Key Departure, Key Newcomer for Regular Season Champs
Key Departure, Key Newcomer for Regular Season Champs
As we get closer to the season preview articles for both the Southern Utah women and the Utah Valley men, it is always good to take a look at some key changes in each program.
The key departure for both teams will focus on the best shot blockers in the league. Yes, two impactful players in the paint who caused a lot of problems for opposing players in 2023-24.
It is unfortunate that both players have moved on. Southern Utah’s Lizzy Williamson is now at N.C. State. Utah Valley’s Aziz Bandaogo is now at Cincinnati.
The dynamic duo combined for 182 total blocks in 2022-23 in leading their respective teams to a WAC regular season crown.
At 6-5, Williamson was the tallest player in the WAC. Add in the length, and it was difficult for opponents to get good looks anywhere in the paint. Bandaogo came out of nowhere after his transfer from Akron. The 7-footer had some crazy athleticism and as now-head coach Todd Phillips said, could very nearly put his elbows on top of the backboard.
Both players were named WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Bandaogo was also the Newcomer of the Year.
People might ask why Lizzy Williamson over Cherita Daugherty? Well, for the sake of this article, we are focusing on a pair of players who caused game plans to change almost instantaneously. Daugherty’s departure will be felt. However, it is hard to replace the size and advantage Williamson presented in the paint. Same goes for Bandaogo.
The question now, for both teams, is who will step up? Is there a newcomer that will stand out?
Let’s take a look.
Jaeden Brown - Transfer from Utah Valley
Remember this name. Here is why. In three WAC games in 2022-23, Jaeden Brown averaged 24.6 points and 15.6 rebounds. Yes, you read that correctly. Brown opened WAC play with a 20-20 game in an upset win over GCU. She followed that up with a 31-10 game against Utah Tech.
Sure, at 6-1, Brown doesn’t bring the size that Williamson had. But, when healthy, Jaeden Brown is a force in the paint.
‘WHEN HEALTHY"‘
That is the key. Brown missed half of the 2022-23 season with a foot injury. After a 23-point, 17-rebound performance against New Mexico State on Jan. 4, Brown missed the remainder of the season with a foot injury.
Prior to that, Brown was averaging 14.6 points and 9.3 rebounds. If Tracy Sanders gets a healthy Jaeden Brown, look out.
With a potential starting lineup of Dayla Balleni, Sam Johnston, Tomekia Whitman, Megan Jensen and Jaeden Brown, it could be another really good year for the Thunderbirds.
Nate Tshimanga - Transfer from Troy
What do you do when you lose a 7-footer who was freakishly athletic? You go out and get a 6-10, 250-pound athlete who can finish at the rim and knock down a perimeter shot.
Sure, Tshimanga doesn’t necessarily have the length that Aziz Bandaogo had. But, experience, leadership, a perhaps a chip on his shoulder after struggling through injuries will play a role for the Troy transfer to have an immediate impact in Orem.
Tshimanga’s presence, along with Ethan Potter (6-8), Trevin Dorius (7-2), and potentially another big, gives first-year head coach Todd Phillips depth in the paint. It will allow the Wolverines to play big; something Utah Valley has been very good since Phillips came to Orem four years ago.
Tshimanga only averaged 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds last season for the Trojans. Do you remember the last two bigs to come to Utah Valley who averaged less than 8 points and 8 rebounds per game? Well three Defensive Player of the Year awards later, and two WAC regular season titles later, and you get the point.