(10-16-2021 09:26 AM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  NMSU fans 8 years ago: we have to leave this conference since they added UTPA, UVU, and Chicago State!

NMSU fans 4 years ago: I wish the WAC would stop adding these no name D2 schools that nobody has ever heard of and get some D1 teams!

NMSU fans today: I wish the WAC didn’t add these D1 Texas teams! One of them has a bad basketball program that is hardly better than Chicago State!

What do you mean by "NMSU fans"? Several NMSU fans on this very thread are singing the praises the TX4 and SUU additions. Don't lump me in with Todor. There is very little in his fairy tail posts that I agree with.

Adding the new schools was 100% necessary and needed and I am very grateful that we were not only able to add them, but that they are solid D1 programs to boot.

(10-17-2021 01:46 PM)RCI Wrote:  KenPom's ratings (unless I made a mistake). Big drop for ACU despite some great returnees and recruits. New head coach I guess.
1. NMSU
2. SFA
3. GCU
4. Seattle
5. ACU
6. SHSU
7. CBU
8. TSU
9. UVU
10. LU
11. UTRGV
12. DSU
13. CSU

Here we are again with Seattle ranked very high. I like their coach and team, but their lack of defense is glaring. I don't think they will make the top 4 in the WAC.

UVU also seems too low. They return the WAC POY.

(10-18-2021 07:23 AM)SFAXE93 Wrote:  Which are the top 5 defensive teams in the WAC?

ACU
GCU
NEW MEXICO STATE

UTRGV
SEATTLE U

Which are the top 5 offensive teams in the WAC?

SFA
SAM HOUSTON STATE
ACU
GCU
UTAH VALLEY

Who are the top 5 scorers in the WAC?

DARRION TRANNELL (SEATTLE U.)
RILEY GRIGSBY (SEATTLE U.)
TEVIAN JONES (SOUTHERN UTAH) *
GAVIN KENSMIL (SFA)
TREY WOODBURY (UTAH VALLEY)

Seattle as a top 5 defensive team in the WAC?! What? Seattle will struggle to be in the top 10 for defense. They play little to no defense at all. They are all about scoring.

Guaranteed, 100%, no doubt about it, Teddy Allen will be a top 5 scorer in the WAC this year. Bet on it...

(10-18-2021 07:23 AM)SFAXE93 Wrote:  Which are the top 5 defensive teams in the WAC?

ACU
GCU
NEW MEXICO STATE

UTRGV
SEATTLE U

Which are the top 5 offensive teams in the WAC?

SFA
SAM HOUSTON STATE
ACU
GCU
UTAH VALLEY

Who are the top 5 scorers in the WAC?

DARRION TRANNELL (SEATTLE U.)
RILEY GRIGSBY (SEATTLE U.)
TEVIAN JONES (SOUTHERN UTAH) *
GAVIN KENSMIL (SFA)
TREY WOODBURY (UTAH VALLEY)

Thanks for including ACU on two of your lists. I definitely think we belong at the top of the best defensive teams in the WAC. I’m not so sure about offense though. The other area where the Wildcats belong is bench strength. The Cats rotated a lot of players in and out of games and a most of those guys are back this year.

(10-18-2021 07:23 AM)SFAXE93 Wrote:  Which are the top 5 defensive teams in the WAC?

ACU
GCU
NEW MEXICO STATE

UTRGV
SEATTLE U

Which are the top 5 offensive teams in the WAC?

SFA
SAM HOUSTON STATE
ACU
GCU
UTAH VALLEY

Who are the top 5 scorers in the WAC?

DARRION TRANNELL (SEATTLE U.)
RILEY GRIGSBY (SEATTLE U.)
TEVIAN JONES (SOUTHERN UTAH) *
GAVIN KENSMIL (SFA)
TREY WOODBURY (UTAH VALLEY)

UTRGV used to emphasize defense, but who knows with our new coach and high turnover on the roster.

(10-18-2021 08:51 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 07:23 AM)SFAXE93 Wrote:  Which are the top 5 defensive teams in the WAC?

