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AF vs Santa Clara in the College Insider.com Tournament 2nd Round Air Force will Santa Clara on the 19th, playing their first away game since completing the MWC tournament. SC has played two similar opponents as AF, beating CalStNorthridge (AF won that game also) and NAU in the first round of the CIT (AF lost to Northern AZ). In their last game (1st round CIT vs NAU) SC had four players in double figures. They start two seniors but their leading scorers are So. Foster 6'2'/230#/19ppg and Fr. Roquermore 6'3'/165#/G/11ppg/41% 3pt....followed by Jr Trasoline 6'9'/235#/13ppg Sr Dowdell 6'7'/225#/8ppg and Sr Payne 6'6' / 220#/5ppg. Note that in their last game they only played four off the bench and got little points from them (only 9 of 68). They are a good 3 pt team shooting 35% for the season but were held to 25% in their win over NAU. Key's for AF will be controllling the ball and the tempo and finding a way to defend the three while stopping the inside...sound familiar? Excited to see the matchup with our guards. Here is a breakdown from CBS sports on players when looking at their matchup with NAU.

KEY MATCHUPS IN Santa Clara vs NAU
The matchup between shooting guards -- Santa Clara's Kevin Foster and Northern Arizona's Cameron Jones -- puts the teams' two stars on a collision course. However, Foster may not guard Jones, because Kerry Keating may prefer to have F Troy Payne defend Jones. Payne is the team's best defender, and he has had some success shutting down high-scoring players before. The other key is at point guard, where Santa Clara freshman Evan Roquemore will go against Northern Arizona sophomore Stallon Saldivar. Roquemore leads the Broncos in 3-point shooting percentage (41.1 percent), and if can get his points while minimizing his turnovers, the Broncos would be in good shape.

SCOUTING REPORT
Santa Clara relies heavily on getting Kevin Foster opportunities to shoot 3-pointers. When he starts out hot, Santa Clara is difficult to stop. Evan Roquemore is actually the team's most accurate 3-point shooter, making 41.1 percent of his shots from behind the arc, and when he is playing confidently, he takes a lot of pressure off Foster. Marc Trasolini is the Broncos' third offensive threat, and although he is a 6-foot-9 forward and can score in the paint, he does a lot of his scoring from the perimeter. He has a nice touch for a big man. The inside muscle is supplied by Ben Dowdell, who lacks skill but provides a physical presence that helps energize the team. Defensively, the Broncos rely on straight man-to-man defense, with Troy Payne typically guarding the opponent's best offensive player.

AF vs North Dakota in the College Insider.com Tournament Air Force will play North Dakota in the opening round of the CIT tourney and will play a 7:00 pm tipoff in Clune Arena. We hope to see a good crowd of locals and hope to see all of Section 8 and the AF Academy Cadet Wing in full force.

AF comes off winning two of the last three in the MWC (losing 61-66 to NIT bound NM at a close game in the PIT). They lost to NCAA bound UNLV in the first round of the MWC conference. AF finished the season 15-14 (6-10) and in 6^th place in the MWC (pre-season picked 9^th), and a final record of 16-16 after the loss in the MWC tourney.

It will be an interesting matchup between AF and UND. UND finishes the season as Great West Conference champions 19-14 (8-4). Comparing the two teams ‘numbers’ wise, AF comes in with a season ending 54 SOS and 102 RPI. UND comes in with a season ending 343SOS and 276 RPI. AF ended with a strong SOS with opponents BYU, SDSU, UNLV and Wofford all in the NCAA. CSU, UNLV and UTEP in the NIT.

Looking at UND. Finishes their season winning their conference tourney (http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310710155 ). They are a young team and play small similar to AF. They started 4 Fr. And 1 Jr. in their last game with their center/forward at 6’8’/240#. In that game they had four in double figures. They are led by Hull/G/6.6/215# 13ppg/5 rpg (32% 3pt shooter, drives the ball to score), Mitchell 6’8’/240#/10.5ppg/6rpg/37% 3pts, Webb/G/6’1’/180# 9.5ppg/5.5rpg/41%3pt shooter and Schuler/6’2’/175#/G/ 8.5ppg/34%3pt. Their scores give me the impression they are a much quicker tempo team than we are and I believe will be stressed by the matchup zone as they shoot 34% vs our 37% three’s. We win the assists and TO numbers for the game in a tougher league. AF 12TO’s/gm and 15 Asts/gm vs UND 14TO’s/gm 12 Asts/gm.

