...we had to send this out: Reggie Theus turned 52 yesterday. We wish him many more, this despite his statement about sports bloggers because we're sure he didn't mean us. At least talk about pounding out diatribes from the basements of our elderly parents' home while ensconced in pajamas and subsisting on Cheetos was absent. We want to set the record straight: it's a Hugh Hefner-like smoking jacket for us. If that's in the dirty laundry -- meaning mom is slacking off yet again -- it's commando for us.
Little did we know that Coach was a co-host way back when on “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” which deteriorated into "The Most Irritating Sports Show Period" but only way after Theus left.
By the way, his son Reggie Jr. is a freshman baller at Fairfax High in Los Angeles (see above photo taken by Dave Keefer) who has already received some nice press.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
We don't know why but...
Here our fun version of a few Best of The WAC categories
We didn't have any idea in what direction this type of article would lead and there's probably a ton of categories we missed but here it is. Not that he should feel induced to do so but Patrick in Seattle can probably top us all with Best of the WAC humor edition.
Best Shooter: Jahmar Young (Mac Hopson was in contention but while each player's floor shooting was comparable, Young shot 74-90 82% to Hopson's 70-110 64% during WAC play-- question: why is Hopson at that percentage from the foul line?)
Best Passer: Mac Hopson (with a target on the front and back of his uniform as THE sole offensive creator -- points and passes -- for the Vandals, he still compiled 91 assists in addition to a boatload of points)
Safest Passer: Tyler Newbold (led the WAC in assist-to-turnover ratio 54-17 (next in line was Hernst LaRoche at 67/32)
Best Rebounder: Wendell McKines (leading the conference in offensive and defensive rebounds makes this an easy pick)
Best Intimidator: Magnum Rolle (Dario Hunt led in shotblocks but it's Rolle who offensive players have to account for the most)
The Player Opposing Fans React To The Loudest: Anthony Thomas, who seems to enjoy egging on opposing fans)
Oddest Anomaly (or maybe not) Of Last Season: (three 'bigs' topped the conference in free throw shooting accuracy - (1) Troy Gillenwater, (2) Luke Babbitt, (3) Gary Wilkinson)
Best Player No One Knows About (Yet) For What It's Worth plus the All Newcomer Team: (haven't a clue and probably most of the WAC coaches are in that same boat)
WAC Coach Most Likely to Explode For Some Ts During A Game (or the Mark Fox Emeritus Award): (can't come up with even one)
Travis Mason-Bushman with his take on the WAC freshman
TM-B is back with his Best of the WAC frosh:
Hoops Preview 2009-10: The WAC’s Best FreshmenGo here for the picks.
Travis Mason-Bushman
Vandal Nation
October 13, 2009
Rounding out our preseason class rundowns, we’ve got our selections for the Western Athletic Conference’s best freshmen.
Again, picks are based positionally. We’ve selected only a first team and honorable mentions as it’s tough to judge the freshmen below that threshold. Players are judged on the basis of overall performance and potential team impact...
Chris Murray's take on Nevada's Media Day
Chris Murray went to the Wolf Pack Media Day and provides some thoughts:
Observations from Wolf Pack basketball media dayGo here for the remainder.
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
10/13/2009
Quote of the day from Wolf Pack basketball media day: “You can feel the buzz in the air," Armon Johnson said. "Everybody is really excited; I can’t even explain it. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it. We’re excited for the first practice.” Although running from one interview to another and posing for photo after photo probably isn't a ton of fun for the players, you could see they are glad practice starts Friday and the season opener is only a month away. Here are 10 observations or nuggets of information I came away with from the media day...
A Robert Sandoval update
Clovis East backcourter Robert Sandoval is no longer in the running for a basketball scholarship from Fresno State since the recent verbal commit of northern California guard Tyler Johnson to the Bulldogs. We did an update article on Sandoval here. A Rivals sub is required.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Kenneth Cooper resurfaces
Not only has former LA Tech center Kenneth Cooper re-surfaced but he is somehow eligible to play this season:
UAB basketball transfers eligible to play this seasonGo here for the remainder.
