There was some big news that came out of the WAC offices on WAC Wednesday. The WAC will have a pair of games on an ESPN linear platform 2022-23.
The Western Athletic Conference announced that two men’s basketball games would be on ESPNU. It is the first time in a decade the WAC will have more than one game on the ESPN linear platforms. As WAC Hoops fans know, most games can be seen on ESPN+.
But, on Feb. 17 in Phoenix, the GCU Havocs will once again be on the ESPN linear platforms. The GCU men’s basketball team hosts Abilene Christian with tip set for 9 p.m. MT. It is the second straight year that GCU will play on the ESPN linear platforms. In 2021-22, GCU played host to Tarleton in a game seen on ESPNU. The Lopes beat the Texans, 80-59, in front of nearly 7500 fans at GCU Arena.
The last time Abilene Christian played at GCU Arena, it was not a pretty site. It may have been the worst defensive performance of the season for the Wildcats. GCU shot 63 percent from the field and hit 12 3-pointers in the 95-68 win.
Both GCU and ACU are among the teams in the discussion to win the WAC in 2022-23.
The Biggest Party in College Basketball™ will be back on ESPNU this season. ? #LopesUp https://t.co/0InLdHAyXP
— GCU Men’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) October 12, 2022
The second game on the ESPN linear platforms is actually on a Sunday. Stephen F. Austin will host California Baptist on Feb. 26 at Johnson Coliseum. Tip is setfor 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU. SFA is known for some epic wins on national television. The Lumberjacks upset No. 1 Duke on Fox Sports Southwest on Nov. 27, 2019.
For California Baptist, it is a good opportunity to show the world they are a legit Division I program. CBU is now eligible for the the NCAA Tournament after going through the four-year transition period to Division I. The Lancers feature WAC Freshman of the Year Taran Armstrong who is drawing a lot of interest from NBA scouts.
Bearkats Will Play on ESPN Linear Network
When the Sam Houston men’s basketball team travels to Stillwater, Oklahoma, they will get to play on ESPNU. The Bearkats are set to take on Big 12 foe Oklahoma State on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. CT at Gallagher-Iba Arena. It is a good test for a Bearkat squad that has a lot of experience at the guard line. Jason Hooten and his staff also added a big man in Kansas State transfer Kaosi Ezeagu.
@BearkatsMBB game against Oklahoma State on December 6th at 8PM will be nationally televised on ESPNU
— Sports of SHSU (@SportsofSHSU) October 13, 2022
SFA Fans React to Staff Choices to win the WAC on the Women’s Side
Putting out preseason polls is always fun. And the WAC Hoops Digest staff including yours truly, Derryl Trujillo and Chelsea Mendelson shared their preseason polls this week. You can imagine the reaction from some as they feel their team is the top team in the conference. Here are some reactions.
You'll figure it out one day that the Ladyjacks don't rebuild, they reload. This year is no exception.
— David Rangel (@drangel) October 12, 2022
Oh, Derryl…here we go again. Ladyjacks have depth for days! And we LOVE proving people/polls wrong. Kellogg & company focus on TEAM, not just one player. Yes, Zya is a loss but we can work around that. #AxeEm
— #VoteBlue (@Pilotgirl30) October 13, 2022
Think/hope/believe Tarleton finishes higher than you do.
— Alan Easterling (@AlanEasterling) October 13, 2022
UTU will be the shock of the year, you have them finishing 7th, guaranteed they will be in the top 5
— Martin Kelly (@MartinK7924) October 12, 2022
You have Tarleton higher than the others so you are closer to being correct.
— Alan Easterling (@AlanEasterling) October 13, 2022
Oooof. This is gonna piss of some people that ya don’t want pissed off. pic.twitter.com/cyMBCFM9Hh
— Blue Monkey (@Slumberjack06) October 12, 2022
Sleeping on SUU. I like it!!
— Jeff (@idahojefe) October 12, 2022
https://t.co/Azu0wG4NcN pic.twitter.com/DUFXzqfHKq
— The W Club (@thedubclub21) October 13, 2022
.@SUUWBasketball about to turn some heads ? https://t.co/LmUVswwEeP
— Kurt Meacham (@pgsportsgeek) October 12, 2022
SFA is used to being underestimated. Another opportunity to show 'em, right Ladyjack Nation?! #playlikealadyjack #badaxewomen https://t.co/qU5zkxgbGA pic.twitter.com/ZV7xgGcuUj
— The W Club (@thedubclub21) October 13, 2022
What will be even more interesting is when the men’s preseason polls are put out. We have already seen some come out and the response to those.
The Starr Jacobs Campaign Begins
UT Arlington forward Starr Jacobs is the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. And also the Sun Belt Conference Tournament MVP. So, there is a lot of hype about this senior forward. And UT Arlington knows it and is ready to promote Jacobs even more.
Last year was ???? special for Starr. ?
It's almost time for the sequel. ?#BuckEm ? | #TwoFeetIn pic.twitter.com/BrnZYlLdMA
— UTA Lady Mavs (@UTAMavsWBB) October 13, 2022
The 6-2 forward averaged 21.0 points per game and is the first Lady Mav in program history to achieve that mark. In the Sun Belt Tournament, Jacobs averaged 28.0 points, and 10.0 rebounds. And as you can imagine, the Lady Mavs won the Sun Belt Tournament to earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Against 3-seed Iowa State in Ames, Jacobs had 19 points and six rebounds in the 78-71 season-ending loss.
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