ACU
GCU
NEW MEXICO STATE

UTRGV
SEATTLE U

Which are the top 5 offensive teams in the WAC?

SFA
SAM HOUSTON STATE
ACU
GCU
UTAH VALLEY

Who are the top 5 scorers in the WAC?

DARRION TRANNELL (SEATTLE U.)
RILEY GRIGSBY (SEATTLE U.)
TEVIAN JONES (SOUTHERN UTAH) *
GAVIN KENSMIL (SFA)
TREY WOODBURY (UTAH VALLEY)

Seattle as a top 5 defensive team in the WAC?! What? Seattle will struggle to be in the top 10 for defense. They play little to no defense at all. They are all about scoring.

Guaranteed, 100%, no doubt about it, Teddy Allen will be a top 5 scorer in the WAC this year. Bet on it...

Well, doesn't that something about the defense of the WAC overall?

Seattle was #122 in the country in scoring defense for 2020.

Here is a direct quote from UCLA's report before the second round game in last year's NCAA dance (after the defense stuffed Texas):

"There’s a pretty solid argument to be made for Abilene Christian owning the best defense in the country. After all, it boasts the best unadjusted defensive rating in the country, ranks third in the nation in steals per game and forces the most turnovers in Division I with 20.4 per game."

The key defensive guys are all returning and the 7 footer is being replaced by a 7 footer who is faster. So I assume they will be quite good this season defensively. Another key loss was a 6'8" forward who is being replaced by an Italian league player of the same height and others of the same size. The bench is quite strong and deep.

The question is, indeed, the offense. This team is known for defense and its season will likely depend on how well the offense plays. I assume the top teams in the WAC will present strong offenses and this will be a challenge for the Wildcats, but the biggest concern will be if the offense is stronger. Looking forward to an exciting first year in a better league. We want the WAC to excel across the board.

With the Texas schools join the WAC, there are going to be two different trains of thought as to what makes a good defense. Abilene Christian, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State, Sam Houston State, and maybe Lamar (With Alvin Brooks) will look to create turnovers to disrupt/shutdown the opposing offenses (Steals, Turnovers margin); whereas schools like New Mexico State and Grand Canyon will play a position type defense to force bad (low percentage) shots then hit the boards strong to limit shots (Defensive FG Percentage, Defensive Rebounding).

As for Seattle, CBU, and Utah Valley defensively... traditionally, all three schools have been a bit soft on defense. In the past neither of these teams have had the lateral quickness (foot speed) to defend man-to-man. Consequently, they tend to be a little bit gimmicky on defense with zones to cover up their defensive deficiencies. On the other hand, all three have good offense shooting from the perimeter. So, if a defense is a little bit slow one night on its close outs of perimeter shooters, all three of these schools can light up the scoreboard from the behind the arc.

(10-18-2021 10:08 AM)SFAXE93 Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 08:51 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 07:23 AM)SFAXE93 Wrote:  Which are the top 5 defensive teams in the WAC?

ACU
GCU
NEW MEXICO STATE

UTRGV
SEATTLE U

Which are the top 5 offensive teams in the WAC?

SFA
SAM HOUSTON STATE
ACU
GCU
UTAH VALLEY

Who are the top 5 scorers in the WAC?

DARRION TRANNELL (SEATTLE U.)
RILEY GRIGSBY (SEATTLE U.)
TEVIAN JONES (SOUTHERN UTAH) *
GAVIN KENSMIL (SFA)
TREY WOODBURY (UTAH VALLEY)

Seattle as a top 5 defensive team in the WAC?! What? Seattle will struggle to be in the top 10 for defense. They play little to no defense at all. They are all about scoring.

Guaranteed, 100%, no doubt about it, Teddy Allen will be a top 5 scorer in the WAC this year. Bet on it...

Well, doesn't that something about the defense of the WAC overall?

Seattle was #122 in the country in scoring defense for 2020.

It says people make up lists based on very little knowledge of what they are rating.

