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WAC Media Select NM State, UVU’s Aimaq as Favorites

WAC Media Select NM State, UVU’s Aimaq as Favorites
Posted: Oct 19, 2021
 
 
 
 
DENVER – 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 DaMarkus 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.
 
2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll
1. NM State
2. Stephen F. Austin
3. Grand Canyon
4. Abilene Christian
5. Utah Valley
6. California Baptist
7. Sam Houston
8. Seattle U
9. Tarleton
10. Lamar
11. UT Rio Grande Valley
12. Dixie State
13. Chicago State
 
2020-21 Preseason Men's Basketball Media All-WAC Teams
 
First Team
Fardaws Aimaq, R-So., C, Utah Valley
Jovan Blacksher Jr., Jr., G, Grand Canyon
Montre' Gipson, Sr., G, Tarleton
Gavin Kensmil, Sr. F, Stephen F. Austin
DeMarkus Lampley, Sr., G, Sam Houston
Jabari Rice, R-Jr., G, NM State
Ty Rowell, R-Jr., G, California Baptist
Darrion Trammell, So., G, Seattle U
 
Second Team
Teddy Allen, R-Jr., G, NM State
Johnny McCants, R-Sr., F, NM State
Coryon Mason, Sr,, G, Abilene Christian
Reggie Miller, Sr., G, Abilene Christian
Reed Nottage, So., G, Califormia Baptist
Roti Ware, Sr., G, Stephen F. Austin
Trey Woodbury, Jr., G, Utah Valley
Holland Woods II, Gr., G, Grand Canyon
 
Preseason Player of the Year: Fardaws Aimaq, Utah Valley
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On 10/27/2021 at 10:33 AM, RETIREDFAN1 said:

WAC Media Select NM State, UVU’s Aimaq as Favorites

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Posted: Oct 19, 2021
 
 
 
 
DENVER – 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 DaMarkus 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.
 
2021-22 Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll
1. NM State
2. Stephen F. Austin
3. Grand Canyon
4. Abilene Christian
5. Utah Valley
6. California Baptist
7. Sam Houston
8. Seattle U
9. Tarleton
10. Lamar
11. UT Rio Grande Valley
12. Dixie State
13. Chicago State
 
2020-21 Preseason Men's Basketball Media All-WAC Teams
 
First Team
Fardaws Aimaq, R-So., C, Utah Valley
Jovan Blacksher Jr., Jr., G, Grand Canyon
Montre' Gipson, Sr., G, Tarleton
Gavin Kensmil, Sr. F, Stephen F. Austin
DeMarkus Lampley, Sr., G, Sam Houston
Jabari Rice, R-Jr., G, NM State
Ty Rowell, R-Jr., G, California Baptist
Darrion Trammell, So., G, Seattle U
 
Second Team
Teddy Allen, R-Jr., G, NM State
Johnny McCants, R-Sr., F, NM State
Coryon Mason, Sr,, G, Abilene Christian
Reggie Miller, Sr., G, Abilene Christian
Reed Nottage, So., G, Califormia Baptist
Roti Ware, Sr., G, Stephen F. Austin
Trey Woodbury, Jr., G, Utah Valley
Holland Woods II, Gr., G, Grand Canyon
 
Preseason Player of the Year: Fardaws Aimaq, Utah Valley

Jabari Rice is one of my all time favorite kids.  This league is going to be really fun to watch.  
 

Kind of surprised Savion Flagg isn’t on any of the preseason lists.  

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This Week in WAC Men's Basketball - Nov. 8

This Week in WAC Men's Basketball - Nov. 8
Posted: Nov 08, 2021
 
 
 
 

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OPENING TIP
The new era of WAC basketball begins this week with 27 games scheduled for the opening week alone. Among the top matchups are Dixie State traveling to top-ranked Gonzaga on opening night, NM State playing their first game in Pan Am in over a calendar year when they host UC Irvine, Abilene Christian visiting Texas A&M on Friday night and Tarleton heading to Allen Fieldhouse to take on third-ranked Kansas.
 
WAC COACHES SELECT NM STATE, SU'S TRAMMELL AS PRESEASON FAVORITES
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.
 
 
MEDIA SELECT NM STATE, UVU'S AIMAQ AS PRESEASON FAVORITES
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.
 
 
STAT LEADERS BACK
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.
 
RETURNING ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS
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' Gipsonand 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.
 
UTRGV DEDICATES 2021-22 SEASON TO LEW HILL
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.
 
LETTERWINNER/STARTER CAPSULE
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. 
 
 
GIMME TEN
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.
 
KEY NON-CONFERENCE MATCH-UPS
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. 20 Dixie State vs. Eastern Washington TBA 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
 
*Game dependent on MTE results
 
THE WORLDWIDE LEADER
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.
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This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Nov. 8

This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Nov. 8
Posted: Nov 08, 2021
 
 
 
 
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STAT LEADERS BACK
Following a shortened season, the WAC will return almost all of its stat leaders from the spring. After averaging 16.5 points per game to lead the WAC in scoring in the spring as a part of UT Rio Grande Valley, Amara Graham will return to the court this fall as a Grand Canyon Lope. The WAC's leader in rebounds per game (8.4) and field goal percentage (66.5) will also be back as California Baptist's Britney Thomas suits up for her final season as a Lancer. The Lancer roster will also include the top three-point shooter and top assister from the spring 2021 season. CBU's Sydney Palma shot 44.7 percent from deep to lead the league while Ane Olaeta averaged 7.8 assists per game to finish as the nation's leader in assists.
 
Josie Williams of Utah Valley will be back on the court for the Wolverines after leading the WAC in blocks per game last season. Seattle U's Bree Calhoun will also be disrupting WAC offenses once again as she returns after pacing the conference in steals per game at 3.3.
 
