|
WAC Conference Preview
Conference Predictions
1. Nevada
2. Tulsa
3. SMU
4. Hawaii
5. Rice
6. Fresno State
7. Louisiana Tech
8. UTEP
9. Boise State
10. San Jose State
First Team All-Conference
G-Jason Parker, Tulsa
G-Bryan Hopkins, SMU
G-Giovanni St. Armant, UTEP
F-Kirk Snyder, Nevada
F-Michael Harris, Rice
Second Team
G-Jason McKrieth, Rice
G/F-Jarius Glenn, Tulsa
F-Phil Martin, Hawaii
F-Patrick Simpson, SMU
F-Aaron Haynes, Boise State
All-Newcomer Team
G-Filberto Rivera, UTEP
G-Shantay Legans, FSU
G-Donnell Allick, La. Tech
F-Paul Millsap, La. Tech
C-Oswaldo Gonzalez, Tulsa
Player of the Year
Kirk Snyder, Nevada
Coach of the Year
Willis Wilson, Rice
Newcomer of the Year
Paul Millsap, Louisiana Tech
Notes:
- Nevada is the best team in the conference this year, but that doesn't mean that Tulsa won't win the league. The Golden Hurricanes just seem to reload every year.
- Fresno State on probation, goes getting in trouble is going to have a down year for them.
- Rice and SMU will continue their resurgence and should recruit even better locally knowing they are going to the C-USA.
- Speaking of C-USA, SMU, Rice and Tulsa will most likely be joined by Louisiana Tech after Central Florida accepts a football only invite to the Big East, which is better geographically for the C-USA anyway.
- Hawaii will still be good and if they can improve their OOC they have an outside chance at an at-large berth.
- San Jose State won't be in the league in a few seasons, they just can't compete in football.
- North Texas and Idaho will join USU and NMSU in the new WAC.
- Boise State will be leaving the WAC to play in the MWC (it's gonna happen, mostly for football, they'll recruit better in the MWC also)
- Paul Millsap was a steal for La Tech this year. La Tech is probably the most underrated team in the conference if all the newcomers are on the same page.
- UTEP is going to keep improving.
- Jason Parker is the best shooter in the conference, but the Golden Hurricanes hopes rest on if Jarius Glenn can take the next step and be a big time scorer.
- The middle of the WAC is much improved from seasons past and if they hold their own outside the conference this conference could get three bids.
- If La Tech and Boise State go, the WAC may need to dissolve and teams might have to go other places.
NCAA Tournament Teams: Nevada and Tulsa. Expect these two to be dancing this year.
__________________
My favorite NBA players: Deron Williams * Kobe Bryant * Carmelo Anthony * Ben Gordon * Joe Johnson * Kevin Martin * Tim Duncan * Kyle Lowry * Thad Young * Amare Stoudemire * Dwight Howard * Josh Smith * Brandon Roy * LaMarcus Aldridge * Rudy Gay * Al Horford * Brandan Wright * Craig Smith * Renaldo Balkman * Wilson Chandler
2008-09 Favorite Rookies: Jerryd Bayless (POR), Roy Hibbert (IND), Greg Oden (POR), Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJN), Joe Alexander (MIL), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (NYK)
College Basketball: "Where 7-Foot Bigs Foul Out Happen"
|