Well, it’s that time of the
year again to take a ‘early’ look at new year in the MWC.It will be a mixed year for many teams.It seemed that there would be minor loses to
‘all’ teams as they begin 2010-2011 but some surprising transfers and/or
players leaving the team for ‘other reasons’ have shaken up things a bit.The other side of the coin shows the MWC
doing what the MWC does:Transfers!So what am I talking about?Here’s goes….
I’ll discuss the MWC in
general, then a quick look at what I’ve found to date concerning each
team:Who is graduating, transferring,
departing or other (missions).Who is
coming back from last season, back from injury/academics/missions, and who are
projected transfers (and if they are eligible to play).
The MWC was poised to
progress from it’s surprising season of sending four teams to the NCAA’s (NM,
BYU, SDSU and UNLV) by losing few seniors and being stronger this fall.Well, that is true but some unique questions
have come up with several of those teams.The pre-pre-season hype was if NM’s Hobson and BYU’s Fredette (both MWC
1st teamers, would leave to the NBA draft.Both put their names in but without agents
and had until May 8th to withdraw their names and continue to pursue
their NBA dreams ‘after’ a final year of college hoops.May 8th has come and gone and Hoboson
(NM) will not be back this fall, keeping his name in the NBA draft while
Fredette (BYU) withdrew his name and will be back this fall.This is a positive for BYU and obviously an
anticipated hit for NM..
With that said, the MWC will
lose 21 seniors to graduation, 10 of which were major contributors to their
teams point wise.In addition, the
highlight of ‘surprise’ is that Utah, besides losing two to graduation, have
lost 5 to transfer to include leading scorer Carlon Brown and their second
leading scorer, yes you heard it here, Marshall Henderson (Soph 2010-11).More on that in the Utah review.
Transfers in are going to
help some of these teams adapt quickly after their graduating loses.As always, we do not have the actual names
of AF recruits or prep players coming up, but the word on the street is that
4-6 may be coming from the prep.The big
news is the transfers in to the other programs which seem to be the norm in the
MWC.Here’s the names I have found and
some information (note:includes
transfers from UCLA, Virginia Tech, Kansas
and more JC’s).
TCU - Hank
Thorns (5'9 PG transfer from Virginia Tech) averaged 5pts, 3asst, 2rbs per game as a freshman in the
ACC. Might be the fastest player in the MWC next year.The
buzz: Thorns ranked sixth in the ACC in assist-turnover ratio and set a
Virginia Tech freshman record by dishing out 113 assists in the 2007-08 season,
but his playing time and production dropped the following year. After averaging
21.1 minutes, 4.6 points and 3.2 assists as a freshman, Thorns delivered 2.7
points and 2.4 assists in 18.9 minutes the following season. He transferred to
TCU in an attempt to gain more playing time
CSU - Jesse Carr (6'2 PG redshirt) before sitting last year due to
injury he was the teams starting PG in 2008. Trevor Williams (7'0 270
C redshirt) sat last year with injuries but should give them a solid
interior presence.
UNLV - Quintrel Thomas (6'8 240 transfer from Kansas) could have a
similar impact to what Hobson had for NM this year, should average close to a
double-double The buzz: After arriving at Kansas as the No. 149
prospect in the 2008 recruiting class, Thomas averaged 1.5 points, 2.0 rebounds
and 5.4 minutes per game in his lone season with the Jayhawks. Thomas left Kansas to seek more
playing time, and he could find it at a program that has thrived on transfers
in the recent past. UNLV advanced to the NCAA tournament this season with a
starting lineup that featured Memphis
transfer Tre'Von Willis,
UCLA transfer Chace Stanback
and Kentucky transfer Derrick Jasper
BYU - Chris Collinsworth (6'9 missionary) averaged 3pts and 5rbs as a
freshman 2 years ago, solid fundamental player and tough (stabbed on mission
yet continued for another year)
New Mexico - Drew Gordon (6'9 transfer from UCLA) NM lacked size last
year, .... that will not be the case in 2010. Also, as far as Gordon/UNM,
he will miss the fall semester so hopefully we play in the PIT early in
the MWC season before he is 'up-to-speed' and playing full-time. The
buzz: Gordon averaged 10.9 minutes per game as a freshman at UCLA, then
made six starts last season before leaving the team. He was averaging 11.2
points and 5.3 rebounds when he departed in what was described as a mutual
decision. Gordon won't be eligible at New
Mexico until the end of the fall semester. Although
Gordon had his problems at UCLA, he certainly offers plenty
SDSU - James Rahon (6'5 transfer from Santa
Clara) should improve numerous weaknesses on the
team from 2009 ....