PRESEASON COACHES POLL
California Baptist has been named the favorite to win the 2021-22 women's basketball title and the Lancers' Ane Olaeta 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.
 
After putting together one of the best seasons in WAC history a season ago, the Lancers earned the top spot with 137 points and six first-place votes in the preseason poll. WAC newcomer Stephen F. Austin was close behind with six first-place votes and a total of 133 points. The Ladyjacks were followed by Grand Canyon who received the remaining first-place vote and 112 points. Utah Valley was slotted in the fourth spot with 106 points while Abilene Christian was selected to finish fifth, garnering 91 points. Sam Houston claimed a total of 86 points as they landed in sixth. NM State came in just behind the Bearkats with 90 points while Lamar was eighth with 63 points. Seattle U captured ninth with 61 points, followed by UT Rio Grande Valley with 54 points. The Tarleton Texans earned 43 points to see themselves picked to finish 11th. Dixie State and Chicago State rounded out the poll, collecting 25 points and 14 points, respectively. 
 
Olaeta is atop the list of Preseason All-WAC honorees. The senior guard is joined on the first team by fellow Lancer Britney Thomas, Stephen F. Austin's Stephanie Visscher and Zya Nugent, Utah Valley's Maria Carvalho and Josie Williams, Grand Canyon's Amara Graham and Lamar's Micaela Wilson.
 
Second team honors went to UT Rio Grande Valley's Sara Bershers, Grand Canyon's Tiarra Brown, Seattle U's Bree Calhoun and McKenzi Williams, Sam Houston's Faith Cook, California Baptist's Caitlyn Harper, Stephen F. Austin's Aiyana Johnson and Abilene Christian's Madi Miller.
 
PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
The Western Athletic Conference women's basketball media have selected California Baptist as the preseason favorite to be named the 2021-22 conference champions while the Lancers' Ane Olaeta was named WAC Preseason Player of the Year.
 
The Lancers earned the sweep in the polls as they picked up the top spot in the media poll after being selected first overall in the coaches' poll. CBU was followed by Stephen F. Austin while Utah Valley was picked to finish third in the conference. Grand Canyon was chosen to finish fourth, Sam Houston was fifth and NM State took sixth. The Aggies were followed by Lamar, Abilene Christian, Seattle U, UT Rio Grande Valley, Tarleton, Dixie State and Chicago State.
 
Olaeta leads the group of Preseason All-WAC award getters and is joined by teammate Britney Thomas. Utah Valley's Maria Carvalho and Josie Williams joined the pair of Lancers while Stephen F. Austin also boasted two first-team members in Aiyana Johnson and Stephanie Visscher. Grand Canyon's Amara Graham and Lamar's Micaela Wilson also picked up first-team honors.
 
Second-team selections include Grand Canyon's Tiarra Brown, Seattle U's Bree Calhoun, Sam Houston's Faith Cook, Tarleton's Marissa Escamilla, California Baptist's Caitlyn Harper, NM State's Soufia Inoussa, Abilene Christian's Madi Miller and Stephen F. Austin's Zya Nugent.
 
RETURNING ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS
Coming off a year in which the WAC only returned three all-conference players, the WAC will look very familiar this season, returning eight of 10 All-WAC players. From the list of first-team honorees, Utah Valley's Maria Carvalho and Josie Williams and California Baptist's Ane Olaeta and Britney Thomas will all be back in action. Also, Grand Canyon's Tiarra Brown and Amara Graham, California Baptist's Caitlyn Harper and Seattle U's McKenzi Williams are returning after earning Second Team All-WAC recognition in the spring.
 
WAC fans will also see four of the five members of the WAC All-Defensive Team back this year as Grand Canyon's Taylor Caldwell, Seattle U's Bree Calhoun, Utah Valley's Carvalho and California Baptist's Thomas make their way back. Lastly, four WAC All-Newcomer representatives are coming back for the 2021-22 season as California Baptist's Nicole Avila-Ambrosi, Grand Canyon's Brown, Seattle U's Calhoun and Utah Valley's Shay Fano look to build on their impressive debut seasons.
 
With the addition of four schools coming over from the Southland Conference, the WAC also adds four Southland All-Conference selections from last season. Both Lamar's Micaela Wilson and Stephen F. Austin's Stephanie Visscher were first-team honorees, while the Ladyjacks Aiyana Johnson and Zya Nugent garnered second team distinction.
 
A TEXAS-SIZED ADDITION
After adding Dixie State and Tarleton a season ago, the WAC has expanded by adding four Texas schools. Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin all come over to the WAC after spending time in the Southland Conference. Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston and Lamar each finished inside the top four of the Southland's standings last season. The Ladyjacks also claimed the Southland Conference title as they finished the year with a 24-2 overall record and a near-upset of Georgia Tech in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
 
WAC ON THE WORLDWIDE LEADER
This offseason, the WAC reached a new multi-year, multi-platform media reight agreement that will see over 500 annual events on ESPN+. Fans will be able to catch most women's basketball games this season on ESPN+, with the WAC Tournament Championship Game airing on an ESPN linear network. Fans will also be able to catch select #WAChoops games at wacdigitalnetwork.com.
 
LETTERWINNER/STARTER CAPSULE
The WAC will have its fair share of new faces on the court this season, but 12 of 13 schools do return a majority of starters while both California Baptist and Seattle U return all five starters. Seattle U also leads the way with 13 returners with only four programs returning less than half of their letterwinners.
 