No, this is not the NCAA/NIT tournament. But it is another chance for Air Force to play and to play post-season. Take care of the ball, run our offense and play tough defense and we can win this game.

Looking at the CIT…The 24-team field features schools from 15 different conferences, including Conference USA, Missouri Valley and the Mountain West Conference. “We are extremely pleased with the field we have assembled for the 2011 CIT,” said Riley Wallace who is the chairman of the selection committee. “I think the committee did an outstanding job of identifying teams early on, which made the process easier.”… All 24 teams will compete in the first round, with four teams then getting a bye into the quarterfinals. The eight remaining teams will play for the right to advance to the quarters. The entire field will be seeded, based on a number of factors including RPI, strength of schedule, conference ranking, and geographic location…..read full article

FIRST ROUND
March 14-16

MONDAY
Buffalo (Mid-America 18-13) @ Quinnipiac (NorthEast 22-9) 7:00 pm

TUESDAY
Ohio (MAC 18-15) @ Marshall (C-USA 22-11) 7:00 pm
Furman (Southern 22-10) @ East Tennessee State (Atlantic Sun 22-11) 7:00 pm
Jacksonville (Atlantic Sun 19-11) @ East Carolina (C-USA 18-15) 8:00 pm
Rider (MAAC 23-10) @ Northern Iowa (19-13) 8:00 pm
North Dakota (Great West 19-14) @ Air Force (MWC 15-15) 9:00 pm
Northern Arizona (BigSky 19-12) @ Santa Clara (19-14) 10:00 pm
Portland (WCC 20-11 ) @ Hawaii (WAC 18-12) 12:00 am (midnight)

WEDNESDAY
Tennessee Tech (20-12) @ Western Michigan (20-12) 7:00 pm
Iona (22-11) @ Valparaiso (23-11) 8:00 pm
Oral Roberts (Summit 19-15) @ SMU (C-USA 17-14) 8:00 pm
Idaho (WAC 18-13) @ San Francisco (WCC 17-14) 10:00 pm

SECOND ROUND
March 18-19

QUARTERFINALS
March 21-22

SEMIFINALS
March 25

2011 CIT CHAMPIONSHIP
March 30

AF at the Mountain West Tourney...Scroll down for all team previews! Air Force plays it's first game at the MWC tourney on Thursday night, March 10th vs UNLV. A win, then the tourney continues. Scroll down thru this page (click on the front page link) and read AF's last AF vs UNLV preview. Individual updates will not be redone as all the teams info are below.

Quick summary entering the MWC tournament for each team:
AF comes in seeded 6^th playing UNLV ranked 3^rd. AF finishes the regular season 15-14 (6-10MWC) winning two of last three. AF postseason: Win the tournament and go to the NCAA’s! Win/Lose games in the tourney and on the bubble for College Basketball Experience or College Invitational Tournaments! A minimum of one win would help them solidify an opportunity for one of these two tourney’s. Key’s for me for this game…#1 Defense #2 Take care of the ball #3 Get to the rim or, at least, play this game inside out and score.

UNLV seeded 3^rd. Finish the season 23-7 (11-5MWC) having won last four MWC games beginning with the low scoring 49-42 win over AF at UNLV. If not for a 13min scoring drought, AF could have won that game with a great defensive effort. UNLV appears locked for a NCAA bid.

#8 Wyoming 10-20 (3-13MWC) losers of last three faces #9 TCU 10-21 (1-15MWC) without a win since January. Winner faces BYU

#1 BYU 28-3 (14-2Co-MWC Champions) and ranked #8 nationally. Fighting for a 2 or 3 seed in the NCAA’s.

