Christmas Wish List for Each WAC Team
It is Christmas Eve so let's take a look at a Christmas gift each team might like to receive ahead of WAC play beginning
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Yep, I am not afraid to not be politically correct and just use Happy Holidays!
Sue me.
It is that time of the year that you get to celebrate around a Christmas tree with family and friends, gifts aplenty, and so much food that you wonder how much weight you need to lose when the ball strikes midnight on New Year’s Day.
It’s is a wonderful time of year.
With that being said, and with non-conference play completed, it is time to take a look at a Christmas gift for each WAC team ahead of conference play beginning on Monday.
Abilene Christian - Consistency
The one thing that should be on the wish list for the Wildcats is consistency.
Yep, it actually might be the gift a few teams around the league have on their wish list.
But it is especially true for my pick to win the WAC in 2025-26.
The Wildcats are 8-5 overall, and coming off a win at 1-win Texas Southern to end non-conference play.
During Brette Tanner’s tenure as head coach, the Wildcats have been streaky. ACU will win four straight, then lose five straight, then win four straight. ACU started 2025-26 off with three straight wins, followed by a pair of losses where the offense was abysmal. The Wildcats then split the Jacksonville Classic before winning three straight, followed by a pair of losses at top-10 foes Arizona and BYU.
If the Wildcats can find consistency rather than being a streaky team, ACU could win the WAC.
Consistency is the gift of choice for the Wildcats.
California Baptist - Good Health
The preseason favorite to win the WAC is 10-3 after non-conference play. The Lancers boast one of the WAC’s leading scorers in WAC Preseason Player of the Year Dominique Daniels Jr.
The Lancers have done what was expected, winning the games they should win, and battling against the likes of Colorado, BYU, and Utah.
During the brutal 4-game road trip, the Lancers weren’t fully healthy. Backup point guard Miles Daniels missed all four contests. Starting 2-guard Jayden Jackson also missed the entire road trip with a foot injury. Thomas Ndong missed the BYU game due to concussion protocol.
Staying healthy is the key for the Lancers as they open WAC play at Utah Valley, at UT Arlington, and at Tarleton State.
We will find out if the Lancers, at full health, are for real early on in WAC play.
Southern Utah - A Playmaker
In Rob Jeter’s first year, the T-Birds had Dom Ford and Parsa Fallah among a handful of playmakers.
In Rob Jeter’s second year, the T-Birds had Dom Ford, Jamir Simpson, and Tavi Jackson, among others.
In Rob Jeter’s third year, it is yet to be determined who the playmakers are or will be.
Elijah Duvall has shown glimpses. Isaiah Cottrell has shown glimpses. Hayden Hayhurst has shown he can light it up from the perimeter at times.
But who will be the guy at the end of a close ball game?
That is to be determined.
Tarleton State - Home Court Advantage
Wisdom Gym was the ultimate home-court advantage. The fans were right on top of the floor, it was loud, and it was intimate and intimidating.
Just ask Grand Canyon or Utah Valley’s Trey Woodbury about the craziness that went on inside Wisdom Gym.
Will it be the same inside the new EECU Center? The 8,000-seat arena is a beautiful new facility in Stephenville, and from what we have seen so far, it will be great for basketball games.
However, attendance hasn’t been too good thus far for a team that has played an exciting style of basketball.
In seven games at the EECU, the Texans are averaging 1,267 fans. Yes, that is almost 7,000 below what the actual capacity is for a basketball game.
Will that change as WAC play begins? It most likely will. But somehow, the Texans have to figure out how to fill that arena, or else that home-court advantage the Texans had in Wisdom won’t be prevalent in their new beautiful building.
Utah Tech - True Point Guard
There is potential in St. George for Utah Tech to be in the running for a WAC title in the final year of the league.
Ethan Potter has been really good, averaging over 17 points per game. There is a balance on offense with Chance Trujillo and Noah Bolanga averaging in double figures, and Madiba Owana averaging just over 9 points per contest.
Seven players have 15 or more assists.
Plenty of balance.
But who is the true point guard for the Trailblazers? Perhaps the coaching staff will say we like where we are at with the balance, but having a floor general, who gets guys where they need to go, especially in late-game situations, is extremely important.
Can Madiba Owana be that guy? What about Chance Trujillo?
Three years ago, it was Cam Gooden. Two years ago, it was Aric Demings. Last year, Jon Judkins had the luxury of two true point guards in Unisa Turay and Hakim Byrd.
So, who will it be in 2025-26? It could go a long way in helping Utah Tech win more one-score games.
Utah Valley - AJ Dixon’s Health
The 6-5 guard has yet to suit up for the Wolverines after transferring from Western Illinois in the Summer.
Dixon was expected to be a starter for Todd Phillips in 2025-26. And as soon as he comes back from an undisclosed injury, Dixon will be in the starting lineup.
Dixon averaged 16.2 points and just over five rebounds at Triton College in 2023-24 while shooting 51 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range.
The Wolverines are currently 10-3 overall, have a NET of 54, and are in the KenPom top-100.
Dixon’s ability to score, to shoot, and to rebound and play multiple positions could play a huge role in the Wolverines’ quest to repeat as regular-season champs.
UT Arlington - Offensive Efficiency
For starters, the Mavericks are leading the nation in 3-point defense. The Mavs allow teams to shoot just 24 percent from 3-point range.
That is the good news.
The bad news is that the Mavs are shooting just 29 percent from 3-point land.
Along with that, the Mavs are averaging 72.7 points per game.
With Raysean Seamster, Marcell McCreary, and Cash Chavis among others, the Mavs should be much better offensively.
If the Mavs’ offense catches up with the Mavs’ defense, UT Arlington could win the WAC with ease.
The Mavs are big, strong, quick, and athletic. It might be KT Turner’s best team. But the offense has to come together consistently for the Mavs to be a contender.