Team LR LL SR SL
Abilene Christian 7 5 3 2
California Baptist 12 3 5 0
Chicago State 3 7 3 2
Dixie State 7 8 3 2
Grand Canyon 6 6 3 2
Lamar 9 3 3 2
NM State 10 6 2 3
Sam Houston 7 8 3 2
Seattle U 13 2 5 0
Stephen F. Austin 11 4 3 2
Tarleton 6 7 4 1
UT Rio Grande Valley 10 4 4 1
Utah Valley 10 5 4 1
 
 
KEY NON-CONFERENCE MATCH-UPS
The WAC will have its fair share of opportunities to shine against top competition this season. The league currently has 10 games against teams that advanced to the 2021 NCAA Tournament and 10 games against teams that participated in the 2021 NIT. The complete list is below.
 
Games vs. 2021 NCAA Tournament Teams
Nov. 9 UT Rio Grande Valley at USF, 8 p.m. ET
Nov. 10 Tarleton at Arkansas, 7 p.m. ET
Nov. 14 Dixie State at Oregon, 5 p.m. PT
Nov. 17 California Baptist at Oregon State, 7 p.m. PT
Nov. 18 Stephen F. Austin at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. CT
Nov. 27 Sam Houston at Arkansas, 2 p.m. CT
Dec. 12 Abilene Christian vs. Wright St., 1 p.m. CT
Dec. 12 Stephen F. Austin at Gonzaga, noon PT
Dec. 13 Sam Houston at Alabama, 11:30 a.m. CT
Dec. 21 Utah Valley at Idaho State, 7 p.m. MT
 
Games vs. 2021 NIT Teams
Nov. 9 Lamar at New Mexico, 6 p.m. MT
Nov. 11 Utah Valley vs. Fresno State, 7 p.m. MT
Nov. 12 Stephen F. Austin vs. Houston, 6:30 p.m. CT
Nov. 16 Lamar at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT
Nov. 26 Stephen F. Austin vs. New Mexico, 6:30 p.m. CT (Katy, Texas)
Nov. 27 Chicago State vs. Delaware, TBA (Miami)
Dec. 3 Dixie State at Colorado, 7 p.m. MT
Dec. 3 NM State at New Mexico, 7 p.m. MT
Dec. 5 NM State vs. New Mexico, 2 p.m. MT
Dec. 16 Sam Houston vs. Rice, 6:30 p.m. CT
 
WAC TOURNAMENT MAKES 11TH TRIP TO VEGAS
The conference will head back to #WACVegas for the 2022 tournament in Las Vegas. The tournament will begin March 8 with a pair of games to be held at Michelob Ultra Arena before the remainder of the tournament heads to Orleans Arena on March 9-12. The tournament will include the top 10 eligible teams.
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This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Nov. 16

This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Nov. 16
Posted: Nov 16, 2021
 
 
 
 

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UP NEXT
It's schedule enters it's first full week as there is WAC women's basketball every day. Among the intriguing matchups on Tuesday are Lamar visiting Ole Miss, Grand Canyon hosting Eastern Washington and Utah Valley heading to future WAC foe Southern Utah. Wednesday features NM State making the short trip to rival UTEP and California Baptist visiting nationally-ranked Oregon State while Thursday sees an undefeated Stephen F. Austin team heading to College Station to battle nationally-ranked Texas A&M.  Friday sees Utah Valley at Nevada and Lamar at Texas Tech while Saturday features Chicago State heading to Loyola-Chicago, Grand Canyon visting former WAC foe Kansas City and California Baptist making its home debut against UC Irvine. Sunday has just one game on the schedule as UT Rio Grande Valley hosts McNeese State.
 
TICKETSMARTER WAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED
Utah Valley's Maria Carvalho has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week and Lamar's Akasha Davis was named TicketSmarter WAC Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week for November 8-14.
 
Carvalho, a junior guard from Lisbon, Portugal, matched her career-high with 23 points in a season opening win against Park (Ariz.) and then followed that up with 20 points and 10 rebounds, also adding six steals, in a 71-62 loss to Fresno State on Thursday. On the week, she averaged 21.5 points per game while shooting .500 from the field, adding 4.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game.
 
Davis, a freshman forward from Dallas, opened her career with 12 points at New Mexico and then had a breakout game in the home-opener against Howard Payne, scoring 27 points to go with 13 rebounds, three blocks and two assists. On the week, she was 14-for-16 from the field for an .875 clip and added 8.0 rebounds per game to go with 2.0 steals and 1.0 assists per game.
 
Other nominees included: Abilene Christian's Tatum Barber averaged 12.0 points per game in a pair of season-opening wins as the 'Cats earns wins over Southwest (N.M.) and UTSA … California Baptist's Caitlyn Harper scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds in a 62-59 win at rival UC Riverside … Chicago State's Aaliyah Collins had six rebounds in a loss at Wichita State and followed that up with 12 points in a loss to UAB … Grand Canyon's Jay McChristine scored 12 points in just 16 minutes, adding eight rebounds, four steals and three assists in a 95-48 win over Arizona Christian … Lamar's Sabrina Dean put up 31 points, including eight three-pointers, in a 107-37 win over Howard Payne on Friday … NM State's Bigue Sarr led NMSU to a 2-0 week, averaging 14.5 ppg and 7.0 rpg in wins over Western New Mexico and UIW … Seattle U's Bree Calhoun set the SU Division-1 record with 15 assists in a 89-32 win over Northwest (Wash.) … Tarleton's Malaya Kendrick averaged 11.5 rebounds per game in a road loss at Arkansas and home win against Champion Christian … UT Rio Grande Valley's Taylor Muff scored double-figures in both games, averaging 13.5 ppg, in road losses at South Florida and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
Other freshman nominees included: Abilene Christian's Bella Earle scored the first points of her career as part of a 13-point effort in a 99-43 win over Southwest (N.M.) … Chicago State's Aaliyah Collins averaged 10.0 points per game in the Cougars' first two games of the season … Grand Canyon's Ja'Mya Powell-Smith was 6-for-8 from the field, totaling 14 points in a 95-48 win over Arizona Christian … Seattle U's Taliyah Clark was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field, averaging 8.0 points per game in a win against Northwest (Wash.) and loss to UC San Diego … Utah Valley's Ally Blackham hit a trio of three-pointers to finish with nine points in a 71-62 loss to Fresno State.
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
After just one week of play, Grand Canyon leads the WAC offensively at 95.0 points per game. NM State is tops defensively, allowing just 44.0 points per game. GCU is also leading in scoring margin (+47.0), field goal percentage (.482), steals (27.0) and turnover margin (+23.0) while NMSU leads the WAC in rebounding defense (30.5) and assist/turnover ratio (1.7). Utah Valley holds the top free throw percentage (.857) while Abilene Christian is the leader in both field goal defense (.270) and three-point FG percentage (.379). UVU and ACU are also tied with Seattle U for the lead in assits (19.5) and the Redhawks are also tops in rebounding offense (53.5), rebounding margin (+13.5) and offensive rebounds (21.0). California Baptist is best in three-point defense (.118) and defensive rebounds (44.0) while Stephen F. Austin is the top shot-blocking team at 6.7 per game. Dixie State is averaging the most three-pointers, averaging 11.7 per game.
 