Steve Irvine
The Birmingham News
October 13, 2009
The NCAA approved the graduate student transfer waivers for George Drake and Kenneth Cooper and both will be eligible to play for UAB this season...
Armon Johnson
Chris Murray mentions today in a post and on his Twitter feed about Wolf Pack backcourter Armon Johnson not receiving enough love in the various predictions about the All-WAC first team members. Here is part of what he wrote:
Chris MurrayHit the post link above to get to the full article.
Reno Gazette-Journal
10/13/2009
...I might be a little biased here, but Johnson did make the All-WAC first team last year and I don't think he had that great of a season by his standards. I'd expect an even better statistical season from Johnson this year, especially with an offense more suited for his strengths. Of course, there are no right or wrong answers with these preseason polls...
That got us to thinking...and then writing.
So what to make of Armon Johnson, the third year backcourter for Nevada?
He obviously impressed the WAC coaches because he was one of five players named to the All-WAC first team last season, along with Mac Hopson, Luke Babbitt, Jahmar Young and Gary Wilkinson.
But did he produce face value numbers to make him deserving of such? We're going to present just such statistics but with the proviso that we understand six-pack and then our mathematical knowledge gets iffy after that.
2008-2009 season
For reference, Johnson scored 15.5 points each time out, shot .431 on the season, .278 on threes and .789 at the foul line.
In league play, he scored 15.1 points per game (eighth in the WAC), shot .429 from the floor, .289 on three-point attempts and .806 from the charity stripe (fifth in the conference).
On the season, he grabbed 3.6 rebounds a game and fashioned a 145/84 assist-to-turnover ratio.
In conference, Johnson nabbed 3.1 boards a contest with 65/37 assist-to-turnover numbers. His 65 assists placed him sixth in the WAC.
His numbers stayed pretty much the same in non-conference versus conference action. As for WAC games, the points per game is solid, the floor shooting needs to be upped, definitely so with his treys and his free throw shooting is topnotch. His boardplay is good for a guard and his A-T ratio okay, but especially so for someone who has the role of generating offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Our sense is an argument can be made for and against Johnson's inclusion on the All-WAC squad ad infinitum -- with no definitive judgment possible. But he got it, the coaches thought he was worthy (and they see a lot more than we do and certainly watch a gazilion more feet of tape than we do) and so be it.
2007-2008 season
Just for fun, in 2007-2008 WAC action, Johnson scored 12.1 points a game, shot .540% overall, (good for tenth), .414% from long distance, .818% from the line (tenth), plus enjoyed a 61/31 assist-to-turnover ratio. He grabbed 4.1 boards a game and passed for 3.8 assists a contest, earning him Freshman of the Year honors.
Having Marcelus Kemp and JaVale McGee, plus Brandon Fields himself contributing 14 points per game greatly eased the burden on Johnson to create and his shooting number reflect this. He was the third or probably the fourth option on offense as opposed to be the first such as in 2008-2009.
It is also important to acknowledge that there are always intangibles that are missed when not viewing someone each game.
So finally, should Armon Johnson be included as one of All-WAC first team pre-season selections? With Travis Mason-Bushman's selections, he has Jared Quayle jumping up from his official second team All-WAC status of last season, thereby replacing Johnson. He also has LT's Magnum Rolle, who didn't appear on either the first or second All-WAC teams of last season, taking Gary Wilkinson's place.
We have San Jose State's Adrian Oliver and Fresno State's Paul George notching first team spots over Johnson and Rolle.
The good thing about all this is that the games will be played, the plays remembered and the statistics kept that will determine who ultimately is proven correct or incorrect. But, of course, some of us won't agree with the choices and that create even more sports bar fodder.
Chris Murray says Fresno is #5
Chris Murray is back with his 2009-2010 WAC team finish predictions and the Bulldogs of central California are his latest choice:
Talented Fresno will burst out of basementGo here for the remainder.
