This Week In WAC Men's Basketball - Dec. 13
This Week In WAC Men's Basketball - Dec. 13
SAM HOUSTON REMAINS ATOP WAC RESUME SEEDING RANKING
In the latest WAC Resume Seeding System ranking on Dec. 13, Sam Houston remained as the top live seed in the WAC after a 7-2 start to the season. The Bearkats tallied 1.87 points to rank just ahead of 7-1 Seattle U (1.67 points). The remainder of the top five featured 7-4 Grand Canyon (0.70), Utah Valley (0.48) and NM State (0.24).
SEATTLE U TAKES OVER IN THE STANDINGS
Despite remaining behind Sam Houston in the latest WAC Resume Seeding System tally, Seattle U officially moved to the top of the conference standings thanks to a pair of victories against Cal State Fullerton (69-62 on Nov. 30) and at North Dakota (80-78 in OT on Dec. 10). The Redhawks have won all four of their home games to start the campaign, with the Cal State Fullerton victory being the first that saw Seattle U score fewer than 80 points on its home floor.
UTAH WAC TEAMS ALL ON WINNING STREAKS
The three WAC men’s basketball members from the state of Utah each carried active winning streaks into play on Dec. 13. Southern Utah and Utah Valley each put three victories together to comfortably climb above .500 for the season, with Utah Tech winning two games in a row to level its record at 5-5 in 2022-23.
BANDAOGO LEADS THE WAY IN DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Utah Valley center and reigning WAC Player of the Week Aziz Bandaogo remained at the top of the WAC double-double standings as of Dec. 13. Bandaogo has posted five double-doubles to open the season, hitting the 10-rebound mark a total of six times for the Wolverines. The next closest WAC player has four 10-rebound games and two double-doubles, respectively.
BEARKAT DEFENSE LEADING TO SUCCESS
Through its first nine games of the season, Sam Houston exhibited the best all-around defense in the WAC based on the four key statistical metrics. The Bearkats were first in scoring defense (54.6) and opposing field goal percentage (.366), second in rebounding (41.7) and third in opposing 3-point field goal percentage as of Dec. 13. Sam Houston also owned the conference’s best mark in scoring margin (+24.4), rebounding margin (+11.6), assist/turnover ratio (1.31) and steals (11.1).
THE WAC AGAINST THE CONFERENCES
As expected, WAC teams have taken care of business in matchups against non-Division I opponents, posting a 25-0 record as of games played on Dec. 13. Highlighted records against peer DI conferences to start the season include a 13-3 (.813) combined mark against the Big Sky and an 8-3 (.727) record against the Big West. WAC programs have added wins against members from the ACC, Big 12 and Pac-12 to date in the 2022-23 season.
TYSON STANDS ALONE OVER 20 POINTS PER GAME
Only one player from the WAC averaged more than 20.0 points per game thus far this season as of Dec. 12. Seattle U’s Cameron Tyson was first in the conference with a 23.7 points per game clip in six starts, eclipsing the 20-point plateau in three of his first six games. Tyson also leads the WAC with two 30-point outings this season.
THE WAC IN THE NATIONAL STATS RANKINGS
In the latest NCAA DI national statistics rankings that were released on Dec. 11, Stephen F. Austin ranked first nationally in turnovers forced per game (22.00) and UTRGV was the top team in the country in free throw attempts per contest (28.1). UTRGV was also third in made free throws per game (19.5). Sam Houston checked in third in rebound margin (11.6) and scoring margin (24.4) and was fifth in turnover margin (7.4). Southern Utah was the fourth ranked team in scoring offense (89.6) and fifth in rebounds per game (42.73). UTRGV’s Justin Johnson ranked third in individual free throw attempts (80), CBU’s Timothy Ighoefe was fifth in blocked shots per game (3.0) and Seattle U’s Cameron Tyson was fifth in DI in scoring (23.7 points per game).