A single game tonight

UT Arlington sets aside WAC play to face visiting Boise State tonight. Maverick athletics previews.

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So what can be gleaned from the opening set of WAC conference matchups? PTW still thinks it's any conference team can beat any other conference team on a given night and, since all teams make the tournament in Las Vegas, hope abides until early March for all. But as is usual, but especially so this season, the Western Athletic Conference is certainly a one bid Big Dance entity.

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USU Stats offers some more on 2014 Aggie recruiting target Rashad Figures. Just on the surface, it appears he will be difficult to pry out of the east.

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Not good news on Herb Pope.

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It's free. It takes place at the charity stripe. So why do some never become free throw efficient or lose their touch? More importantly, what can be done about it?

Confidence building, repetition, mechanics and pretty women as Chris Herring reports. Bet the latter has convinced you to click on the link.

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.

Friday's game reports, plus recruiting items

Seattle paired off with same-city rival Washington and the Huskies jumped out to a 49-27 halftime lead. That more or less held up with the contest ending 87-74 in Coach Lorenzo Romar's favor. Seattle's Chad Rasmussen went for 19 points on 5-8 long distance shooting. The Redhawks were outshot 54% to 37% and connected on just 14-27 free throws.

Percy Allen offered a live game thread.

Redhawk athletics game reports.

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Texas Arlington matched up with visiting Houston Baptist and a whomping ensued as the Mavericks prevailed 81-47 with four of Coach Scott Cross' talents scoring in double figures: Karol Gruszecki with 18 points, 13 from Cameron Catlett, 11 by Kevin Butler and Jordan Reves totaled 10 plus 13 boards.

TA athletics game reports.

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Westwind Prep posted a pair of WAC-connected tweets.

First: "San Jose State after 2013 combo guard Larry Lewis. SJS moving into Mtn West conference needs to up its talent and looking at WPA players"

Texas San Antonio is also all over Lewis, including extending an offer as Inside Runner Sports reported back in August.

Then: "SJS also interested in local Bay Area big man 6'10" Miles Martin at WPA National"

Here's a February 2012 report on Lewis as a senior in high school. 

As for Martin, Anthony Ray/Arizona Preps wrote this some time back:

Miles Martin is a native of Cupertino, California, where he attended Homestead High School last season. While Martin is also a developing post prospect as well, he is much further along offensively than Okonkwo, but not as athletic. Martin is a good-sized post presence with a nice frame already, but still developing low post skills. He has a soft touch from mid-range and has solid footwork, but still is improving his ability to make plays inside and finish strong around the rim. He simply needs touches of the basketball and continued low post skillwork to develop as a post prospect for the collegiate level. Martin is a solid rebounder but needs to become quicker off his feet to see improvement in this area of his game. He runs the floor well for his size, but needs to be more athletic to become much more effective against top-rated low post prospects.

Martin’s best attribute currently is his sheer size. He also has some upside as a player, and has worked hard this fall to become much stronger physically and to tone up his large frame. This season spent at Westwind will also serve him a great deal as he works hard to improve his approach to the game. Currently, Martin is a low to mid-major division-I prospect that will see his share of much higher recruitment as a result of his size as a post prospect.

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No games involving WAC teams are scheduled for tonight.

Thursday's look at one game played, two coming tonight

Louisiana Tech fell to McNeese State 80-72 on the basis of a strong second half from the Lake Charles residents. Michale Kyser posted a 10/13 double-double alongside four blocked shots but the backcourt shooters for the Bulldogs had an off night.

LT athletics offers the game report.

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Kyle Goon writes that Stew Morrill will have another 'big' on hand come Saturday.

Texas Arlington Assistant Zak Buncik brings readers inside regarding recruiting duties.

Jeff Faraudo offers some press on SJSU's James Kinney.

ESPN's Andy Katz has more on Danny Berger.

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In Thursday's games:

Texas Arlington welcomes Houston Baptist into town tonight. TA athletics takes a look.

