Wednesday: one game preview plus a mess o' links

It's Seattle matching up with Cal State Bakersfield tonight in Kent, Washington, which is about 20 miles south of the Emerald City. The Roadrunners are officially entering the Western Athletic Conference next season.

Redhawk athletics game reports.

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Seattle likes a hometown backcourter -- from Garrett Tucker: "Told by source that 2014 Lakeside (WA) PG Tramaine Isabell picked up his first offer from Seattle yesterday"

From here: "After watching several games on Friday - I saw several players that were D1 quality. My favorite though was a Jr. by the name of Tramaine Isabell who plays for Lakeside High School - the same high school that Bill Gates and Paul Allen went to. Tramaine is lightning fast. He has the best handle for the basketball that I think I have seen at the high school level. His crossover is just nasty. He looks to have a nice outside shot. He is 6'1" but very athletic. He can drive around and through anyone. He also has excellent court vision and is a nifty passer. Although he only averages 19 pts again - his influence on the game is bigger than that due to his ability to get other players involved." 

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Wade Denniston looks back at what might have been for the Aggies this season, all the way to Sean Harris and Brady Jardine. Considering the magnitude of the personnel losses, it's really remarkable USU is remaining competitive.

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Jason Pugh writes that falling out of the Top 25 just maybe be a positive for Louisiana Tech.

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Kyle Goon lauds the defense-first approach of Coach Mike White and his Bulldogs.

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Jonathan Ford serves up video of Coach Mike White and frontcourter J.L. Lewis talking about the upcoming road jaunt for LT.

The finish and the honors

With one set of games to go before the tournament, it's time to take another look at who the WAC media and coaches selected vis-a-vis the 2012-13 team finish and individual honors:

2012-13 Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll

1    Utah State
2    New Mexico State
3    Denver
4    Louisiana Tech
5    Idaho
6    UT Arlington
7    UTSA
8    Seattle U  
9    San Jose State
10  Texas State

and

2012-13 Preseason Men's Basketball Media All-WAC

 First Team

* Raheem Appleby, So., G, Louisiana Tech
* Kyle Barone, Sr., C, Idaho
* Preston Medlin, Jr., G, Utah State
* Daniel Mullings, So., G, New Mexico State
* Chris Udofia, Jr., F, Denver

Preseason Player of the Year: Preston Medlin, Utah State

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2012-13 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll

1  New Mexico State
2  Utah State
3  Denver    
4  Louisiana Tech
5  UT Arlington    
6  Idaho
7  UTSA
8  Seattle U
9  San Jose State    
10 Texas State

2012-13 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches All-WAC Teams

First Team

* Raheem Appleby, So., G, Louisiana Tech
* Kyle Barone, Sr., C, Idaho
* Preston Medlin, Jr., G, Utah State  
* Daniel Mullings, So., G, New Mexico State
* Chris Udofia, Jr., F, Denver

Preseason Player of the Year: Preston Medlin, Jr., G, Utah State

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So both polls are remarkably similar in team placements minus a couple of flip-flops and certainly no consensus was present that LA TECH would blossom even further. Utah State was obviously hampered by major personnel losses and SJSU missing James Kinney prevented any advancement by the Spartans.

As for the individual honors, the first-teamers are the same. The question right now is who will take Preston Medlin's spot due to his unavailability?

Below is a stream of consciousness on other candidates:

Can Kyle Barone (17.7 points, 10.9 rebounds) snag top performer honors on a sixth place team?

Daniel Mullings (14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 steals) hasn't advanced offensively as expected but his numbers are still solid enough.

Nobody seemed to expect the improvement on display by Bandja Sy (14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds) or the current league-leader in scoring, Joel Wright (18.1 points, 6.4 rebounds).

Even Jarred Shaw's production (14.4 points, 7.9 rebounds) wasn't clear although, granted, a portion of his numbers are due to teammates absences.

Plus, is there a chance that Denver will have nobody on the WAC First Team as Chris Udofia stands at 12.1 points, 2.4 blocks)?

Additionally, what are Spencer Butterfield's (13.5 points, 7.1 rebounds) odds?

