Wednesday: one game preview plus links

With the news of Utah State's injuries, the Denver - New Mexico State matchup in Las Cruces on Wednesday is looking like a major deal.

Pioneer athletics takes a preview as does Jason Groves. Hey, break out your best PJs.

Brendan Loy checks in on the 2012-13 Pioneers and is sensing a blast from the past.

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Matt Sonnenberg delves into how the remaining Utah State players will react to the latest personnel losses.

Kyle Goon ventures into similar territory as does Shawn Harrison.

Kyle also takes a look at Louisiana Tech, Denver and New Mexico State as contenders to the throne.

The biggest question facing the Aggies is who else can now create shots on the team when necessary? Could Marvin Jean surprise here?

Plus, Medlin and Reed were tops in trips to the foul line (77 apiece) and USU is at a +64 in overall attempts as a team. That's going to head downward.

Additionally, who will Stew Morrill pair with Jarred Shaw upfront? Ben Clifford is more fire than firepower although he offers a surprise every now and then. Jordan Stone is a deficit offensively but will bang and Matt Lopez is still getting untracked but seems to have the best offensive possibilities, albeit with minuses in other categories.

The rest of the season will also be a test of fan-dom for Logan residents. If losses start piling up, will all-the-good-will-built-up prevail in some sort of understanding or will some degree of all-the-success-has-spoiled Aggie supporters take hold? Inquiring minds will be watching.

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Jason Pugh has print and video of Coach Mike White discussing being pursued rather than being pursuers.

Tuesday's batch of links:

Matt Sonnenberg puts Utah State under the proverbial microscope and offer that the Thursday and Saturday road games for the Aggies, New Mexico State and Denver respectively, will tell an accurate truth.

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Kyle Goon mines the same territory.

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Shawn Harrison digs into some national and Aggie numbers.

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Utah State athletics gets it basketball brag on.

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The Mile High Mids folks write about Denver's coming on of late.

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San Jose State University great Walt McPherson -- the Spartan court is named after him -- has passed.

For Saturday: three game reports /// four contest previews

Denver manhandled visiting Southern Utah to the tune of 72-47 as Royce O'Neale and Cam Griffin scored 12 points apiece. Chris Udofia liked the number seven as he totaled that number in points and assists. Freshman backcourter Nate Engresser totaled 10 in his initial start of the season.

Pioneer athletics game reports and does Irv Moss/Denver Post.

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The Lone Star State towns of San Antonio and Corpus Christi met in the latter but it was the former in another laugher, 75-45. Backcourters Kannon Burrage and Michael Hale III scored 21 and 20 points respectively while frontcourter Jeromie Hill totaled 18.

Roadrunner athletics game reports.

Also, Jerry Briggs profiles Hale.

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Utah State got right back to it this time versus UC Davis and it was 40-39 the Davis Aggies after 20 minutes. The contest ended 73-61 as Preston Medlin went for 23 points. Spencer Butterfield contributed 14 plus seven boards.

Kraig Williams and Kyle Goon live tweeted the game.

Matt Sonnenberg, Rhett Wilkinson, Shawn Harrison, Kraig and Kyle all game report. Jennifer Meyers and Curtis Ripplinger both provide photo galleiesy from the contest.

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Today and tonight, its:

New Mexico State faces off with Missouri State in Las Cruces -- Aggie athletics previews.

Seattle welcomes Campbell aka The Fighting Camels -- Redhawk athletics previews.

San Jose State University pairs up with James Madison as part of the Las Vegas Classic -- Spartan athletics previews.

Utah State will again be back at it versus Southern Illinois.

Thursday's three WAC game reports plus one preview

San Jose State University went into the bicycle-riding capital of the United States -- Davis, CA -- and pedaled away with a 73-64 victory. It was Spartan guard James Kinney again leading the way, this time with 27 points (plus five rebounds and four steals). Ryan Sypkens led the Aggies with 18 points (5-10 from long distance).

UC Davis athletics game reports.

