McGee Opts for NBA: Nevada's top shot blocker, Javale McGee, will forgo his last two years of eligibilty and enter the NBA Draft. McGee held a news conference Monday to make a formal annoucement of his decision. McGee ranks second on Nevada's career list in blocks with 92 and led the Wolf Pack to 20-plus wins this season. [4/02/08]
East Region - First Round: Sophomore point guard Ty Lawson proved he is healthy and ready to lead No. 1 North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament after providing 21 points, four assists and no turnovers in the Tar Heels' 113-74 blowout against No. 16 Mount St. Mary's. The Tar Heels shot better than 60 percent from the field and had five players in double figures as North Carolina's offense was no match for the Mountaineers. Junior forward Tyler Hansbrough also had 21 points for North Carolina, while senior guard Chris Vann led Mount St. Mary's with 16 points.
No. 2 Tennessee had its hands full with No. 15 American for 38 minutes before pulling away at the end to win 72-57. The Eagles hung with the Volunteers by outrebounding them 37-25 and hitting nine three-pointers. The prolific Tennessee shooters hit only six three-pointers, which helped American remain competitive until late in the second half. Senior guard JaJuan Smith led the Volunteers with 19 points, and junior guard Garrison Carr led all scorers by putting up 26 points for the Eagles. Tennessee has Butler up next.
No. 3 Louisville had no troubles getting past No. 14 Boise State 79-61 to move into the second round against Oklahoma. Sophomore swingman Earl Clark led the Cardinals with 15 points and seven rebounds. Louisville shot better than 55.8 percent from the field, including 50 percent from three-point range.
After battling to a tie midway through the first half, No. 6 Oklahoma went on a 25-6 run spanning halftime to pull away from No. 11 Saint Joseph's. The Sooners' senior guard David Godbold scored 25 points to lead Oklahoma. Senior forward Pat Calathes struggled against Oklahoma's defense, shooting 2-of-11 from the field for only six points. The Sooners were hot on offense, shooting 57.1 percent from the field to help survive a late rally by Saint Joseph's.
No. 7 Butler rained three-pointers on No. 10 South Alabama in a crushing 81-61 win. The Bulldogs hit 15 three-pointers, led by senior forward Pete Campbell's eight long shots. Campbell finished with 26 points to lead Butler, which built a double-digit lead midway through the first half after the Jaguars kept it close during the first 10 minutes. Senior guard Daon Merritt led South Alabama with 14 points, but he was the only Jaguar to score in double figures.
No. 9 Arkansas mercifully brought No. 8 Indiana's controversy-laden season to end with an 86-72 win. Senior swingman Sonny Weems was on fire for the Razorbacks, shooting 12-of-14 for 31 points. He also hit three three-pointers and grabbed five rebounds. Indiana's defense was porous as the defensive-minded Razorbacks shot 54.2 percent from the field. The Hoosiers' freshman point guard Eric Gordon struggled, going 3-of-15 for only eight points and one assist to three turnovers. Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson resigned in February amid NCAA violations for improper recruiting practices. [3/21/08]
Vandals Dump Pfeifer After Two Seasons: Idaho has fired coach George Pfeifer after the Vandals finished 8-21 this season. In two seasons, Pfeifer led the Vandals to a 12-48 record. The school is terminating his contract a year before it expires, so they'll pay him $170,000 to buy out the final year. [3/19/08]
Western Athletic Conference Tournament Championship: No. 4 Boise State won a triple overtime thriller 107-102 against No. 3 New Mexico State on the Aggies' home court to win the Western Athletic Conference championship and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 14 years. At a school known for riveting finishes, the Broncos finally built a big enough lead in the third overtime to outlast New Mexico State. Boise State's football team shocked heavily favored Oklahoma two years ago on a Statue of Liberty play to end the game. The basketball team's equivalent of chutzpah is senior forward Reggie Larry overcoming a terrible free throw shot to force overtime. In the final seconds of regulation with Boise State trailing by one, he shot an airball on a free throw but followed up with a successful shot. Larry finished with 31 points and 16 rebounds. [3/15/08]
Western Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals: No. 4 Boise State and No. 1 Utah State played a tight game in which both teams shot about 50 percent from the field, hit 11 three-pointers and were better than 80 percent from the free throw line. The Broncos had fewer turnovers, however, which helped them upset the Aggies 88-78 to move into the Western Athletic Conference championship game. Senior forward Reggie Larry and senior guard Matt Bauscher each scored 23 points to lead Boise State.
Western Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinals: No. 4 Boise State beat No. 5 Hawaii 80-74 behind an outstanding performance from senior forward Reggie Larry. He finished with 26 points and nine rebounds to pace the Broncos. Boise State erased a 35-27 halftime hole for the win.