There's even a question surrounding Raheem Appleby (12.5 points) landing a First Team honor.

Does Sim Bhullar (11.9 points, 60% shooting, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 blocks) make it?

Will Texas San Antonio's record hurt the chances of Kannon Burrage (17.1 points, third in the WAC) and Michael Hale III (14.3 points, fourth in the league) in First team voting? Or will they cancel each other out?

It's going to be fascinating.

Tuesday: it's link-o-rama day

Kyle Goon looks at the return possibilities of Preston Medlin and Spencer Butterfield.

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Shawn Harrison writes about the aim and accuracy of USU this past weekend.

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Matt Vines reports that winning two games dropped LA TECH out of the Top 25.

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Jay Drew has the details of former Utah State and current Salt Lake City College guard Skyler Halford giving a verbal to BYU. Idaho also offered.

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Jason Groves is all over where New Mexico State will land after this weekend's play.

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Mile High Mids travels aaround the country perusing Pioneer post-season possibilities.

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At the GoVandals MB, sportsisfun1960 provides a link to an Oregonian feature on Stephen Madison.

LT at #6

Matt Norlander has Louisiana Tech at #6 in this week's Mid Major Power Pyramid, with this notation:

Why it's here: The Bulldogs have a tougher task than most in terms of conference domination because the WAC has 18 league games. Two more to go for Michael White's team, and they happen to be the two toughest. On the road against good teams in the league. I'll be truly impressed if La. Tech enters the WAC tourney undefeated. I don't think it will -- but I do think it will win the WAC bracket once it's there.

Something you should know: First off, with Akron losing, La. Tech's 18-game streak is now the longest in the country, and this is the only team not to lose in 2013. The program has also locked up at least a share of the conference title for the first time in 13 years. Get ready for a whole lotta Karl Malone referencing if this club does as it should and takes the auto berth.

Jerry Palm says: A No. 13 seed in the Midwest. (Last week: No. 13 in the West)

Here's an interesting look at an element a coach faces

As John Feinstein reports, right after his team scored four points in the first half of a game, Northern Illinois Coach Mark Montgomery received some reassurance that his players not only took the debacle seriously but developed a plan of action themselves.

Recruiting and fan-dom

Graham Couch (gotta love that surname for a story about psychology) digs into the whys and wherefores of the fanatical following of college recruiting.

The NFL versus the NBA

Why do so many National Football League draftees, even beyond the first-round selections, play immediately with some even starting while very few National Basketball Association first-rounders ever get on the floor quickly, let alone even make the team?

Granted, there are 22 football starting spots to fill versus five, sixty something as opposed to 15 regarding roster size. But the NBA is also drafting internationally.

Go to the numbers

In 2011, the usual amount of 60 players were selected. The breakdown:

* 19 seniors
* 14 juniors
* 7 sophomores
* 7 freshmen

So almost a fourth of the draftees were underclassmen which, outside of Anthony Davis --  helps explain the playing time conundrum, at least to a degree. 

Additionally, there were 12 international selections plus one was a D-League player.

Round One:

1.   Kyrie Irving       
2.   Derrick Williams
3.   Enes Kanter   
4.   Tristan Thompson       
5.  Jonas Valanciunas       
6.   Jan Vesely       
7.   Bismack Biyombo       
8.   Brandon Knight       
9.   Kemba Walker       
10. Jimmer Fredette       
11. Klay Thompson       
12. Alec Burks       
13. Markieff Morris       
14. Marcus Morris       
15. Kawhi Leonard       
16. Nikola Vucevic       
17. Iman Shumpert       
18. Chris Singleton
19. Tobias Harris       
20. Donatas Motiejunas       
21. Nolan Smith       
22. Kenneth Faried       
23. Nikola Mirotic   
24. Reggie Jackson       
25. Marshon Brooks       
26. Jordan Hamilton       
27. JaJuan Johnson       
28. Norris Cole       
19. Cory Joseph       
30. Jimmy Butler

Halfway through the first round, the attraction of the remaining players still available diminishes to one-dimensional skill sets, which raises the indictment alarm.