Individually, LU's Sabria Dean is the leading scorer (22.5) and CBU's Georgia Dale is the leading rebounder (15.0). SU's Taliyah Clark holds the top field goal percentage (1.000) and is tied with GCU's Kiyley Flowers for the top three-point FG percentage (1.000). Nine players are tied for the lead in free throw percentage at 1.000. SU's Bree Calhoun is the leader in steals (9.5) and GCU's Flowers is tied with teammate Jay McChristine for the lead in steals (4.0). LU's Dean is also the leader in three-pointers per game at 5.0. Four players are tied for the lead in blocked shots at 2.0 per game while NMSU's Taylor Donaldson holds the lead in assist/turnover ratio (6.0). UVU's Josie Williams is the leader in offensive rebounds (8.0) and CBU's Dale is the leader in defensive rebounds (13.0)
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This Week in WAC Men's Basketball - Nov. 15

This Week in WAC Men's Basketball - Nov. 15
Posted: Nov 15, 2021
 
 
 
 

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It's another busy non-conference week around the WAC, beginning on Monday night when Lamar visits Georgia Teach and Utah Valley heads ot Pepperdine. Tuesday features five games, highlighted by Tarleton visiting Wichita State and Chicago State taking a 2-0 record to Loyola-Chicago.  Wednesday features Sam Houston hosting Missouri State and Utah Valley visiting Long Beach. The weekend begins Thursday as NM State faces off with Davidson at the Myrtle Beach Invitational in Conway, S.C. The Aggies will then take on either Penn or Utah State on Friday while Stephen F. Austin hosts Middle Tennessee in both team's U.S. game as part of the Cancun Challenge. On Saturday, UTRGV heads to the beach as the Vaqueros will host Northern Arizona in South Padre Island, Texas while Sunday features the final game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational, as well as Lamar taking on Southern Miss and California Baptist hosting Northern Colorado.
 
TICKETSMARTER WAC MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED
Chicago State's Brandon Betson has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week and California Baptist's Taran Armstrong was named TicketSmarter WAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for November 8-14.
 
Betson, a junior guard from Hercules, Calif., was the leading scorer for the Cougars in each of their two wins on the week. He opened the season with 22 points and four assists in Tuesday's 77-72 win over St. Thomas. On Friday, he added to his season totals with 16 points and three assists in a 67-56 win over visiting SIUE. On the week, he averaged 19.0 points per game on 14-of-27 shooting for a .519 clip.
 
Armstrong, a freshman guard from Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, posted a pair of 12 points games to help the Lancers open the season 2-0. In the opener against San Francisco State, he was 4-of-8 from the field and 2-2 on free throws to go with seven rebounds, eight assists and a block. He followed that up with 5-of-6 shooting against Mississippi Valley State, adding nine assists to his season totals as well.
 
Other nominees included: Abilene Christian's Reggie Miller averaged 11.5 points per game as the 'Cats lost a pair of heartbreakers on the road at Utah and Texas A&M … California Baptist's Dan Akin started off his Lancer career with a pair of double-digit scoring games, putting up 15 points against San Francisco State and 14 points, adding 11 rebounds, against Mississippi Valley State … Dixie State's Cameron Gooden put up 12.5 points per game as DSU fell at top-ranked Gonzaga before earning a home win against Southern Utah … Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher Jr. helped the Lopes start the season 2-0, averaging 14.0 points per game in home wins over Grambling and North Florida … NM State's Donnie Tillman put up 11.0 points per game as the Aggies returned to the Pan Am Center with wins over UC Irvine and UTEP … Sam Houston's Savion Flagg put up 31 points and 11 rebounds in a 74-65 road loss at Nebraska … Seattle U's Riley Grigsby averaged 17.7 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game over three games as the Redhawks earned a pair of home wins to open the 2021-22 season … Tarleton's Montre' Gipson averaged 17.0 points per game in road losses at Stanford and third-ranked Kansas … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson had a career-high seven rebounds to go with 13 points in a 74-59 win over Texas A&M-International … Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq averaged 20.0 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game in a loss at Boise State and a home win against Antelope Valley.
 
