United Athletic Conference

The 2022 Hercules Tires WAC Basketball Tournament tips off on Tuesday evening at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas with California Baptist facing off against UT Rio Grande Valley at 6 p.m. and Utah Valley taking on Chicago State in the nightcap at 8:30 p.m. The rest of the tournament will shift back to Orleans Arena on Wednesday for a week full of exciting hoops action.

 

Stephen F. Austin's Gavin Kensmil has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week and California Baptist's Taran Armstrong have been named TicketSmarter WAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for February 28 through March 5.

 

Kensmil, a senior forward from Paramaribo, Suriname, put up two stellar performances to help the 'Jacks push their win streak to 10 games while clinching a share of the WAC regular season title. On Wednesday at NM State, he put up 15 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 73-71 win over the Aggies. On Saturday, he was 13-for-13 from the field and added seven free throws to go with nine rebounds in a 93-63 win at UT Rio Grande Valley.

 

Armstrong, a guard from Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, averaged 11.0 points, 7.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in a home win over Chicago State and road game at Lamar. Against CSU, he put up 11 points with four rebounds while also dishing out eight assists in a 62-53 win. That was followed up by 11 points with five rebounds, seven assists and just one turnover in a 78-66 win at Lamar.

 

Other nominees included: Abilene Christian's Mahki Morris put up back-to-back 18 points performances in home wins over Dixie State and Tarleton … California Baptist's Ty Rowell led the Lancers to a pair of wins, averaging 20.0 points in wins over Chicago State and Lamar … Chicago State's Brandon Betson scored an average of 27.5 points per game in the Cougars' west coast road trip, falling at both California Baptist and Seattle U … Grand Canyon's Holland Woods averaged 17.5 points per game as the Lopes earned home wins over Utah Valley and Dixie State … NM State's Johnny McCants helped the Aggies to their fourth regular season title in his time at NMSU, averaging 15.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in a home split against Stephen F. Austin and Utah Valley … Sam Houston's Savion Flagg put up 18 points and brought down 11 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season in a 69-50 win over Tarleton … Seattle U's Riley Grigsby led Seattle U with 22 points, adding two rebounds, two steals and two blocks, in a WAC-clinching 74-66 win over Chicago State … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson averaged 21.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as the Vaqueros clinched their tournament spot with a win at Lamar before falling at home to Stephen F. Austin.

 

Other freshman nominees included: Chicago State's Jahsean Corbett averaged 18.0 points per game on the road as the Cougars fought hard against California Baptist and Seattle U in the final two games of the regular season … Grand Canyon's Chance McMillian put up an averaged of 8.5 points per game as the Lopes earned wins over Utah Valley and Dixie State to clinch the fourth seed in the upcoming Hercules Tires WAC Basketball Tournament.

 

Abilene Christian is the leader in scoring offense (76.9), scoring margin (+11.0), steals (11.3) and turnover margin (9.03) while Grand Canyon holds the top spot in scoring defense (60.6), field goal defense (.380) and three-point defense (.267). Seattle U is the leader in free throw percentage (.767), assist/turnover ratio (1.2) and three-pointers made (9.6). Stephen F. Austin holds the top field goal percentage (.478) and Utah Valley has the top three-point field goal percentage (.364) and leads the league in rebounding offense (40.7), rebounding margin (8.1) and blocked shots (4.4). NM State is tops in rebounding defense (31.1) and California Baptist is the leader in assists (16.5).

 

Individually, NMSU's Teddy Allen is the leader in scoring (19.4) and UVU's Fardaws Aimaq is the leading rebounder (13.8), also leading the WAC in offensive rebounds (3.1) and defensive rebounds (10.7). SFA's Gavin Kensmil is the leader in field goal percentage (.620), UTRGV's Xavier Johnson is the leader in free throw percentage (.871) and GCU's Jovan Blacksher Jr. is the leader in three-point field goal percentage (.408). SU's Darrion Trammell holds the lead in both assists (5.1) and steals (2.6) while teammate Cameron Tyson holds the lead for three-pointers per game (3.4). NMSU's Johnny McCants is the leader in blocked shots (1.8) 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 35.5 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.

 

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:

 

 

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. The Redhawks removed the interim tag on March 1.

 

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.