UTAH – Josh Watkins(6' transfer from Howard College)Watkins was the Most Valuable Player at the recent NJCAA Tournament last
month in Kansas after leading his Howard College (Big Spring, Texas) team to
the national championship. Watkins, listed at 6-foot, 195 pounds, also had
offers from Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Saint Louis, Texas Tech and other
Division I programs.Also6-6 forward Antonio DiMaria of CasperCollege in Wyoming
and 6-6 guard Will Clyburn of Iowa's MarshalltownCommunity College.
Our TEAM! On paper we lose
four seniors which sounds devastating. But lets look at the reality.While all will be missed, I think the
returners are solid and will be better in the 2010-11 season.Grant leaves as the leading scorer w/ 12.7
ppg (followed by Evan w/ 10.3 ppg). OOC he averaged 17.3ppg but after his
injury and missing 10 games, he averaged 10.7 ppg in MWC play. He will be missed.Mike and Avery were our 8th /11thscorers in MWC while playing 19mpg/17mpg
respectively.I believe our young
returners will more time on the court will surpass these numbers.While only one game it is interesting to note
that in our MWC tourney69-75 loss to #8
NM, our seniors combined to score 8 points.The remaining 61 points were scored by our returners!This bodes well for the team.
Inbound: In addition, it is
anticipated that AF will have between 5-7 from the prep school and
traditionally 2-4 direct in.I think a
perfect mix would be 2 direct in to USAFA from H.S., 6 in from the prep school
to USAFA, and 12 coming in to attend the prep school in the fall. No names to
date, official release will be after basic begins.
Projected lineups and
backups for the Falcons:
Guards:Evan and Todd.Who will back them up?This will be an interesting battle as I see
potential from several different fronts.Shawn Hempsey is the logical choice as #3 behind them.But the ability of Taylor Stewart and Mike
Fitzgerald to swing to a guard spot gives us more strength at the guard than
last year.Wild cards include Jon Atkins
(possibly back from academics) and Scott Stuckey (possibly back from
injury).A shooting guard also sits on
the bench in Kyle Green.
Forwards:Mike Lyons and Tom Fow.No drop off this year with these two back
starting on the wings with ‘no’ drop off behind them with Taylor Stewart, Mike
Fitzgerald and Derek Brooks and don’t forget Zach Bohannon** who played well
down the stretch.
Center:
Here we go.No word on Sammy.I think it will be a battle for the start
between a healthy Taylor Broekhuis and ** Zach Bohannon.This could be the best of both worlds for
AF.Remember that Taylor played hurt the whole year.Healthy and mobile, I see him more aggressive
inside.I think the play of Zach is very
reminiscentof Nick Welch with maybe an
inch more on his frame.I like the
intensity and ability of Zach to use both hands inside!‘If’ Sammy is back then Zach swings
center/forward.
Look at these names
above.10 guys‘Not’ counting Sammy, Jon and Scott.I feel we may have the ability to play a
solid 10 guys averaging 18-22 minutes a piece with no drop off in play and
talent.Wow!....and don’t forget we will
have some young guys from prep/direct in that will add to the mix!I predict a better year for the Falcons
pending not having the same injury bug as last year that was a major factor in
our season.With the project strength of
the returners in the MWC I see 5-7 wins as a minimum.But the following year we will lose only 3 of
these 10 (Evan, Tom, Derek seniors this year) and will be even more experienced
with possibly only one senior on the team in Taylor Stewart (depending on
Sammy, Jon, Scott).I see the pendulum
swing up for the Falcons!