#2 SDSU 29-2 (14-2Co-MWC Champions) and ranked #6 nationally will face the #7 Seed Utah. Looking at a 2 seeding in NCAA

#7 Utah 13-17 (6-10 MWC). Losers of last two. Last MWC tourney. Leading scorer Clyburn game time decision

KEY PLAYER: BYU senior Jimmer Fredette, thenation’s leading scorer, averages nearly 28 points per game and wonthe league’s Player of the Year award on Monday.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: The Cougars lost to just oneMWC team all year and may not have to face New Mexico as the Lobosneed to get by Colorado State in the first round.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: BYU is still trying to getused to playing without suspended sophomore Brandon Davies andthey’ve had just two games to do so.

PREDICTED FINISH: Loss in semifinals. BYUhasn’t won the tournament since 2001 and the Cougars will missDavies too much.

KEY PLAYER: Sophomore forward Amath M’Bayedeveloped as the season wore on, averaging nearly 18 points pergame in the final seven games of the year.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: The Pokes have been pointingtoward the tournament as their chance to prove themselves sincecoach Heath Schroyer was fired Feb. 7.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: The Cowboys are playing intheir third pigtail game in four years. As the No. 8 seed in bothof the other matchups, they lost right out of the gate.

PREDICTED FINISH: Loss in quarterfinals.Cowboys win the pigtail game but run into buzzsaw BYU one lasttime.

KEY PLAYER: Point guard Hank Thorns averaged awhopping 7.0 assists per game in his first year in the league,thanks to a pair of double-doubles to close out the season.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: After suffering through a13-game losing streak to end the season, the Horned Frogs feel thetournament is a breath of fresh air.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: They’ve done so in 13consecutive games, including nine of them by double digits.

PREDICTED FINISH: Loss in play-in game. Expecta close game, but with just one true point guard, Frogs can’thandle UW pressure.

KEY PLAYER: Senior forward Andy Ogide earnedfirst-team all-conference honors, averaging 17 points and 7.6rebounds per game.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: They have to. The Rams had achance to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament down the stretch, butcouldn’t close. A tournament title would erase those memories.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: They have to play a NewMexico team that just won by 18 points at BYU in the first roundand the Rams are 1-3 in the tournament under Tim Miles.

PREDICTED FINISH: Loss in quarterfinals. A bitof a hunch, but Rams lost four of five to end season while NewMexico won three straight.

KEY PLAYER: Senior guard Dairese Gary is theunequivocal leader, but it was junior college transfer Drew Gordonwho put up most impressive numbers, a double-double per game.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: The Lobos are a streaky teamcurrently riding a winning streak that already includes a secondvictory over BYU.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: The Lobos are a streakyteam and it’s become nearly impossible to figure out their nextmove since league play started.

PREDICTED FINISH: Runner-up. Call us bold, callus crazy, but Lobos have already shown they can beat the teams ontheir side of the bracket, so why not take a chance?

KEY PLAYER: Derek Brooks was snubbed by votersin the Sixth Man Award competition. He averages nearly 10 pointsper game off the bench.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: The Falcons went 2-2 to closeout the year, but both losses came by five points or less,including a near-victory at The Pit.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: They’ve got the Rebels inthe first round, a team not only at home but hoping to improve itsNCAA tournament seed.

PREDICTED FINISH: Loss in quarterfinals. Play atrue road game proves just too much for Falcons in openingmatchup.

KEY PLAYER: Senior guardTre’Von Willis earned first-team all-league honors, but the key tothe Rebels is their ability to spread it around. They have fourplayers that average at least 9.9 points.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: They’re at home. Simple asthat. They’ve won it two of the last four seasons and made thetitle game from the No. 3 slot last year.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: They will almost certainlyrun into San Diego State in the semifinals, a team that beat themtwice during the regular season.

PREDICTED FINISH: Champion. It’s been two yearssince they won it, so they’re due, right? UNLV is also playingarguably its best basketball of season.

KEY PLAYER: When he’s healthy, forward WillClyburn can be amongst the most effective players in the league.... When he’s healthy.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: Last year was the first underJim Boylen that Utah didn’t advance to at least the semifinals,including a victory at a 6 seed in 2008.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: The Utes lost to theAztecs twice, by a combined 41 points this season and laid an eggin a 20-point loss to UNLV at home to end the season.

PREDICTED FINISH: Loss in quarterfinals. Plainand simply, the Aztecs are too much for the Utes.

KEY PLAYER: Kawhi Leonard is a bona fide pro, afirst-team all-league selection who would have been the favoritefor Player of the Year if the potential National Player of the Yearwasn’t in the race.