First AP Poll is out.

https://collegebasketball.ap.org/hometownsource/poll

SFA gets #3 Kansas, which is pretty much the only high profile team on the schedule.

(10-18-2021 02:38 PM)SFAXE93 Wrote:  First AP Poll is out.

https://collegebasketball.ap.org/hometownsource/poll

SFA gets #3 Kansas, which is pretty much the only high profile team on the schedule.

So Tarleton gets 1, 3 & 6 in the initial poll.

I’m thinking 2-1 sounds about right. J/k.

I’m hoping we make them all sweat a little to halftime. Probably going to Kansas for the game.

Just because...

According to current rosters...

The shortest player(s) in the WAC are ACU's Damien Daniels and Seattle U's Jaren Nafarrete; both at 5'7.

The lightest player(s) in the WAC are the same two players (Daniels and Nafarrette) at 140-lbs.

The tallest player in the WAC is SHSU's Kuba Karwowski at 7'2.

The heaviest player in the WAC is NMSU's Will McNair at 277-lbs.

Arguably the highest leaper in the WAC is GCU's Sean Miller-Moore with a 51.5-inch vertical.

Although Chicago State's Anthony Hamilton might disagree...

(10-18-2021 08:42 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(10-16-2021 09:26 AM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  NMSU fans 8 years ago: we have to leave this conference since they added UTPA, UVU, and Chicago State!

NMSU fans 4 years ago: I wish the WAC would stop adding these no name D2 schools that nobody has ever heard of and get some D1 teams!

NMSU fans today: I wish the WAC didn’t add these D1 Texas teams! One of them has a bad basketball program that is hardly better than Chicago State!

What do you mean by "NMSU fans"? Several NMSU fans on this very thread are singing the praises the TX4 and SUU additions. Don't lump me in with Todor. There is very little in his fairy tail posts that I agree with.

Adding the new schools was 100% necessary and needed and I am very grateful that we were not only able to add them, but that they are solid D1 programs to boot.

I already told him that.

Its really hard to predict the specifics of what we'll see from teams with new coaches. There are always carry overs in traits because from the old coaches recruiting. But even a new coach that also focuses on defense may still run a very different schemes and recruit very different players.

When you look at defensive stats, a few points difference in scoring defense can move you up or down the ranks by a lot because so many teams are so close. Its year 2 or 3 before we'll really know.

The official WAC one...

2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll

Rank Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. NM State (8) 138
2. Grand Canyon (3) 131
3. Stephen F. Austin (1) 106
4. Utah Valley 103
5. Abilene Christian (1) 92
6. Seattle U 90
7. Sam Houston 86
8. California Baptist 84
T9. Tarleton 48
T9. UT Rio Grande Valley 48
11. Lamar 41
12. Dixie State 35
13. Chicago State 12


2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' All-WAC Teams

First Team
Fardaws Aimaq, R-So., C, Utah Valley
Teddy Allen, R-Jr., G NM State
Jovan Blacksher Jr., Jr., Grand Canyon
Riley Grigsby, Jr., G/F, Seattle U
Gavin Kensmil, Sr., F, Stephen F. Austin
Jabari Rice, R-Jr., G, NM State
Ty Rowell, R-Jr., G, California Baptist
Darrion Trammell, So., G, Seattle U

Second Team
Damien Daniels, Sr., G, Abilene Christian
Savion Flagg, Gr., G/F, Sam Houston
Montre' Gipson, Sr., G, Tarleton
Demarkus Lampley, Sr., G, Sam Houston
Johnny McCants, R-Sr., F, NM State
Donnie Tillman, Sr., F, NM State
Roti Ware, Sr., G, Stephen F. Austin
Trey Woodbury, Jr., G, Utah Valley

Preseason Player of the Year: Darrion Trammell, Seattle U

WACSports

(10-19-2021 10:32 AM)TexasTerror Wrote:  The official WAC one...

