CrimsonPhantom
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Who is the star player on each team in 2017-18?
Quote:There might not be a conference with a more bizarre story of its transformation than the Western Athletic Conference.
Regardless of their standing, there’s still some great basketball being played and even better players making noise in the WAC college basketball world.
The WAC has had an incredible history as a conference, becoming one of the better sports conferences in the 80’s and 90’s. In fact, just about every single team that has played in the Mountain West Conference over the past two decades has originally come from the WAC.
The primary issue has always been stability, with every few years a couple of teams leaving for greener pastures. For some time, the conference has been able to adequately replace a good program with a school that either had quality athletics or a market to use.
In 2011, however, the massive realignment that happened in football changed everything, causing more teams to move around, making it harder for the WAC to legitimately find schools that made sense. Ultimately, the conference had to disband football entirely after 2013, focusing solely on basketball in the revenue business.
Despite the drama that has surrounded the WAC, the basketball product is in good shape. New Mexico State has become the standard-bearer of the conference despite losing their head coach. Schools like Seattle and Utah Valley have an entertaining style of play. And now you have Grand Canyon and Cal State Bakersfield looking to take the top of the throne.
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...m-2017-18/
It's a slide show, so I provided a link to each players slide, which talks about them and their team.
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners – JR Damiyen Durham
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...2017-18/2/
Chicago State Cougars – SR Fred Sims Jr
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...2017-18/3/
Grand Canyon Antelopes – SR Joshua Braun
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...2017-18/4/
University of Missouri at Kansas City – SO Isaiah Ross
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...2017-18/5/
New Mexico State Aggies – JR Sidy N’Dir
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...2017-18/6/
Seattle Redhawks – JR Aaron Menzies
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...2017-18/7/
Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – SR Nick Dixon
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...2017-18/8/
Utah Valley Wolverines – Isaac Neilson
https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/09/12/w...2017-18/9/
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09-18-2017 03:17 PM |
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dancingNMSUaggie
1st String
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RE: Who is the star player on each team in 2017-18?
I disagree with NMSU. Eli Chuha by far.
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09-18-2017 06:12 PM |
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NMSUPistolPete
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RE: Who is the star player on each team in 2017-18?
I'm a little surprised they pick Sidy Ndir for NMSU. The easier pick would've been Eli Chuha since he lead the team in rebounding and has been relatively healthy throughout his career. Sidy is more a high risk, high reward players. He is very talented but he plays with a reckless abandon style which has sidelined him multiple games in his last two seasons. Other than being generously listed at 6'2, there is not much that limits Sidy's game. He is a highly skilled lefty who can score at all three levels. He has a very quick first step and can elevate well above the rim when attacking the basket. I honestly think NMSU has three players who could vie for the WAC POTY... Sidy Ndir, Eli Chuha, and Zach Lofton... with AJ Harris being a darkhorse wildcard.
On a side note, this article is well written but one error I did noticed in Isaac Neilson's evaluation is the writer is confusing JC transfer Conner Toolson with BYU transfer Jake Toolson; who sat out last season. Conner Toolson has the unique history of playing for the Nation's #1 ranked high school team (Lone Peak HS; according to MaxPrep) and the NJCAA Championship team (Salt Lake CC) in successive seasons; that's before UVU finished 5th in the WAC last season.
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09-18-2017 06:21 PM |
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SeattleVandals
Special Teams
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RE: Who is the star player on each team in 2017-18?
Aaron Menzies or Richaurd Gittens for SU. I think Gittens might end up being the focus of the offense, more than Menzies who will be primarily used for defense and rebounding
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09-18-2017 08:28 PM |
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NMSUPistolPete
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RE: Who is the star player on each team in 2017-18?
(09-18-2017 08:28 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote: Aaron Menzies or Richaurd Gittens for SU. I think Gittens might end up being the focus of the offense, more than Menzies who will be primarily used for defense and rebounding
Just curious, I don't necessarily disagree with you, but why do you feel Richaud Gittens is Seattle's best player? His best season was his sophomore year (9 ppg) at a school which I do not consider much better than half the WAC programs. I think Seattle has better talent in Means and Kavas. Even, Jordan Hill might be better than Gittens given he went up against better competition at Wisconsin on a daily basis.
Ultimately, this is a transition year for Seattle U. as the program will get its' big bump in talent next season with the additions of Jones, Carter, McDowell, Huun, and Owies. Delante Jones should be the Redhawk's best player next season.
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09-18-2017 09:32 PM |
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SeattleVandals
Special Teams
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RE: Who is the star player on each team in 2017-18?
(09-18-2017 09:32 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: (09-18-2017 08:28 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote: Aaron Menzies or Richaurd Gittens for SU. I think Gittens might end up being the focus of the offense, more than Menzies who will be primarily used for defense and rebounding
Just curious, I don't necessarily disagree with you, but why do you feel Richaud Gittens is Seattle's best player? His best season was his sophomore year (9 ppg) at a school which I do not consider much better than half the WAC programs. I think Seattle has better talent in Means and Kavas. Even, Jordan Hill might be better than Gittens given he went up against better competition at Wisconsin on a daily basis.
Ultimately, this is a transition year for Seattle U. as the program will get its' big bump in talent next season with the additions of Jones, Carter, McDowell, Huun, and Owies. Delante Jones should be the Redhawk's best player next season.
Hayford runs a 3-point focused offense and Gittens has a career 39% from long range. Kavas is someone who easily could be that guy too, though
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09-19-2017 03:39 AM |
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NMSUPistolPete
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RE: Who is the star player on each team in 2017-18?
(09-19-2017 03:39 AM)SeattleVandals Wrote: (09-18-2017 09:32 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: (09-18-2017 08:28 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote: Aaron Menzies or Richaurd Gittens for SU. I think Gittens might end up being the focus of the offense, more than Menzies who will be primarily used for defense and rebounding
Just curious, I don't necessarily disagree with you, but why do you feel Richaud Gittens is Seattle's best player? His best season was his sophomore year (9 ppg) at a school which I do not consider much better than half the WAC programs. I think Seattle has better talent in Means and Kavas. Even, Jordan Hill might be better than Gittens given he went up against better competition at Wisconsin on a daily basis.
Ultimately, this is a transition year for Seattle U. as the program will get its' big bump in talent next season with the additions of Jones, Carter, McDowell, Huun, and Owies. Delante Jones should be the Redhawk's best player next season.
Hayford runs a 3-point focused offense and Gittens has a career 39% from long range. Kavas is someone who easily could be that guy too, though
OK, I understand your reasoning. Eventually, Hayford will have Seattle playing a high scoring style with multiple 3-point threats. But right now, I'm not sure his current personnel fit that eventual style. Presently, Seattle's three point shooting ability is not much better than the rest of the WAC. Also, if Menzies is going to play meaningful minutes this season, Hayford will need to slow the tempo to fit Menzies' conditioning and physical capabilities. NMSU went through a similar situation when we had Sim Bhullar patrolling the paint.
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09-19-2017 04:41 PM |
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