Two of the perennial top WAC teams flexed their respective muscles, demonstrating their rightful places at the top of the conference rankings.
+++++
When you enter The Spectrum, you, well, get Spectrum-ized. Despite some early season concerns, this season's Aggies aren't showing any willingness to hand over their crown, downing Fresno State 72-53 last night. Jonathan Wills (16 points) and Jerry Brown (14 points) performed well for the Dogs while it was the Preston Medlin (19 points) and Kyisean Reed (16 points, 7-8 shooting, 10 boards) Show for the victors.
Matt Sonnenberg, Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones made it a crowd on press row plus Craig Peterson serves up 31 game photos.
Robert Kuwada was also in Logan (let's give a shout out to the Fresno Bee big shots for this).
+++++
Nevada jumped out to a 17-point halftime lead before cruising to a 73-55 victory over Idaho in Moscow. The win isn't a surprise but the margin is. Deonte Burton led the way with 26 points while Malik Story contributed 17. Stephen Madison's 13 points paced the Vandals.
Chris Murray tweeted the matchup (kudos go out to the Gazette Journal suits who sent him to cover this road game). Josh Wright was also a-twitterin'.
Chris has his game report as does Josh, plus Madison McCord/Vandal Nation was present.
+++++
No games are scheduled for tonight, with four contests on line for Saturday.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday's league-play-has-begun hoops report
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Calling the upper half of the WAC this go around
PTW missed this one: Anthony Esparza has it as a four team race for the WAC crown.
What are Luke Babbitt and Armon Johnson up to?
Wendell Maxey provides updates on former Nevada stars Armon Johnson and Luke Babbitt.
Thursday's WAC basketball roll out
Chris Murray goes Amazing Kreskin with keys to the Nevada - Idaho contest tonight plus a prediction. Chris also offers more on the Wolf Pack.
Josh Wright also looks at the matchup.
+++++
Tony Jones writes about the state of the Aggies plus tonight's USU game against visiting Fresno St. Matt Sonnenberg spares nothing in looking at the Bulldogs, he also offers a cartoon, plus he will increase your vocabulary. Shawn Harrison writes about the Aggies "figuring it out." Kraig Williams goes long is exploring each WAC basketball team.
Robert Kuwada focuses on FSU's fear factor in the WAC. Robert then runs down the pluses and minuses of the WAC squads.
+++++
Khem Birch talking in a feature by Alex Kline/The Recruit Scoop:
"...“I’m hoping to make my college decision by early next week at the latest..."+++++
Have a question for Coach Gib Arnold? Head here, post it and see if your query gets selected.
+++++
Jason Groves recalculates his predicted WAC finish and All-WAC five.
+++++
Brian McInnis checks in with his conference report card plus a bit on the upcoming Hawaii - SJSU matchup this weekend.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wednesday's WAC basketball roundup
Shawn Harrison looks again at that Aggie loss to Mississippi State. Shawn then looks at the opening of the WAC competition and where USU stands.
Tony Jones also does the latter.
+++++
Dayton Morinaga spotlights the beginning of league play as well as each team. Dayton also writes about Zane Johnson's rib-ing.
+++++
Chris Murray analyzes the WAC squads as conference action commences. Chris also serves up his to-date team rankings. Making it a trifecta, Chris then provides a notes column with some very interesting tidbits.
Joe Santoro goes historical in a long piece, labeling The Spectrum a torture palace.
+++++
Jason Groves joins in the fun in putting the WAC squads on his couch.
+++++
Play begins again on Thursday with Utah State hosting Fresno State (which is on a three-game winning streak) and Idaho welcoming Nevada.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Tuesday's WAC hoops digest -- two victories
New Mexico State traveled to California, Bakersfield in particular, and eked out a bizarre 73-72 win against the Roadrunners. Freshman guard Daniel Mullings led with 21 points plus five boards and a trio of steals. The foul line differential: 12 for host Bakersfield, 44 for the Aggies. NMSU went 2-13 from long distance.
Sam Wasson reports the details, as does Jason Groves. Jeff Evans offers the same for Bakersfield.com
+++++
Fresno State handled visiting Boise State 72-59 as point Steve Shepp broke out for 17 points and seven assists (zero turnovers). Kevin Foster scored 11 but more importantly grabbed 11 rebounds in 26 minutes of play. The Bulldogs won despite just eight points (nine shots) in 38 minutes from high scoring Kevin Olekaibe.
