MBB: Power Rankings, Glue Guys, and Acting Head Coach Finds Success
GCU, Tarleton continue to sit atop the power rankings, some glue guys around the WAC, and an acting head coach having great success.
Ah, the power rankings. Everyone enjoys them. Some scrutinize them. Others get upset because their team isn’t where they believe they are. It is the usual reminder that people actually follow the work we do.
If you were to check the WAC Message Board, you might not believe that we actually have followers because some believe we are just a Utah Valley fan blog.
I mean, I am a Utah Valley graduate, Class of 2017. And I live 40 minutes west of Orem. So, of course I will attend more Utah Valley games. If I lived in Nacogdoches or Phoenix or Riverside, it would be the same thing for SFA, GCU and CBU.
When I broke the news that Phillip Russell and DaJuan Gordon were not going to play against SFA on Saturday, I got questioned by a writer/sports bettor from Bleacher Report about who my sources were.
Come on man, I don’t put out information unless it’s from reliable sources, especially injury news.
Oh, it is a good time.
Anyway, back to the power rankings. Not much has changed at the top since we last put out the power rankings.
GCU continues to hold the fort at the top. Tarleton holds that second spot. And both teams play each other on Saturday in Phoenix.
SFA has now won five straight to vault back into the top-3. Utah Valley, with its pair of wins this past week, has moved up. UT Arlington fell a few spots after its losses to Tarleton and SFA. And it goes on and on.
Let us know what you think.
Who Are Some Glue Guys Around the WAC?
So much focus is given to the star players in sports these days that the glue guys are often forgotten about.
But when you look at teams, something has to be said about leadership, heart, and willing your team to a win.
That is where the glue guys come into play.
So, who are some of the glue guys around the WAC?
That is a great question. One name won’t come as a surprise to anyone. Others might be a little more interesting.
Either way, let us know what you think.
Gabe McGlothan - Grand Canyon
The reigning WAC Player of the Week was the big reason the Lopes were able to win in St. George on Saturday night. 23 points on 9-12 shooting and a monster hammer dunk.
McGlothan has been at GCU for like 20 years now. Okay, I joke about that. But, that is what it feels like. McGlothan was a Dan Majerle recruit but chose to stick around when the coaching change took place prior to the 2020-21 season.
And it has paid off. Two trips to the NCAA Tournament, a regular season title, and multiple Player of the Week honors for the 6’7 redshirt senior.
“He outworks people.” “He has so much energy.” “The man wants to win.”
Just some of the comments I have heard from around the league about Gabe McGlothan.
Glue guy, indeed.
Trevin Dorius - Utah Valley
So, Trevin Dorius will only be in a Utah Valley uniform for one season. The Heber City native chose to join the Wolverines after playing all of his collegiate career at Utah State.
And while the stats don’t jump out at you and Dorius isn’t the same rim protector as Aziz Bandaogo, Dorius does other things that draw your attention to him in the paint.
Physicality, energy, tenacity are just a few of the words Todd Phillips has used to describe his 7-footer.
Utah Valley fans remember what Tim Fuller did for the Wolverines over the past three years. Well, Dorius is similar except about three inches taller.
Dorius has shown he can lock down the paint while also dominating in the paint. On Saturday, Dorius also showed he can knock down a jump shot, hitting four jumpers in the first half in the win over Southern Utah.
He may not be the most vocal leader. But, the smile on his face lets his teammates know things are going to be alright. And when Dorius is playing well, the Wolverines are playing well.
Kobe Williamson - Seattle U
Another one of those players who feels like he has been around forever, the red-headed 6-9 forward may look out of place on the basketball court. But, don’t let that fool you.
Williamson won’t dominate a game on the offensive end. Although, there have been nights where the junior from Melbourne, Australia has knocked down multiple 3-pointers and scored in double figures.
But, it is the vocal leadership, the defensive mindset, the rim protection and high basketball IQ that put Williamson on this list.
Williamson is averaging 9.5 points but also leads the Redhawks in blocked shots with 29.
Chasing loose balls, coming down with big rebounds in key moments, being in the right place at the right time. These are reasons Williamson has played in over 100 games in a Redhawk uniform and started in more than 50.
He doesn’t look overly athletic when you watch him. But, that is what makes him a key piece of the Redhawk squad that has won 20-plus games in back-to-back seasons. He does the little things and he does them well.
Perhaps it is the mustache. Maybe it is the red hair. Either way, Redhawk Nation should enjoy their glue guy as much as they can.
Acting Head Coach Having Success
Back in November, ahead of a trip to the SoCal Challenge, Tarleton Athletics announced that head coach Billy Gillispie would be sidelined with what was deemed a ‘medical circumstance.’ There is still a bit of mystery surrounding that.
But, the reins to the Texan men’s basketball team were given to assistant Joseph Jones.
And Jones and the Texans have hit the ground running. Six straight wins, a SoCal Challenge title, and winners of eight of their last 10 games.
Did I mention a 3-0 start in WAC play heading into a big road trip to CBU and GCU?
“It’s about putting on your hard hat and going to work,” Jones said in December prior to the Jacksonville State game.
The Texans are sitting in second in the WAC Resume Seeding System, have played another challenging non-conference schedule, have a big road win at LMU to end non-conference play, and have beat UT Arlington, SFA and and UTRGV already in WAC play…all under Jones’ watch.
Can it continue against the Lancers and the Lopes this weekend?
Keep an eye out as it could solidify Jones’ opportunity to take over if Billy Gillispie is unable to return to the sidelines for the Texans.
Good stuff. For SFA I’d say DayDay Hall is a glue guy. Lunch pail type of guy.