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Mercer proved to be just the right tonic for Denver as the host Pioneers romped 69-40. Royce O'Neale went for 22 points (9-14 overall, 3-6 from long distance) and Chris Udofia added 12 points. UD shot 55% to Mercer's 35%.

Denver athletics game reports as does Irv Moss.

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Host Texas State got blasphemied by Oral Roberts 86-77, or more positively, the Bobcats turned the other cheek. For the Bobcats, Matt Staff produced 19 points and six rebounds while Joel Wright turned in a 17/5 performance.

Texas State athletics game reports.

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Idaho visits Eastern Washington tonight. Vandal athletics previews.

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.

Questions

Can we all agree that Utah State's Jarred Shaw is the shoe-in for Newcomer of the year in the WAC?

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With Denver often not starting anyone taller than 6-foot-6, can the Pioneers thrive in the WAC? Joe Scott's bunch is being out-shot a last-in-the-league 47% to 38% overall plus 37% to 30% from long distance and is -7 per game in rebounding.

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Did anyone foresee a 6-1, top-of-the-league start for Louisiana Tech?

Granted 72-44 over Arkansas-Monticello and 66-55 versus Arkansas Southern were expected outcomes as exhibitions as was a 71-59 road loss to Texas A&M.

Winning at home against against Arkansas Little Rock 70-52 certainly wasn't an upset but the ensuing three games and wins in three days versus Troy 70-46, Southeast Missouri State 67-63 and Chattanooga 71-63 was not expected, even if two were neutral game matches.

Back home, the Bulldogs topped Louisiana Monroe 68-52 to reach 6-1.

Agreed, this hasn't been a Murderer's Row of opponents but do keep in mind that Coach Mike White is starting two sophomores in the backcourt, plus a sophomore in the middle surrounded by a junior and a senior.

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PTW doesn't recall this forecast: San Jose State University shooting a league-leading 40% from long distance.

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Can Utah State and New Mexico State keep such ownership of the boards? The northern Aggies are at +13.6 while their southern counterparts have a margin of 11.3.

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How is Seattle managing a tops-in-the-conference 12.3 steals a game?

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.

Tuesday's WAC digest including one game report

Denver is headed to the Summit League next year, a conference featuring North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Fort Wayne, South Dakota, Western Illinois, Kansas City, IUPUI, Oakland and Omaha. The change will make it a 10-team league.

Dave Harten fleshes out the move.

With the Pioneers going Summit-ing next season, Seattle U Hoops writes about the ramifications for the Redhawks

Interim WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd will be in Phoenix today with Grand Canyon announcing it will be in the WAC next season.

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It was too much Withey for SJSU last night as the Spartan challenged but fell to Kansas 70-57 in Lawrence.

Gary Bedore game reports. James Kinney totaled more than half the points for San Jose State University.

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Kyle Goon highlights Ben Clifford's effort and production so far this season.

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Denver visits Hattiesburg tonight to face Southern Mississippi, a team with a 16-game home winning streak. A snippet from SM athletics:

"...Southern Miss is leading the [Conference USA] league in all major defensive categories. It is scoring 66.6 points per game but allowing just 58.8. The Golden Eagles are shooting 47.8-percent from the floor and while allowing its opponents to just 36.3-percent. The Golden Eagles are connecting on just 29.2-percent from three-point range, but allowing just 28.8% from the same distance. Southern Miss is also outrebounding its opponents, 36.0-to-28.6..."

Friday's WAC wrap: one game report, three previews, and more

Texas State dueled North Carolina Charlotte up in Anchorage. With temps at 10 degrees for game time, it's good they weren't matching up on the deck of an aircraft carrier or a frozen lake, but we digress. NCC prevailed 73-64 despite Wesley Davis' line of 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals plus 14 points from Matt Staff and 13 via Joel Wright. The Bobcats shot 36.5% for the game and were out-boarded by 11. It was a turnover-marred matchup with TS at 20 and Charlotte with 22.

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Texas State is back at it again tonight versus Loyola Marymount.