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Seattle tangles with a down Washington squad tonight. Redhawk athletics previews the pairing as does Seattle U Hoops.

Percy Allen offers a transcript of his live chat with Coach Cameron Dollar.

Tuesday's single game report plus a trio of previews

UTA took down Pan American 60-51 last night behind 17 points and seven rebounds from frontcourter Brandon Edwards. Two other Mavericks also grabbed seven boards: Jordan Reves and Karol Gruszecki.

UTA athletics game reports.

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Jason Groves offers his weekly WAC rankings.

Seattle U Hoops also checks in with a top to bottom.

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Tonight:

New Mexico State is in Mobile to battle South Alabama. Aggie athletics previews. Jason Groves reports that Chili Nephawe might be hampered. Jason also provides a preview as does Bleed Crimson.

Texas San Antonio is in Starkville versus Mississippi State. Roadrunner athletics previews.

Louisiana Tech completes the trifecta of road contests, being in Natchitoches for a matchup with Northwestern State. Bulldog athletics previews as does Jason Pugh.

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.

Sunday: five game reports, plus a pair of previews

It was the Spartans versus the Bobcats as SJSU hit Big Sky Country to face Montana State and came away with an 82-74 victory. It was the James Kinney Show again as the SJSU senior backcourter went for 23 points and seven boards. Forward Chris Cunningham earned a 15/10 double-double. Coach George Nessman's crew shot 53% overall and held MSU to 38% but committed 22 TOs. Gidal Kaiser was present and offers this game report.

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Host Texas had been struggling but won the first half 38-18 versus Texas Arlington and went on to a 70-54 win. Jordan Reves posted a double-double consisting of 15 points and 10 boards for TA. The Mavs shot but 30%. TA athletics game reports.


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Southern Mississippi was in Las Cruces and thoughts of nabbing a victory hit a big roadblock to the tune of 68-60 primarily because of freshman Sim Bhullar's 17 points, seven boards and pair of blocks. But Daniel Mullings showed his mental strength with a 21/11 double-double. Jason Groves game reports. Bhullar also had a special visitor.

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Texas San Antonio rode into Merle Haggard country but without the services of backcourter Michael Hale III due to injury. Fellow guard Kannon Burrage led with 18 points but no other Roadrunner scored in double figures as the Texans fell 85-52 to Cal State Bakersfield. 26 TOs certainly contributed to the defeat. UTSA athletics game reports.

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Host Idaho hung out the welcome mat to UC Davis and prevailed 73-66. Stephen Madison posted a 21 point, seven rebound line. Josh Wright game reports. Vandal Nation tweeted the matchup.

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Denver is on The Farm facing Pac-12 member Stanford today. Pioneer athletics previews.

Seattle hosts Michigan State and Creighton beater Boise State. Seattle U Hoops previews.

Thursday: last night's game reports plus realignment and recruiting

From Dieter Kurtenbach: "I’ve been told it’s finalized. Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, Florida Atlantic and New Mexico State are joining C-USA."

Teddy Feinberg quotes NMSU AD McKinley Boston as nothing is currently happening. 

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 From Premier Ball: "@NCalPremierBall reports San Jose State offers 2013 PG Rae Jackson, El Cerrito HS & 2014 SF 6’6 Elliot Smith, Freedom HS (CA)"

Northern Colorado has also offered Smith.

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Call the first few games from last night a sort of Rivalry Week challenges, out-of-conference ones.

New Mexico State crossed the border to face UTEP and enjoyed a four point halftime lead only to lose 55-54. Tyrone Watson led the Aggies with 13 points. Daniel Mullings played 27 minutes but took just six shots. He did add six rebounds and four steals.

Jason Groves tweeted the game.

UTEP athletics game reports as does Jason Groves.

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Louisiana Tech went to battle with Southeastern Louisiana in Ruston and dispatched their brethren 99-62 via a 69 point second half. Raheem Appleby scored 22 points with fellow soph Kenneth Smith posting eight points, seven assists, six steals and five boards.

