The Refraction Fresno State edition is up

The Refraction-ers have posted their Fresno State work of art and are looking for heirs to the throne.

Three more items

We missed this earlier: Josh Wright's preview of the Idaho - Boise State matchup.

 +++++

New Mexico State's Wendell McInnis-- oops, he's going to posterize me, it's McKines --  is constitutionally incapable of ever being milquetoast and thankfully so. He is having fun on his Twitter account as he searches for a summer home in Logan while awaiting being awarded a key to the city by the mayor.

+++++

The Refraction guys have the New Mexico State edition posted -- head here but not while you are eating.

The Refraction is posted

The guys at The Refraction have the Louisiana Tech edition up -- head here.

The Refraction is back

We looked too early yesterday and should have checked back especially since it was based on a rivalry game. Head here.

P.S. PTW has always been in the Matt Sonnenberg = manliness camp. CBS missed the boat when they declined to air "Sonnenberg PI" and we always thought it should have been "Sonnenberg and Hutch" rather than that Starsky guy. Who better to star in the next "Ironman" film?

Saturday's WAC-aroo

It's back! Of course, it never left us, just going on a summer and fall hiatus when the season concluded. Yes, we are talking about The Refraction. The guys are also seeking their successors who will need strong constitutions (and no we are not talking about Second Amendment remedies), a unique sense of humor and way too much available time. We don't wish to make next season harder for the newbies but filling the shoes of Kraig and Matt will be like replacing Willie Mays in center field and Willie McCovey at first (yep, demonstrating once again just how old PTW is as we count the decades on our abacus).

+++++

San Jose State went up to Cheney, Washington last night and escaped getting pelleted by a wild-eyed 'sharpshooter' hunting for Spartans rather than doves. Here's the game report from Spartan athletics. Here's the story from the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

+++++

Hawaii took down Montana State 77-59. Here's the report from Dayton Morinaga. Brian McInnis is here and Ferd Lewis here.

By the way, Damiene Cain did commit to Colorado.

+++++

New Mexico State had no trouble with Louisiana Lafayette, winning 92-76 last night. Sam Wasson/Bleed Crimson has a report here. Jason Groves is here.

+++++

BYU acted as an ungracious host in beating Fresno State 83-56. Here's the story from the Salt lake City Tribune.

+++++

There is no patience listed on the Wolf Pack roster but Dan Hinxman writes here that such will be a virtue for Nevada hoops this season.

+++++

Utah State hosts Weber State tonight -- Andrew Aragon writes about the matchup here. Roy Burton here. Kraig Williams here. Shawn Harrison here. Tony Jones offers the keys to the game here.

The Refraction-ers tackle New Mexico State

The New Mexico State Refraction issue has been posted by Kraig and Matt (or Matt and Kraig if you're a Sonnenberg clan member. Scroll down to the Back Page to get the Aggie material as the 'first page' is the Refraction 2009-2010 awardees. Check and see if you were honored. Here's the link.

You asked for it -- here it is

The latest issue -- the Fresno State edition -- of The Refraction is up. Head here. Our lawyers (Dewey, Cheatum and Howe) insist we provide this disclaimer: PTW is not responsible for any resulting high blood pressure, indigestion or any other resulting side effects, including additions in the loss column.

Here's the liveblogging link

Here you go for Kraig Williams' liveblogging of the Utah State - Louisiana Tech battle.

To get you into the mood, here's the Refraction issue covering the matchup.

The Refraction-ers do Idaho

Them Refraction-ers are at it again, publishing the Idaho game issue with time to spare -- hint, hint.

Actually, we don't wish to rile the duo behind the publication because we heard that Pistol Pete got on their case last year and, you guessed it, New Mexico State is currently searching for a new PP.

The dynamic duo go brutal on Moscow, the one in Idaho, for some laughs as well as pot-shotting individual Vandals.

It can be found here.

Sunday game reports on Saturday night's WAC matchups

Due to gremlins -- no, not those AMC (but best selling) clunkers of yesteryear (or if you prefer, Ghosts In The Machine -- The Refaction has been MIA. But now it's back with a vengeance. Here's the Boise State edition. Plus, for those who missed it (including us), here's the Hawaii smackdown.

+++++

Sam Wasson has the game report on New Mexico State's takedown of Fresno State here. Plus, plenty of game photos can be accessed here.

Jason Groves writes that the Aggies tripled up on the Bulkldogs here. He blogs about Jonathan Gibson's season here.

Daniel Lyght offers his game report here as Steve Cleveland talks about this and the next two games versus USU and Nevada at home.

