United Athletic Conference

The schedules resumes on Monday with a pair of makeup games from Jan. 1. Lamar will travel to Stephen F. Austin and Seattle U will take its undefeated WAC record on the road to California Baptist. This weekend, league leaders Grand Canyon and NM State head to east Texas to take on Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston. California Baptist and Seattle U also head to Texas, making the trip to Tarleton and Abilene Christian. UT Rio Grande Valley and Lamar round out the road teams for the weekend with the Vaqueros and Cardinals heading west to take on Utah Valley and Dixie State.

 

NM State's Teddy Allen has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week and California Baptist's Juhlawnei Stone has been named TicketSmarter WAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for January 10 through January 16.

 

Allen, a junior guard from Phoenix, lived up to his "Teddy Buckets" moniker, averaging 28.0 points per game on 60.0-percent shooting to lead the Aggies to a pair of home wins against visiting Tarleton and Abilene Christian. On Thursday against the Texans, he was 5-of-10 for the field to finish with 15 points, also adding six rebounds and three steals in the 73-57 win. He pushed his game into turbo mode on Saturday against Abilene Christian, scoring 41 points on 13-of-20 shooting, including six three-pointers, and also adding seven rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in the 77-63 win. The 41-points was the most by a WAC player in nearly five years and most by an Aggies since 2002.

 

Stone, a forward from Lancaster, Calif., averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game for the Lancers as CBU earned a home split with a three-point loss to Dixie State before knocking off Utah Valley by a pair on Saturday. Against Dixie State, he finished with six points and three rebounds, adding a steal. His big game came against Utah Valley, finishing with nine points, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal over 19 minutes as the Lancers earned the 75-73 win over the Wolverines.

 

Other nominees included: California Baptist's Tre Armstrong scored 28 points with three steals in the Lancers' 75-73 win over Utah Valley on Saturday night … Chicago State's Brandon Betson scored 18 points, adding five assists and three rebounds, as the Cougars beat Lamar, 67-56, for their first WAC road win in over five years … Dixie State's Hunter Schofield averaged 20.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as the Lancers split on the road, earning a win at CBU before falling at SU … Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher Jr. averaged 17.5 ppg and brought his double-digit scoring streak to 20 games with a pair of home wins over Abilene Christian and Tarleton … Sam Houston's Savion Flagg averaged 19.0 points per game as the Bearkats picked up a road win at Lamar before defending their home court against rival Stephen F. Austin … Seattle U's Cameron Tyson had a pair of 25-point performances and combined for 12 three points as the Redhawks went 2-0 on the week with home wins over Utah Valley and Dixie State … Tarleton's Montre' Gipson averaged 18.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as the Texans dropped a pair at NM State and Grand Canyon … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson had a career-high 13 rebounds in the Vaqueros' Thursday night win over Chicago State … Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq collected his national-best 14th and 15th double-doubles of the season, averaging 21.5 points and 15.5 rebounds per game in road losses at Seattle U and CBU.

 

Other freshman nominees included: Chicago State's Bryce Johnson averaged 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Cougars, who went to south Texas and picked up a split … Grand Canyon's Jalen Blackmon scored five points in just eight minutes to help the Lopes finish off Abilene Christian, 95-68, on Thursday … Lamar's Brock McClure recorded his first collegiate double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in a 67-56 loss to Chicago State … Tarleton's Jayshawn Moore scored a career-high 10 points with five steals in the Texans' loss at Grand Canyon on Saturday.

 

Abilene Christian continues to lead the WAC in scoring offense (77.8), steals (11.4) and turnover margin (9.47). Grand Canyon is tops in scoring defense (59.6), scoring margin (15.8) field goal defense (.385), three-point field goal percentage (.376), three-point defense (.253), rebounding offense (42.1) and rebounding margin (+10.4). Seattle U leads the WAC in free throw percentage (.762) while NM State is the leader in field goal percentage (.475). The Aggies are also the leader in rebounding defense (30.8) while SU holds the lead in three-pointers made (10.6). Stephen F. Austin holds the lead in blocked shots (4.6) and California Baptist is the leader in assists (18.4) and assist/turnover ratio (1.4)

 

Individually, UVU's Fardaws Aimaq is the leader in scoring (19.9), rebounding (13.8), blocked shots (1.6), offensive rebounds (3.2) and defensive rebounds (10.6). CBU's Daniel Akin is the leader in field goal percentage (.664), UTRGV's Xavier Johnson is the leader in free throw percentage (.923) and SU's Rip Economou is the leader in 3FG shooting percentage (.488). CBU's Taran Armstrong continues to hold the lead in assists (7.2) and SU's Darrion Trammell is the leader in steals (2.9). Fellow Redhawk Cameron Tyson is the leader in three-pointers made (4.0) while UVU's Blaze Nield holds the top assist/turnover ratio at 2.7. TAR's Montre' Gipson is the league leader in minutes played (35.7).

 

Following a vote of athletic directors, the Western Athletic Conference has adjusted its game cancelation policy to balance the health and safety of coaches, student-athletes, staff and officials as well as protect the integrity of the conference schedule.

 

The minimum number of participants for conference play has been set at seven Covid-eligible student-athletes and one Covid-eligible coach. If a team meets the requirement, they will be expected to compete in the contest.

 

In addition, the WAC has determined that if a game is canceled for Covid-related reasons, administrators from the impacted institutions will work collaboratively to find a mutually agreeable date to reschedule. If they are unable to find a date, the game will be considered a no-contest.

 

Following the national trend, the WAC has seen a number of postponements due to Covid-19 policies. Below is a list of games that have been rescheduled for later this season:

 

Original Date - Game - Rescheduled Date

Dec. 30 - NM State at Seattle U - Feb. 21

Dec. 30  -UTRGV at Stephen F. Austin - Jan. 11

Jan. 1 - Seattle U at California Baptist - Jan. 17

Jan. 1 - UTRGV at Sam Houston - Jan. 3

Jan. 1 - Lamar at Stephen F. Austin - Jan. 17

 

Due to lack of player availability for non-Covid reasons, Lamar had to make the difficult decision to forfeit games on Jan. 6 against NM State and Jan. 8 against Grand Canyon. It is expected that the Cardinals will be able to play this Thursday against Sam Houston.

 

While the focus now is on league play, the WAC has its top non-conference winning percentage since the 2011-12 season. This year, the WAC is 94-69 (.577) against other conferences. In 2011-12, the WAC was 94-65 (.591) against other foes.

 

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 returned 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' Gipson and 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 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

 

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.