appeared in 66 games, including 54 starts, collecting 759 points (11.5 ppg), 212 rebounds (3.2 rpg), and 110 assists (1.7 apg). Carter hit 170 three-pointers during his time with the Redhawks, second-most in program history"

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Shawn Harrison looks in on the state of the Aggies. 

Two links for Friday

Seattle U Hoops writes about the sense of the WAC thus far this season, including team rankings.

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Matt Sonnenberg covers the Bair departure, USU being down to a trio at the wing and two spots plus departures from Logan actually being the norm.

Sunday: 3-1 with four game reports

New Mexico State and Missouri State met in Las Cruces and the former won both 20 minutes on the way to a 71-51 victory. Freshman Sim Bhullar went for 25 points as the Aggies shot 54% to 33% for the visitors.

Zack Ponce tweeted the contest.

Sam Wasson covered the contest, as did Zack. Bleed Crimson offers game photos. Jason Groves posted this -- here's hoping he has a quick recovery.

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It was host Seattle 72-49 over Campbell in a game in which the Flying Camels led by two, 32-30, after the initial half. The Redhawks owned the boards 39-18. Deshaun Sunderhaus posted a 15/11 double-double and backcourter D'Vonne Pickett did likewise with 16 points plus 10 boards.

Seattle athletics game reports as does Terry Woods.

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Utah State was back at it, this time with Southern Illinois and the Aggies finished on top 70-58. Kyisean Reed, who named the MVP of the tourney, topped Coach Stew Morrill's crew with 21 points while Preston Medlin contributed 16 points and six assists. Spencer Butterfield missed the game due to illness. USU shot 60% for the game, going 24-40.

Kyle Goon and Kraig Williams tweeted the pairing.

Rhett Wilkinson, Kyle, Shawn Harrison and Kraig all game report.

Matt Sonnenberg writes about the increased contributions from Marvin Jean (who started tonight in Butterfield's absence).

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San Jose State University paired up with James Madison as part of the Las Vegas Classic and the Spartans were consistent with 34 in each 20 minutes but the Virginia-ites totaled 24 and then 53 to win 77-68.  SJSU backcourter LaVanne Pennington topped his team with 16 points. James Kinney was out for the game on suspension.

Spartan athletics game reports.

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There are no WAC games until December 29 when conference play begins.

A pair of WAC rcruiting notes

This Jeff Goodman tweet has a certain Northwest school in the running: "UCLA transfer Josh Smith is currently considering Georgetown, Kansas and Seattle University, source told CBSSports"

Everyone knows the issues surrounding Smith -- would going home be a plus, a minus or a neutral?

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John Martin/Memphis Commercial Appeal has an update on a big out of Texas who has visited San Jose State University. Memphis seems a bit high but...

Thursday: three game reports /// a trio of previews

It was Round Two for New Mexico State and New Mexico and this time in Las Cruces but the Albuquerque-ians did it again 68-63.This was winnable as three points separated the two teams at different time late.

Daniel Mullings led the Aggies with 14 points and he added five rebounds, the same number of assists and a pair of blocked shots to his line. Kevin Aronis contributed his season high of 12 points, going 4-5 from long range. Ironically, NMSU shot 38% overall but 58% on 10-17 treys attempts and then 11-20 at the foul line.

Jason Groves tweeted the game. Jason's three keys to the pairing and his prediction are worth reviewing (he was but one point off).

Jason then game reported.

Teddy Feinberg offers a post-game commentary.

Jason and Geoff Grammer discuss the game:


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UT Arlington roaded it at Oklahoma State but the Cowboys handled the Texans 69-44. OK State shot just 43% but had 12 more attempts. Arlington finished at 39% but just 1-5 at the free throw line plus with 31 turnovers. Jamel Outler scored 14 points and Kevin Butler 11 for Coach Scott Cross' squad.

UT Arlington athletics game reports.

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Seattle brought Northern Illinois to the Northwest but proved rude hosts to the tune of 75-48. Forward Chad Rasmussen paced the Redhawks with 14 points but it was backcourter Prince Obasi filling the stat sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a trio of blocked shots. Coach Cameron Dollar's crew shot 48% for the game and 10-25 on trey attempts.

Seattle athletics game reports -- likewise Seattle U Hoops.