2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll

Rank Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. NM State (8) 138
2. Grand Canyon (3) 131
3. Stephen F. Austin (1) 106
4. Utah Valley 103
5. Abilene Christian (1) 92
6. Seattle U 90
7. Sam Houston 86
8. California Baptist 84
T9. Tarleton 48
T9. UT Rio Grande Valley 48
11. Lamar 41
12. Dixie State 35
13. Chicago State 12


2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' All-WAC Teams

First Team
Fardaws Aimaq, R-So., C, Utah Valley
Teddy Allen, R-Jr., G NM State
Jovan Blacksher Jr., Jr., Grand Canyon
Riley Grigsby, Jr., G/F, Seattle U
Gavin Kensmil, Sr., F, Stephen F. Austin
Jabari Rice, R-Jr., G, NM State
Ty Rowell, R-Jr., G, California Baptist
Darrion Trammell, So., G, Seattle U

Second Team
Damien Daniels, Sr., G, Abilene Christian
Savion Flagg, Gr., G/F, Sam Houston
Montre' Gipson, Sr., G, Tarleton
Demarkus Lampley, Sr., G, Sam Houston
Johnny McCants, R-Sr., F, NM State
Donnie Tillman, Sr., F, NM State
Roti Ware, Sr., G, Stephen F. Austin
Trey Woodbury, Jr., G, Utah Valley

Preseason Player of the Year: Darrion Trammell, Seattle U

WACSports

This looks pretty good. And Seattle is #6. Seems about right. On paper, Seattle returns a lot of fire power. But at that fire power only lead to a 12-11 record last year. It's amazing when you get a list made up of people that actually know the WAC.

Seattle is actually 8th in the WAC media poll:

(10-19-2021 11:21 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 10:32 AM)TexasTerror Wrote:  The official WAC one...

2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll

Rank Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. NM State (8) 138
2. Grand Canyon (3) 131
3. Stephen F. Austin (1) 106
4. Utah Valley 103
5. Abilene Christian (1) 92
6. Seattle U 90
7. Sam Houston 86
8. California Baptist 84
T9. Tarleton 48
T9. UT Rio Grande Valley 48
11. Lamar 41
12. Dixie State 35
13. Chicago State 12


2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' All-WAC Teams

First Team
Fardaws Aimaq, R-So., C, Utah Valley
Teddy Allen, R-Jr., G NM State
Jovan Blacksher Jr., Jr., Grand Canyon
Riley Grigsby, Jr., G/F, Seattle U
Gavin Kensmil, Sr., F, Stephen F. Austin
Jabari Rice, R-Jr., G, NM State
Ty Rowell, R-Jr., G, California Baptist
Darrion Trammell, So., G, Seattle U

Second Team
Damien Daniels, Sr., G, Abilene Christian
Savion Flagg, Gr., G/F, Sam Houston
Montre' Gipson, Sr., G, Tarleton
Demarkus Lampley, Sr., G, Sam Houston
Johnny McCants, R-Sr., F, NM State
Donnie Tillman, Sr., F, NM State
Roti Ware, Sr., G, Stephen F. Austin
Trey Woodbury, Jr., G, Utah Valley

Preseason Player of the Year: Darrion Trammell, Seattle U

WACSports

This looks pretty good. And Seattle is #6. Seems about right. I on paper, Seattle returns a lot of fire power. But at that fire power only lead to a 12-11 record last year. It's amazing when you get a list made up of people that actually know the WAC.

I know, right? Makes a big difference. Some of these national guys might know the major conferences but don't know all the leagues inside and out. Utah Valley is right about where I'd have them myself. Whoever had them down at 9th doesnt know much about this league.

I am surprised the reigning WAC Player of the Year was not awarded such distinction this preseason.

I am also surprised they let transfers/newcomers get all-preseason recognition; that's not what we are used to in the SLC. Traditionally ineligible.

(10-19-2021 12:43 PM)TexasTerror Wrote:  I am surprised the reigning WAC Player of the Year was not awarded such distinction this preseason.

I am also surprised they let transfers/newcomers get all-preseason recognition; that's not what we are used to in the SLC. Traditionally ineligible.

Aimaq was voted preseason POY in the WAC media poll.