A Pop tweet: "2013 7'0 C Brandon Morley interest lists includes Utah State, Central Wyoming, Dixie State, Western Wyoming.. http://www.premierball.com/2013-brandon-morley-interview/ "
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Timothy R. Olsen profiles Spencer Butterfield.
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aggiedawg posted this letter sent out by Coach Mike White to the Louisiana Tech students.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
More for Sunday
Sunday: five game reports
Denver went on the road to face Texas State and Coach Joe Scott's guys won by 14, 79-64. For the second game in a row, sophomore guard Brett Olson paced the Pioneers, this time with 22 points. Chris Udofia's line: 12 points, six rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals. UD's shooting number were remarkable at 55% overall, 47% from long distance and 80% at the foul line. Bobcat forward Joel Wright had another one of his scoring explosions, going for 33 (14-18 at the charity stripe) plus 12 boards. No teammates went for double figures as TS shot 39% overall.
Bobcat athletics and Pioneer athletics game report as does Tyler Mayforth.
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Texas Arlington challenged Louisiana Tech in Ruston but fell short to the WAC top dog, 64-51. Neither team shot well (the former 36%, the latter 37%) but eight more made free throws for Coach Mike White's crew plus 1-12 long distance accuracy for Coach Scott Cross' squad made the difference. Raheem Appleby led LT with 15 points while forward Brandon Edwards just missed a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Mavericks.
Bulldog athletics and Maverick athletics game report as does Matt Vines.
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On the way out of town, New Mexico State pulled up to The Alamo and said "we'll take it" as to the victors goes the spoils after topping Texas San Antonio 75-62. Both Bandja Sy and Sim Bhuller led the Aggies with 17 points while the latter swept the boards for 18 caroms and swatted away five shots. Power forward Renaldo Dixon contributed 12 points plus his own quintet of blocks. Coach Marvin Menzies' guys shot 49% for the game. Michael Hale II and Kannon Burrage paced the Roadrunners with 20 and 18 points but also shot 7-23 and 6-22 respectively. TSA shot 33% overall.
Jason Groves live-tweeted the contest.
Aggie athletics and Roadrunner athletics game report as does JasonG and Jerry Briggs.
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Coming off a disheartening loss to Utah State, host Idaho had San Jose State University to battle and the Vandals eked out a much-needed 66-63 victory. This after a 40-27 halftime lead. Kyle Barone posted a 15/12 double-double while guard Connor Hill led with 19 points. For the Spartans, Chris Cunningham didn't shoot all that well but accumulated 18 rebounds as teammate D.J. Brown topped his team with 18 points. In a strange posting of numbers, SJSU shot 41% from long distance but finished at 32% overall and also 8-24 from the foul line.
Josh Wright and Vandal Nation live-tweeted the pairing. Josh noted that frontcourter Marcus Bell has left the team.
Spartan athletics and Vandal athletics game report as does JoshW.
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After notching its initial conference home victory, Seattle faced visiting Utah State -- but it seemed like facing the USU of old as the Aggies took a 68-46 win. Jarred Shaw led with 16 points and Spencer Butterfield again posted a double-double, this one consisting of 13 points and 11 boards. Coach Stew Morrill's eightsome shot 47%, grabbed 43 boards but did commit 17 turnovers. The Redhawks shot but 31% (2-20 from three-point range) while nabbing 22 rebounds as injured Deshaun Sunderhaus was sorely missed.The depth difference between the two teams was readily apparent.
Kyle Goon and Seattle U Hoops live-tweeted the matchup.
Aggie athletics and Redhawk athletics game report alongside Shawn Harrison, Timothy R. Olsen and KyleG (who were all in Seattle so another shout out to the management of those newspapers) and Kraig Williams. KyleG also reflects on the game as does Matt Sonnenberg.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Saturday: five game previews
It's Texas Arlington heading into Ruston to challenge Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are undefeated in conference play and TA is 4-0 in road games so something has to give.
Maverick athletics and Bulldog athletics preview.
Matt Vines takes a look at where Tech stands.
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8-2 New Mexico State is roadin' it @ 1-9 Texas San Antonio. SA is going to have a difficult time containing Coach Marvin Menzies' upfront bunch but Jerry Briggs notes Sim Bhullar is injured.
Aggie athletics and Roadrunner athletics preview as does Jason Groves who also provides his three keys and a prediction.