Round Two:

1.   Heat F Bojan Bogdanovic, Bosnia-Herz. (Traded To T-Wolves)
2.   Cavaliers F Justin Harper, Richmond (Traded To Magic)
3.   Pistons F Kyle Singler, Duke
4.   Wizards G Shelvin Mack, Butler
5.   Kings F Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
6.   Nets C Jordan Williams, Maryland
7.   Clippers F Trey Thompkins, Georgia
8.   Rockets F Chandler Parsons, Florida
9.   Bobcats F Jeremy Tyler (Traded To Warriors)
10. Bucks F Jon Leuer, Wisconsin
11. Lakers G Darius Morris, Michigan
12. Pacers F Davis Bertans, Latvia (Traded To Spurs)
13. Bulls G Malcolm Lee, UCLA (Traded To Timberwolves)
14. Warriors G Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
15. Hornets C Josh Harrellson, Kentucky (Traded To Knicks)
16. Lakers G Andrew Goudelock, Charleston
17. Clippers G Travis Leslie, Georgia (Traded To Trail Blazers)
18. Hawks C Keith Benson, Oakland
19. Grizzlies G Josh Selby, Kansas
20. 76ers F Lavoy Allen, Temple
21. Trail Blazers G Jon Diebler, Ohio State
22. Pistons F Vernon Macklin, Florida
23. Magic G DeAndre Liggins, Kentucky
24. Cavaliers F Milan Macvan, CRO
25. Celtics G E'Twaun Moore, Purdue
26. Lakers F Chukwudiebere Maduabum, NGA
27. Mavericks F Targuy Ngombo
28. Lakers F Ater Majok
29. Spurs G Adam Hanga, HUN
30. Kings G Isaiah Thomas, Washington

The second round selections are typically guys with major issues in their respective games.

So as a whole, how many of the NBA draftees are on the road to stardom? Better yet, how many are even in the playing rotations for their teams?

Is it that physical talents alone can be utilized on a much more quicker basis on the gridiron than the basketball court?

What else?

Kyle Barone named WAC POW

Idaho’s Kyle Barone has been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 25-March 3.

Barone, a senior center from Garden Grove, Calif. (Pacifica HS), recorded his 14th and 15th double-doubles of the season as Idaho went 1-1 last week. He recorded 13 points and 15 rebounds in a 74-56 loss at UTSA. He connected on 6-of-11 shots from the field and made 1-of-3 shots at the charity stripe. He also dished out three assists against the Roadrunners. Barone scored 26 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in a 90-81 win at Texas State. He also tallied three blocks and two assists. He hit 12-of-17 shots from the field and was a perfect 2-of-2 at the free throw line. His 26 points against the Bobcats was his eighth 20-plus point outing of the season, and one point shy of his career high of 27 points.

On the week, Barone averaged 19.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. He shot 64.3 percent (18-of-28) from the field. 

Other nominees included:

* Denver junior forward Chris Udofia scored 13 points in a win over New Mexico State

* Louisiana Tech senior guard Brandon Gibson averaged 16.0 points per game in a pair of wins last week

* New Mexico State senior forward Bandja Sy scored 21 points with 11 rebounds in a game at Denver

* Seattle U senior forward Chad Rasmussen averaged 18.5 points to help the Redhawks to a 1-1 record last week

* Texas State senior forward Matt Staff averaged 18.0 points per game as the Bobcats went 1-1

* Utah State junior guard TeNale Roland posted back-to-back 12-point scoring games last week.

A couple more links

Sean Kramer checks in on last night's Vandal success, plus tournament scenarios.

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Mile High Mids is all over Denver's takedown of New Mexico State, including photos and video.

Sunday: five game reports

Denver had New Mexico State coming in for the top WAC attraction of the day and the result was a six-point victory, 66-60, for Coach Joe Scott and his guys. Four Pioneers reached double figures: Royce O'Neale with 14 points, 13 for Chris Udofia and Brett Olsen and 11 from Chase Hallam. Bandja Sy led the Aggies with 21 points and Sim Bhullar finished with 17. The biggest statistical differential, 18-8 in turnovers with NMSU owning the double figure.

Jason Groves live-tweeted the game.