WHY THEY’LL WIN: They’ve only lost twice thisyear, and both times were to BYU. They may not see the Cougarsagain, but if they do it’ll be without Davies.

WHY THEY’LL STUMBLE: The coaches love to sayit’s hard to beat a team three times in one year, and it’ll be trueif they face UNLV, which lost by just 12 combined points in twomeetings.

PREDICTED FINISH: Loss in semifinals. TheAztecs are probably our second choice to win it all, but they’llhave to beat the home team to make the title tilt.

Air Force playes it's last game of the regular 2010-2011 MWC season at the Pit in Albuequerque vs NM Lobos. The Lobo's are coming off an emotional win over #3 BYU in Provo. NM played very well on both ends of the court with BYU playing their first game after the suspension of a starter (Davies). While BYU's Fredette still had 30+pts, BYU could not match NM inside on the boards and lost to a very good NM Team.

Original first game AF vs NM preview in early Feb11: One game left in first half MWC play….AF has surprised many and sits just below .500 at 3-4 as we play NM at Clune Arena to end the first half of conference action. Air Force will matchup up with a NM team that came into the season with high expectations, finished OOC with a 12-3 record, faltered early in MWC play (1-4 after 5) then wins last two with last night over #9BYU home at the PIT.

Air Force will come into this game facing a NM team that came to a crossroads two games ago and took a big win smothering TCU then culminating with an emotional win over BYU after being behind by 13pts with 14mins to play, then coming back to win (and ‘holding’ Fredette to only 32.

In my season preview last July (Go to First Look) –scroll far down for NM roster/stats from last season and expanded comments) I discussed what NM had lost from last year and thoughts on upcoming players for the fall. I had said: While NM was slated to only lose one senior (#2 scorer Martinez 13.9ppg), it was anticipated that Hobson would be lost and was (#1 scorer and rebounder 15.9ppg / 9.3 rebs). A solid line after that is still in waiting. One big surprise leaving was Nate Garth, guard and backup up top, had 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.

This has all come to fruition for NM. NM is a young (only one SR in DGary, G, leading scorer at 13+ppg. A ‘do it all’ kind of player that can play from the top, slice to the basket, leads the team in assists and 4^th in 3pt%.

After that is is youth and something to be reckoned with. DrewGordon, eligible to play at the end of OOC, is coming on as their 1of2 transfers, 6’9’/245# Jr (tr), 12ppg and a stunning 9.5 rpg. A mobile big man that will cause trouble inside for the Falcons. He is backed up by Hardeman, Jr, 6’8’/225#/5^th scorer at 7.5ppg. Again, a mobile twosome. NM actually started Kirk, 6’11/230# Freshman vs BYU, but he only played 8mins. He is avg 22mpg and 6ppg.

The surprise in the youth is that they are also starting freshman Williams at guard 12ppg/48% 3pt and leading 3 shooter. Wildcard is off the bench as with most teams. Last night vs BYU, Freshman Tony Snell who averages 14mpg/4ppg came in and went off for 4-6 from the 3pt arc.

Air Force and NM have played some very good games in recent years and last year resides in the memory of both teams returning players…maybe more so at AF who came …this close (so you also know in the back of NM Coach Alford’s mind. In the midst of the injuries last season, AF lost bad here at Clune to NM 50-73…ouch. But as we got healthier the games got competitive. We then met at the Pit where NM was ‘favored’ of course. AF played tough vs then #15NM, leading 56-55 with 20sec to play and losing 56-59. Then we followed by playing #8 NM at the MWC tourney. AF lost 69-75 after being tied at the 2^nd half 12min mark and down by only 2 with 4:45 to play. Interesting note…by my calculations, this seasons returners for AF scored 61 of AF’s 69 points in that game!

NM will post a similar challenge to us as SDSU as they are very quick and physical. While the physicality of NM (and Gordon) inside will be tough, I believe AF is a much more physical team this season. I expect to see some full court pressure by NM, but believe AF has had sufficient opportunity to prepare for that ‘overall’ this season as we have seen it often in MWC play. Although AF played on the road, the short turn may be more difficult for NM to prepare for than AF. NM’s style is not that much different to many teams we face. However NM spent time (as well as emotion) to prepare for and win over BYU. Their time for prep for AF will be limited.