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Denver is in San Marcos to face Texas State. TS is 0-5 at home in league play thus far and breaking that streak looks might tough, at least for Saturday.
Pioneer athletics previews.
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Idaho welcomes San Jose State University to Moscow. Coach Don Verlin's guys have taken the last three games between these two foes and SJSU has dropped six in a row. If UI falls, look for the fans in Moscow to really get restless.
Vandal athletics and Spartan athletics preview.
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Seattle gets Utah State at home. SU is coming off a home win and Coach Cameron Dollar's crew is athletic which may trouble the visitors.
A tweet from Seattle U Hoops: "Sounds like Deshaun Sunderhaus, who sprained his ankle last night, should be good to go Saturday vs. Utah State"
Kyle Goon, Shawn Harrison, Kraig Williams and Timothy R. Olsen preview.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Texas San Antonio nabs a post grad shooting guard
Below is video of Lewis in high school before he spent this a year (this season) @ WP:
Friday: four game reports
New Mexico State proved to be ungrateful visitors at 86-72 over Texas State with Banja Sy posting a 24/13 double-double (9-11 shooting) and Daniel Mullings more than chipping in with 22 (10-10 from the foul line) pacing the Aggies. Also worth noting: reserve forward Remi Barry added 10 points plus six boards as Coach Marvin Menzies' guys shot 56% overall and won the battle of the boards 40-26. For the Bobcats, Matt Staff went for a 20/10 double-double of his own while Joel Wright totaled 14 but shot 3-18.
Tyrone Watson did not play and is suspended.
Jason Groves live-tweeted the pairing. Jason offered his pre-game keys and prediction.
Texas State athletics and Aggies athletics game report as does Jason and Texas State Sports.
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Texas San Antonio welcomed Denver but the Roadrunners changed their minds two hours later as the Pioneers won 71-57. A 39-19 opening half actually did the trick. Brett Olsen led the way with 16 points as Coach Joe Scott's squad earned 20 assists on 23 baskets, attempting 29 treys on 47 overall shots. Guard Kannon Burrage paced the Texans with 19 points while center Larry Wilkins added 15 points and seven rebounds.
Denver is fascinating as star Chris Udofia totaled eight points and four assists yet his team wins easily. Royce O'Neale scored but nine points yet posted seven rebounds plus six assists. Call the Pioneers the velvet hammer.
Pioneer athletics and Roadrunner athletics game report.
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It was Verlin being challenged by Morrill in a game both teams needed for confidence if nothing else and the score was 31-25 in favor of Utah State at halftime. Both teams warmed up in the second 20 minutes but it was the Aggies advancing their lead and finishing ahead 77-67. Jarred Shaw exploded for 27 points on 12-15 shooting, Marcel Davis finished with 16 points and Spencer Butterfield earned an 11/10 double-double alongside four assists. USU shot 60% for the game. Idaho shot 53% overall and 10-19 from long distance with Connor Hill and Stephen Madison topping the team with 14 points apiece. Robert Harris Jr. finished with 13 and Kyle Barone scored 11 points. The Vandals won in the assists, steal and turnover categories but lost the boards 27-13.
Kyle Goon and Herald Journal sports live-tweeted the contest as did Josh Wright.
Matt Sonnenberg, Shawn Harrison & Kyle Heywood (who were both in Moscow so another high five to HJ management as well as one to the Cache Valley Daily guys) and Rachel Bascom plus Josh Wright and Sean Kramer game report.
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It was Dollar night in the Emerald City as Seattle battled San Jose State University and nabbed a 56-48 victory. The Spartans led 22-20 after 20. Guard Prince Obasi paced the victors with both 19 points (7-9 foul shooting) and five assists. Center Louis Green came off the bench for 13 points, seven boards and four blocked shots. Forward Chris Cunningham posted a 21/11 double-double for San Jose. Shooting was not particularly keen with the Redhawks finished at 39% and SJSU at 31% and Coach Cameron Dollar's guys also went 1-15 from long distance and 61% from the charity stripe.
James Kinney again didn't play for SJSU and Darren Sunderhaus was on the court for four minutes for Seattle before departing due to injury.
Seattle U Hoops live-tweeted the matchup.
Spartan athletics and Redhawk athletics game report as does Bob Condotta.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Links for Thursday
Jason Groves writes about Terrel de Rouen and his crash course on Aggie pointillism.