Robert Kuwada was present and accounted for.
+++++
Jason Groves writes about what are the pluses towards Khem Birch making Las Cruces his home, sweet home. Birch wants to play the four and New Mexico State some tall guys set at the five.
+++++
A tweet from Jeff Goodman:
"Keith DeWitt got his release from Southern Mississippi. He said Iona, Tennessee St, UNLV & Fresno St have called"The 6-foot-10, 220 pound DeWitt signed with Missouri in 2009 but wasn't cleared academically, went to Chipola JC for two years and then signed with Southern Mississippi in November 2010. He played in just two of 15 games this season for Larry Eustachy at a little over 13 minutes a contest. His Chipola coach was at Southern Miss when he signed but has moved over to Wichita State.
+++++
Chris Murray provides updates on Nevada's four November signees.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Shamburger WAC POW
San Jose State’s Keith Shamburger has been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 26-Jan. 1. The honor marks the first career WAC Player of the Week award for Shamburger.
Shamburger, a sophomore guard from Los Angeles, Calif. (Serra HS), was named Most Valuable Player at the Elgin Baylor Classic after leading the Spartans to the Classic title with a 2-0 record. Shamburger helped SJSU defeat Coppin State 81-66 and Seattle U 84-74 to claim the title. The Elgin Baylor Classic title marks SJSU’s first in-season tournament sweep since winning the 1996 Cable Car Classic.
In the win over Coppin State, Shamburger helped San Jose State wipe out a 15-point first-half deficit with three three-point baskets in the final 5:37 of the opening half as the Spartans took a 38-36 halftime lead. His six free throws in the final three minutes dispelled any hopes of Coppin State staging a comeback against the Spartans. Shamburger also helped SJSU set a single-game school record with 16 three-point baskets by making four in the Coppin State victory. He finished the game against Coppin State with 18 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Shamburger ignited a 10-0 rally in the championship game with a pair of free throws with 7:51 remaining to break a 50-50 tie with Seattle U, giving the Spartans a lead they did not relinquish the rest of the night. He scored 16 points, dished out seven assists and pulled down four rebounds in the win over Seattle U.
On the week, Shamburger averaged 17.0 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. He committed only three turnovers and was credited with one steal at the Classic.
Other nominees:
* Fresno State sophomore guard Tyler Johnson
* Hawai‘i junior forward Joston Thomas
* Idaho senior guard Deremy Geiger
* Louisiana Tech junior guard Brandon Gibson
* Nevada junior guard Malik Story
* New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines.
Interpret this as you will
FLASH!!! BREAKING NEWS!!!
Coach Marvin Menzies has announced the signing of Jesus Shuttlesworth and some New Mexico State fans are demanding his removal. But it's unclear if this means Menzies should be let go or if it's a calling for Shuttleworth's departure.
Updates on Gary Winston and Renado Parker
Both backcourter Gary Winston and forward Renado Parker were Idaho Vandals, at least for a short while before transferring to Portland State of the Big Sky Conference.
The freshman Winston has played in nine games thus far, 22 minutes a contest and is averaging 6.7 points each time out. He's shooting 40% overall, 42% from long distance.
The junior Parker has played in six games, 24 minutes a contest and is averaging 10.5 points and five rebounds a matchup. He's shooting 63%.
Monday morning's WAC basketball check-in
Tonight's games:
Soon-to-be MWC member Fresno State is hosting somewhat soon-to-be WAC re-member Boise State. Top Bulldog scorer Kevin Olekaibe's tailbone remains tender but he'll be out there.
Robert Kuwada offers a feature on point Steve Shepp's season so far. Robert also writes about Bulldog rebounding vis-à-vis the Broncos. Nick Jezierny previews the matchup.
Also, wannabe WAC member Cal State Bakersfield welcomes (PTW just checked) still WAC partner but a Kabongo-less New Mexico State.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Las Cruces departures and arrivals
Beleaguered sophomore backcourter Christian Kabongo has departed from the New Mexico State basketball team.
and
Adam Zagoria tweeted:
"Former Pitt F Khem Birch will visit Florida Tuesday & New Mexico St Wednesday, source tells SNY.tv"
Jason Groves blogs about NMSU hoops + our commentary
Jason Groves blogs about last night's game for the Aggies and writes a bit about the sidelined Christian Kabongo.