Should be a great game….see everyone at Clune Arena on Tuesday 6pm tipoff and on theMtn. Hope we can get the Cadet Wing there!

AF meets up with TCU this Wednesday for it's final home game and senior night at Clune Arena. This is an interesting game for our Falcons who come off a complete game versus a very good CSU team last Saturday. AF comes into the game as the last 'scheduled' home game for seniors Tom Fow, Evan Washington and Derek Brooks, last home game before heading to the Pit and NM for their last regular season MWC game, and a game that has seeding implications for our team.

First, looking at this game, it has definate seeding implications between this game and our final at NM. The Gazette has two great breakdowns of how AF could win as high as fifth in the MWC with two wins combined with others losses. NM has a one game lead on AF and plays us and BYU. Utah has a one game lead, but with two losses in their final two (@CSU, hm vs UNLV) or one loss with two wins by AF, we win the tiebreaker. If we would finish 7th, we would probably play #2 seed SDSU. If we would finish 6th, most likely play #3UNLV as it sits now, a 5th place finish would be 'probably' CSU again. Click here for analysis Gazette 1 and Click here for analysis Gazette 2 .

In TCU's last game, they played very competitively at home vs NM....this was versus a Lobo team that knew they needed a win, and NM needed a 32pt night from Derise Gary to win by 10 at TCU. TCU had a very balanced attack in that game with five in double figures: They pounded the inside with Cerina 6'9'/245# 17 pts and Field's 6'9'/210# 17pts, Green 6'7/210# 10pts plus outside/slashing inside with guards Thorn 11pts and Hill 10pts. In our first game Cerina had 9pts and Green had 16pts. This will be a challenging matchup for AF on Wednesday!

For this game we come into a game that, like the Wyoming game, we are playing a team that has nothing to lose and is simply ready to lace up their shoes and hit the court. TCU is 1-14 and this is their 'last' regular season game before playing the play-in game at Vegas following a bye. TCU comes off a loss, but a well played game losing at home to NM by 10pts, after being behind by only three points with 8:00 to play.

In our first meeting TCU shot less than their normal 33% 3pt at 29%. They played an aggressive game inside and out rebounded us 36-25 and 9-3 offensive rebounds. Our renewed empahsis on defense, defending the lane, working the boards while not allowing wide open 3's will be the key to this game for AF. We shot well at 49% FG and 40% 3pt in the first game but 2nd chance points for TCU is what got them back in the game and into overtime. In addition, AF's 40% FT shooting cannot happen again to garner the win.

PREVIEW LOOKING AT FIRST GAME MATCHUP WITH TCU 29Jan11: Trying to get info out when I can....Checkride later in the week so it will be 'busy' for me.

Second up on this weeks 2game road trip for Air Force are the TCU Hornfrogs….No, not the BCS busting football team, but basketball. TCU comes into this game with mixed emotions. OOC play began well prior to MWC action as the Frogs beat teams such as SMU, Texas Tech, Houston and USC, all at home. Conference play has not been as successful beginning the season 1-5 with a tough early schedule, beating Wyoming at home but losing to SDSU and Utah at home and loses to BYU, UNLV and CSU on the road. While AF drives up to a 6pm local time away at CSU, TCU goes to NM for a late 8pm local tipoff vs the Lobos (and the Pit will be rocking with NM aching for a win).

TCU came into the season with mixed thoughts on what would occur. At the end of last year, the Frog’s lost their two foreign scorers #2 (12.2ppg) and #3 (10.7ppg) scorers to graduation plus backup guard Mitchem (7^th scorer at 4.4ppg). Both the two foreign players averaged 31+mpg and have left a void of experience to a degree at TCU. With graduations, TCU is a young team and has only one senior on the team this year.

TCU is indeed led by returning Jr. Ronnie Moss who leads the team at 16ppg. A very good ball handler, good slasher/midrange shooter and 34% shooter from the three. Carlon Green at 6’7’/210# is second on the team 12ppg and lead the team in 3’s with 32/64 50%. Third on the team in points is transfer hank Thorns.