Jason and James Staley offer more on Tyrone Watson's situation.
It certainly sounds like out-of-character but the attack happened and there really is no way Watson can play tomorrow or this weekend. That the beating happened happened is bad enough as New Mexico State searches for a better conference affiliation but compounding what took place with a poor personnel decision would truly give Aggies athletics a self-inflicted black eye (absolutely no pun intended) with possible alignment consequences.
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Jonathan Ford video interviews Raheem Appleby. Jason Pugh and Matt Vines provide print features on Appleby. Hey, it's a great day in the Ruston neighborhood.
Ryan Darcy offers some much-deserved press to LA TECH basketball.
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Picoso at the Crimson To The Core Cantina MB has an update on a commit to NMSU.
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A Left Coast Recruiting tweet: "San Jose State offered 2013 Dezmyn Trent"
Here is a January 15 feature on the young man. Seattle is also obviously very interested.
Thursday: four game previews
Texas State has the unenviable task of putting out the welcome mat to New Mexico State. Can the three-game win streak be elongated?
Bobcat athletics and Aggie athletics preview.
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Texas San Antonio does likewise with Denver.
Pioneer athletics and Roadrunner athletics preview.
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Idaho gets Utah State up in Moscow.
Vandal athletics plus Shawn Harrison, Kyle Goon and Kraig Williams preview.
Kyle also talked with Idaho Coach Don Verlin, who knows a thing or two about Logan hoops.
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Seattle plays host to San Jose State University.
Redhawk athletics and Spartan athletics preview.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Whither Seattle
What's up with Seattle, 1-8 in conference play and 0-5 at home?
As in most anything, it's multiple factors.
In no particular order:
* There's a pattern of one Seahawk (sorry about this mess up, one Hawk is not just like another) Redhawk producing well but too often a second or third teammate isn't right behind to back him up and 'him' is often a different player each time -- consistency is missing. It will be Clarence Trent but then Deshaun Sunderhaus the next game and Chad Rasmussen after that or possibly Prince Obasi or D'Vonne Pickett. Plus, unlike Louisiana Tech, there has been very little non-starter pick-the-team-up assistance except for Luiz Bidart.
* The Redhawks have lost some close games and, while it's near impossible to pinpoint the reasons for this without witnessing each contest, Coach Cameron Dollar's roster lacks a go-to guy who can more often than not generate a good look in clutch moments.
* Shooting an overall 42% to 41% for opponents, a tied 33% on treys and being a +7 in rebounding average is being negated by a 58% foul line shooting which both puts any team behind in games and halts comeback attempts. Pickett's 46% at the charity stripe and Obasi at 54% just gives away too many points and these are the starting guards with the second and third most attempts on the squad.
* Seattle is also underwater in turnovers (-68) which is remarkable for a smallish team.
* Also having fouled 65 more times than their opponents (some of that certainly due to lack of size), the Redhawks are a -17 in steals so there is no 'making up for it' by 'going small.'
* Additionally, Trent shouldn't be at 42% overall shooting, Rasmussen needs to be higher than 34% on three-point attempts (with a ratio of 38 two-point shots versus 122 treys) plus backcourter Obasi can't stay at 38% if the team is ever going to win more than they lose.
* All of these factors add up to recent three-point homecourt losses to Texas State and Texas San Antonio plus a one-point loss at home to New Mexico State, a five-point defeat at San Jose State University, a seven-point loss at home to Idaho. Some free throws made here, not a turnover there and Seattle's W-L record would be quite different.
* Sunderhaus being a redshirt freshman is a positive as he has the highest level of potential of anyone on the roster. Getting redshirt transfer backcourters Emerson Murray and Isiah Umipig playing next season will reduce a lot of the backcourt woes the Redhawks are currently experiencing. But a real center is desperately needed, hopefully a well-rounded one who can rebound, defend and do some scoring -- consistently. 6-foot-9, 235-pound Shore Adenekan, a 2013 JUCO signee out of Colorado's Lamar Community College, looks like he will help but he's not a dominator.
Wednesday: another bunch o' links
It's press day for Louisiana Tech with Jason Pugh and Matt Vines weighing in on the Techsters and Jonathan Ford serving up a seven-minute Coach Mike White video.
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There are a myriad of so-called formulas to win games as Kyle Goon writes but each team, including Utah State, has specific different strengths and weaknesses to pull from and to minimize, respectively.