+++++
PTW still believes Kabongo has WAC MVP potential but obviously his attitude and judgment are MAJOR impairments at the moment.
He is unstoppable at penetrating into the paint and also has the long lankiness that the best defenders possess but does his presence on the court enhance the effectiveness of his teammates?
Simply put, not at this point.
Additionally, Wendell McKines (especially) and Hernst Laroche depart after this season, meaning the Aggie leadership mantle(s) will be open for the earning. This will be a critical transition for Coach Marvin Menzies and his program. Yes, conference play is now front and center but the real question Menzies is facing is does he believe Kabongo will be a positive or negative factor in next season's evolution? Will he help or hinder the development of the team's personality and mindset? Will whoever steps forward as leader want Kabongo on the court?
Whether this aspect is applicable or not is open to question but Myck Kabongo, Christian's cousin, is the starting point at Texas as a freshman. He's averaging 9.9 points per game, leads the Longhorns in free throw attempts with 80 and possesses a 71/41 assist-to-turnover ratio. Here's a November 20 Jeff Goodman-written article on him.
Surely the two have talked, many times. May the younger influence the elder. Quickly.
The world of recruiting
Missed this earlier -- Chris Murray has a piece on recruiting, the football side specifically, but what it contains has applicability to basketball.
A pair of notes on Nevada
Thinking way ahead, Coach David Carter has extended an offer to Bishop Alemany wing Bear Henderson, a 6-foot-4 2014 prospect.
It's the same high school that guard Marqueze Coleman attends, a Wolf Pack November signee.
Speaking of Coleman, Brian VanderBeek/Modesto Bee wrote this yesterday:
"... Alemany beat Bakersfield 77-67 for the [Modesto Christian Holiday Classic] tournament title behind the 36 points of tourney MVP Marqueze Coleman ..."
Sunday mo(u)rning
It was four losses, none actually a surprise, and an expected win last night so let's please turn the page to 2012.
It was almost for Utah State as Danny Berger's three-point attempt hit iron twice but didn't go through the net and the Aggies fell to host Mississippi State 66-64. Preston Medlin led USU with 15 points. The oddest stats in the game: #14 Mississippi State went to the line but 12 times and Stew Morrill's squad just nine.
Shawn Harrison was in Starkville (PTW thanks the HJ management for covering those costs). Michael Wardlaw/Starkville Daily News also checks in.
+++++
You couldn't ask for more (except it being a win if you're a Vandal Fan) as Boise State edged Idaho 76-73. Deremy Geiger scored 17 points and Stephen Madison 16. If the stats PTW saw are to be believed, Don Verlin's team out-rebounded the Broncos 37-19 and earned 13 more free throw attempts but also committed 18 turnovers to seven for BSU. Kyle Barone attempted just five shots in 33 minutes of play. Nick Jezierny tweeted the game.
Josh Wright checks in as does Nick Jezierny. Nick also writes that Coach Don Verlin wants to make the date/location a tradition.
+++++
It was host and undefeated at home Southern Methodist 73-65 over Louisiana Tech. The good news for the Bulldogs: Brandon Gibson broke out of a season-long slump to pour in 22 points.
LT athletics offers the details.
+++++
Hawaii battled the #20-ranked Runnin' Rebels but fell short, losing 74-69. Joston Thomas exploded for a 16/15 double-double but UH short just 34% overall.
Wes Nakama reports. Taylor Bern/Las Vegas Sun and Matt Youmans/Las Vegas Review-Journal were also in the islands.
+++++
New Mexico State shook off the loss to in-state rival New Mexico and won by 15 over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The visitors record turned to 1-12 on the season. Wendell McKines put up yet another double-double of 22/14 plus four assists while Hernst Laroche added 15 points, seven boards and four assists. The Aggies won the battle of the boards 41-24. Jason Groves tweeted the contest. Jason noted that Christian Kabongo and Renaldo Dixon were absent and will not play in the next NMSU matchup.
Crimson Illustrated, Sam Wasson, Jason Groves were each present and accounted for while Tim Barnett-Queen offers photos of the matchup. Jason also writes about the missing Aggies.
visitors
Posts
