United Athletic Conference

WAC hoops fans have a lot to be thankful for this week with a full slate of games. Among the top games is Dixie State taking on nationally-ranked Southern California on Monday. Stephen F. Austin heads to Cancun to take on Buffalo and then either Saint Louis or Illinois State on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively while Tarleton hits the road again to take on North Dakota State and nationally-ranked Michigan. Utah Valley looks to keep its winning streak alive at the SoCal Challenge against Idaho and either Cal Poly or Nichols State. California Baptist also looks to keep a hot start alive when the Lancers visit eighth-ranked Texas on Wednesday while UT Rio Grande Valley also has a nationally-ranked foe ahead of them, traveling to Illinois on Friday.

 

Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq 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 15-21.

 

Aimaq, a redshirt sophomore center from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, opened the week with a career-high 34 points, adding 14 rebounds, in an 86-74 overtime win at Pepperdine. He then added 25 points to go with 16 rebounds in an 84-78 overtime win at Long Beach State. On the week, he averaged 29.5 points per game and 15.0 rebounds per game, adding three blocks, two steals and a pair of assists.

 

Armstrong, a freshman guard from Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, repeats as Freshman of the Week after averaging 16.7 points per game with eight rebounds per game and 9.7 assists per game in three home wins. In the week's opener, the Australian put up 15 points to go with eight rebounds and 12 assists in a 77-64 win over Jackson State. He followed the up two days later with a 16-point effort in a 67-66 win over San José State, adding 12 assists and 10 rebounds for the Lancers' first triple-double in program history. His final performance of the week netted him 19 points with six rebounds and five assists in a 74-70 win over Northern Colorado. 

 

Other nominees included: Abilene Christian's Mahki Morris scored 20 points and added nine rebounds in a win at UTA on Tuesday … California Baptist's Reed Nottage helped the Lancers to three wins, averaging 18.0 ppg on .526 shooting … Dixie State's Cameron Gooden was named to the CSUN Empire Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in losses to Texas State and host CSUN … Grand Canyon's Holland Woods II matched his career-high with five three-pointers and finished with 25 points in a 91-64 win over Prairie View … Lamar's Davion Buster led the Cardinals in scoring in all three games, averaging 11.3 ppg losses to Georgia Tech, Stetson and Southern Mississippi … NM State's Teddy Allen posted double-digit points in all three games to average 15.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg as the Aggies took third at the Myrtle Beach Invitational with wins over Davidson and Indiana State … Seattle U's Cameron Tyson put up a game-high 26 points, including six three-pointers, as the Redhawks earned a 93-80 win over visiting Morgan State … Stephen F. Austin's David Kachelries scored 19 points to help the 'Jacks earn an 87-74 win over Middle Tennessee to kick off the Cancun Challenge … Tarleton's Montre' Gipson averaged 13.5 ppg as the Texans split a pair of games at Wichita State and at home against Paul Quinn … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson posted his first career double-double with a career-high 35 points and 10 rebounds in an 89-87 loss to Northern Arizona

 

Other freshman nominees included: Grand Canyon's Jalen Blackmon knocked down three three-pointers as the Lopes earned a 91-64 win over Prairie View … Lamar's Brock McClure totaled 21 points on the week to go with 13 rebounds as the Cardinals dropped matchups with Georgia Tech, Stetson and Southern Mississippi … Seattle U's Kobe Williamson scored 14 points in just 15 minutes played as the Redhawks picked up a 93-80 win over visiting Morgan State … UT Rio Grande Valley's Donte Houston Jr. averaging 5.0 points per game in the first two starts of his collegiate career as the Vaqueros earned a win over Paul Quinn before falling to Northern Arizona. 

 

Early in the season, California Baptist leads the WAC in scoring offense (80.0), field goal percentage (.502), assists (21.4), assist/turnover ratio (1.4) and defensive rebounds (30.2). Grand Canyon is the leader in scoring defense (56.0), scoring margin (+20.7), field goal defense (.373), three point FG percentage (.478), rebounding defense (27.3), rebounding margin (+12.0) and three-pointers made (10.7). Seattle U holds the top free throw percentage (.815). UT Rio Grande Valley is the leader in three-point FG defense (.280) and it is Sam Houston leading the league in rebounding (45.0), including a league-best 19.0 offensive rebounds per game. NM State is the leader in blocked shots (4.0) and Abilene Christian holds the lead in steals (12.3) and turnover margin (+8.33).

 

Individually, UVU's Fardaws Aimaq is the leader in scoring (24.8), rebounding (12.5) and defensive rebounds (9.0). SFA's Calvin Solomon holds the top field goal percentage (.680) while GCU's Holland Woods II has the top free throw percentage (1.000). ACU's Immanuel Allen has the top three-point FG percentage (.833) and SU's Cameron Tyson is the leader in three-pointers made (3.8). CBU's Taran Armstrong holds a healthy lead in assists (9.2) and SFA's Jaylin Jackson-Posey is the leader in steals (2.8). NM State's Johnny McCants is averaging a WAC-best 1.6 blocks per game. UTRGV's Ricky Nelson holds the top assist/turnover ratio at 5.3 and SFA's Gavin Kensmil is the leader in offensive rebounds (4.8).

 

California Baptist's Taran Armstrong recorded the WAC's first triple-double of the season on Nov. 18 against San José State, scoring 16 points to go with 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a 67-66 win.

 

Utah Valley redshirt sophomore center Fardaws Aimaq was named the Lute Olson National Player of the Week on Nov. 22 against averaging 29.5 points and 15.0 rebounds per game in overtime wins at Pepperdine and Long Beach State.

 

Abilene Christian announced a COVID-19 pause on Nov. 18, which forced the Wildcats to reschedule a non-conference game with McMurry and drop out of the Baha Mar Nassau Championship this week in the Bahamas. The Wildcats are expected to return to the court on Saturday, Nov. 27 in the rescheduled tilt with McMurry.

 

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.

 

Games vs. 2021 NCAA Tournament Teams

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. 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

 

Games vs. 2021 NIT Teams

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.