Plus, New Mexico State welcomes Louisiana Lafayette. A snippet about the Aggies opponent: "...With a lineup featuring six freshmen and four sophomores, third year head coach Bob Marlin is excited about the possibilities for the 2012-13 season, knowing that the team that takes the court in November will grow and improve all season.  As the new faces get acclimated to the collegiate game, the Cajuns will lean heavily on junior Bryant Mbamalu (12.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and sophomore sensation Elfrid Payton (13.0, 4.8, 6.0).  Guard Alan-Michael Thompson (5.8 ppg), the lone senior on the squad, should also play an increased role this year.  Freshman forward Shawn Long (15.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg), a transfer from Mississippi State, and power forward Elridge Moore (8.3, 4.8, 2.0 steals), a JC transfer from Lamar State, will unite to form the nucleus of the inside game..."

Additionally, Idaho is in the Land of Enchantment to face New Mexico. Richard Stevens provides a preview.

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Steve Coulter profiles Denver's Chris Udofia.

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USU Stats reached out for the record books in looking at the early season production of the Aggie players.

The WAC Gobble Gobble report

It was Texas San Antonio 62 to BYU's 81 at the conclusion of play in Provo. The score was 48-28 at the half. Kannon Burrage led with 21 points for Coach Brooks Thompson. The Roadrunners shot 39% while allowing 52%.

Inside Runner Sports game reports as does UTSA athletics.

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As expected, New Mexico State ran Northern New Mexico out of Las Cruces 67-37. The Aggies led 34-13 after the first 20 minutes. Forward Renaldo Dixon led with 12 points (6-7 shooting).

Jason Groves game reports.

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Host Denver tangled with Colorado State and fell short 60-53. Chase Hallam led the Pioneers with 19 points. Royce O'Neale added 16 but on 5-16 shooting. Chris Udofia contributed just two points but seven rebounds. Coach Joe Scott's group shot just 30% for the night.

Denver athletics and Irv Moss each game reports.

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Seattle got the better of Pacific Lutheran to the tune of 58-49. The Redhawks led 30-19 at intermission. Forward Clarence Trent went for 17 points and five rebounds for Coach Cameron Dollar, whose squad shot 41%.

Seattle athletics game reports and so does Seattle U Hoops.

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Texas State meets North Carolina Charlotte up in Anchorage, Alaska 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).

Friday Night Lights

Tonight, UT Arlington hosts Oklahoma while Denver welcomes California. Gives a big raise to the TA and UD staff responsible for getting such on the schedule.

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UTA athletics leads with this line: "The most-anticipated home game in UT Arlington history is almost here..."

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UD athletics previews the Cal contest.

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It's confirmed:  Coach Cameron Dollar has added another big Brit to the Redhawk roster, per Seattle U Hoops.

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

Wednesday's roundup of last night, plus more

Host Texas State handled Texas Tyler 86-66 Tuesday night behind frontcourt cornerstone Matt Staff's 28/11 double-double (10-14 shooting). Newcomer and JC transfer Joel Wright scored 19 points and fellow forward Reid Koenen produced 13 points plus eight boards. Vonn Jones passed for six assists.

The Bobcats outscored their opponent by 10 in each half.

Texas State athletics has the game report.

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In a tale of two halves, visiting Houston jumped out to a 44-26 halftime lead but San Jose State University eventually owned the second 20 minutes although ultimately two points less than the Cougars as the final was 77-75.

Spartan sophomore backcourter DJ Brown paced his squad with 24 points. Teammates James Kinney totaled 19 (but shot 7-23) while forward Chris Cunningham added 15 points.

Spartan athletics provides a game report.

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Louisiana Tech faces Arkansas Little Rock in Ruston tonight.

Didn't know this: "The Thomas Assembly Center being a home court advantage for the Louisiana Tech men's basketball team is an understatement.Spanning the last five seasons, the Bulldogs have gone an impressive 22-0 in non-conference home games..."