Kyle also notes that USU wants more net and less rim.
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Jason Groves has the news that Chili is back on the New Mexico State basketball menu. Will Coach Marvin Menzies put in an order for each game here on out?
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Tyler Mayforth writes that Texas State is on a three-game winning streak.
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Seattle U Hoops looks at what's holding back the Redhawks (hey, great minds think alike).
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Joel Wright named WAC POW
Texas State’s Joel Wright has been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 21-27.
Wright, a junior forward from Brooklyn, N.Y. (Thomas Jefferson HS), led Texas State to a weekend road sweep over Idaho and Seattle U. In the 78-73 win at Idaho, Wright came off the bench to score a WAC season-high 37 points, 24 of which he scored in the second half. He hit 12 of his 20 shots from the field and went 12-of-15 from the free throw line. Wright also tallied six rebounds, five assists and five steals in the 17-point comeback victory. Wright scored 15 of Texas State’s final 22 points to lift the Bobcats to the win
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Wright backed up his career night with a 19-point, nine-rebound effort in an 86-83 win at Seattle U. He also collected three steals in the 12-point comeback win. He made a pair of free throws to score Texas State’s final two points to help secure the win. The win gave Texas State its third straight win after breaking a nine-game losing streak.
On the week, Wright averaged 28.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.5 assists per game. He shot 48.6 percent (18-of-37) from the field and 81.0 percent (17-of-21) from the free throw line. Olson recorded eight steals, five assists and one block over the two games.
Other nominees:
* Idaho senior center Kyle Barone averaged 26.0 points and 16.0 rebounds as Idaho went 1-1
* Louisiana Tech sophomore guard Kenneth Smith tallied 10 assists with six rebounds in a win at Utah State
* New Mexico State senior forward Tyrone Watson scored 12 points with six rebounds in a win over Denver
* Seattle U freshman forward Deshaun Sunderhaus averaged 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds over two games
* UTSA senior guard Michael Hale III scored a career-high 35 points in a win at Seattle U
* Utah State junior guard/forward Spencer Butterfield averaged a double-double with 19.5 points and 13.0 rebounds over two games last week.
LT is here to stay
Alex Hamilton is a freshman. Raheem Appleby, Kenneth Smith and Michale Kyser are sophomores. Translation: Louisiana Tech isn't dropping back anytime soon and, in fact, looks to only get better in the next few years.
That's because these youngsters will be improving and displaying greater consistency plus more and more recruiting doors, previously closed, will be opening to Coach Mike White and his staff.
Few people remember that the Bulldogs damn near got to the Big Dance in White's initial season at the helm, taking down Utah State (72-70) and then Nevada (78-73) before falling to New Mexico State. Winning close games in the conference tournament with kids? That isn't luck and happenstance.
So how did White and Company do it in Ruston when Kerry Rupp and Keith Richard couldn't? Plus, how did this transformation take place so quickly? That would probably take a dissertation length post but let's focus in on these concepts and decisions:
* Instilling a modern dribble-drive offensive style, alongside a pressing and man defense -- those are elements that recruits find attractive and approaches they can pick up and add value to early on.
* White certainly hasn't nabbed any blue-chip recruits but rightly focused on landing athletic prospects with at least one, if not more, right-away plus skills
* Another key is White's so-called bench players -- let's use the term non-starters instead -- being ready to assume critical roles in picking matters up offensively and defensively when some members of the opening five are not producing. The how of such a development can only come from White and his players but it's a critical component for successful teams.
* Also, how White and his coaching staff instilled a tough-as-nails approach in finishing games is impossible to quantify but Tech has definitely been winning more than its share of close ones since he landed the position, this despite LT's youthfulness.
By the way, LT has made it into Matt Norlander's Mid Major Power Pyramid with this inscription: "WAC's best is still secret to the nation"
The down side to all these achievements is that some SEC team is going to tap White sooner rather than later -- that's just the nature of the system. But it's going to be difficult for anyone else to top the metamorphosis White instigated so quickly at Louisiana Tech.
Tuesday: a few links for ya
Kyle Goon takes the pulse of Utah State hoops mid-way through conference play.
Shawn Harrison writes that USU just might not be an afterthought this season (cue up David Soul's "Don't Give Up On Us Baby")
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Forbes has Texas Arlington Coach Scott Cross in it's "Best College Basketball Coaches For The Money" list.