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
10/13/2009
No. 5 Fresno State
Coach: Steve Cleveland (fifth season; 63-63 at Fresno State)
Last year’s record: 13-21 overall, 3-13 in the WAC (ninth place)
Returning starters: Three (Sylvester Seay, Paul George, Nedeljko Golubovic)
Key losses: Dwight O’Neil, Bryce Cartwright, Brian Seals...
Travis Mason-Bushman has Hawaii caboosing it
TM-B is beginning his rollout of how the WAC will finish and Hawaii is becoming the unanimous choice to date:
WAC Hoops Preview Countdown: #9 HawaiiGo here for the remainder.
Travis Mason-Bushman
Vandal Nation
October 12, 200
With this post, we begin our preview countdown through the 2009-10 Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball field.
Team: #9 Hawaii
Coach: Bob Nash, third season (24-36)
Last year’s record: 13-17 (5-11 WAC, 8th)
Returning starters: Four (F Roderick Flemings, F Bill Amis, F Adhar Mayen, C Paul Campbell)
Key losses: G Kareem Nitoto, G Lasha Parghalava
Key newcomers: G Dwain Williams, G Zane Johnson...
Coach David Carter interviewed
The Nevada student newspaper, The Sagebrush but Juan López specifically, offers an interview with Coach David Carter:
Chat with coach CarterGo here for the remainder.
Juan López
Nevada Sagebrush
October 13, 2009
Nevada men’s basketball head coach David Carter spoke with Nevada Sagebrush sports editor Juan López a few weeks ago.
Carter took over the head coaching spot after former head coach Mark Fox accepted an offer to coach at the University of Georgia. Carter has been a coach at Nevada since 1999.
The men’s basketball team will start practice on Friday.
Here are some things Carter discussed with López...
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)Go here for the remainder.
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...
Bookmark the link to the Refraction site.
The Mid-Majority folks really should add The Refraction link to their site.
Travis Mason-Bushman with his All-WAC player picks
Travis Mason-Bushman checks in with his All-WAC prognostications:
Hoops Preview 2009-10: Preseason All-WAC TeamGo here.
Travis Mason-Bushman
Vandal Nation
October 12, 2009
Vandal Nation’s preseason media poll ballot has been submitted, so without further ado, here’s our picks for the Western Athletic Conference’s best players this season...
Jeff Goodman on the WAC
It's very short and not all that informative but Jeff Goodman does nail down most of the come and gone transfer movement on the various WAC rosters plus some highlight games. Go here for the article which requires some scrolling down. Don't be fooled where it says WCC Offseason Rundown, just change the middle C to an A.
Matt Korcheck to UTEP
A prep 'big' mentioned in conjunction with a couple of WAC schools has committed to UTEP.
6-foot-8 Arizona high schooler Matt Korcheck has given a verbal to the University Texas El Paso, per an article at the Rivals Arizona Preps site. In the article, mention is made of Fresno State and Utah State having offered.
This illustrates one of the conundrums of recruiting information. Now we don't possess any 'inside' information in the Korcheck matter but would certainly like to know if the Bulldog and Aggies offers were current. The reason we ask is a pair of recent Rivals and Scout commitment articles listed schools for each player that we know had pulled out of the recruitment process and thus were no longer offering a scholarship.
Go here for the Korcheck article and a Rivals sub is required.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Chris Murray pegs LT sixth in the WAC
Chris Murray is back today with his choice to finish sixth in the WAC's coming season: Louisiana Tech.
Tech's powerful 1-2 punch makes team dangerousGo here for the remainder.
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
10/12/2009
No. 6 Louisiana Tech
Coach: Kerry Rupp (third season; 21-42 at Louisiana Tech)
Last year’s record: 15-18 overall, 6-10 WAC (tied for sixth place)
Returning starters: Three (Kyle Gibson, Jamel Guyton, Magnum Rolle)
Key losses: James Loe, Adrian Rogers
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