Hank Thorns (5'9 PG transfer from Virginia Tech, is the 3d scorer on TCU at 10ppg. He is a transfer who averaged 5pts, 3asst, 2rbs per game as a freshman in the ACC. A very quick kid. 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.

TCU has a big backcourt…in addition to Green 6’7’, they start Cerina 6’9’/245# F, and Fields 6’9’/210# F.

Their starter are their scorers. In their loss to Utah , except for 2 pts for Fields and 6 pts off the bench, their four starters scored 54 of TCU’s 62 points. Their bench is not their strongest asset as you would expect from a young team.

Once again we find AF faced with a team that wants to get up and down the floor. While each team is different, the trend remains for Air Force to control the tempo of the game while dictating the pace on both end of the court. AF will need to ‘again’ handle full court pressure taking care of the ball. Do this, run our offense, I believe we can be ‘in’ this game on the road!

Here we go. It's cruch time this Saturday vs CSU then TCU at home, then final regular season game vs NM at the Pit. AF comes off a 2point loss in Wyoming and CSU comes off a hard fought road game at Provo against #7 BYU. CSU came out of this game with a loss but a very good game. In our first meeting in Ft Collins, AF played a gritty game getting behind early, leading at the half by one, but CSU kept coming back to make it a game with AF losing by three 66-69. AF played and shot well in that game going 50% FG and 52% 3pt while holding CSU to 45% FG and 19% 3pt. Keys to that game for CSU's comeback and win was inside and AF taking care of the ball. Like their loss Wed to Wyoming, AF had 17 TO's in the game vs CSU and allowed 32 points in the paint in the first meeting to CSU, many/most of those in the 2nd half.

For AF to win and be in this game they must 1) Take care of the ball 2) Must get back to finding a way to score inside and out and MUST find their offense and avoid extended minutes of no scoring. This is becoming a bad trend for our Falcons. 3) Must get out of the gate quicker and not play catchup. 4) Eikmeir did not play first game...must contain him outside as well as Nigon. 5) Must not give open points and 2nd chance points to the rams. Frist game only out offensive rebounded 5 vs 9 for Rams, overall rebounds even for both teams.

First Preview of January 2011 first meeting with CSU: It’s time….major week for our Air Force Falcons to focus and play some of their basketball. And they need to try to do that on the road as they travel to CSU and TCU. At 2-3 in the MWC season with losses to the top 3 teams (in games they either led or trailed by single digits late into the 2^nd half), they now face two teams away and one at home to finish the first half of conference play.

Our Falcons begin Wednesday at CSU. CSU at 3-2 with wins over UNLV, Wyo and TCU and losses to NM and #9BYU. CSU is a team that coming into the season I thought would be tough this fall. Read my overview of the MWC I did last July . CSU is a team that lost NO players returning from last years 16-16 team plus returned FOY Carr and got a major JC transfer in Eikmeier who is the teams 3d leading scorer.

In their last game on Wed, CSU lost to #9BYU. Similar to our game, CSU played BYU even in the first half but eventually was down by 15 at halftime and 17pts with 17mins to play. But like in our game with BYU, CSU kept the play up and brought it down to a 6pt deficit with 5mins to go, eventually losing 85-94 (as compared to AF down by 18 AT BYU, coming back to a 8pt deficit and losing 66-76. We held Fredette to 22 pts, they (in a much quicker tempo game ‘held’ him to 41points. In perspective BYU shot 57FG’s vs AF and 62 vs CSU.

We will see a difference in styles as we matchup with CSU. CSU will try to keep it uptempo (as most teams do versus us) but will go to a good half court set if unable to run. The difference with CSU vs other opponents, is they are equally good inside and outside with their shooting. In conference (not overall) AF has a lead in 3pt shooting 46% vs CSU 40% while for the year AFxxxxxxxx. FG% in conference, if you can believe it, we are both equal at 49.8% (tied for 18^th in the NCAA). This show you how strong CSU is inside.

Going into the lane both slashing and by power, AF will face several ‘big’s’ that we will have to figure out. While we have done this successfully vs all the teams we have faced, the outside 3 threat will be interesting especially on the road. Ogide leading scorer 6’9’/245#/16ppg/28mpg, Franklin 6’7’/215#/Forward/#2 scorer/16ppg/27mpg. Hornung 200# and McFarland 225# fill in at the forwards/bigs.

