United Athletic Conference

It's another busy non-conference week around the WAC, beginning on Monday night when Lamar visits Georgia Teach and Utah Valley heads ot Pepperdine. Tuesday features five games, highlighted by Tarleton visiting Wichita State and Chicago State taking a 2-0 record to Loyola-Chicago.  Wednesday features Sam Houston hosting Missouri State and Utah Valley visiting Long Beach. The weekend begins Thursday as NM State faces off with Davidson at the Myrtle Beach Invitational in Conway, S.C. The Aggies will then take on either Penn or Utah State on Friday while Stephen F. Austin hosts Middle Tennessee in both team's U.S. game as part of the Cancun Challenge. On Saturday, UTRGV heads to the beach as the Vaqueros will host Northern Arizona in South Padre Island, Texas while Sunday features the final game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational, as well as Lamar taking on Southern Miss and California Baptist hosting Northern Colorado.

 

Chicago State's Brandon Betson has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week and California Baptist's Taran Armstrong was named TicketSmarter WAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for November 8-14.

 

Betson, a junior guard from Hercules, Calif., was the leading scorer for the Cougars in each of their two wins on the week. He opened the season with 22 points and four assists in Tuesday's 77-72 win over St. Thomas. On Friday, he added to his season totals with 16 points and three assists in a 67-56 win over visiting SIUE. On the week, he averaged 19.0 points per game on 14-of-27 shooting for a .519 clip.

 

Armstrong, a freshman guard from Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, posted a pair of 12 points games to help the Lancers open the season 2-0. In the opener against San Francisco State, he was 4-of-8 from the field and 2-2 on free throws to go with seven rebounds, eight assists and a block. He followed that up with 5-of-6 shooting against Mississippi Valley State, adding nine assists to his season totals as well.

 

Other nominees included: Abilene Christian's Reggie Miller averaged 11.5 points per game as the 'Cats lost a pair of heartbreakers on the road at Utah and Texas A&M … California Baptist's Dan Akin started off his Lancer career with a pair of double-digit scoring games, putting up 15 points against San Francisco State and 14 points, adding 11 rebounds, against Mississippi Valley State … Dixie State's Cameron Gooden put up 12.5 points per game as DSU fell at top-ranked Gonzaga before earning a home win against Southern Utah … Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher Jr. helped the Lopes start the season 2-0, averaging 14.0 points per game in home wins over Grambling and North Florida … NM State's Donnie Tillman put up 11.0 points per game as the Aggies returned to the Pan Am Center with wins over UC Irvine and UTEP … Sam Houston's Savion Flagg put up 31 points and 11 rebounds in a 74-65 road loss at Nebraska … Seattle U's Riley Grigsby averaged 17.7 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game over three games as the Redhawks earned a pair of home wins to open the 2021-22 season … Tarleton's Montre' Gipson averaged 17.0 points per game in road losses at Stanford and third-ranked Kansas … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson had a career-high seven rebounds to go with 13 points in a 74-59 win over Texas A&M-International … Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq averaged 20.0 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game in a loss at Boise State and a home win against Antelope Valley.

 

Other freshman nominees included: Chicago State's Bryce Johnson scored 17 points in the second half to help the Cougars earned a 67-56 win over SIUE … Grand Canyon's Jalen Blackmon opened up his collegiate career with a pair of steals and an assist in Tuesday's 74-53 win over Grambling … Lamar's Avontez Ledet scored 15 points in just 11 minutes in a road loss at Miami (Ohio) … UT Rio Grande Valley's Rayquan Taylor had nine points and eight rebounds in Tuesday's 74-59 win over Texas A&M-International

 

After just one week of play, California Baptist is the leader in scoring offense (91.0) while Grand Canyon is tops in scoring defense (52.0). CBU is also tops in scoring margin (+25.5), field goal percentage (.496), rebounding margin (+19.5), assists (22.5), assist/turnover ratio (1.2), defensive rebounds (37.5) and three-pointers made (11.0). GCU is also the leader in field goal defense (.357) and rebounding defense (25.0). Seattle U holds the top spot in free throw percentage (.830) while Lamar is the top three-point shooting team (.432). Utah Valley is best at defending the three (.167) and Sam Houston holds the lead in total rebounds (52.0) and offensive rebounds (21.5). Stephen F. Austin is the leader in blocked shots (4.7) and Abilene Christian is the leader in steals (11.0) and turnover margin (+6.00).

 

Individually, SHSU's Savion Flagg is the leading scorer at 25.5 ppg while teammate Tristan Ikpe is the top rebounder at 11.0 rpg. GCU's Sean Miller-Moore holds the top field goal percentage (.889), CSU's Brandon Betson has the top free throw percentage (1.000) and three are tied for the lead in three-point field goal percentage (1.000). CBU's Taran Armstrong has the lead in assists (8.5) and ACU's Airon Simmons has the lead in steals (3.5). SHSU's Flagg is also the leader in three-pointers made (4.0) while NMSU's Johnny McCants and UVU's Tim Fuller are tied for the early lead in blocked shots (2.5). SHSU's Javison May has the best assist/turnover ratio (6.0), SFA's Gavin Kensmil is the leader in offensive rebounds (5.3) and NMSU's McCants has the lead in defensive rebounds (8.0).