Other freshman nominees included: Chicago State's Bryce Johnson scored 17 points in the second half to help the Cougars earned a 67-56 win over SIUE … Grand Canyon's Jalen Blackmon opened up his collegiate career with a pair of steals and an assist in Tuesday's 74-53 win over Grambling … Lamar's Avontez Ledet scored 15 points in just 11 minutes in a road loss at Miami (Ohio) … UT Rio Grande Valley's Rayquan Taylor had nine points and eight rebounds in Tuesday's 74-59 win over Texas A&M-International
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
After just one week of play, California Baptist is the leader in scoring offense (91.0) while Grand Canyon is tops in scoring defense (52.0). CBU is also tops in scoring margin (+25.5), field goal percentage (.496), rebounding margin (+19.5), assists (22.5), assist/turnover ratio (1.2), defensive rebounds (37.5) and three-pointers made (11.0). GCU is also the leader in field goal defense (.357) and rebounding defense (25.0). Seattle U holds the top spot in free throw percentage (.830) while Lamar is the top three-point shooting team (.432). Utah Valley is best at defending the three (.167) and Sam Houston holds the lead in total rebounds (52.0) and offensive rebounds (21.5). Stephen F. Austin is the leader in blocked shots (4.7) and Abilene Christian is the leader in steals (11.0) and turnover margin (+6.00).
 
Individually, SHSU's Savion Flagg is the leading scorer at 25.5 ppg while teammate Tristan Ikpe is the top rebounder at 11.0 rpg. GCU's Sean Miller-Moore holds the top field goal percentage (.889), CSU's Brandon Betson has the top free throw percentage (1.000) and three are tied for the lead in three-point field goal percentage (1.000). CBU's Taran Armstrong has the lead in assists (8.5) and ACU's Airon Simmons has the lead in steals (3.5). SHSU's Flagg is also the leader in three-pointers made (4.0) while NMSU's Johnny McCants and UVU's Tim Fuller are tied for the early lead in blocked shots (2.5). SHSU's Javison May has the best assist/turnover ratio (6.0), SFA's Gavin Kensmil is the leader in offensive rebounds (5.3) and NMSU's McCants has the lead in defensive rebounds (8.0).
 
NEW TOP BIRD
Following the resignation of Jim Hayford, Seattle U has named Chris Victor as the interim head coach for the 2021-22 season.
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This Week in WAC Men's Basketball - Nov. 30

This Week in WAC Men's Basketball - Nov. 30
Posted: Nov 30, 2021
 
 
 
 

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The weekly schedule has already begun with Grand Canyon picking up a win at Loyola Marymount and Tarleton playing third-ranked Gonzaga tough. Tuesday features a battle of enchantment as New Mexico visits NM State. Wednesday also features a rivalry as Utah Valley hosts 13th-ranked Brigham Young. Thursday will feature California Baptist trying to stay perfect at home when they host Cal Poly while Friday sees UTRGV travel to Texas while NM State hops into Texas to take on rival UTEP. Future WAC member UIW visits Abilene Christian on Saturday while on Sunday, Tarleton plays host to Charleston Southern.
 
TICKETSMARTER WAC MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED
Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week and Seattle U's Viktor Rajkovic was named TicketSmarter WAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for November 22-28.
 
Aimaq, a redshirt sophomore center from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, wins the award for the second straight week after being named SoCal Challenge MVP following wins over Idaho and Nicholls State and then adding a home win against Denver on Saturday. On the week, he averaged 14.5 points per game and 15.3 rebounds per game with three double doubles, giving him a NCAA-best six on the young season. 
 
Rajkovic, a freshman forward from Mill Valley, Calif., had a breakout week for the Redhawks and helping lead SU to three wins. His biggest game came in the week's finale, scoring 12 points to go with five rebounds in an 81-64 win over visiting St. Thomas (Minn.). On the week, he average 8.7 points to go with 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
 
Other nominees included: California Baptist's Daniel Akin was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and averaged a team-best 11.0 points per game in a road loss at Texas and a home win over San Diego Christian … Dixie State's Cameron Gooden led the Trailblazers with 17 points and four assists in a loss to 24th-ranked USC on Monday … Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher Jr. averaged 16.3 points per game and 5.7 assists per game in three games on the week … Lamar's Davion Buster led the Cardinals with 22 points in a loss at UTSA and 20 points in a loss at Texas Tech … NM State's Teddy Allen posted the second 20-plus effort of his brief Aggie career, scoring 21 points in a win over New Mexico Highlands … Seattle U's Darrion Trammell helped the Redhawks to a 3-0 week, averaging 14.0 points per game and 5.7 assists per game in wins over UAPB, Pacific Lutheran and St. Thomas (Minn.) … Stephen F. Austin's Sadaidriene Hall helped the 'Jacks go 2-1 on the week, averaging 13.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game … Tarleton's Montre' Gipson averaged 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in road losses at North Dakota State and Michigan … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson scored 18 points with nine rebounds in a win over Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday.
 
Other freshman nominees included: California Baptist's Taran Armstrong finished the week averaging 7.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as the Lancers lost a road game at Texas before rebounding with a home win over San Diego Christian … Chicago State's Bryce Johnson scored 24 second-half points in the cougars road loss at Pacific on Monday … NM State's Marchelus Avery came off the bench to score six points and bring down nine rebounds in a 94-67 win over New Mexico Highlands … UT Rio Grande Valley's Donte Houston Jr. scored a career-high 17 points with eight rebounds in the Vaqueros' 72-67 win over Cal State Fullerton.
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Abilene Christian leads the WAC in scoring offense (78.6), steals (14.4) and turnover margin (+11.20).Grand Canyon is the leader in scoring defense (58.7), rebounding offense (42.4), rebounding defense (27.4) and rebounding margin (+15.0). Seattle U holds the top spot in scoring margin (+15.9), free throw percentage (.788), field goal defense (.382), 3FG percentage (.397), assist/turnover ratio (1.3) and 3FG made (11.0). California Baptist leads the WAC in field goal percentage (.499), assists (19.7) and defensive rebounds (29.9). Utah Valley has the top spot in 3FG defense (.276) while Stephen F. Austin is the leader in blocked shots (5.0) and Sam Houston has the lead in offensive rebounds (16.6).
 