LT athletics game reports. Below is Coach Mike White's post-game interview.


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Idaho traveled to the Palouse to challenge Pac-12 member Washington State but fell 64-55. Kyle Barone went for 11 and eight, Stephen Madison totaled 13 points and Connor Hill produced 10 points plus four assists.

Christian Caple and Troy Warzocha game tweeted.

Idaho athletics, Sean Kramer and Caple offer game reports.

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Texas Arlington hit the highway to face off with North Texas and downed their state compatriots 72-59 as Karol Gruszecki scored 17 points while Jordan Reves hit the boards fro 13 rebounds and totaled seven points. The game was tied at halftime 31 apiece. North Texas shot just 31%, going 4-23 from long distance.

UTA athletics game reports.

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Seattle and Stanford mixed it up and the Redhawks battled but eventually fell 68-57. Coach Cameron Dollar's guy led 30-27 after the initial 20 minutes. From the backcourt, Prince Obasi enjoyed 18 points and eight boards. Forward Deshaun Sunderhaus produced a 12/11 double-double.

Seattle athletics and Seattle U Hoops serve up game reports.

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Just down the road from there, Utah State came into Santa Clara and the matchup went into overtime with the Loganites winning 80-78. USU shot 56%, Santa Clara 42% but Coach Stew Morrill's guys committed 23 turnovers. Jarred Shaw went for 15 points plus eight boards with Kyisean Reed adding 10 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Shawn Harrison was present (kudos to HJ management) and offers this game report. Kyle Goon and Matt Sonnenberg also check in.

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Texas San Antonio is in the Land of Ducks tonight, facing Pac-12 member Oregon on that very artistic basketball court.

Wednesday's roundup: one game report & a handful of previews

It was Denver in the Magnolia State versus Southern Mississippi last night. No word if Colonel Mustard and a candlestick were sighted but the Pioneers fell 61-50. The score was 23-15 at the half in favor of the Magnolians. Royce O'Neale's career high 23 points (5-11 from long distance) paced Coach Joe Scott's squad. O'Neale also captured six rebounds. Chris Udofia scored six points (3-6 shooting) but contributed five steals, four assists and three blocked shots. UD shot 33% to 50% for Southern Mississippi plus went to the foul line but six times.

UD athletics offers a game report.

Mile High Mids is all over Denver's peripatetic-ness of the last three years.

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Grand Canyon gets an official welcome to the WAC.

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New Mexico State travels to UTEP tonight to renew that heated rivalry. Jason Groves talks with Tyrone Watson. Jason also offers a preview, his keys to the game plus a prediction and on Daniel Mullings' availability.

Louisiana Tech welcomes Southeastern Louisiana in an intra-state rivalry. LT athletics previews.

Texas Arlington does the same in traveling to face North Texas. UT Arlington athletics previews.

Idaho scoots over to Pullman to challenge Washington State. UI athletics previews.

Seattle tangles with Stanford on The Farm. Seattle U Hoops previews.

Utah State is in Silicon Valley to take on Santa Clara. Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams preview.

Sunday's roundup of last night's games

Texas State handled UC Riverside 81-69 up in Anchorage -- this despite losing the battle of the boards 41-26. JC newcomer forward Corey Stern paced the Bobcats with 17 points while frontcourter Matt Staff contributed 16. Guard Vonn Jones contributed 10 points plus seven assists.

TS athletics game reports.

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In a Beehive State battle, host Utah State and Weber State were tied at 28 after the first 20 minutes. It became a foul fest, one with USU nabbing a 65-55 victory. Jarred Shaw achieved a 16/12 double-double and Preston Medlin just missed with 17 points and nine rebounds plus four assists and three steals.

Kyle Goon tweeted the matchup.

Randy Hollis, Shawn Harrison, Kyle Goon, Roy Burton and Kevin Meacham each game reports. Curtis Ripplinger has game photos.

