(04-23-2019 10:41 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(04-23-2019 10:04 AM)gleadley Wrote:  

(04-23-2019 08:42 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(04-23-2019 05:00 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(04-22-2019 04:45 PM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  That was true last season but with Pope leaving and all the big named transfers heading out, I'm concerned about the WAC next season. I hope we don't take a step back.

Well, with coaching changes at Utah Valley and UM Kansas City, the Wolverines definitely took a major step backwards; and, although the Roos lost almost everyone from their roster, the reality was Richardson maxed out what he could do with his coaching and recruiting. I'm not sure what Madsen can do as a coach and recruiter at UVU but I think Donlon will do more with the UMKC program than Richardson ever did there. Still, UMKC is a couple seasons away from "possibly" having a good team.

As for Cal State Bakersfield, they added a good guard (a Richmond transfer) just as the lose Jarkel Joiner to Ole Miss. With the players coming and going, Barnes' team should be just about the same in strength as last season; but there is no accounting for team chemistry good or bad.

Outside of NMSU, the other three teams who should be improved or at least as good as last season are Grand Canyon, Seattle U, and Cal Baptist. Majerle still needs to find a big man or two to help Lever (a job for Menzies) but their guard play should be much improved with the addition of a couple D1 transfers. Seattle and CBU lost virtually no one so any new additions to the roster will only make them stronger.

Chicago State can't get any worse so I expect them to close the gap on the 8th place team. They might even win a conference game or two this coming season.

And, UT Rio Grande Valley is an enigma. Last season, they performed better than expected. And, Hill's winning percentage has seemed to be improving season by season. So, conventional wisdom would say UTRGV should be even better next season. However, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to UTRGV's improvement. Hill seems to always be patch working a roster together at the last minute; with grad transfers, D1 transfers, and JUCOs as late additions. The only thing for certain, Jovan Levi is probably the most hated player in the WAC; antagonistic in his style of play.

I don't see the WAC being any stronger next season than the one that just completed. the hasn't been a big bonanza in top level players entering in this recruiting class. At the moment, as a whole, the WAC has lost more talent than it has gained.

I'm still waiting to see what NMSU and GCU add to their respective rosters.

As of today my prediction...

1. New Mexico State
2. Grand Canyon
3. Seattle U
4. Cal Baptist
5. UT Rio Grande Valley
6. Cal State Bakersfield
7. Utah Valley
8. UM Kansas City
9. Chicago State

Kavas is "virtually no one"? He was one of the best players in the WAC and had he not been injured, may have made a run a POY. Kavas is a HUGE loss to Seattle and definitely changes the dynamic of their team.

Perhaps the reference is strictly by the numbers, not considering the quality of the actual individual(s) lost. I'm guessing CBU fans would join your chorus of outrage in noting that Jordan Heading is also not a "virtual no one". He seemed to be much more the leader of that Lancers team than Acquaah.

Yes, and three years ago NMSU lost Pascal Siakam and our head coach... returning everyone else and still won the WAC. Other players on the roster step up and fill the voids. In NMSU's case, it was Eli Chuha who stepped up to help fill Siakam's void. The rest of the scoring and rebounding void was filled by Braxton Higgins and Jemerrio Jones.

So yes, Kavas is a lose to the Seattle roaster. But let us be honest, he was a nonfactor toward end of last season. Other Redhawks will step up and fill his void. The Seattle team might look "different" offensively but not necessarily worse without Kavas. The same goes for Heading, Acquaah might not be the leader Heading was but make no mistake, CBU is a veteran team. Someone else might step into leadership role. In that respect, I am more concern with the loss of Mosley and Smith.

I agree Kavas was a nonfactor towards the end of the season. I think almost any player can be replaced. It is more of an issue if a team loses a number of top players. As for CBU, Heading was a good player who had been with the program for five years. He is 23 years old. He should have been a leader. The team looked up to him. Acquaah was in his first season with CBU. It was easier and more natural for Heading to be the leader of the team.

The loss of Jeremy Smith and Mosley will not effect the team. The addition of transfer Ferron Flavors Jr. and the return of Bul Kuol will more than make up for the loss of Smith and Mosley. The biggest concern is Acquaah. He is an early entrant in the NBA draft. He should return for another season, but you never know.