Is it seriously already that time of year? Seems only a few months ago was anxiously awaitin for the announcement of the Cougs seeding for the Big Dance to unveiled. Yet hoops season is just around the corner with the MWC Conference recently announcing its 10th anniversary team which included current Cougar Lee "Clutch" Cummard. The Cougars open court on Oct 29th in Provo and now is a great time for a quick rundown (besides ANY distraction from the massacre flashbacks from TCU can't hurt). My predictions in order include...
1. UNLV (27-8, Lost 2nd rd Big Dance)
2. BYU (27-8, Lost 1st rd Big Dance)
3. Yewts (18-15, Lost 2nd rd CBI)
4. New Mexico (24-9, Lost 1st rd NIT)
5. San Diego State (20-13, Lost 1st rd NIT)
6. Wyoming (12-18, Lost 1st rd MWC tourney)
7. Air Force (16-14, Lost quarterfinals MWC tourney)
8. CSU (7-25, Lost quarterfinals MWC tourney)
9. TCU (14-16, Lost quarterfinals MWC tourney)
....now for a quick rundown with a few notes on the teams aphabetically....
Air Force (16-14) Lost quarterfinals MWC tourney, 8-8 Conference
Coach Jeff Reynolds (98-48 career, 2nd yr Air Force)
Evan Washington 6-4G/So
Andrew Henke 6-6GF/Sr 11.3ppg 4.5rpg
Anwar Johnson 6-5F/Sr
Matt Holland 6-6F/Sr
Grant Parker 6-7FC/Sr
The falcons first move was to lock up coach Jeff Reynolds with a five year contract. Henke is one of the MWC best shooters who came off the bench last season in all 30 games yet averaging 11.3ppg shooting 42% from behind the 3line. Beyond the starters Air Force will have some serious youth on the roster. Falcons were the leagues worst on the glass (avg 25.7 rpg).
BYU (27-8) Lost 1st rd Big Dance, 14-2 Conference
Coach Dave Rose (72-26 career, 4th yr Cougs at 72-26)
LaMont Morgan 5-10G/Jr (Redshirted last season)
Jimmer Fredette 6-2G/So 7.0ppg
Lee Cummard 6-7GF/Sr 15.8ppg 6.3rpg 3.5apg
Jonathan Tavernari 6-6F/Jr 13.1 5.3rpg
Chris Miles 6-11C/Jr 2.5ppg
The Cougs will look to three-peat as MWC Champions this season (14-2 in conference play last season). Jonathan "JT" spent the summer with his national team trying to qualify for the olmypics. Returning 2007-8 conference co-Player Of The Year returns in "clutch" Cummard who averaged 15.8ppg 6.3rpg while shooting 56.9% from the field even dead eye from the three territory at 47.2 percent. Tavernari set a school record with 88 threes spottin up 13.1ppg. Since the Rose debut back in 2005 the Cougs are unbeatable at home owning a 47 win streak in the Mariott. Morgan will replace Murdock at the point. Look for Jackson Emery, Noah Hartsock and Charles Abouo to get some looks and valuable "PT". Rose just got verbals from both Tyler Haws and Brandon Davies. Haws and Davies are major gets for the program.
CSU (7-25) Lost quarterfinals MWC tourney, 0-16 Conference
Coach Tim Myles (219-157 career, 2nd yr CSU 7-25)
Willis Gardner 6-1G/Sr 9.8ppg 3.2rpg 2.9apg
Marcus Walker 6-0G/Sr 17.1ppg
Andre MacFarland 6-6/So 8.3ppg 4.5rpb
Andy Ogide 6-9F/So
Dan Vandervieren 6-10C/So
Last season the rams were winless in conference play at 0-16. Marcus Walker was fun to watch averaging 17.1ppg (even spotted a 43 point game against Tenn State) but CSU will experience another LONG season if Walker doesn't soon embrace some serious generosity spreadin the rock around. Unfortunately the rams ranked close to last in many conference statistical categories (scoring margin, reb margin, FG percentage, etc). Both transfers Ogide (Ole Miss) and Dan Vandervieren (Purdue) should provide some frontcourt help.