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The Sun-News reports that a New Mexico State basketball player is a suspect in a beating. Here are photos.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Monday: a handful of links
Sean Kramer looks back at Idaho's Saturday performance and at what is looming for the Vandals.
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Jason Groves looks at New Mexico State's present standing and what the second half of the WAC schedule holds for the Aggies.
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Doesn't everyone want dunkin' in the morning? Courtesy of Bandja Sy and NMSU athletics. Wow!
The Week That Wasn't for Utah State
Landon Helmsley looks at Saturday's USU - LA TECH game and retains some optimism.
Matt Sonnenberg's penchant for outstanding headlines should be sparking a bidding war for his services in Utah media circles. PTW will take Matt over the New York Post despite its "headless body in topless bar" infamy of years ago.
Kurt Kragthorpe chimes in on Saturday's matchup.
Hey, maybe, just maybe there is a variation of the SI cover hex coming into play here. First, we pre-season ordained K.C. Ross-Miller as the WAC Newcomer of the year. But he never gained any traction and then recently pulled his hamstring. Then as we also previously wrote, Jarred Shaw's fast start had him running away with the honor.
However, Shaw's output slowed to the proverbial crawl in January. He was back playing energetically last Saturday. Will that version be on display from here on out or is this post going to jinx him?
Bottom line: don't gamble the mortgage money on our predictions.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Sunday: four game reports
Call it an odd night as the home team won but one of four contests.
Louisiana Tech hit Logan to see what Utah State is made of at this point and jumped to a 35-22 advantage after the first period. But the Aggies came back to make it a one possession game only to see the Bulldogs take a low-scoring 51-48 victory. Brandon Gibson came off the bench for LT to lead his team with 20 points (six treys!!) while Jarred Shaw imposed his will going for 21 points plus 14 boards and four shotblocks. USU's Spencer Butterfield didn't have a particularly good shooting night but finished with 16 points and an astounding 15 rebounds. The three standout game stats: 33% shooting for Tech, 27% for USU and a 48-29 rebounding advantage for the hosts.
If there is an Appleby's franchise in Logan, chances are good a boycott is being organized right now (you'll have to read the game reports)
Kyle Goon and Kraig Williams live-tweeted the contest.
KyleG, Kyle Heywood, Shawn Harrison, Kraig Williams and Bulldog athletics game report.
Curtis Ripplinger has posted 33 game photos.
Kyle also writes about Shaw's strong performance.
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San Jose State University was home challenged by Texas Arlington and a 38-19 initial half ended up securing the game for the Mavericks with the final score 66-47. Getting another start, forward Greg Gainey led Coach Scott's Cross' guys with 17 points with fellow frontcourter Kevin Butler posting a 13/10 double-double. Chris Cunningham paced the Spartans with his own 13/10 double-double but 22% overall shooting and going 4-25 on long distance sunk SJSU's chances.
Spartan athletics and Maverick athletics game report.
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Seattle welcomed Texas State and enjoyed a 42-35 halftime lead. But the Bobcats came back and end up victorious, 86-83. Coming off the bench, Reid Koenen scored 26 points, with Joel Wright posting 19 points and nine boards for Coach Doug Davalos. Corey Stern contributed a 10/11 double-double. For the Redhawks, Clarence Trent scored 22 posts and added eight rebounds while fellow frontcourter Deshaun Sunderhaus double-doubled with 17 and 12. Coach Cameron Dollar's crew was credited with 25 assists on 37 baskets.
Bobcat athletics and Redhawk athletics game report as does Jayda Evans.
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Texas San Antonio met Idaho in Moscow and each scored 38 points in the opening 20 minutes. It stayed close but the Vandals emerged at the final horn with a 74-70 win. Kyle Barone was a perfect 10-10 from the floor (five dunks), finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, three shotblocks and two assists. Backcourter Connor Hill totaled 13 points and Stephen Madison concluded with 13. Coach Don Verlin's guys shot 52% overall, with just 11 turnovers. Michael Hale III continued his surge to a First Team All-WAC spot with 21 points (5-10 from long distance) and seven assists. Fellow guard Kannon Burrage added 16 points while frontcourter Jordan Sims just missed a double-double with nine points and 11 caroms.
Josh Wright and Vandal Nation live-tweeted the pairing.
Roadrunner athletics and Vandal athletics game report as does Josh Wright. The UI Argonaut offers Coach Don Verlin post-game.
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