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Louisiana Tech turned back Louisiana Monroe 68-52. Cordarius Johnson provided 23 points (8-11 overall, 5-7 from three-point range) and eight boards while Raheem Appleby scored 18. But the Bulldogs shot just 22-53 in the game.

Matt Vines/The News Star game reports as does LT athletics.

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Texas Arlington went into Alabama and took a 65-58 victory over Samford as center Jordan Reves post a 14/12 double-double along with a trio of blocked shots. Kevin Butler aided the cause with 15 points plus five assists. TA shot 51% for the game while holding the hosts to 37%.

UTA athletics game reports.

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No games are scheduled for today.

Saturday's recap of last night's games plus tonight's previews

Host Texas Arlington led early, fell behind, crept back near the end, then tied the score but Oklahoma prevailed last night 63-59. Kevin Butler led the Navs with 16 points, Karol Gurszecki scored 15 and Jordan Reves produced 10 rebounds plus four blocks.

A record crowd of 6,421 showed up for the game.

UTA athletics offers the game report.

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Denver tangled with visiting Cal and fell 72-61. Soph backcourter Brett Olson topped the Pioneers with 17 points and Chris Udofia produced a 16/10 double-double. Denver shot 37% overall to 51% for the Bears and also lost the rebounding battle 40-28.

UD athletics serves up the game report.

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It's Texas State hosting Southern Methodist (and Coach Larry Brown) tonight -- two bright stars for the Bobcats: "...Texas State is 2-0 heading into the weekend. Matt Staff is the Bobcats leading scorer and rebounder with an average of 22.5 ppg and 10.0 rpg. Staff and Joel Wright each have a double-double on record and have shined in the Bobcats two wins. Texas State enters the weekend having scored 86 points in each of their first two games..."  

Randy Stevens game previews.


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Seattle is on the road versus Virginia, a squad sporting a 1-2 record and struggling offensively: "...As a team, Virginia is shooting 38.5 percent from the field, including 28.0 percent from behind the three-point line, and 64.0 percent from the free throw line..."

Seattle U Hoops previews.


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Also, NMSU is in Niagara Falls, NY to first face Bucknell. Jason Groves previews and also provides his game keys plus a prediction.

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Shawn Harrison looks at the Utah State - Texas A&M Corpus Christi matchup.

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Idaho has Montana coming in and Sean Kramer assesses the matchup.

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Per Doug Hoffman, Stew Morrill signed a third player (besides Jalen Moore and Carson Shanks).

Wednesday WAC roundup

Finally located the whereabouts of former Utah State wing/guard Steve Thornton. It's Citrus College in southern California, a perennial contender for the state community college championship.

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Andy Glockner offers some 'mid-major' players to track and Preston Medlin is listed:

Learn the name because he has the game and the Aggies may splash back onto the national scene come March as their young roster has started to mature. The Aggies usually run very efficient offense, but it helps when you have a guy who shoots 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from the arc.

Under 'Breakout Stars' comes Denver's Chris Udofia:

The overall stats won't blow you away because the Pioneers play so slowly on offense, but he's a major athlete who can score and board. Joe Scott's men could win the WAC in their debut season.

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Sean Kramer writes that Idaho's playing rotation is firming up very early.

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Jason Groves offers his latest on New Mexico State's depth chart.

Teddy Feinberg checks in with his Aggie player and team take.

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Michael Eldridge/Texas Arlington athletics previews the Mavs.

Thursday's WAC compilation

Recruit Dirt tweeted: "6'7 F Jacoby Armstrong #2013 of Quest Academy (NV) - Offers from UTA, Montana State, Sam Houston State, Albany,& New Hampshire"

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Robert Robinson tweeted regarding Riley Bradshaw: "interesting 2 see what restrictions former Griz coach Morril puts on his release Can not go 2 Griz or maybe has 2 go 2 the Griz"

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Kyle Goon writes it's Simon Fraser next in The Spectrum and provides a number of player quotes from Stew Morrill.

