MBB: Mavs, Wolverines Atop Weekly Power Rankings
UT Arlington has a big week ahead as WAC play rolls along
When the people ask about a men’s basketball newsletter, we try to deliver.
Yes, the newsletters have been few and far between this year. To be honest, the desire to write anything lately has been a struggle.
Between working a full-time job, all the changes in college basketball, and so many other factors, the energy and excitement for the 2025-26 season just haven’t been there.
Along with that, knowing full well this is the final season of the Western Athletic Conference has put quite a damper on things.
Sure, there is still a ton of basketball to play over the next two months. Sure, we still have WAC Vegas and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
That’s exciting.
But the desire to sit down and write a 1,000-word article has been a huge struggle.
Although after a visit to Stephenville and Arlington this past weekend, some story ideas are rushing through my head. So, stay tuned as I work to put together some of those ahead of WAC Vegas.
Anyway, with all that being said, let’s get to this week’s WAC Hoops Power Rankings.
1 - UT Arlington
The Mavs are good. Marcell McCreary is a dude. And KT Turner might have his best in his third year as head coach.
The Mavs have won four straight to improve to 3-1 in WAC play. UT Arlington beat CBU on New Year’s Day, went to Southern Utah and led nearly wire-to-wire in a double-digit win, and after a week off, picked up an impressive win over ACU.
The Mavs are one of the top teams defending the 3-point line, and if the offense stays locked in as it has in the past three games, UT Arlington could win the WAC.
Just a reminder that the Mavs also feature All-WAC selection Raysean Seamster.
However, Cash Chavis and Bahsil Laster could be the x-factors if the Mavs want to go dancing in March.
2 - Utah Valley
Will a WAC team ever win at the UCCU Center again? The Wolverines swept Southern Utah and Utah Tech to run the winning streak on their home floor to 21 games.
Let’s put this in perspective: Utah Valley scored 61 points in the second half to roll past Utah Tech on Saturday. The Wolverines finished the first half on a 6-0 run to take a 31-30 lead into the break before exploding in the second half.
Utah Valley has a week off before hosting UT Arlington on Saturday in what could be a game for first place in the WAC standings.
3 - Abilene Christian
The Wildcats are interesting.
In the first week of WAC play, ACU got blown out at home by Utah Tech, then blew out Utah Valley two days later.
In the second week of WAC play, the Wildcats went toe-to-toe in the I-20 rivalry game at Tarleton State en route to an 84-80 win.
And then on Saturday, at UT Arlington, the Wildcats couldn’t match the Mavs run in the second half in an 82-72 loss.
Bradyn Hubbard is a baller. Hubbard won WAC Player of the Week honors after averaging 24.5 points and 5.5 rebounds this past week.
But the Wildcats have to pick up the defense if they are to make noise heading into March.
Giving up 80 and 82 points, respectively, is not what a Brette Tanner defense is known for.
It’s an interesting two weeks for the Wildcats.
ACU hosts CBU on Thursday, goes to Southern Utah on Saturday, and then back to Stephenville for round two against Tarleton State on Jan. 24.
4 - Tarleton State
The 2025-26 Tarleton State Texans might be the most talented team Billy Gillispie has had during his tenure in Stephenville.
Dior Johnson has scored 30-plus points in three straight games. Cam McDowell can take over a game, when he gets the ball. The veteran Freddy Hicks is always a matchup problem. Chris Mpaka has moments where he looks like a million bucks.
The problem for the Texans is that they can’t defend. The Texans are giving up 78.5 points per game in WAC play. After holding UT Arlington to 63 in the WAC opener for both teams, Tarleton State then gave up 91, 76, and 84.
Sure, the Texans can score. Tarleton State has scored 69, 85, 81, and 80. But, if you can’t get stops, it doesn’t matter how many points you score.
Similar to UT Arlington and its offense catching up to its defense, if the Texans can defend, they would be a tough out because of the offensive weapons Billy Gillispie can put on the floor.
5 - California Baptist
If the Lancers hadn’t lost to Utah Valley, UT Arlington, and Tarleton State to start WAC play, they would most likely be in the top-2 or atop these power rankings.
However, the Lancers rebounded rather well at home this week, with a double-digit win over Utah Tech followed by a surprising three-point win over Southern Utah.
Sure, the Lancers were without second-leading scorer Martel Williams against the T-Birds, but that game, at least on paper, never should have been that close.
The WAC preseason favorites got behind the 8-ball a little bit to start WAC play. Can the Lancers get back on track over the next two weeks?
CBU goes to ACU on Thursday, has a week off before hosting Utah Tech again, and then gets Utah Valley at Fowler Events Center on Jan. 24.
Time will tell.
6 - Utah Tech
Ah, the good old Trailblazers. Starting WAC play 2-0 with a pair of impressive wins, and then going on the road against some of the league’s best, getting beaten by double figures in both games.
It is almost par for the course.
Okay, that might be a little harsh.
The 2025-26 version of the Trailblazers is better. Ethan Potter has been good in his first season in St. George. Noah Bolanga has been a breath of fresh air. And Chance Trujillo plays with a huge chip on his shoulder.
Here is the big question: can the Trailblazers win without Madiba Owona?
The 6’4 sophomore suffered what is believed to be a torn ACL in the win over ACU last week.
It’s a big week for the Trailblazers. UT Arlington and Tarleton State come to town.
7 - Southern Utah
The T-Birds have looked better in recent weeks.
Sure, a 17-point loss at Utah Valley doesn’t look great.
But, the T-Birds had arguably their best effort of the season in a 58-55 loss at CBU on Saturday.
It is the spurts of four or five minutes that do the T-Birds in on most nights. The scoring droughts have to stop, whether that is Jaiden Feroah attacking the rim or Tanner Hayhurst knocking down a shot; someone has to make a play.
If the T-Birds can avoid those scoring droughts, they could surprise people heading into February.
SUU hosts Tarleton State and ACU at the AFEC this week.