+++++

Jared Eborn offers his game report of the Aggie romp over Boise State here. Shawn Harrison provides his equalizer here. Tony Jones likewise here. Jones also features transfer Brian Green's season-to-date here and well as blogging some post-game rumination here.

Nick Jezierny made the trip south (a big tip o' the hat to Idaho Statesman management) and his game perspective is provided here.

+++++

Chris Murray is all over Nevada's win over Idaho here. He profiles Wolf Pack recruit Jordan Burris here, along with other assorted notes.

+++++

The headline on Dayton Morinaga's game preview here says it all. Brian McInnis complements with his preview of Hawaii versus San Jose State here.

The Curious Case of Roderick Flemings is examined here.

Tuesday night links and notes

Nevada almost went point-for-point with BYU earlier today in what must have been a great game to watch, but fell 110-104.

Chris Murray has the details. He has a bushel full of notes here.

Dario Hunt is quoted in the game article and made our night, producing a good laugh in the PTW household: “We just didn’t nut up and play ‘D’ tonight.”

+++++

Travis Mason-Bushman is tweeting/twittering (whatever the correct verb is) that Idaho is falling to Portland. It's 60-42 at the under 8 minute TO. He also is informing Vandal fans that Marcus Lawrence in on the sidelines for one of those team rules getting in the way. Access his Twitter account here.

+++++

Utah State is rolling over Cal State Fullerton -- 61-42 at this point.

+++++

Louisiana Tech had no trouble with Texas Pan-American, 81-60.

+++++

Some issues require a note from your mother, er, make that your therapist, before reading them (especially if you are among the 'stars' featured) but it's always worthy to announce a new issue -- on Cal State Fullerton -- of The Refraction is available here. Will USU forsaker Bryce Webster have an intact psyche after tonight?

+++++

Scott Ficklin ranks the WAC teams here.

Your Tuesday WAC - O - RAMA

Drat. Our valiant attempt to split them Refraction-ers has apparently fizzled. Matt Sonnenberg (aka Fafner) and Kraig Williams are now offering Refraction T-shirts which are guaranteed to get you greeted in downtown Logan as a long lost cousin. As for Reno and Las Cruces -- well, we have two words: life insurance. Go here to see the front and especially the back of the T-shirt. Go here for the details of how to get your hands on one (or more). By the way, anyone know if Matt is related to Scott Sonnenberg who played a year at BYU (we won't hold that against him) then transferred to San Jose State and now is a high level corporate guy with the Chicago Bulls?

+++++

Sam Wasson/BleedCrimson.net has his weekly interview with Coach Marvin Menzies here. He also provides video highlights of the New Mexico State victory over UTEP here.

+++++


Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal offers his WAC team rankings here. Idaho still leads. he also offers a bevy of WAC and national basketball notes here.

+++++

Kudos to the Salt Lake City Tribune brass for this -- Tony Jones will hit the road for Utah State's next games versus Cal State Bakersfield and Long Beach State. Roscoe's also gets a mention -- never been there but have heard great reports.

Everything you wanted to know about The Refraction

Mission accomplished.

Our subterfuge psyops campaign has worked.

We done smoked 'em out.

The conventional wisdom was that but one individual lay behind The Refraction -- A Cold-Blooded Wrecking Machine since 2009" -- but our instincts told us differently.

Now the truth can be told.

Matt Sonnenberg, who goes by the code name 'Fafner' (our encryption experts are close to cracking what that alias signifies) has outed himself as the partner-in-grime with Kraig Williams.

It was professional jealousy that spurred Sonnenberg to do so. Up to now, PTW had made no mention of his contributions, figuring this was the ideal way to create a fissure between the two.

Now, rumor has it that one of the duo will soon secretly insert some tiny coded nugget of devotional worship for the New Mexico State basketball in one of the Refraction editions while the other is preoccupied with waiting in line at The Spectrum during game day -- and then blame a Las Cruces hacker.

But we have yet to ascertain which partner will do the dirty deed.

Then we predict, it will be 'discovered' one of the pair actually took frenzied possession of some "Aggie" emblazoned jammies delivered recently in a UPS box. But get this curiosity: the name "Doc Boston" was curiously listed as the sender.

Finally, multiple sources have told PTW that TMZ will reveal later this month that one of the Refraction-ers actually checked in at various Las Cruces hotels under the name Pistol Pete when New Mexico last hosted the WAC tournament.

The only question remaining is will Williams and Sonnenberg -- no, ahem, make that Sonnenberg and Williams -- go they way of Frick and Frack?

A big weekend for the WAC

It's still the non-conference schedule but this weekend is an important one because the various WAC teams can earn some major RPI points with victories over assorted foes.