JasonG game reports plus here are his forecast keys. Pioneer athletics and Aggie athletics also game report. Count Irv Moss as present and accounted for.

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Louisiana Tech hosted San Jose State University and came away with an 88-61 win. Raheem Appleby led the Bulldogs with 16 on an off-shooting night plus Alex Hamilton and Jaron Johnson each scored 13. Kenneth Smith racked up nine assists with nary a turnover in 23 minutes of court time. Guard Xavier Jones, also with an off-shooting game, paced the Spartans with 14 points. The two jump out stats: SJSU shooting 32% and having 21 turnovers.

Bulldog athletics and Spartan athletics game report as does Matt Vines.

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All these down Lone Star State way:

As expected due to personnel losses and the Texas Arlington defense, UTA downed Utah State 61-46 as Coach Stew Morrill's crew scored just 22 and 24 points respectively in each half. Kevin Butler went for 21 points (5-10 from long distance) and Karol Gruszecki totaled 14 for the Mavericks. For the Aggies, Marcel Davis finished with 15 points while TeNale Roland contributed 12. Jared Shaw ended with 11 points plus eight boards. Neither squad shot well overall but Texas Arlington finished 11-24 on three-point attempts.

Kyle Goon live-tweeted the contest.

Maverick athletics game reports. Ditto for Shawn Harrison and Kyle Heywood who were in Arlington (more kudos go out to the HJ and Cache Valley Daily managements) plus KyleG writes that Coach Morrill was in a non-biting-his-tongue mood post-game.

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Mysterious Idaho continued mystifying as Coach Don Verlin's bunch put 90 on Texas State which managed 81. Kyle Barone was a force yesterday with 26 points, 14 rebounds and a trio of blocked shots. Guard Connor Hill totaled 22, bolstered by 5-7 accuracy from long distance plus Stephen Madison wasn't far behind with 20 points. Big man Matt Staff led the Bobcats with 20 points with Deonte' Jones and Joel Wright scoring 12 apiece. The Vandals won the boards 36-24.

Bobcat athletics and Vandal athletics game report as does Josh Wright.

On Texas State Sports, Coach Doug Davalos talked about fan support.

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In just a strange contest all the way around, Seattle took down Texas San Antonio 53-37. No that wasn't the halftime score as the Redhawks enjoyed a 29-11 initial 20 minutes lead. Forward Chad Rasmussen's 19 points (5-9 from three-point range) was out front for Coach Cameron Dollar's outfit. The Roadrunners shot 23% overall with Jeromie Hill and Kannon Burrage each scoring 15 on 5-13 and 5-16 shooting respectively. Michael Hale went 1-11 and concluded with three points.

Roadrunner athletics and Redhawk athletics game report.

Interesting story involving Remi Barry

The USA TODAY report on the NCAA sanctioning of St. Mary's basketball contained a bit more information. Such as:

* "...The former assistant coach was not named, but the biographical information contained in the infractions report matches that of former Saint Mary's assistant Keith Moss. The former assistant, who worked for a sports agent before moving to Saint Mary's – as did Moss – was charged with unethical conduct and given a two-year "show-cause" order, effectively banning him from coaching at NCAA schools during that time span..."

and

* "...The recruit was not named, but published reports match the story of Remi Barry, a French transfer student who was ruled ineligible for the 2009-10 school year by the California Interscholastic Federation, which governs high school sports in the state. Barry is now a sophomore playing at New Mexico State. According to a CIF statement released in January 2010, the organization found that "a now former college basketball coach actively sought to 'shop' Mr. Barry around to several high schools..."

But do read the entire article.

Keith Moss talked with Elliott Almond yesterday.

Watson indicted

James Staley reports on Tyrone Watson's indictment on felony battery charges.

Saturday: five game previews

The big one tonight is New Mexico State battling host Denver -- big versus small, fast paced versus methodical.

Aggie athletics and Pioneer athletics game preview. So does Jason Groves. JG also comments that Tyrone Watson's return isn't unexpected. Mike High Mids will live-blog the matchup.

Irv Moss writes about student attendance at Pioneer games.

Pat Rooney profiles redshirt freshman forward Marcus Byrd's season.

Irv Moss dittos about frosh backcourter Jalen Love.