Individually, UVU's Fardaws Aimaq is the leader in scoring (20.3), rebounding (13.7) and defensive rebounds (10.0). CBU's Daniel Akin holds the top field goal percentage (.683), SU's Darrion Trammell has the best free throw percentage (.862) and ACU's Immanuel Allen is the leader in 3FG shooting percentage (.750). CBU's Taran Armstrong holds the lead in assists (7.6) while ACU's Damien Daniels is the leader in steals (2.4). SU's Cameron Tyson leads the league in 3FG made (3.3) and NMSU big man Johnny McCants is the leader in blocked shots (1.3). GCU's Jovan Blacksher Jr. has the top assist/turnover ratio. SFA's Gavin Kensmil boasts the most offensive rebounds (4.0) while UTRGV's Ricky Nelsonis the leader in minutes played (37.7).
 
THE TASMANIAN DEVIL
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.
 
LUTE WOULD BE PROUD
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.
 
BRIEF PAUSE
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.
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This Week in Women's Basketball - Nov. 30

This Week in Women's Basketball - Nov. 30
Posted: Nov 30, 2021
 
 
 
 

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The week tips off on Tuesday with Sam Houston losting Longwood. On Wednesday, Dixie State heads from one end of the state to the other, traveling to Utah State in Logan. Also going on in Utah will be UNLV visiting Utah Valley. Chicago State returns home to host Indiana State while UTRGV will be at Kansas and Grand Canyon hosts Park (Ariz.). On Thrusday, CBU hosts Pepperdine and Seattle U travels to Boise State. Friday will see Dixie State traveling to Pac-12 Colorado while NM State heads north to take on rival UNM with the Lobos making the return trip to Las Cruces on Sunday. Saturday has six games, highlighted by Grand Canyon going on the road to take on Cal State Fullerton.
 
TICKETSMARTER WAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED
Utah Valley's Josie Williams has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week and Chicago State's Aaliyah Collins was named TicketSmarter WAC Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week for November 8-14.
 
Williams, a junior center from West Haven, Utah, had a pair of monster games to help the Wolverines go 2-0 on the week. On Tuesday against Colorado Mesa, she finished with 17 points and added 13 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a 62-50 win. She found a way to step her game up even more on Saturday, scoring 17 points and bringing down a career-high 19 rebounds while also adding four blocks and three assists in a 62-43 win over Portland State. She currently leads the nation with 14.0 rebounds per game.
 
Collins, a freshman guard from Snohomish, Wash., is honored for the second time after leading the Cougars to a 71-63 win at Wisconsin to break a two-year losing streak. Against the Badgers, she scored 25 points and added six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in the upset win. She finished the week averaging 21.3 points per game to go with 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game adding in games against Florida International and Delaware.
 
Other nominees included: Abilene Christian's Jamie Bonnarens had back-to-back 16-point games at Kansas City and against Little Rock and then added 13 points in a win against Arkansas State … California Baptist's Ane Olaeta put up a team high 25 points with 10 assists in the Lancers' 91-77 win over TCU on Saturday … Chicago State's Aaliyah Collins averaged 21.3 points per game to go with 6.3 rebounds per game as the Cougars picked up a big win at Wisconsin before falling at FIU and against Delaware … Dixie State's Emily Isaacson scored 22 points and brought down seven rebounds in a home loss to Kansas City … Grand Canyon's Amara Graham put up 13 points in back-to-back games to help the Lopes earn home wins over Nicholls State and Houston Baptist … NM State's Bigue Sarr was the Aggies' leading scorer at the San Juan Shootout, averaging 11.0 ppg on 60.0% shooting in a loss to LSU and a win against Tennessee Tech … Seattle U's Bree Calhoun was named to the South Point Shootout All-Tournament Team after averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 steals per game in a win over SMU and a close loss to UTEP … Stephen F. Austin's Aiyana Johnson helped the 'Jacks to a 3-0 week, averaging 16.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in wins over New Mexico, Ball State and ULM … Tarleton's Malaya Kendrick scored averaged 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as the Texans earned a road win at College of Charleston before dropping a home matchup with Western Illinois … UT Rio Grande Valley's Sara Bershers led the team with 23 points in a home loss to future WAC foe Southern Utah.
 
Other freshman nominees included: Dixie State's Maddie Warren scored seven points for the 'Blazers in a 76-62 home loss to Kansas City … Grand Canyon's Kiyley Flowers posted 17 points with five steals and three assists in a 103-55 win over Nicholls State on Friday.
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Heading into the first week of December, Stephen F. Austin leads the league in scoring (85.4). The Lumberjacks are the only WAC team to record 200-plus field goals made (244). They have also connected on more than 100 shots from the charity stripe (134). Grand Canyon is second in the league in scoring (77.4 ppg) with California Baptist's 77.2 points per game ranking them third. Defensively, Utah Valley is limiting their opponents to a conference best 55.8 points per game. They are not alone in limiting the opposition to under 60 points each time they step on the floor. New Mexico State is second in the league in scoring defense (58.0 ppg) with Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton restricting their foes to 59.3 and 59.7 points per game respectively. 
 
Individually, CBU's Caitlyn Harper is scoring 21 points per game. She is the only WAC player to average more than 20 points per game. UVU's Josie Williams is corralling 14.0 rebounds each time she suits up. Ane Olaeta is directing CBU's offense and is averaging a WAC best 9.4 assists per game. 
On the other end of the floor, Tarleton State's Seynabou Thiam is rejecting a league high 2.2 shots per game with Aaliyah Collins from Chicago State swiping 3.9 steals a contest.
 
