How did Nate Harris do it?

We've been thinking about this for some time now: how was Nate Harris so damn effective in the paint when he probably measured 6-foot-6 at the most?

Utah State officially listed him at 6-foot-7 and some have alluded to his being 6-foot-8 but the general rule is to drop an inch at minimum from a player's listed height.

Some of you may not recall Harris but his 'reign' for the Aggies was back when Utah State was in the Big West Conference. He won all-league honors three straight years and shot something like 65% from the floor during his 2002-2006 tenure.

Granted the league didn't have the size inside back then that is on display now in the WAC but still, look what he accomplished at his size.

Was it great footwork and fundamentals? Tremendous smarts?

C'mon you Aggies fans, help us out here.

Nate Harris photo courtesy of Utah State University.

Bill Amis hurt

Bill Amis should return prior to conference play but his conditioning will suffer during his forced layoff. Coach Bob Nash needs Amis' consistency upfront:

UH's Amis out indefinitely with injured right foot
Dayton Morinaga
Honolulu Advertiser
November 7, 2009

Bill Amis, a two-year starter for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will be out of action indefinitely due to an injured right foot.

Amis, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, has a torn plantar fascia, and it could take anywhere from a month or more to heal...

Go here for the remainder.

Just a pair of links so far today

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal goes in-depth with his Utah State preview here.

One time Nevada player of interest, Dakotah Euton, has gone with the Zips. He originally committed to Kentucky in the Billy Gillispie era, then re-opened his recruitment. The stories of Euton's decision to commit to Akron almost uniformly made mention of Nevada as being one of his suitors. However, we're going with the Louisville Courier-Journal 's Jody Demling and his take as the most current and therefore accurate:

"Scott County High School basketball standout Dakotah Euton has made a commitment, picking Akron over Eastern Kentucky University...

"Both schools had great staffs and fit my style of play," Euton said. "But I really felt like coach Dambrot was one of those guys - kind of like Gillispie - who plays players for not just talent but also for how hard they play. Players that do the intangibles, people that work hard. I have just always liked coaches like that..."

Go here for the full article.

Ludovic Ndaye to Cleveland State

6-foot-8 Westwind Prep 'big' Ludovic Ndaye has made his call and it's Cleveland State.

It came down to Cleveland State, Akron, James Madison and Fresno State and Ndaye chose to head to Ohio next year.

Go here to read Anthony Ray's Arizona Preps article (a Rivals sub required).

WAC - a - doodling

Here are some of the latest WAC links:

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal goes in-depth with the Pack's post players in his feature here.

Tyrone and Bandja -- or if you prefer 'elementary my dear'' and 'Family Stone' -- will be holding down the fort at power forward for New Mexico State, per Jason Groves/Las Cruces Sun-News. Yes, we should leave this schtick to Chris Berman.

We'll be back if we comes across any others.

*** Here's one more: Chris Murray has a feature on a Nevada newcomer -- Patrick Nyeko.

A point named Payton

Anyone with any sense of NBA history knows about "The Glove" -- aka Gary Payton -- and his illustrious and lengthy career primarily with the Seattle Supersonics. Travis Payton (no relation), a 6-footer at Central Arizona Junior College, is also making quite the name for himself at the point and just committed to Texas San Antonio.

So what does this have to do with WAC basketball?

According to Anthony Ray @ Arizona Preps (Rivals sub required): "...Payton was also being recruited by such schools as San Francisco, Kennesaw State, Fresno State, Rutgers, Colorado State and Northern Colorado..."

Keep in mind to what degree and just how current was each school's pursuit is unknown but it's odd to see the Bulldogs in there what with a sophomore junior college point (Steven Shepp) expected to man the 'one' for Steve Cleveland this season. Having a pair of points with the same eligibility remaining on your roster would be an extremely unusual situation.

Eeny, meeny, miny -- there is no moe: BYU, Idaho or Nevada?

Your guess is as good as ours here:

Scout's Evan Daniels reports today that Las Vegas backcourter Anson Winder has gone with BYU over Idaho and Nevada.

Then, we come across another report from Victoria Sun at the West Coast Hoops Report (under Latest News) that the 6-foot-3 Winder made his decision soon after coming back from a recruiting trip to Idaho. No mention was made of any Nevada involvement.

Now this also doesn't mean a heckuva lot but we have never previously read about Winder being associated with Nevada's recruitment efforts but, ultimately, it didn't really matter in the end.

*** UPDATE: Jay Drew at his Salt Lake Tribune Utah State blog writes this: "...He [Winder] also had an offer from Idaho, and had drawn interest from Nevada and others..."

Evans and Elliott

No, Evans and Elliott is not the name of some one-hit-wonder band from the 70's. Jerry Evans and Devonte Elliott are two freshman basketballers expected to arrive in Reno in December. Chris Murray has more on the pair:

Carter doesn't expect Elliott, Evans to play this year
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
11/4/2009

Nevada basketball coach David Carter said Wednesday freshmen Devonte Elliott and Jerry Evans Jr. will likely redshirt if they join the team for the second semester. Neither player had been cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse at the beginning of the first semester in August and opted to stay home in Southern California to work on their academics...

Go here for the remainder.

WAC, WAC and more WAC links

Here's your Wednesday WAC links:

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal has a load of information on K.C. Ross-Miller, a Nevada recruiting target out of Texas who visited Reno over the weekend. He's a point.