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Texas State is hosted by Central Michigan tonight -- Bobcat athletics previews. 

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Idaho travels to in-state rival Boise to face the Broncos -- Vandal athletics takes a look. Sean Kramer/Vandal Nation also checks in with a look.

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Tourney host Utah State is matched up with Nicholls State out of Louisiana. Kyle Goon takes a look. Kyle also penned an article on Aggie glass cleaning. Making it a trifecta, Kyle writes about Preston Medlin's very interesting season to date.

Kraig Williams checks in on the Utah State tournament as does Shawn Harrison.

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It's official -- Pan American is coming to the WAC next year.

Tuesday's report: one win, two losses last night

Texas State went Big 10-ing versus Northwestern and made quite the impression -- leading by six with three and a half minutes remaining -- before falling 74-68 in Evanston, IL. Bobcats Joel Wright and Wesley Davis tag-teamed for 19 points apiece (Davis was 4-5 from long distance) and Matt Staff continued his perfection at the foul line going 4-4. However, Staff and Wright combined for 11 TOs.

Texas State athletics game reports as does Northwestern athletics.

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Louisiana Tech played Arkansas Little Rock on the road and came away with a two point victory, 75-73. Raheem Appleby paced the Bulldogs with 17 points while freshman backcourter Alex Hamilton totaled 14 points in 13 minutes of play (making this even more unusual is he fouled out). 

LT athletics as well as Arkansas Little Rock athletics game report. 

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Seattle hosted Jackson State and, in the third game of the tour of the Northwest for the Mississippians, they notched their initial victory of the season, 91-82. The Redhawks shot 39% overall and just 15-25 from the free throw stripe but it was 28 turnovers (17 steals by Jackson State) that couldn't be overcome. 28 fouls didn't help either. Guard Sterling Carter went for 20 points based on 6-7 three-point shooting.

Seattle athletics game reports.

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Denver heads to Laramie, Wyoming to face the 10-0 Mountain West Conference Cowboys tonight.

Press for Coach Dollar

Steve Kelley is in Coach Cameron Dollar's corner as the construction of the Redhawk basketball program continues.

Monday's two game reports

Denver challenged Stanford in the Bay Area but fell short 71-58. The Farm residents won the battle inside 36 points to 20 and in rebounding at 33-16. Royce O'Neale paced the Pioneers with 16 points but he made just three of 12 attempts. Stanford shot 53%, Denver 41%.

Denver athletics has the game report.

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Seattle brought in Boise State but couldn't handle the Bronco firepower, losing 87-64. The Redhawks were outshot 53% to 40% and committed 21 TOs. Deshaun Sunderhaus posted 11 points and seven caroms, Clarence Trent finished with 12 points and nine boards but shot 4-12 and backcourter D'Vonne Picket Jr. went for 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Seattle athletics has the game report.

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It's UT Arlington being hosted by in-state foe Pan American tonight in the sole WAC-related contest.

Thursday's roundup: last night games, tonight's contests and signings

Louisiana Tech faced the challenge of Arkansas Little Rock last night and turned back the visitors 70-52. Cordarius Johnson exploded for 17 points on 7-11 shooting while point Kenneth Smith produced a seven point, seven rebound, six steal, five assist line. LT shot only 36% but forced 19 TOs.

LT athletics serves up the game report, including a post-game interview with Coach Mike White.

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Denver and Texas A&M Corpus Christi met up last evening and the elevation squad topped the coastal dwellers 68-51. Chris Udofia produced 17 points and seven rebounds with guard Brett Olsen totaled 11 points. Coach Joe Scott is employing junior Blake Foeman as his big and he stands 6-foot-7 205 pounds (similar to the numbers for Udofia).

SB Nation Denver and Denver athletics provide game reports.

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Utah State hosts St. Mary's tonight. Kraig Williams, Kyle Goon and Shawn Harrison all preview.

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New Mexico State welcomes Southeastern Louisiana. Jason Groves provides his pre-game take and prediction plus another look.

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Host San Jose State University has a challenge with Weber State coming to town. From WS athletics: "...The Wildcats are 1-0 and coming off a 110-52 win over Arizona Christian in the season opener last Friday at home.  WSU host 64 percent from the field and had seven players in double figures in route to the 58 point win, the second largest in school history..."