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The Texas Arlington - visiting Utah State matchup will also be fascinating to see how the Aggies react to the loss of Spencer Butterfield. Any more personnel losses and USU might be deemed "The Only Five."

Maverick athletics game previews.

Kyle Goon writes about the possibilities of filling in for what Spencer Butterfield brought to each game. KyleG, Shawn Harrison and Kraig Willams all game preview.

ShawnG also has a feature on Preston Medlin returning home.

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League-leading and undefeated in conference Louisiana Tech will be hospitality-izing San Jose State University.

Bulldog athletics and Spartan athletics game preview as does Matt Vines.

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It's Texas State welcoming versus Idaho.

Bobcat athletics and Vandal athletics game preview.

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Seattle and Texas San Antonio pair off in the Alamo City.

Roadrunner athletics game previews.

Jerry Briggs features senior guard Kannon Burrage.

Big Wen wooing 'em overseas

Jason Groves writes about an honor Wendell McKines is competing for -- do show him some love.

Thursday: four game reports

It definitely was a night for hosting.

If there were any doubters (there are always some holdouts), PTW wants to hear from any still unconvinced that LT is for real. This after a 49-23 first half versus Utah State that ended any doubt about the final outcome last night (which was 84-61). Call it a hoops version of meet the press. That, and Coach Stew Morrill probably was checking to see if he had any eligibility remaining. But the most important aspect from the Aggie point of view is how badly hurt is Spencer Butterfield?

Off the bench, Brandon Gibson led the Bulldogs with 20 points (4-5 from long distance) in 16 minutes of court time while freshman point Alex Hamilton added nine points, eight assists and two steals in just 16 minutes. USU frontcourters Ben Clifford and Jared Shaw went for 14 points/nine boards and 14 points/eight rebounds respectively. Louisiana Tech shot 50% and 11-21 from long distance, USU 37% and 3-16.

Kyle Goon live-tweeted the game and he also addresses Butterfield's injury..

Bulldog athletics game reports as do Shawn Harrison and Kyle Heywood (a major thank you goes out to Herald Journal and Cache Valley Daily managements for sending them respectively to Ruston) and Matt Sonnenberg. From the LT perspective, Jason Pugh and Matt Vines were on press row.

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Host Texas State got by Seattle 67-65 despite being outshot 48% to 40% and losing the boards 33-23. One key: the Redhawks went just 2-3 at the foul line. Another: being minus 10 (19-9) in miscues. Forward Joel Wright went for 16 points and seven rebounds while guard Deonte' Jones also totaled 16 for the Bobcats. Chad Rasmussen didn't shoot all that well (6-19) but led The Emerald City guys with 18. Backcourter Prince Obasi double-doubled with 11 points and the same number of assists but also committed six turnovers. Fellow guard Allan Tate contributed 14 points on 7-11 marksmanship.

Seattle U Hoops live-tweeted the game.

Redhawk athletics and Bobcat athletics game report.

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Leading 40-38 at halftime, Idaho went muy frio during the second 20 minutes in falling 74-56 to Texas San Antonio. It took 25 shots but Michael Hale III paced the Roadrunners with 26 points while fellow guard Kannon Burrage added 16. Mike McChristian Vandalized for a team-leading 19 points, going 5-8 on three-point shooting. Kyle Barone double-doubled with 13 points plus 15 rebounds. TSA shot 54% overall, Coach Don Verlin's guys 40%.

Vandal Nation live-tweeted the contest.

Roadrunner athletics and Josh Wright game report.

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Texas Arlington welcomed San Jose State University to the Lone Star State and accomplished an 81-74 win by employing its bench to a 49-8 scoring advantage. Coming off said pine, Jamel Outler led with 15 points, Karol Gruszecki scored 14 and Greg Gainey added 13 points. Center Jordan Reves totaled 10 points, nine boards and three blocked shots. For the Spartans, Louis Garrett went 5-10 from three-point range to finish with 25 points. Guard D.J. Brown posted 16 points and forward Chris Cunningham enjoyed a 13/13 double-double.

Maverick athletics and Spartan athletics game report as does the Rusty Maverick.