 

Following the resignation of Jim Hayford, Seattle U has named Chris Victor as the interim head coach for the 2021-22 season.

 

NM State is the preseason favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball title in 2021-22, while Seattle U's Darrion Trammell was selected as the WAC Preseason Player of the Year in a vote of the league's 13 head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players.

 

The Aggies received eight of 13 possible first-place votes and totaled 138 points to earn the top spot. Grand Canyon was second with three first-place votes and 131 total points. WAC newcomer Stephen F. Austin earned another first place vote and 106 points to take third in the preseason poll. Utah Valley was selected fourth while Abilene Christian picked up the final first place vote and 92 total points for fifth. Seattle U was selected sixth, Sam Houston was seventh, California Baptist was eight and Tarleton tied with UT Rio Grande Valley for the ninth spot. Lamar, Dixie State and Chicago State rounded out the poll.

 

Trammell leads the list of Preseason All-WAC honorees. Joining him on the first team is teammate Riley Grigsby, Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq, NM State pair Teddy Allen and Jabari Rice, Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher Jr., Stephen F. Austin's Gavin Kensmil and California Baptist's Ty Rowell.

 

Second team selections include Abilene Christian's Damian Daniels, Sam Houston teammates Savion Flagg and Demarkus Lampley, NM State's Johnny McCants and Donnie Tillman, Tarleton's Montre' Gipson, Stephen F. Austin's Roti Ware and Utah Valley's Trey Woodbury.

 

 

The Western Athletic Conference men's basketball media have selected NM State as the preseason favorite to win the conference crown during the 2020-21 season and Utah Valley post Fardaws Aimaq as the WAC Preseason Player of the Year.

 

The Aggies edged out WAC-newcomer Stephen F. Austin for the top spot. Defending WAC champion Grand Canyon was selected third, followed by reigning Southland tournament champion Abilene Christian in fourth. Utah Valley is fifth, followed by California Baptist, Sam Houston, Seattle U, Tarleton, Lamar, UT Rio Grande Valley, Dixie State and Chicago State.

 

Aimaq was voted Preseason Player of the Year and is joined on the Preseason All-WAC first team by Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher Jr., Tarleton's Montre' Gipson, Stephen F. Austin's Gavin Kensmil, Sam Houston's Demarkus Lampley, NM State's Jabari Rice, California Baptist's Ty Rowell and Seattle U's Darrion Trammell. 

 

The Preseason All-WAC second team is comprised of NM State pair Teddy Allen and Johnny McCants, Abilene Christian duo Coryon Mason and Reggie Miller, California Baptist's Reed Nottage, Stephen F. Austin's Roti Ware, Utah Valley's Trey Woodbury and Grand Canyon's Holland Woods II.

 

Four of the top five scorers in the WAC return this season with Seattle U's Darrion Trammell leading the way after leading the league with 20.5 points per game. SU's Riley Grigsby (17.8), UVU's Trey Woodbury (15.6) and CBU's Ty Rowell (15.3) also return. SFA's Gavin Kensmil also returns after ranking fifth in the Southland last season at 15.9 ppg.

 

Two of the top five rebounders also return, led by UVU's Fardaws Aimaq, who led the league last season with 15.0 rpg. SU's Emeka Udenyi ranked fourth at 8.0 while SFA's Kensmil ranked fifth in the SLC at 7.1.

 

Udenyi also ranked second in the WAC in shooting percentage at .620 and will join Tarleton's Montre' Gipson (.549) and CBU's Elijah Thomas (.544) as returning. Of the new schools, SFA's Kensmil led the Southland last year at .632

 

CBU's Rowell led the WAC last season in assists (5.8) and returns for another year at CBU. GCU's Jovan Blacksher Jr. was second (5.4), SU's Trammell was third (5.3) and UVU's Woodbury was fourth (3.8). The WAC will also feature three of the Southland top guards as SFA's David Kachelries was third (4.4), ACU's Reggie Miller was fourth (4.4) and LU's Kasen Harrison was fifth (4.0). 

 

All five of the leaders in steals return this year. SU's Trammel led the WAC at 2.0 and will be joined by TAR's Shamir Bogues (1.9), DSU's Cameron Gooden (1.7), TAR's Shakur Daniel (1.6) and GCU's Blacksher Jr. (1.5). Four of the top five leaders in steals from the Southland will also be in the WAC, led by ACU's Damien Daniels (2.0), ACU's Miller (1.9), SFA's Roti Ware (1.9) and SHSU's Donte Powers (1.5)

 

Two of the top five shot blockers return, led by UVU's Aimaq (1.7) and SU's Kobe Williamson (1.2). SHSU's Tristan Ikpe also returns after averageing 1.1 blocks per game in the Southland.