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Chuck Stark profiles Seattle backcourter Jarell Flora.

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Denver signed small forward and in-state talent Drick Bernstine -- Pioneer athletics has the details. Here is Bernstine's Twitter account. His first name actually is Roderick.

An evaluation from noted analyst Gerry Freitas: "Bernstine is an athletic combo forward who can run and jump. He handles it ok and is a very consistent driver. He shoots it ok with 3-point range and is a solid rebounder. Bernstine’s ultimate level is somewhere in the low to mid major range."

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Coach Mike White netted the signatures of an in-state backcourter and a frontcourter from the Motor City -- LA TECH athletics offers the background. The Shreveport Times has more.

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Texas San Antonio athletics covers the signing of Luke Wilshire.

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Kyle Goon notes Utah State's two signings -- a big and a legacy commit.

Matt Sonnenberg ventures into similar territory.

The 7-footer will redshirt next season while Moore will soon become an all-leaguer. He's a tremendous addition as the Aggies enter the Mountain West Conference

Monday's roundup of Sunday's matchups, plus more

Unlike Saturday, the WAC went undefeated on Sunday.

It was 41-30 in favor of host Oregon State over New Mexico State at the half and that eventually turned into a 71-62 win for the Beavers. Daniel Mullings and Tyrone Watson each scored 14 points for the Aggies with Bandja Sy adding 12. NMSU shot just 36% (1-11 from three-point range) while allowing OSU to shot 42% but Coach Marvin Menzies' group won the battle of the boards 46-33.

Jason Groves game-tweeted. Jason also game reported, with analysis. Kevin Hampton does the same from the Oregon State perspective.

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Seattle held a 43-30 lead over visiting Montana State after 20 minutes and went on to victory 87-72. Four Redhawk players scored in double figures: Clarence Trent 18 (plus nine boards), Deshaun Sunderhaus 14 (plus eight rebounds), Chad Rasmussen 12 (4-9 from three) and Prince Obasi 10. Seattle won on th boards 51-41 and pilfered 17 steals. The downside? Starting center Louis Green suffered five fouls in six minutes of play and freshman big Jack Crook ditto'd in seven minutes of action.

Seattle U Hoops game-tweeted.

Seattle athletics has this game report.

Crook tweeted this: "And after my dunk people chanted god save the queen, was very funny"

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Texas San Antonio topped Liberty Classic tourney host Old Dominion 79-70 as Michael Hale III scored 29 (10-14 overall shooting, 4-7 from distance) plous three assists and zero turnovers in 28 minutes of court time. Fellow backcourter Kannon Burrage totaled 20 points. Jeromie Hill just missed a double-double with 14/9. The Roadrunners shot 50% for the game to 35% for OD.

Hale was named the MVP of the tournament and Jeromie Hill grabbed a spot on the all-tournament team.

InsideRunnerSports game reports. So does Texas San Antonio athletics.

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In a Kyle Goon piece, Spencer Butterfield's contributions are highlighted. Kyle also offers a post-game video interview with Preston Medlin.

Sunday's game lineup plus Saturday's outcomes

Texas San Antonio got on track Saturday night, taking down Holy Cross 60-56 as Jeromie Hill bounced back from a subpar contribution the night before by positing a 17/10 double-double. Michael Hale also posted 17 points. It's tounrey host Old Dominion up next this afternoon.

Texas San Antonio athletics has the game report. So does InsideRunnerSports.

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Idaho State played tough in Logan but Utah State took the win 56-48. Preston Medlin led the way with 14 points, five boards and three assists. The Aggies outshot ISI 47% to 40% and grabbed 13 more rebounds but 17 turnovers kept it close.

Kyle Heywood,Matt Sonnenberg, Rhett Wilkinson, Kyle Goon, Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams each game reports.

Curtis Ripplinger serves up 24 game photos.

Missed this from earlier: Timothy R. Olsen looks at the four spot for Aggies and you'll learn Danny Berger is now 6-foot-8, plus more tidbits. Thanks to MetsJetsAggies (there's some mix and match loyalties for you) for posting the link at the USUFans Stew's Spectrum MB.

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Jason Groves offers three keys and a prediction on New Mexico State's matchup with host Oregon State University. Jason offers more, including his selection for game closer.