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Here's Joe Scott at Media Day on his Denver squad: "Talent-wise, there is no doubt the ability is there, now it's just about gelling as a team," Scott said. "It's about the way the team comes together, the team personality and the team chemistry. Right now I think we're doing well in all those areas, but you never really know about those things until you have to step onto the court and they turn the lights on for real..."

Tuesday's WAC hoops digest

Kyle Goon video interviews Jarred Shaw, who will play a big role in the middle for Utah State.

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Shawn Harrison also takes a look at USU.

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The USU Stats folks write about George Costanza, shrinkage and Aggie roundball, not necessarily in that order, and such will surely get you to read it.

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Texas Arlington's Jordan Reves is selected as the pre-season WAC best defender by the Yahoo staff. Better fear the beard -- 57 shotblocks -- when you enter the paint!

Saturday's WAC news

Denver has a visitor this weekend, Jordan Scott arriving on an official.

Scott is a 6-foot-6 guard/wing with a 6-foot-9 brother attending Colorado. Per Rivals, offers have been extended from Air Force, Drake and Wyoming.

Jeremy Bauman and Peter Robert Casey wrotes this on Scott in May 2012: "He may not have the bulk, but Jordan Scott is a physical forward at 6’6”, 190 pounds. He gets his hands on a lot of loose balls, can rebound well for his size and can match up with multiple positions defensively. Scott picks up most of his points as a perimeter slasher. With refined range, there’s a lot of upside to his game."

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Per Jim Hicks, Texas Arlington has landed a big, 6-foot-9 Lone Star Stater Jordan Williams.

Another Hicks tweet: "Brandon Williams had an offer from Miami (FL) during the April live period. Great catch for Scott Cross and his Mavericks staff."

One description: " Williams is a fluid, bouncy and athletic forward that can develop into a high major prospect in time. Williams can really block shots to go along with his size and athleticism."

From back in 2010: "Brandon (6″8) is an athletic kid, who has a high ceiling. Currently he is very raw, but his work ethic is causing him to progress at a very quick rate. He’s a great rebounder and shot blocker with explosiveness.  This is only his 2nd year of organized basketball." 

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Credit John Ralston at the GoVandal.net basketball message board for locating this Matt Hickman-penned story on Ajak Magot, a 6-foot-10-er out of Sudan who has an offer from Idaho. The story behind the story is often the most fascinating.

Thursday's WAC hoops digest

The recent offer from Texas Arlington didn't sway 2013 Minnesota prepster Conor Voss. Per Ryan James: "St Cloud Cathedral/MN Comets 7-ft center Conor Voss has committed to play at Ivy League school Columbia"

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It's sure looking like Idaho is Big Sky bound, football excepted at least for now, as Bob Murphy writes.

Friday's WAC hoops wrapup

Ryan James tweeted: "Prior Lake C Carson Shanks is taking his official visit to Utah State this weekend. Carson committed there last year"

Shanks is a 7-footer out of Minnesota.

Here's a January 30, 2012 interview.

USUStats has word on two other visitors coming to Logan.

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Coast2Coast Hoops tweeted: "UT-Arlington is now expressing interest in 2013 Belton (TX) shooting guard Thomas Barnes"

He's 6-foot-1, 165 pounds and listed as a combo guard.

In mid-July, it was tweeted that Louisiana Tech was evaluating him.

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Former New Mexico State backcourter Christian Kabongo is now at Morgan State, having departed from Southern Mississippi (it will take a bit of scrolling down).

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.

Friday's WAC pre-holiday weekend wrapup

Dayton Morinaga has the details about Bill Amis' choice to forsake professional basketball and get on with his life -- Amis has returned to Hawaii. PTW always liked him and his game and wishes him well.

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ESPN's Fran Fraschilla tabs Texas Arlington's Scott Cross as one to watch in the college coaching ranks.