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Are there any returning players who standout as the front runner for the 2019 WAC Player of the Year? Or, is there someone new who will surprise?

Lever would be the best bet.

(06-10-2018 08:03 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: [ -> ]Are there any returning players who standout as the front runner for the 2019 WAC Player of the Year? Or, is there someone new who will surprise?

I don't have anyone specific in mind, but if forced to pick between a returning player or new addition to the WAC (2017-18 redshirt/community college/grad transfer), I probably go with a newcomer.

Returning players? I would say Lever. However, some of the newcomers will give him a run for his money.

I agree. Lever for the returning players.

Matej Kavas. Legit POY canidate. Only has become better since FOY campaign. He's always forgotten by the rest of the WAC

The obvious answer would be Lever, who over the last 16 games of the season averaged 18.6 points per game and 5.6 rebounds as a true freshman. But when I watched GCU lose to NMSU 74-70 at Las Cruces, the guy that looked like the best player for GCU was Oscar Frayer. He scored 23 points, had 10 rebounds, shot 7 of 12 from the floor and 4 for 5 on threes. Frayer was first team All-WAC on defense in 2018. Frayer needs to develop consistency on offense, but he might be the best player on the team and in the league.

Oscar needs that constant mid range to get to the next level of college player.

(06-11-2018 11:02 AM)SeattleVandals Wrote: [ -> ]Matej Kavas. Legit POY canidate. Only has become better since FOY campaign. He's always forgotten by the rest of the WAC

I admit I do forget about him. I agree that he is at the top of the list as well.

(06-11-2018 03:49 PM)PojoaquePosse Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-11-2018 11:02 AM)SeattleVandals Wrote: [ -> ]Matej Kavas. Legit POY canidate. Only has become better since FOY campaign. He's always forgotten by the rest of the WAC

I admit I do forget about him. I agree that he is at the top of the list as well.

I want to suggest that the best player in the WAC is Wait And See.

Not disparaging those who have been suggested, any of them could be the one. It is just that there are so many factors that play into this that it is premature to say who it might be. There may be transfers yet. A lot depends on teammates and chemistry as well as coaches' decisions about what style to play. But it is fun to speculate.

(06-11-2018 01:03 PM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote: [ -> ]The obvious answer would be Lever, who over the last 16 games of the season averaged 18.6 points per game and 5.6 rebounds as a true freshman. But when I watched GCU lose to NMSU 74-70 at Las Cruces, the guy that looked like the best player for GCU was Oscar Frayer. He scored 23 points, had 10 rebounds, shot 7 of 12 from the floor and 4 for 5 on threes. Frayer was first team All-WAC on defense in 2018. Frayer needs to develop consistency on offense, but he might be the best player on the team and in the league.

My hope is that Oscar Frayer will become the best player in the WAC. He has the physical skills. However, he needs to improve his outside shooting and he needs to be consistent each and every game. Some days he looks fantastic (like the NMSU game) but at other times he just seems to be going through the motions. As a junior now it is time to be more consistent.

Alessandro Lever, Mataj Kavas, Conner Toolson, Jake Toolson, and Oscar Frayer are probably the front runners of the returning players. At one time (last year's pre-season) I thought Durham could have been a POTY candidate. However, he just doesn't play with a high basketball IQ. His shot selected is horrible.

Other newcomers who could possibly be POTY candidates are GCU's JJ Rhymes, NMSU's Mohamed Thiam and Seattle's Delante Jones.

I think AJ Harris is a legit candidate as well.

I think AJ Harris is among the best in the conference. However, given Jans' expectation for his point guard (facilitator), I don't think Harris will put up the offensive numbers to be put in the running. I expect this season's Aggie team to be much more balanced offensively with Thiam (or Chuha) being our top scorer. And, "if" NMSU can possibly land Crandall, that will also effect NMSU's shot distribution.

GCU is also in a similar situation. I think with the additions of JJ Rhymes, Micheal Finke, and Trey Drechsel, it will be hard for Levers' and Frayer's numbers to improve much. It will be interesting to see how Majerle manages a team with more potential scorers and who rises to the top.

Also, with the loss of Menzies, it will be interesting to see how it effects Kavas game; as the defensive focus will be more to stop him. Additionally, Delante Jones could emerge as Seattle's top player since he is likely to have the ball in his hands more.

And, we will see how Pope utilizes the two Toolsons now that Manyang, Nielson, and Ogbe are gone.

I also expect UMKC's Xavier Bishop and CSUB's Jarkel Joiner and Rickey Holden to have more impactful seasons but it remains to be seen if either school will be a major player in this season's WAC Championship. The same goes for CBU's Jordan Heading who appears to be the best player on a not so good team.

(06-11-2018 11:21 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: [ -> ]Alessandro Lever, Mataj Kavas, Conner Toolson, Jake Toolson, and Oscar Frayer are probably the front runners of the returning players. At one time (last year's pre-season) I thought Durham could have been a POTY candidate. However, he just doesn't play with a high basketball IQ. His shot selected is horrible.

Other newcomers who could possibly be POTY candidates are GCU's JJ Rhymes, NMSU's Mohamed Thiam and Seattle's Delante Jones.

Speaking of newcomers, I am curious to see how this guy works out for UVU:

http://gouvu.com/news/2018/5/10/mens-bas...ssion.aspx

Personally, I'd say there's an argument for AJ Harris, Oscar Frayer, Matej Kavas and Lever. But lots of newcomers. Seattle alone will be replacing 4 starters and only will have 3 players returning from last year see notable minutes (Kavas, Means, Nettles)