BAD
GR-DEPARTING
due to graduation
BAD
DEPARTING due to 'other'
or transfering 'out' of the MWC
GOOD
INBOUND FROM TRS=Inbound transfer
student into the MWC
REC=recruit
GOOD
INBOUND FROM MIS=mission
return 'or' INBOUND back from injury or other (academics, R/S, etc)
Fredette is back and that is
a huge breath of fresh air for BYU.The
Cougars do lose 3 major players in Taverari, Haws (going to mission) and Loyd plus two more solid backup from big
man Miles and Morgan.This results in the loss of number 3 and 4 of top four scorers
(number one is Fredette). The biggest surprise is the loss of Loyd due to
transfer.He was Fredette’s backup and
had 20+ vs NM.A ‘difference’ of feeling
and the institution is why he left.BYU will
rebuild as they always do.Their strength will be in the return of Fredette
and Emory handling the ball and Hartsock as the big man in the middle.Key players new to the team will be Steve
Rogers (transfer),Chris Collinsworth
back from mission (6-10’) and his brother Kyle a highly recruited freshman that
comes in.BYU will have three seniors on
the team to include Fredtte (22.1ppg)and Emery (12.5ppg) top two scorers from last year.
The Rams will be tough in 2010-11
building on their success last fall.Top
8 scorers are back and losses are to players that really didn’t play
significant minutes.Jessie Carr played
the first 4 games then was hurt and received a R/S year.So he will be back and anticipate bigs things
from him up top.Top three returners
averaged 34.0 ppg of the 66.3 that CSU averaged!They will have five seniors on the team.
Pluses and minuses.While NM was slated to only lose one senior
(#2 scorer Martinez
13.9ppg), it was anticipated that Hobson (#1 scorer and rebounder 15.9ppg / 9.3
rebs).A solid line after that is still
in waiting.One big surprise was Nate
Garth, guard and backup up top, has decided to transfer to get ‘more playing
time’.He had played in all but one
game, avg’d good minutes 15.6 and 4.1ppg.NM hoping to have a better presence under the basket with 6’9” Gordon, transfer
from UCLA who should be available 1Jan.
Look out for the Aztecs as their whole
team is back minus one graduating player (Davis).They are looking for a possible return of Tim
Shelton 6’7” / 248# rehabbing from injury and transfer from Santa Clara.This team was already very athletic and have subtracted nothing from
their team or roster.Their roster will
include 5 seniors (who were SDSU’s #2/3/4/8 scorers from last year )
TCU’s foreign affair with Zvonko Buljan
and Edvinas Ruzgas is now over.The
Frog’s #2 (12.2ppg) and #3 (10.7ppg) scorers are graduating.In addition backup guard Mitchem (7th
scorer at 4.4ppg) has graduated.Both
the two foreign players averaged 31+mpg so will leave a void of experience to a
degree at TCU.Their best transfer is
5’9” guard hank Thorns from Virginia
tech who they are looking to run the point in the future along side Ronnie
Moss, number one scorer back averaging 14.9ppg.TCU is a young team and has only one senior on the team this fall.
The Rebels are right up with SDSU with
graduation losses…meaning lookout they have players back!Well, almost.UNLV was slated to lose two players to graduation to include the 9th
and 11th scorers…OK!!This
brought back all 8 top scorers.But Matt
Shaw, 4th leading scorer from last season, will not be able to suit
up this fall due to NCAA rules of some type.He was a 6’7” 240# forward for the Rebels.They will try to fill his hole with others on
the bench and with Quintrel Thomas, 6’8” 240# transfer (it is UNLV) from Kansas.I couldnot find data on when he would be available to play.This fall will see five seniors on the Rebels
with seniors being last years #1/#5/#6 scorers.
Wow, it looked like Utah was ready to make some noise this fall,
graduating only two seniors (Drca #3 scorer and Tillie #5 scorer).But the roof has fallen in on the Utes.Four transfers follow the two seniors with #1
scorer Carlon Brown transferring to CU (?sitting out junior year then one year
to play?), #2 scorer Marshall Henderson leaving to play ‘closer to home’ in a
different environment along with one junior to be and one senior to be.OUCH.This leaves only one senior on the team with any playing
experience.They are trying to get
immediate helpwith the addition of at
least three JC transfers to include one guard, one forward and one center.Note that both 7 footers from last year are
back in Foster (7’3’) and Washburn (7’0”).
Wyoming is actually right
along side CSU and SDSU for losing NO key players to graduation and getting
back not a transfer, but Afam Muojeke who was injured most of this season
(previous seasons freshman of the year I believe?).They will be tough with the big guy Waddell
backunder the basket while having
Muojeke, Desmar Jackson and JayDee luster up top.It will be a challenge for teams especially
up in Wyoming
versus their speed.They have transfers
in but no names to date.
