2023-24 WAC Men's Basketball Release - Week Three

CBU, SFA HOLD DOWN THE TOP SPOT IN THE WAC STANDINGS
Entering the third full week of the 2023-24 season, California Baptist and Stephen F. Austin both rose to the top of the WAC standings with matching 4-1 (.800) records. Grand Canyon checked in third in winning percentage with a 3-1 (.750) mark.

SFA COMPETING FOR TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
A winner of three straight games overall entering play on Nov. 21, Stephen F. Austin will compete for the tournament title of the Cayman Island Classic against Utah State in George Town on Grand Cayman. The Lumberjacks’ four wins this season have been by double digits, including a 10-point win (86-76) over Loyola Marymount and a dominant 92-68 showing against Drake earlier in the Cayman Island Classic. SFA has risen to the 67th spot of the latest KenPom rankings to pace all WAC teams.

WILSON WITH AN ELITE PERFORMANCE FOR UTA DESPITE PAIR OF SETBACKS
UT Arlington forward Shemar Wilson was sensational for UT Arlington against a challenging road nonconference schedule last week. Wilson averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 76.0 percent from the field and 81.8 percent from the line for the Mavs over two games. In a hard-luck loss at New Mexico on Nov. 16, Wilson posted a double-double that included 29 points on 11-of-13 (84.6 percent) shooting, 11 rebounds and two blocks. At No. 3 Arizona on Nov. 19, Wilson followed up with 19 points, three boards and three blocked shots at one of the most storied venues in college basketball.

GRANT-FOSTER CONTINUES TO IMPRESS FOR GCU
Grand Canyon guard Tyon Grant-Foster enjoyed a second straight successful week in the GCU backcourt to begin the 2023-24 season. Grant-Foster averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest over two games at the Arizona Tip-Off, which saw the Lopes go 1-1 in Glendale. Grant-Foster poured in 28 points, which included a 7-for-13 (53.8 percent) performance from the floor and 11 made free throws, to go along with seven rebounds and two steals in a 76-72 win over San Francisco on Nov. 17.

QUALITY GAMES AWAIT WAC TEAMS DURING THANKSGIVING WEEK
WAC teams will remain busy on the court during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday week and weekend, with key games across the nonconference slate ushering in the official beginning of conference action on Nov. 29. Stephen F. Austin is set for a previously mentioned clash with Utah State (#87 KenPom) on Nov. 21 in the Cayman Island Classic final, while Southern Utah travels to Louisiana Tech (#116 KenPom) also on Nov. 21. Utah Tech has a road date at Washington State (#71 KenPom) on Nov. 24, and UTRGV is scheduled to face Hawai’I (#123 KenPom) on Nov. 24 as part of the Acrisure Invitational in Thousand Palms, California.