The Refraction-ers are ready with another exceptional issue focused heavily on Mr. Omar. St. Mary's can be taken if the opponent plays a 40 minute game. San Jose State led 45-33 at halftime on Monday only to eventually lose by seven to the Gaels.

KRAIG WILLIAMS -- no, he does not go by any other surname -- will be liveblogging the game -- that can be found at the Rush The Court site here.

Do watch for the Mickey McConnell - Jared Quayle matchup at the point. McConnell is feisty and knows how to play, scoring from outside and taking it to the hoop. Guard Matthew Dellavedova certainly doesn't appear like a freshman. By the way, Dellavedova has an interesting shot, seemingly releasing it before he gets to the top of his jump.

Jared Eborn/Deseret News has a pre-game article as does Shawn Harrison/Herald-Journal here.

Kurt Kragthorpe/Salt Lake City Tribune provides an in-depth look at Coach Stew Morrill. Okay, we know Morrill one day just might be convinced to appear on "Dancing With The Stars" due to his ability to cut a rug (hey, the phrase indicates our age but it does appear in the Urban Dictionary) but we'll pass on shirtless -- no offense meant Stew. Read the article to understand.

+++++

Jason Groves/Las Cruces Sun News offers a commentary today on the Aggie - Lobo contest:

COMMENTARY: For Aggies to improve, hustle needs to be No. 1 priority
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
12/05/2009

Teams will come out of a shooting slump.

The New Mexico State men's basketball team has three players who are proven shooters for a Western Athletic Conference team.

What is troubling through the first six games is that the shooting percentage of the team doesn't tell the whole story.

Personnel changes due to grades, coaching adjustments or an improved shooting prowess won't matter on a game-to-game basis if the players on the court don't show effort at both ends of the floor for 40 minutes...

Go here for the remainder.

Jason Groves also has another article with a number of Marvin Menzie quotes.

+++++

Junior college transfer Douglas Kurtz is finally eligible to play -- it's a good sign for Bob Nash to be gaining another player.

Bows 7-footer Kurtz will debut against Lamar
Dayton Morinaga
Honululu Advertiser

In an effort to patch its losing streak, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is bringing in reinforcements.

Seven-foot center Douglas Kurtz is expected to make his season debut tomorrow when the Rainbow Warriors host Lamar...

Go here for the remainder.

and

Dayton Morinaga's article has Bob Nash asking for greater effort at the defensive end:

Nash asks for better D
Brian McInnis
Honolulu Star Bulletin

Bob Nash and the Hawaii men's basketball team haven't felt comfortable for a while.

The third-year coach would prefer to transfer some of that discomfort to UH's opponents, starting tomorrow against Lamar when the Rainbow Warriors (2-4) try to end a four-game losing streak at 5:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"Don't let them get comfortable!" Nash bellowed several dozen times over the course of yesterday's 2-hour practice, during which the Rainbows tried to tighten up their porous man-to-man defense...

Go here for the remainder.

+++++

Jagdip Dhillon/Stockton Record has a pre-game look at the Pacific - Nevada contest:

Tigers find new starting point
Jagdip Dhillon
Stockton Record
December 05, 2009

STOCKTON - Demetrece Young missed the first 17 shots he took this season, but his diligence has earned him the starting point guard job for Pacific...

Go here for the remainder.

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal goes inside with Pacific Coach Bob Thomason, one of the good guys in the business.

+++++

Boise State faces Illinois on the road, Louisiana Tech hosts Northwestern State, San Jose State travels to Orem to battle Utah Valley State.

+++++

C'mon, let's earn those RPI points.

Plus, San Diego travels to Fresno tomorrow and Portland comes to Moscow to face the Vandals.

We flat out blew it

We are in trouble. BIG TROUBLE.

Somehow, some way, we ended up changing the surname of one of the Refraction-ers in a previous post, listing him as Kraig Mitchell when it should have been Kraig Williams.

K-R-A-I-G W-I-L-L-I-A-M-S.

Yes, it could have been worse, say if the error had been Kraig Fredette or Kraig Tavernari or -- worse of all -- Kraig Rose, so there is something, however miniscule, to be thankful for.

But we are shaking in our ratty slippers and Cheeto-stained bathrobe regarding just what might appear in the next issue of The Refraction.

Hey, do you think a boxload of Jägermeister would appease The Refractions Gods?

By the way, Kraig will also be liveblogging the USU-St.Marys game on Saturday and we will get you the CORRECT details.

Sunday's WAC Linkeroo

Ron Tyler at A Closer Look at LA Tech Hoops offers some analysis from the Bulldog opener, a win against Texas Pan American.