BleedCrimson has posted an interview with OSU blogger Connor Pelton.

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Louisiana Tech athletics offers a post-game Q-and-A with Coach Mike White where readers can actually learn something (not the usual after game utterings from a coach). The Raheem Appleby portion is very interesting.

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Seattle is hosting Montana State early Sunday evening as part of the Elgin Baylor Classic. Here's a video interview with Redhawk backcourter Sterling Carter.

Tuesday's WAC basketball digest

Louisiana Tech athletics offers a preview of this year's squad, with some player attribute updates.

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2013 Backcourter Trey Dickerson lists an offer from Seattle. From New York City and also Los Angeles, here's a profile. It looks like he is doing a prep year in Dallas.

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In a solid p.r. gesture, New Nexico State is inviting basketball season ticketholders to a practice.

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From Frank Woodford's latest (a Rivals sub is required):

Zylan Cheatham - 2014 Small Forward from Westwind Prep -
...The six-foot-seven forward wowed the crowd with his athleticism and competitiveness, no one wanted to tell Cheatham that this was only a showcase. The small forward's greatest attribute is his effort and motor. He accedes at playing as a point forward, he is creative and showed good creativity over the weekend. There were many times the forward skied for a rebound, and then took the ball coast to coast for a dunk. Defensively, Cheatham was all over the court, blocking shots, rebounding and playing the passing lanes. The area that he must improve however is his outside shooting...

Jake Toolson - 2014 Shooting Guard from Highland High School -
...he is a terrific one on one player that utilizes several go-to moves to create separation for his favorite move, a step back jumper. The junior-to-be is an interesting prospect because he has the size and strength to be a wing, but is more productive with the ball in his hands at the point. Toolson is creative and can play a point forward at times, but his ball handling must improve if he was to slide over and play the position on a regular basis. His greatest attribute on the basketball court is his shooting, he has great range and is a threat from anywhere on the court...

Both hold offers from Utah State.

Thursday's link extravaganza

Matt Sonnenberg checks in on the various WAC team and player predictions.

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Seattle athletics has Coach Cameron Dollar commenting on the WAC polls and predictions:

Even though no Redhawk players were singled out in the preseason voting, Dollar is confident that members of this year's squad will become known during the season. He believes the team's trip to China in late August, where they played against tough competition in front of standing room-only crowds of about 5,000 people, prepared them for the upcoming schedule.

"Allen Tate played the best of anyone in China, and his solid play has continued since returning to the States. Clarence Trent has been getting better since the end of last season, as his potential has turned into production, and Sterling Carter has settled in and shown veteran leadership heading into this year," said Dollar.

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InsideRunnerSports (as usual) is all over Texas San Antonio recruiting, with two prospects coming in.

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Jason Groves' article has some quotes from various New Mexico State players regarding the coach and media polls.

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Shawn Harrison adds some quotes from the northern Aggies on the same subject.

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Here's Mike White discussing LA Tech's 2012-13 squad:

Saturday's roundup of WAC links

Idaho, except for its football squad, will have a new conference home in 2014, as Bob Murphy reports.

For Vandal basketball, the overall competition should lessen but now it will be Montana playing the role of Utah State/New Mexico State plus Weber State looking to continue on with it's rise, even post-Damian Lillard.

What's difficult to determine is what, if any, effect the move will have on Idaho hoops recruiting.

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Jason Groves offers his WAC ballot plus recruiting items.

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Shawn Harrison takes a peek at this season's Aggies and provides some interesting Kyisean Reed quotes.

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InsideRunnerSports looks back at the first week of practice for Texas San Antonio.

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Seattle U Hoops ponders the Redhawk starting five.

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College Sports Madness serves up various All-WAC picks but with no accompanying explanations and some very interesting choices.

Monday's WAC basketball collective

Jason Groves checks in with some former Aggies on their current statuses and more. It's always enjoyable to reach this type of piece.

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Chad Groth floats some names: "Marvin Menzies, Craig Neal & David Grace would be a perfect names for Texas Tech, said Area Codes Basketball" 

MM has to be thinking that, despite his accomplishments, where is the WAC heading?

SethC serves up nine replacement possibilities, such as they are.