Denver hosts Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

From Denver athletics: "...The Islanders went 6-24 overall and 4-12 in the Southland Conference last season. TAMCC, which won its opener 60-49 over Texas Lutheran on Nov. 10, has no seniors on its roster that averages 20.25 years old. Junior college transfer Will Nelson and Johnathan Jordan each had 13 points in the victory to lead the Islanders. Jordan led the Southland in assists last season. Willis Wilson enters his second season as the head coach of the Islanders..."

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InsideRunnerSports lists one expected Texas San Antonio signee and writes that will be it for the first signing period.

Tuesday's WAC roundup

San Jose State University welcomes Houston -- an 81-76 winner over Florida A&M in its initial game -- tonight in the Spartan home opener. From that Houston - FAM contest:

"...Against the Rattlers, the Houston frontcourt of senior Leon Gibson and sophomore TaShawn Thomas combined for 31 points and 30 rebounds in the first meeting between the two teams. Gibson, the lone senior among the 2012-13 Cougars, scored a career-high 20 points and added 10 rebounds for the 10th double-double of his career.

Thomas posted 11 points and a career-high 20 rebounds against Florida A&M...

...Making his first start in his collegiate debut, redshirt freshman guard Jherrod Stiggers scored 19 points, thanks to a game-high five 3-pointers..."

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Texas State hosts D-III UT Tyler, a team whose 17 members include 16 from the Lone Star State, in an exhibition game.

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Crimson Illustrated gets to the point.

loobh8er analyzes the opening game play of a few of a few of Coach Marvin Menzies' bunch at the Aggie Alert MB.

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Jason Jones/BleedTechBlue confirms prep guard Dominic Jackson will be signing with Coach Mike White and Company tomorrow.

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Chris Udofia and Denver hoops are getting heaped with praise as Denver athletics details.

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Seattle U Hoops reviews the Redhawk victory over Montana State, liking what Clarence Trent and Deshaun Sunderhaus showed.

Tuesday and the WAC basketball world

At the USU Fans Stew's Spectrum MB, liquidforce (how appropriate) uncovers something that may have spurred Riley Bradshaw's decision to depart the USU basketball team.

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New Mexico State led 52-27 after the initial 20 minutes before winning 98-49 versus Western New Mexico.

Jason Groves tweeted throughout the game. Jason also provides a game report. To make it a trey, Jason also writes about the biggest Aggie, the point position and more. Sam Wasson provides Coach Marvin Menzies and Jack Nixon in a post-game audio interview.

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Mike Chambers/Denver Post interviews Mr. Versatile Royce O'Neale, just a sophomore but a key to the success of the Pioneers.

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SeattleUHoops writes that a pair of Redhawks must succeed offensively for Seattle to move up.

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..."

So who is Chris Udofia and is he enough to overcome a team height disadvantage??

University of Denver's Chris Udofia is receiving praise and predictions as one of the top, if not the top, performer in the Western Athletic Conference in the upcoming 2012-13 season.

Denver is new to the WAC so very few have seen Udofia in action.

For the record, he averaged 14.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 30 minutes of action a game as a sophomore. Udofia shot 57% overall, 72% from the foul line and 29% from long distance. His blocked shots totaled 74 and he posted an 82/74 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Plus, he sports a 3.5 grade point average.

Also for the sake of reference, check out his statistics as a freshman: 8.3 points, 50%, 62% and 26% shooting, 39 blocked shots and a 40/41 assist-to-turnover ratio -- in 29 minutes a contest.

He definitely plays bigger than his 6-foot-6 frame.

In the Sun Belt Conference last season, Denver went 11-5 (22-9 overall). The season featured home victories over very athletic Southern Mississippi and a St. Mary's squad with Rob Jones and Brad Waldow plus at Utah State (against the latter, Udofia had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes while the Pioneers shot 52% overall, 40% from three-point range and lost the battle of the boards 27-22). Additionally, Coach Joe Scott's team beat Mountain West Conference member Wyoming at home but lost to Colorado State of the MWC on the road.

