United Athletic Conference

It's the final week of the regular season with plenty still to be determined for the Hercules Tires WAC Basketball Tournament next week in Las Vegas. The schedule begins on Wednesday with UT Rio Grande Vally at Lamar, Stephen F. Austin at NM State and Chciago State at California Baptist. On Thursday, Tarleton travels to Sam Houston, Dixie State heads to Abilene Christian and Utah Valley plays at Grand Canyon. Saturday boats a full schedule with California Baptist playing at Lamar, Chicago State at Seattle U, Tarleton at Abilene Christian, Stephen F. Austin at UT Rio Grande Valley, Dixie State at Grand Canyon and Utah Valley at NM State.

 

Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week and Grand Canyon's Chance McMillian have been named TicketSmarter WAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for February 21 through February 27.

 

Aimaq, a sophomore center from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, recorded his 24th and 25th double-doubles of the season in a pair of wins over Seattle U and California Baptist. Against Seattle U, the man they call Big Maple scored 19 points and brought down 18 rebounds to go with three blocks, two assists and a steal. He followed that up with 20 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks in a win against California Baptist. On the week, he was 14-of-27 from the field for a .519 shooting clip and was a perfect 9-for-9 on free throws. 

 

McMillian, a guard from Vallejo, Calif., put up a pair of double-digit scoring efforts to help the Lopes pick up a pair of important wins. On Wednesday at Chicago State, he was 3-for-5 from the field and also was a perfect 6-for-6 on free throws to finish with 13 points in an 85-64 win over the Cougars. On Saturday night at home against Sam Houston, he put up a career-high 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including three three-pointers and 4-of-4 on free throws in a 67-41 win over the Bearkats.

 

Other nominees included: Abilene Christian's Coryon Mason surpassed 1,000 points for his career in Thursday's win over Lamar and then scored 19 points to lead the Wildcats in a 73-71 loss at Stephen F. Austin on Saturday … California Baptist's Taran Armstrong put up 20.0 points per game as the Lancers split a pair on the road at Dixie State and Utah Valley … Chicago State's Brandon Betson scored the game-winning bucket to finish with 17 points as the Cougars knocked off league-leading NM State, 61-59, on Saturday … Dixie State's Hunter Schofield averaged a double-double at 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in a pair of home losses to California Baptist and Seattle U … Grand Canyon's Chance McMillian led the Lopes to a pair of wins, averaging 14.0 points per game in victories over Chicago State and Sam Houston … NM State's Sir'Jabari Rice averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as the Aggies went 1-1 on the road with a win at Seattle U and a close loss at Chicago State … Seattle U's Darrion Trammell averaged 17.0 points per game over three games for the Redhawks last week … Stephen F. Austin's Gavin Kensmil shot .607 on the week, averaging 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in home wins over Sam Houston and Abilene Christian … Tarleton's Freddy Hicks recorded a pair of 20-point games, putting up 20 in a win against UT Rio Grande Valley and 22 points in a win over Lamar … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson scored 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting in a 75-62 loss at Tarleton.

 

Other freshman nominees included: California Baptist's Taran Armstrong averaged 20.0 points per game on the road as the Lancers earned a 10-point win at Dixie State before falling at Utah Valley … Chicago State's J.J. Harris averaged 14.0 points per game on the week, including 12 points, three rebounds and a pair of steals in the Cougars' 81-59 win over NM State … Lamar's Brock McClure scored 13 points to go with 10 rebounds and a pair of assists in the Cardinals' 57-49 loss at Tarleton on Saturday … Stephen F. Austin's Sadaidriene Hall averaged 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds off the bench as the 'Jacks picked up important wins over Sam Houston and Abilene Christian … UT Rio Grande Valley's RayQuan Taylor scored 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting and added eight rebounds and a block in UTRGV's 75-62 loss at Tarleton on Thursday.

 

Abilene Christian is the leader in scoring offense (77.4), scoring margin (+11.0), steals (11.0) and turnover margin (8.81) while Grand Canyon holds the top spot in scoring defense (61.0), field goal defense (.381) and three-point defense (.271). Seattle U is the leader in free throw percentage (.771), assist/turnover ratio (1.2) and three-pointers made (9.7). Stephen F. Austin holds the top field goal percentage (.475) amd Utah Valley has the top three-point field goal percentage (.375) and leads the league in rebounding offense (41.0), rebounding margin (8.6) and blocked shots (4.6). NM State is tops in rebounding defense (31.3) and California Baptist is the leader in assists (16.4).

 

Individually, NMSU's Teddy Allen is the leader in scoring (19.6) and UVU's Fardaws Aimaq is the leading rebounder (13.8), also leading the WAC in offensive rebounds (3.0) and defensive rebounds (10.8). SFA's Gavin Kensmil is the leader in field goal percentage (.599), UVU's Le'Tre Darthard is the leader in free throw percentage (.885) and GCU's Jovan Blacksher Jr. is the leader in three-point field goal percentage (.416). SU's Darrion Trammell holds the lead in both assists (5.2) and steals (2.6) while teammate Cameron Tyson holds the lead for three-pointers per game (3.3). NMSU's Johnny McCants is the leader in blocked shots (1.6) and ACU's Damien Daniels holds the lead in assist/turnover ratio (2.6). TAR's Montre' Gipson is the WAC's iron man, averaging a league-high 35.2 minutes per game.

 

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.

 

A pair of WAC men's basketball players were recently recognized for their success in the classroom as well as on the court as UT Rio Gradne Valley's Marek Nelson and Dixie State's Hunter Schofield were named Academic All-District by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his current institution. Honorees selected first-team Academic All-District® will advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot.

 

 

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. 

 

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 University of the Incarnate Word, Southern Utah University and University of Texas at Arlington join the party. The Cardinals are currently members of the Southland Conference, the Thunderbirds are currently members of the Big Sky Conference and the Mavericks are currently members of the Sun Belt Conference.