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Here's Frank Burlison viewing the Elite Athletic Training Utah Showcase:

 "...The 6-foot-7 [Jalen] Moore committed to Utah State University (in Logan) more than a year ago. His father (Jimmy) was one of the Aggies’ best-ever players during his 1972-75 playing career and is now the athletic program’s compliance director.

He scored 29 points and dominated play under both backboards and had the day’s most spectacular play with a soaring, one-handed dunk after beating 6-10 Nate Pollard (Kaysville Davis) on the dribble...."

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Greg Crawford looks at Seattle basketball and what the Redhawks need to achieve this season.

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Cavan Walsh adds a bit to what Texas Arlington will be getting next season with Anthony Walker.

Friday's WAC roundup

Tony Jones is spot on -- even a handful of first division quality teams doesn't carry any cachet with ESPN.

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Jason Groves is all over the factors indicating any New Mexico State to the Big West Conference movement is hope and prayer.

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Seattle U Hoops writes about Redhawk basketball media exposure, actually lack thereof. It's also difficult to see the following year offering improvement for WAC member media appearances.

Wednesday's WAC-aroo

From the If-It-Has-To-Happen, Better-Today-Than-Two-Months-From-Now Department: USU's Marcel Davis has a mysterious ailment and, also per Tony Jones, is impressing mightily as a freshman point.

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UT San Antonio athletics officially announces the addition of three new talents to Coach Brooks Thompson's squad, one 'shipped, two walk-ons.

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Ryan James tweets: "Conor Voss grabbed an offer from Texas- Arlington today. They were recently up to watch him workout, Voss visits MIT this weekend"

Voss is a 6-foot-11 2013-er out of Minnesota.

Per Rivals, he also has an offer from Seattle. He just visited Columbia and has an upcoming trip to Davidson and both have extended offers.

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Per Josh Gershon: "2013 Tulare (Calif.) Union PF Keonta Vernon is hosting Northern Arizona and Wyoming on in-homes tonight"

The 6-foot-6, 210 Vernon also has an offer from Seattle. He projects as a three in college.

Sunday's WAC items

6-foot-6 WA shooting guard Tucker Haymond has committed to Western Michigan. Seattle had also offered.

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Hipsterdoofus21 at the USUFans Stew's Spectrum MB indicates that JC transfer forward Sean Harris is still hampered by the surgery he had some time ago.

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PTW notices that Brian Jackson (1978-81) has entered the Utah State University Athletics Hall of Fame. He goes way back but we still remember his play -- good for him.

Thursday's digest of WAC links

37 days until basketball season launches.You can make it, hold on.

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From a Blue Zertuche article: "Trinity high school standout Myles Turner has been invited by UTA, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas, Kansas, Rice, TCU, North Texas, SMU, Houston, Baylor, and Creighton. The 6-foot-10 power forward missed all of summer with a broken ankle. Turner will return to action September 13."

The competition looks mighty fierce for the 2014-er.

One 2012 description: "A wiry thin low post player who can step out and shoot it. He only got four shots off on the night (4 for 4) due to quick double teams and perimeter pressure defense. He has a very soft touch and range to the 3 point line. He is a good rebounder and shot blocker but really needs to get stronger in his base…legs/butt/hips."

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SeattleUHoops has a column up on the Redhawks results in China and the benefits of playing in August/September.

Wednesday's WAC basketball wrapup

This tidbit of Denver University basketball information in a recent athletics release caught PTW's eye:

"...Last year DU men's basketball student-athletes were once again leaders in their league with regard to academic performance. Eight members of the team were named to either the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List or Honor Roll, given to players with a 3.0 grade-point average or higher..."

That is extremely impressive.

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PTW was wondering about what seemed like an update embargo on Seattle's visit to China but this, from Coach Cameron Dollar, explains it all: "Sorry for not being able to update as the trip unfolded. China takes its social media policies seriously. Also, limited internet access."

Talk about the Chinese authorities shooting themselves in their respective feet. Gotta love the authoritarian counterproductiveness.

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From Hoopniks: "RT @TheRecruitScoop: JUCO PF Anthony Walker has committed to UT-Arlington, sources say."

He's a 6-foot-9 sophomore at South Plains Junior College this season after averaged 3.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 63% overall from the floor, 37% from the foul line in eight minutes a contest.  

Here's a November 2010 article regarding Walker signing with Texas Arlington out of high school.