The Pioneers will certainly miss leading scorer Brian Stafford (he shot 50% overall, 46% on treys) but Udofia plus returnees Royce O'Neale (leading rebounder at 5.8), Brett Olson and Chase Hallam are a very solid heart of a team.

It's worth noting that 6-foot-7, 225-pound Rob Lewis, the starter in the middle last season, has graduated, taking his 7.4 point and 3.2 rebound averages per game with him. For the record, Scott was putting out Lewis, 6-foot-6 Udofia, 6-foot-4 Stafford, 6-foot-5 Chase Hallam and 6-foot-5 Brett Olsen as his opening quintet. It's not a tall group but very good-sized for the wing and guard positions.

All this leaves a legitimate question for Denver this season: where's the beef?

In 2012-13, 6-foot-8, 220-pound Jake Logan is a redshirt freshman and Dom Samac a 6-foot-9, 200-pound true frosh. 6-foot-7, 215-pound Marcus Byrd also sat out his initial college season.

That's it for possibilities vis-a-vis matchups in the middle.

On the other hand, New Mexico State will feature 6-foot-10, 270-pound Chili Nephawe, with 7-foot-5 Sim Bhuller as his backup.

The trio of 6-foot-10, 235-pound Jarred Shaw, 6-foot-10, 270-pound Jordan Stone and 6-foot-11, 245-pound Matt Lopez have Utah State fans dreaming of a bounty of points, rebounds and blocked shots in the paint.

The road to the WAC championship will definitely wind through Las Cruces and Logan -- there are no alternate routes. Obviously, some think Denver also.

Now Scott's offensive framework may negate needing power players inside but it's harder to mask that absence defensively.

For the record, the Pioneers were a -4 per game in overall rebounding in 2011-12 and shot 77 less free throws.

On the flip side, Denver was a +42 in blocked shots, a +69 in steals, shot 49% to 44% overall and committed 78 less turnovers.

Can Udofia carry the Pioneer frontcourt, and with his teammates, overcome a lack of size?

Some think so, but that's why the games are played.

Tuesday's WAC hoops roundup

New Mexico State athletics writes about Coach Marvin Menzies distributing WAC championship rings.

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Hoopniks has tweeted: "6'5 SF Roderick Bernstine of Cherokee Trail (CO) announced he committed to Denver. NFL bloodlines, athletic combo forward slasher.

One description: "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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What's missing from this list of teams -- Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Baylor, North Carolina, Georgetown, NC State, Syracuse, Murray State, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Florida State and Kansas -- ESPN is featuring during Midnight Madness?

A: The western United States. Is it a matter of the three hour time difference?

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From Michael Pina: "Former NBA player and head coach Reggie Theus has emerged as the leading candidate to become head coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders, tweets Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski."

So floating Texas Tech was a PTW pipe dream.

Thursday's WAC digest

Sad news out of Ruston.

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From Hoop Dirt: "Multiple sources have told me that Washington State DBO Tim Marrion will join the staff at San Jose State as an assistant. Marrion is a WSU alum who has been on the Cougars staff for the past three seasons. He has previously worked at San Jose State – he held various roles on the SJSU staff from 2006-2009. The official announcement is expected shortly."

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Denver received some positive national pub from Sports Illustrated.

Utah State was also included in Andy Glockner's piece.

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Texas State is spending a week in Costa Rica this summer. Former Idaho Vandal Corey Stern is a member of the Bobcats, at 6-foot-7 but 270 pounds. He wasn't anywhere near the latter while in Moscow.

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Hey, there are many reasons Prospect X didn't sign (or did) with your favorite college team. Eric Prisbell (now with USA TODAY) is out with another in the never-ending supply of stories involving benjamins, college recruiting and the I-got-to-get-mine crowd.

Opportunity produces motivation which leads to what we have the so-called adults doing now, a 'system' in which the individuals possessing the talent are bartered like pork bellies while being recipients of the least of the largesse.

Rob Dauster provides a guessing game -- and if you can't guess the winner then any of the Las Vegas casinos will gladly fly you free-of-charge to Sin City.