Western Athletic Conference Tournament Opening Round: Junior forward Tim Pierce hit one of two free throws to break a 62-62 tie, and San Jose State held on to beat No. 9 Louisiana Tech 64-62. Pierce finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, and junior guard DaShawn Wright led the Spartans with 17 points. San Jose State advances to play No. 1 Utah State Wednesday. [3/11/08]
Passos to Return From Suspension for New Mexico State: Hatlia Passos, a senior center at New Mexico State, will return from a six-game suspension when the Aggies play Louisiana Tech. Head coach Marvin Menzies had suspended Passos for violating team rules, although the university did not specify the nature of the rule-breaking. Passos is averaging 10 points and seven rebounds per game this season. [1/14/08]
Great Alaska Will Include the WAC for Five Years: The Western Athletic Conference will have a representative at the annual Great Alaska Shootout through 2012. The University of Alaska Anchorage signed a five-year agreement with the WAC to include one of its teams in the Thanksgiving weekend basketball tournament. UAA Athletic Director Steve Cobb said participation in the tournament would supply exposure to the conference.
[12/07/07]
Aggies Dismiss Nelson: New Mexico State senior forward Tyrone Nelson is off the team after he pleaded out of robbery and bribery charges. Nelson avoided trial by pleading no contest, which qualifies as an admission of guilt. The university's rules call for the dismissal of any player who pleads or is found guilty of a felony. After missing the first eight games last season because of an injury, Nelson played well, averaging 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. [8/01/07]
New Mexico State Gets Theus' Replacement: New Mexico State has selected Louisville assistant coach Marvin Menzies to replace former head coach Reggies Theus, who left for the NBA last month. Menzies worked for a season at UNLV before spending the past two years with Louisville. His only head coaching experience was at Santa Monica College from 1994-95. Theus, hired by the Sacramento Kings as their new head coach, won the WAC tournament last season and led the Aggies to a 25-9 record. He also obtained an NCAA Tournament berth. Menzies reportedly beat out four other candidates, including two Aggie assistants, for the job. [7/1/07]
Theus Joins Royalty as Kings' Coach: The Sacramento Kings made Reggie Theus, a former King, the 21st head coach in their history. Theus, who scored the first basket in Sacramento's NBA history 22 years ago, was signed to a three-year deal. He had been coaching at New Mexico State the last two years, going 41-23. Theus said he was surprised to get the job but he vowed to return the team to the playoff-bound franchise it was before last year's 33-49 debacle. Theus replaces Eric Musselman, who was dismissed after only one season at the Kings' helm. Sacramento, which owns the 10th pick in the 2007 NBA draft, is expected to have a roster shake-up this summer. [6/23/07]
Kemp to Remain at Nevada: Nevada guard Marcelus Kemp will play his senior season with the Wolf Pack after he withdrew his name from the NBA Draft. Kemp was third in the WAC this season with a 18.5 points per game average. He will be the lone returning starter next year for the Wolf Pack. [6/18/07]
Nevada Point Guard Stays in Draft: Ramon Sessions has decided to forgo his senior year at Nevada. Sessions averaged 12 points and 4.7 assists per game last season with the Wolf Pack. The Wolf Pack's point guard was a second-team All-WAC selection last year. [6/17/07]
Jaycee Carroll Returns to Utah State: Jaycee Carroll, the WAC's leading scorer last year, has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return to Utah State next season. [6/17/07]
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Boise State Broncos Boise, Idaho Coach: Greg Graham  Fresno State Bulldogs Fresno, California Coach: Steve Cleveland Hawai'i Warriors Honolulu, Hawaii Coach: Bob Nash Idaho Vandals Moscow, Idaho Coach: George Pfeifer Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Ruston, Louisiana Coach: Kerry Rupp Nevada Wolf Pack Reno, Nevada Coach: Mark Fox New Mexico State Aggies Las Cruces, New Mexico Coach: Marvin Menzies San Jose State Spartans San Jose, Califoria Coach: George Nessman Utah State Aggies Logan, Utah Coach: Stew Morrill |
| More Info: WAC Official Site |
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It looks like a promising season is ahead for the WAC, with the Aggies likely to lead the way again. |
There should be a familiar look at the top of the WAC, with challengers that have talent, experience or both. |
January 16th - Mitch McLaughlin has a slumping Wolfpack, an early showdown, and struggling newcomers. |
Mitch McLaughlin previews the WAC, where some teams are out and some are in, and there's a clear favorite among them. |
Scott Allen recaps the WAC offseason, which saw trouble in Fresno and new coaches at Nevada, SMU and UTEP. |
Joaquin Mesa recaps the 2003-04 WAC season, with Nevada and UTEP dancing, and three others NIT, er, -ing. |
Live from Milwaukee - Nick Dettmann recaps Wisconsin- Milwauke Panthers dispatching of the Rice Owls in the opening round of the NIT. |
March 12th - Dean Austin has the surprise story of the season happening down in Old El Paso, and an homage to Timmy Hardaway. |
March 13th - Steve Sheridan recaps the WAC Finals, where the Miners couldn't rally to down the Wolfpack. |
March 12th - Steve Sheridan recaps the WAC Semifinals, setting up what we've been waiting for - Nevada vs. UTEP. |
March 11th - Steve Sheridan recaps the WAC Quarterfinals, with all of the top seeds moving on. Yawn. |
March 9th - Phil Kasiecki recaps the First Round action of the WAC, with SMU and Louisiana Tech advancing. |