We have been remiss in tracking the output of them Refraction-ers so, attempting to keep on their good side, here is our paltry make-up attempt:

Happy WAC Basketball Season Everywhere

followed by

WAC Saturday

There's probably more so we will post as we locate them.

The Refraction-ers are like no other

Hey, we mean the headline in a good way. The Refraction-ers don't do staid or stuffiness and they always include some humor so that's an unbeatable combination. There really should be some sort of placard in front of or inside The Spectrum heralding these band of USU brothers (you guys have any sister members?) or, at the very least, a special seating section where these definite red meat eaters -- raw meat eaters? -- lead the fan charge.

A tip o' the hat to Vandal Nation.Travis Mason-Bushman for picking up this one. Hey Travis, is Logan on your itinerary this coming season? Better get that tetanus shot.

Our WAC Preseason Poll (If We Were Allowed To Vote)
The Refraction
October 13, 2009

While we anticipate the preseason WAC polls and All-WAC teams we are here to give you our honest take. Today team rankings, later this week our 1st and 2nd All-WAC teams.

In reverse order

9. Hawaii

Hawaii’s Roderick Flemings is really good. Other than that I can’t think of a single nice thing to say about this team. On the plus side they get to live in Hawaii and it snows in Logan in September. Consider it a draw...

Go here for the remainder.

Bookmark the link to the Refraction site.

The Mid-Majority folks really should add The Refraction link to their site.

More on The Spectrum reception committee

It sounds like it's quite the experience for opposing coaches, players and team when facing Utah State in Logan -- not exactly feeling the love of Welcome Wagon host and hostesses. Maybe it's not quite "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" but remains mindblowing in its own way.

It's always tough with comparisons but our sense is the reference as "Cameron Indoors West" is inherently unfair -- the lack of national publicity for the USU fan-dom antics and for what takes place in The Spectrum is an awareness Utah State cannot control. Heck, it might even top what the Cameron Crazies offer.

It does seem fair to say that The Spectrum-ites are the best at what they do west of the Mississippi. Clue us in if you disagree. Plus, does anyone have a photo or two of the off-the-court 'action" taking place in The Spectrum?

Aggie faithful will put Pack on hot seat
Utah State's 11-0 home record traced partly to fans
Chris Murray
January 28, 2009

When the Nevada basketball team walks into The Spectrum to play Utah State on Thursday night, the Wolf Pack will have more to worry about than simply beating a team that has been nearly perfect this season.

That task is difficult enough, but Wolf Pack players will also be the target of thousands of rabid fans ready to goad, taunt and pester them

until they crack.

Every game, 4,000-plus students pack The Spectrum ready to explode, and Thursday night's Western Athletic Conference showdown will be no different.

"It's just what you do," said Jeff Browning, a sophomore at USU who has been going to games since he was 6. "It's what you're expected to do. It's part of the culture. To us, it's culture and it's religion. At other places, maybe that's not the case."

Matt Sonnenberg, a USU student who publishes a comical online newsletter for every Aggie home game, said the crowd can be "ruthless..."

Go here for the remainder.

Has there ever been a better endorsement?

Kyle Whelliston didn't get paid for this. Nor will he receive a year's free supply of honey from the Beehive State. Actually the Utah state symbol is related to "industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance..." But we're telling you, we just cannot recall any endorsement, especially an off-the-cuff one, that tops this. It's game, set and match all rolled into one. From a recent Whelliston chat on ESPN:

"...I'm going to give you the difference straight up -- Utah State fans are more organized, more ruthlessly efficient, and care less about offending people than any competitor. The Refraction is a cold-blooded wrecking machine. That's all there is to it..."

Of course, this begs the question of whether or not certain moms will ever understand that their offspring being called "a cold-blooded wrecking machine" is quite the compliment?

The Refraction issue for today's Idaho game isn't up yet but keep checking. The Refractioners are certainly loaded with perseverance but (lucky for us) not thrifty with their comments.

Utah State - BYU brings out the $#%&$#

Oh boy, the critters over at The Refraction have outdone themselves. Tonight's matchup between USU and BYU is looming large and, well, The Refractioners have been working overtime.

Here's but a brief example from the latest issue:

Top 8 reasons thou shalt thank the lord you do NOT go to BYU

8. We can drink a Mountain Dew without
having our friends, family, and church
leaders hold an intervention for us over it...

There's also a 'Separated At Birth' comparison that beats all about The Wicked Witch of the South.

Yes, if only we had the head, the heart and the courage en toto to emulate. Maybe if we click our shoes together three times...

Head over there at possibly your own expense.