Utah State likes what a pair of freshman have shown so far, per Shawn Harrison of the Herald Journal. Both guys sound like they need to gain that freshman 15 as quick as possible.

Nick Jezierny/Idaho Statesman provides information on Boise State's exhibition game but, more importantly, descriptions on the Bronco newcomers. There's also mention of redshirts -- don't miss that.

Sam Wasson completes his preview of New Mexico State with a post on the Aggie centers.

Chris Murray offers an in-depth preview of Idaho here. He sees a fourth-place finish.

A clear eyed look at Luke Babbitt and the NBA

Draft Express is one of our favorite sites for in-depth college player analysis and the latest offering on Luke Babbitt is another ace offering.

Luke Babbitt, 6-8, Sophomore, Power Forward, Nevada
Matt Kamalsky
Draft Express
November 4, 2009

A left-handed forward holding the rare distinction of being a former McDonald’s All-American opting to play in a small conference, Luke Babbitt didn’t disappoint in his first season at Nevada. Averaging almost 17 points per-game, Babbitt showed the savvy of a much older player. Not sharing the upside that the other comparably hyped players from his class enjoy, Babbitt solidified himself as a top player in the WAC, and has three more years if needed to legitimize his NBA draft stock.

The limiting factor on Babbitt’s NBA potential will always be his physical profile. Not enjoying great size or strength at the power forward position, Babbitt isn’t an imposing physical specimen, and his lack of great quickness and explosiveness only compound concerns about his ability to translate his game to the next level. While both of those concerns will hurt him moving forward, Babbitt was arguably the most polished freshman in the NCAA last season, and possesses the skill-level and smarts to play in the NBA...

Go here (and scroll down) for the remainder.

Another Fresno State recruiting target

Per Anthony Ray/Arizona Preps, 6-foot-9, 220-pound post Ludovic Ndaye is visiting Fresno State today. He plays at Westwind Prep International, the same school that current Bulldog center Greg Smith attended last season.

Ndaye is out of Montreal and hooked up with the Ohio Basketball Club at one point. In a July, 2009, article at JJ Huddle's Ohio basketball site, Ndaye is described thusly:

"...Ndaye will likely go the prep school route. The athletic big man has a great frame and superb length looking like Bill Walker in the face with a body much like Lebron James..."

At the Cleveland State Blogspot site, a September 30, 2009 article offers this:

"...According to the Ohio/National Premier Scouting Service (ONPSS), Cleveland State is one of nine school that are on Ludovic Ndaye's final school lists. The others are Akron, James Madison, West Virgina, Penn State, Colorado, Fresno State, Wyoming, and Southern Methodist..."

New Mexico State and Hawaii have also been mentioned as interested in him but neither school seems to be in the final running.

A Nevada and Utah State mention with a Chicago prospect

Is Utah State, with Brockeith Payne set to sign a letter-of-intent, really interested in a second junior college transfer at the point? As for Nevada, he could be in the plans if Armon Johnson decides to try the NBA after this season. However, both seemingly will have really select company for this young man's services. Brian Stinnette -- aka Mr. Chicago Basketball -- has the details.

Former Chicago Simeon Star Lazeric Jones Of Juco Powerhouse John A. Logan College Continuing To See His Recruiting Stock Fly High
Brian Stinnette
October 27, 2009

Former Chicago Simeon star Lazeric Jones of John A. Logan College is seeing his recruiting stock flying high on the heels of a strong summer, and a very strong jamboree run this fall. Jones has now established himself as one of the top junior college prospects in the country.

Jones, a 6'2", 200-pound point guard, is a superb floor leader who excels both with his ability to score, and also with his ball-distribution skills...

...Wisconsin has already been in to see Jones. Oklahoma made inquiries after watching him put on a show at a juco jamboree. Baylor and UCLA have also made active inquiries, with UCLA expected in to see him this week. Nevada, UIC and Utah State are all also among a long line of programs that have let it be known that they are serious about the former Simeon star...

Go here for the remainder.

Tuesday's WAC basketball items

Sam Wasson/BleedCrimson.net fills us in with a lengthy look at New Mexico State's forwards in his latest preview here.

Jason Groves/Las Cruces Sun-News provides some notes on last night's Aggie exhibition game.

Louisiana Tech gets a full-fledged preview from Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal. He also offers the Wolf Pack all-decade squad as voted on by the fans. Luke Babbitt just edges out Kevin Pinkney (huh?) but we're going to administer sobriety tests to the voters in the point guard category where Armon Johnson fell to Todd Okeson by the count of 218-104. Hey, this isn't Afghanistan.

Travis Mason-Bushman at Vandal Nation has his pick for the top team in the WAC for 2009-2010. He's prepared for the inevitable incoming ordnance.

Speaking of incoming, Dayton Morinaga has more on Bob Nash's new backcourters.

Nick Jezierny profiles Bronco newcomer Westly Perryman who has major quicks and East Coast toughness.

A Monday Link - O - Rama

Sam Wasson offers an extensive look of each Aggie backcourter today at BleedCrimson.net.

Jason Groves/Las Cruces Sun-News provides a what-to-look-for rundown in his post about New Mexico State's initial exhibition game.

A thorough preview of Fresno State, the 2009-2010 version, is offered by Chris Murray/Reno Gazette Journal here.

Jonathan Givony at the superlative Draft Express site provides his take on the best non-BSC talent this season and Fresno's Paul George deservedly receives a lot of pixels in it.

Sunday WAC links

Here's you go with an hour gained:

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

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

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

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

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