 

Of the five first team All-WAC players in 2020-21, three return as UVU's Fardaws Aimaq, CBU's Ty Rowell and SU's Darrion Trammell are back. Of the second-team selections, GCU's Jovan Blacksher Jr., SU's Riley Grigsby and NMSU's Jabari Rice are all back.

 

Aimaq is the only member of the All-Defesnsive team to return while he is one of three members of the All-Newcomer team that are back, joining TAR's Montre' Gipsonand SU's Trammell.

 

From the Southland, SFA's Gavin Kensmil and SHSU's Demarkus Lampley were first team selections last season. SFA's Roti Ware and ACU's Coryon Mason also returns for their teams after earning SLC Third-Team honors last season. From the Southland All-Demensive Team, ACU trio Damien Daniels, Reggie Miller and Mason all return.

 

The UTRGV men's basketball team is dedicating the 2021-22 season to the memory of former head coach Lew Hill, who passed away tragically on Feb. 7 at the age of 55. As part of the dedication, UTRGV men's basketball head coach Matt Figger plans to leave the first seat on the bench open for Hill. The entire team will wear shooting shirts during warmups with the number three, which Coach Hill wore in college, on the front and "Lew Hill" on the back. Additionally, UTRGV Athletics is planning a Lew Hill Tribute night on Feb. 2 when UTRGV hosts Lamar at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.

 

Both Seattle U and Tarleton return all five starters from last season. California Baptist, Dixie State, NM State, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin all return four starters. Seattle U also leads the WAC with 13 letterwinners returning while Abilene Christian, California Baptist and Dixie State each return 10 players. The complete list of letterwinners returning and lost and starters returning and lost for each team is listed below. 

 

 

The WAC returns to #WACVegas next March for an expanded WAC tournament. The 10-team tournament will begin on Tuesday, March 8 with a pair of games at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay. The remainder of the tournament then moves back to Orleans Arena beginning on Wednesday with the championship game set for 7 p.m. MT on the ESPN family of networks.

 

The WAC has 20 non-conference games with 2021 NCAA Tournament participants and could add up to two more depending on MTE results in November. The WAC will also have five games, with a possibility of a sixth, against 2021 NIT participants. This is all on top of in-conference games with both Abilene Christian and Grand Canyon.

 

Nov. 9 Dixie State at Gonzaga 6 p.m. PT

Nov. 12 Tarleton at Kansas 7 p.m. CT

Nov. 15 Lamar at Georgia Tech 7:30 p.m. ET

Nov. 16 Chicago State at Loyola Chicago 7 p.m. CT

*Nov. 19 NM State vs. Utah State TBA ET

Nov. 20 Chicago State at UC Santa Barbara 1 p.m. PT

*Nov. 20 Dixie State vs. Eastern Washington TBA PT

Nov. 22 Dixie State at Southern California 8 p.m. PT

Nov. 24 Tarleton at Michigan 7 p.m. ET

Nov. 24 California Baptist at Texas 7:30 p.m. CT

Nov. 26 UT Rio Grande Valley at Illinois TBA CT

Nov. 27 Lamar at Texas Tech TBA CT

Nov. 29 Tarleton at Gonzaga 7 p.m. PT

Nov. 29 Sam Houston at Texas 7:30 p.m. CT

Dec. 1 Brigham Young at Utah Valley 7 p.m. MT

Dec. 3 UT Rio Grande Valley at Texas 7:30 p.m. CT

Dec. 11 Drexel at Abilene Christian 6 p.m. CT

Dec. 11 Stephen F. Austin vs. Liberty 7 p.m. CT

Dec. 14 Texas Southern at UT Rio Grande Valley 7:30 p.m. CT

Dec. 14 Sam Houston at North Texas TBA CT

Dec. 18 Stephen F. Austin at Kansas 7 p.m. CT

Dec. 19 Chicago State at Drake 2 p.m. CT

 

Nov. 9 Utah Valley at Boise State TBA MT

Nov. 18 NM State vs. Davidson noon ET

Nov. 23 Stephen F. Austin vs. Buffalo 6 p.m. ET

Nov. 24 Sam Houston at SMU 7 p.m. CT

*Nov. 24 Stephen F. Austin vs. Saint Louis TBD ET

Dec. 2 Lamar at Mississippi State 7 p.m. CT

 

*Game dependent on MTE results

 

As part of an expanded multi-year, multi-platform media rights agreement announced on Aug. 24, all home men's and women's basketball games in the WAC for the next four years will reside on ESPN platforms. In addition, all home football games, as well as other select events, will be housed on ESPN digital platforms.

 

The WAC will expand yet again on July 1, 2022 as both University of the Incarnate Word and Southern Utah University join the party. The Cardinals are currently members of the Southland Conference and the Thunderbirds are currently members of the Big Sky Conference.