MAKING HISTORY
Playing just their fifth game as a member of the WAC, Stephen F. Austin rewrote the record book with their 137-46 win over Arlington Baptist on Nov. 20. The 91-point win set a new league-best for scoring margin and the 137 points scored is also a new WAC record, as is the 56 field goals made by the Ladyjacks. 
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This Week in WAC Men's Basketball - Dec. 6

Credit: UVU Photo
Credit: UVU Photo
Posted: Dec 06, 2021
 
 
 
 

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NM State opens up the schedule for the WAC this week on Monday when the Aggies head up I-25 to Albuquerque to take on in-state rival New Mexico. On Tuesday, California Baptist will look to stay perfect at home when they host North Dakota. Wednesday features UT Rio Grande Valley traveling to rival Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Utah Valley visiting future WAC foe Southern Utah and Seattle U treking to Vegas to take on UNLV. Grand Canyon heads across the valley on Thursday when the Lopes take on Arizona State before returning home to take on Ottawa (Ariz.) on Saturday. Also on Saturday, Chicago State hosts Illinois State, UTSA and Sam Houston meet at the Toyota Center in Houston, Abilene Christian hosts fellow NCAA participant Drexel, NM State travels to Loyola Marymount, Stephen F. Austin takes on Liberty in the Hall of Fame Classic in Fort Worth, Texas, Dixie State hosts Denver and Utah Valley faces off against Wyoming. Seattle U returns home on Sunday to play UC San Diego while California Baptist makes the short trip to take on UC Riverside.
 
TICKETSMARTER WAC MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED
Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week and California Baptist's Taran Armstrong was named TicketSmarter WAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for November 29 through December 5.
 
Aimaq, a redshirt sophomore center from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, makes it three awards in a row after leading the Wolverines to an overtime win over rival and 12th-ranked BYU. Playing 44 of 45 possible minutes, he finished with 24 points, 22 rebounds, five steals, four assists and three blocks as the Wolverines earned the 72-65 win over the visiting Cougars. On the season, Aimaq leads the WAC with 20.8 points and 14.8 rebounds per game.
 
Armstrong, a freshman from Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, nearly earned his second triple-double of the season, putting up 11 points with nine rebounds and 11 assists in the Lancers' 64-55 win over Cal Poly. On the season, he is averaging 12.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game. 
 
Other nominees included: Abilene Christian's Tobias Cameron shot .750 from the field and averaged 11.7 points per game as the Wildcats earned three home wins to improve to 5-2 on the season … California Baptist's Daniel Akin finished with a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds as the Lancers earned a 64-55 win over visiting Cal Poly on Thursday … Dixie State's Hunter Schofield averaged 17.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as the Trailblazers picked up a pair of wins over Bethesda (Calif.) as well as a victory over St. Katherine (Calif.) … Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher Jr. averaged 18.7 points per game and added 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game as the Lopes earned a trio of wins on the week … Lamar's C.J. Roberts was one of three players to lead the WAC with a  24.0 ppg scoring average on the week as the Cardinals dropped a close one at Mississippi State before rebounding with a home win over Our Lady of the Lake … NM State's Sir'jabari Rice hit the game-winning shot to give the Aggies a 72-69 win at UTEP and averaged 20.0 points per game to go with 5.5 assists per game on the week … Sam Houston's Demarkus Lampley started the week with 11 points against Texas and then added 21 points in a win over Schreiner to finish with a 16.0 ppg score average on the week … Seattle U's Cameron Tyson averaged 21.5 points per game and shot .500 from three-point range as the Redhawks split a pair of games with McNeese and VMI … Stephen F. Austin's Roti Ware averaged 17.0 ppg on .550 shooting as the 'Jacks earned home wins over Lincoln (Calif.) and Wiley … Tarleton's Tahj Small scored 25 points and added seven rebounds to go with a pair of steals and a block as the Texans put a scare in third-ranked Gonzaga before falling 64-55 in Spokane … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson put up 33 points with eight rebounds and four assists in a loss to rival Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
Other freshman nominees included: Chicago State's Jahsean Corbett helped the Cougars pick up a win over Tennessee State, scoring a team-high 17 points to go with eight rebounds in a 59-49 win … Dixie State's Trevon Allfrey averaged 9.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game as the Trailblazers earned a trio of wins at home against Bethesda (Calif.) and St. Katherine (Calif.) … Stephen F. Austin's Sadaidriene Hall averaged 18.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in home wins over Lincoln (Calif.) and Wiley … UT Rio Grande Valley's Rayquan Taylor had a career-high 15 points and nine rebounds in UTRGV's loss to seventh-ranked Texas on Friday night.
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Abilene Christian leads the WAC in scoring offense (85.6), scoring margin (20.9), steals (12.7), turnover margin (+11.57) and assist/turnover ratio (1.5). Grand Canyon is tops in scoring defense (58.4), field goal defense (.386), rebounding offense (42.9), rebounding defense (30.2) and rebounding margin (+12.7). Tarleton leads the WAC in free throw percentage (.761) while Stephen F. Austin is the leader in field goal percentage (.492) and blocked shots (5.1). Seattle U holds the top three-point field goal percentage (.384) and also leads in three-pointers per game (11.2) and Utah Valley is the best at defending the three-pointer (.274) while also leading the league in defense rebounds (29.8). California Baptist is the leader in assists (19.5) and Sam Houston leads the league in offensive rebounds (15.8)
 
Individually, UVU's Fardaws Aimaq is the leader in scoring (20.8), rebounding (14.8), offensive rebounds (4.3) and defensiver rebounds (10.5). CBU's Daniel Akin holds the top field goal percentage (.681), NMSU's Teddy Allen has the best free throw percentage (.909) and ACU's Immanuel Allen is the leader in 3FG shooting percentage (.667). CBU's Taran Armstrong holds the lead in assists (8.0) while SU's Darrion Trammell is the leader in steals (2.4). SU's Cameron Tyson leads the league in 3FG made (4.1) and SFA's Sadaidriene Hall is the leader in blocked shots (1.7). GCU's Jovan Blacksher Jr. has the top assist/turnover ratio (3.4). UTRGV's Ricky Nelsonis the leader in minutes played (38.2).
 