New Mexico (24-9) Lost 1st rd NIT , 11-5 Conference
Coach Steve Alford (332-192, 2nd yr New Mexico 24-9)
Dairese Gary 6-1G/So 7.8ppg 4.5rpg
Chad Toppert 6-7G/Sr 10.3ppg 3.2rpg
Roman Martinez 6-6GF/JR 7.0ppg 3.9rpg
Tony Danridge 6-5GF/Sr 12.5ppg in 2006
Daniel Faris 6-9C/Sr 9.2ppg 4.5rpg
Losing JR Giddens to the NBA draft hurts but the hungry pack of lobos scoring likely will be filled by the return of Danridge who averaged 12.5ppg in 2006-7 season (missed last yr with a broken leg). New Mexico also return the schools all time most accurate 3pt shooter in Toppert. Coach Alford even signed a stellar recruiting class. Highly recruited freshman guard Phillip McDonald should see some minutes.
San Diego State (20-13) Lost 1st rd NIT , 9-7 Conference
Coach Steve Fisher (331-212 career, 10th yr SD State 127-117)
DJ Gay 6-0G/So
Kyle Spain 6-5GF/Sr 13.2ppg 5.4rpg
Lorrenzo Wade 6-6F/Sr 14.8ppg
Billy White 6-8F/So
Ryan Amoroso 6-8FC/Sr 12.6ppg 7.4rpg (Marquette transfer)
All five starters are back, maybe. First team All MWC Lorrenzo Wade was recently suspended indefinately while facing possible first degree felony charges from an incident allegedly stealing a tv last month from a womans apartment. Team captain Spain missed the final 11 games after being suspended for unspecified reasons and likely will be back.
TCU (14-16) Lost quarterfinals MWC tourney, 6-10 Conference
Coach Jim Christian (138-58 career, 1st yr TCU)
Jason Ebie 6-1G/Jr
Keion Mitchem 5-10G/Jr
Kavon Rose 6-2G/Fr
Kevin Langford 6-8F/Sr
Zvonko Buljan 6-9FC/Jr
Mass exodus after the dismissal of former coach Neil Dougherty. There is slow steady upward progress since joining the MWC (2-14 in 2005, 4-12 in 2006 and 6-10 in conference last season). Expect the eventual rise out of the conference cellar just not this year.
UNLV (27-8) Lost 2nd rd Big Dance,12-4 Conference
Coach Lon Kruger (409-275 career, 5th yr UNLV 91-42)
Tre'Von Willis 6-4G/So (Memphis transfer)
Wink Adams 6-0G/Sr 16.9ppg 4rpb 3.1apg
Rene Rougeau 6-6G/Sr 9ppg 6.2rpg
Joe Darger 6-7F/Sr 11.3ppg 4.5rpg
Beas Hamga 7-0C/Fr
Ranked #24 preseason by the Sporting News. Adams, Rougeau and Darger will provide valuable leadersip and experience with a phenomenal amount of positive chemistry. Hamga adds more size, help defensively as well as on the boards.
Yewts (18-15) Lost 2nd rd CBI, 7-9 Conference
Coach Jim Boylen (18-15 career, 2nd yr at yewts 18-15)
Tyler Kepkay 6-0G/Sr
Lawrence Borha 6-3G/Sr
Carlon Brown 6-5F/So
Shaun Green 6-8F/Sr
Luke Nevill 7-2C/Sr 15.2ppg 6.7rpg
All five starters return led by Nevill which will embark on an incredibly tough non conference schedule (Oregon, Cal, Gonzaga, LSU, Oklahoma and Utah State) that will clearly boost the RPI assuming they fare well. Boylen's initial class is highlighted by seven footer Jason Washburn from Battle Creek Michigan.
Wyoming (12-18) Lost 1st rd MWC tourney, 5-11 Conference
Coach Heath Schroyer (47-65 career, 2nd yr at Wyoming 12-18)
Brandon Ewing 6-2G/Sr
Sean Ogirri 6-2G/Sr (Wichita St transfer)
Tyson Johnson 6-6F/Sr
Ryan Dermody 6-8F/Jr
Mikhail Linskens 7-0C/So
Ewing is among the elite of Cowboy hoop players but need to cut down on turnovers and focus on distributing the rock. Wyoming averaged 17 TOs per game while shooting a league worst 31.8 percent from the field. Senior Ogirri was Mizzo Valley all freshman in 2004 and has improved ever since. Ogirri started as a sophomore for Wichita State's sweet 16 team.
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