Thoughts on WAC Hoops After One Month
GCU still the cream of the crop, but Southern Utah has surprised some people and other thoughts.
Happy December 3, everyone!
Yep, can you believe we are already in December? Or better yet, can you believe we are already in the second month of the 2024-25 college basketball season?
The first month of the season flew by. There were some surprises, and some disappointments.
Outside of GCU’s win over Stanford at the Acrisure Invitational, no win really stands out…yet. However, even GCU’s win over Stanford doesn’t look AS good now after Cal Poly upset the Cardinal on Saturday evening at Maples Pavilion.
Which GCU team will show up on a regular basis? This team is loaded. Everyone knows that. But, there has been inconsistency at times. Just look at the UC Davis game followed by a blowout win over Norfolk State. The Lopes have some good opportunities in the coming two weeks starting with Hawaii on Wednesday night in Phoenix.
Southern Utah and its 7-2 start have been rather surprising for many people. The T-Birds were picked to finish dead last in the WAC Preseason Poll as voted on by the coaches around the league. SUU will be 8-2 heading into its matchup at Arizona on Saturday.
The trip to Tucson is part of a 3-game road stretch. SUU will also play at New Mexico State and at UTRGV. Three games in five days. Yeah, we will learn more about the T-Birds real quick.
It took Tarleton nearly a month to finally pick up its first win over a Division I opponent after a 61-59 win over Hofstra on Saturday. The Texans followed that win up with a thumping at the hands of Indiana State. Injuries have affected the Texans early on so it remains to be seen if they will be able to get healthy heading into WAC play.
CBU has been an interesting science experiment of highs and lows. The Lancers should have beat SMU on Monday. But, ultimately, when the Lancers had a chance to take a lead in regulation, they couldn’t hit the big shot to put them over the hump.
One night later, the Lancers beat up on lowly Fresno State. And on Sunday, CBU went toe-to-toe with UCF for about 35 minutes before the Knights pulled away. If CBU could manage the scoring droughts a bit better, they might be 8-1, maybe even 9-0. Dom Daniels Jr. is a WAC Player of the Year candidate.
Utah Valley had an interesting November. The Wolverines blew out UTEP in the WAC/Conference USA Challenge, had perhaps the best road win at Murray State, and then gave up a 14-point lead to Samford before getting blown out by North Dakota State. Can someone make sense of that?
The Wolverines go on the road at Stanford on Tuesday and at James Madison on Saturday afternoon. If the Wolverines are to win more games, or games they should win, they have to knock down more shots from the perimeter. Utah Valley was 12-48 from 3-point land in three games at the Samford Thanksgiving Invitational. That won’t do it.
ACU is another team that has been interesting to watch. Brette Tanner’s team has looked good in wins over Texas State, Southern Miss, and Omaha. But, the Wildcats also got blown out by Middle Tennessee and Montana State. Leo Bettiol has been really good for the Wildcats a team-high 14.9 points per game.
Perhaps the biggest head-scratcher in the first month is UT Arlington. Maybe it is just the fact the Mavs have a bunch of guys still trying to figure out how to play with one another. Maybe it is the fact that the Mavs are going to live by the 3-pointer and die by the 3-pointer. But, whatever it is, the roller coaster ride thus far has been intense.
A blowout loss at home to La Tech followed by an epically close upset at USC. Back-to-back losses at Missouri State and against Murray State followed by a good win over Austin Peay. And the following day, going toe-to-toe with a good Rhode Island squad.
There is talent on this Mavs squad. Once they figure out how to play a full 40 minutes together, the Mavs could be dangerous when WAC play begins in January.
Utah Tech is another anomaly. Okay, not really. But the Trailblazers can’t make up their mind if they want to win a game or just simply play not to lose down the stretch.
The Trailblazers had Oregon State on the ropes for about 30 minutes before finding it extremely tough to make a bucket.
Utah Tech also made a run at New Mexico State before letting Aggie point guard Zawdie Jackson go for 10 straight points to shut the door. Utah Tech also couldn’t close things out against Montana in Missoula, giving up six straight points in about 15 seconds. Sure, a win against Denver was solid. But, the Trailblazers probably should have at least three more wins, if not more.
Seattle U misses Kobe Williamson. Not many people will say it…but I will. The Australian with the red hair and arguably the best mustache in the WAC is a rim protector, floor general, and baller in key moments in a ball game.
However, Williamson hasn’t played a minute in 2024-25, and the Redhawks miss his leadership and presence on the floor.
John Christofilis has been solid. And there have been bright spots from Paris Dawson, Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe and Maleek Arington. At 2-5, it remains to be seen if the Redhawks can eclipse the 20-win mark for the fourth straight year. Perhaps a home game at Climate Pledge Arena against Portland State can right the ship in the Pacific Northwest.