GETTING VOTES
Riding a seven-game winning streak, including an overtime win over rival and then-12th-ranked Brigham Young, Utah Valley is among the teams receiving votes in the Ferris Mowers/USA Today Coaches Poll.
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This Week in Women's Basketball - Dec. 7

This Week in Women's Basketball - Dec. 7
Posted: Dec 07, 2021
 
 
 
 
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There are 14 non-conference games of the docket over the next week. The series of games begins on Tuesday evening when Lamar hosts McNeese State. On Wedneday evening California Baptist looks to remain perfect at home when they host San Diego State. The Thursday slate has a pair of road games as Grand Canyon travels to Northern Arizona while Utah Valley is at Montana. Friday sees Sam Houston traveling to Louisiana Tech with Lamar taking on in-state foe Texas State on the road while Seattle hosts Pac-12 foe, and cross city rival, Washington. Five games on Saturday then a pair of contests on Sunday close out the week.
 
TICKETSMARTER WAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED
Lamar’s Sabria Dean has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week and Chicago State’s Aaliyah Collins was recognized as the TicketSmarter WAC Women’s Basketball Freshman of the Week for November 29-December 5.
 
Dean was a standout in the Cardinals win against Loyola (La.) on Saturday afternoon. In the 57-44 victory, the native of Mineola, Texas registered 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting in addition to grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out three assists. While playing a game high 36 minutes the sophomore also had a block and a pair of steals in Lamar’s lone game during the week.
 
Collins earned the league’s Freshman of the Week honors for third time. The newcomer from Snohomish, WA scored 33 points in a pair of games for the Cougars last week. She started the stretch with a 13-point contest against Indiana State on Wednesday before notching a 20-point game in 38 minutes against St. Thomas (Minn.) three days later. Aside from her scoring exploits she averaged five rebounds and three assists per game.
 
Other nominees included: New Mexico State’s Bigue Sarr was solid in a pair of setbacks against New Mexico by averaging 24.5 points and 11.5 rebounds from her forward position … Seattle’s Bree Calhoun had a solid all around performance in their win vs. Boise State by recording 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists ...  Jenna Dick scored 15 points, all from behind the arc, in just 17 minutes as Tarleton State handed Arlington Baptist an 81-point setback … In UT Rio Grande Valley’s game at Kansas, Maria Llorente tallied 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting with three rebounds and two steals … Breaunna Gillen was solid for Dixie State as she scored 23 points at Utah State on Wednesday evening before tallying 14 points two days later at Colorado … Jay McChristine averaged 11.5 points and five rebounds per game as Grand Canyon went 1-1 against Park (AZ) and Cal State Fullerton … In Stephen F. Austin’s lone game, Zya Nugent scored 13 points in 20 minutes whole corralling seven rebounds and swiping five steals … Madelyn Batista had 14 points and five rebounds with a pair of blocks as well as the game winning shot at the buzzer as Sam Houston knocked off Longwood
 
Other freshman nominees included: Crystal Smith came off the bench to score six points in 19 minutes during Tarleton State’s historic 103-22 win over Arlington Baptist … In Grand Canyon’s 98-48 win over Park, Kassidy Dixon had eight points and three steals in 11 minutes … Maddie Warren earned a pair of starts at Utah State and Colorado and averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 assists for Dixie State …Zoe Nelson helped Stephen F. Austin to a 59-point win against Out Lady of the Lake with six points and 11 rebounds in just 10 minutes
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
With non-conference play wrapping up this month, Stephen F. Austin continues to lead the WAC in scoring offense (85.9 ppg). They are sixth in the nation in scoring. Abilene Christian is just under the 80-point barrier as they are tallying 79.4 points per game. California Baptist has been distributing their offense quite well, with a 21.5 assists per game average. Defensively, Grand Canyon and Stephen F. Austin are first and fourth respectively in the nation in steals per game. The Lopes are registering 17.7 steals a game while the Lumberjacks are notching 14.6 swipes each time they step onto the court. Tarleton tops the league in scoring defense, as they are giving up just 54.3 points per game. 
 
Individually, CBU’s Caitlyn Harper is scoring 20.2 points per game. She is the only WAC player to average more than 20 points per game. LU’s Akasha Davis is connecting on a league best 63.8 percent of her shot attempts. UVU’s Josie Williams is corralling 12.7 rebounds each time she suits up. Ane Olaeta is directing CBU’s offense and is averaging a WAC best 9.2 assists per game. On the other end of the floor, Tarleton State’s Seynabou Thiam is rejecting a league high 2.1 shots per game with Aaliyah Collins from Chicago State and SFA’s Stephanie Visscher tied for the conference lead in steals (3.0 spg).
 
ALL AROUND EFFORT
Both Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton put a hurt on their respective opponents on Saturday. The Lumberjacks beat Our Lady of the Lake by a 90-31 count while the Texans posted an historic 103-22 victory against Arlington  Baptist. Tarleton set a school record for margin of win (81) while allowing the fewest points in their NCAA era.
 
CLOSING IN ON A MILESTONE
A pair of WAC players are on the verge of hitting 1,000 career points. CBU’s Georgia Dale has scored 997 points during her time as a Lancer while Faith Cook of SHSU is just 26 points away from the millennium mark. Cook scored 237 points at UTEP before tallying her next 737 points as a member of the Ladyjacks.
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