From the outside we see several familiar faces pacing CSU. Nigon, 47%/3pt plus Eikmeir, Carr and Green (all 38% 3pt for the year) lead the game respectively from the 3pt arc .

On defense, it will be interesting to see what CSU does. Hopefully someone who has watched more games can provide some insight. Versus BYU, they played man to man to try to negate Fredette. It will be interesting to see if they choose to man us up after watching our 3-pt shooting versus Wyoming or elect to zone us and see if we can keep it hot from the outside.

AF first look at Wyoming on the road 23 February 2011 Air Force faces Wyoming for the second time this season at a crucial time for our Falcons. Air Force comes off two games which they had opportunities to win...on the road at UNLV and at home vs #6 SDSU. In both these game AF played with great intensity on the defensive end of the court with perhaps their two best defensive games of the season, to include holding SDSU to 35% FG. Conversely, AF had good first halves in both of those games then a poor offensive showing in the 2^nd versus UNLV followed by a tough 2^nd half vs a very physical SDSU where poor shooting and fouls got in their way.

This is a pivotal game for our Falcons. Utah went into the Pit last night and at the buzzer threw up a Doug Flutee ‘hail Mary’ the used glass, rim, the earth’s rotation to win the game by two, thus taking a half game lead in the standing over AF. While not playing for a top three spot, the difference between 6^th and 7^th could be the difference between playing a #1 or #2 seed (SDSU/BYU) or a #3/#4 seed (CSU/UNLV). AF has this away game vs Wyoming, home vs CSU and TCU and away @ NM. Utah has only three games left @ CSU and home vs TCU and UNLV. If Utah wins two then AF needs to win three to be tied, and we have the tie breaker! BIG GAME for our Falcons.

Once again we are facing a Wyoming team with a large question mark hanging over them. We travel to face them on the road in a very tough venue, versus a healthier team than when we first met, and playing their third game after former head coach Schroyer was let go. This is ‘not’ the same team we first faced in several ways. New coach, much improved health and knowing they ‘can’ win, having beat TCU by 10 in Laramie. In addition, Wyoming again had a bye week to prepare for our meeting.

Wyoming’s player breakdown is the below in the original preview I did in January prior to our first meeting. Jackson 15ppg, M’Baye11ppg and Thiam 10ppg still combine for their top scorers while Cruz adds an additional 9.5ppg/37% 3pt/gm. Thiam and M’Baye, both a 6’9’ as forwards, offer athletic skills as forwards/centers. They are long and athletic similar to SDSU in their play. Desmar Jackson continue to be the focus up top with dribble drive and the ability to score. Interesting note: Interim head coach Langley did not start Jackson, having him come into the game at the 14:47 mark. I find this interesting…Jackson was game high scorer with 17 for UW. JDLuster did not play in their last game (loss to Utah by 10 at Utah) and his status is unknown.

For me the focus on this game for AF is defensive intensity. If we can keep and match the intensity we had for the last two game on defense then I believe we have the upper hand. I think we should continue to do what we have done well in both first halves of last two games: Make the offense work from the inside out. Note in the SDSU loss, we were ahead at half 32-31 scoring all points inside (zero threes in the first half). With that said, we need to get the shot outside the arc going and blend it in to have equal production inside and outside. Boards once again will be critical. Although Wyoming lost to Utah, the Cowboy bigs of Wadell, Thiam, M’Baye out rebounded them overall by one and 12-6 on the offensive glass. This will be key for our Falcons.

First preview Wyoming from 20Jan11. The crux of the problem vs Wyoming will be the SDSU game. First and foremost, I believe our Falcons need to take the SDSU (@ SDSU) game as a one and done game and be ready to go to the next game. WE overachieve, shock the nation and upset SDSU!!!...then we need to get over it and get ready for Wyoming. We do not fare well in SD, then we forget it (vs the #6 team in the nation) and come home and build on the aggressive play we did on Saturday vs UNLV and get back into the win column. This game is a double edge sword in many ways. No matter the outcome vs SD, it will be an all out effort for our guys after a tough game vs UNLV.

As luck would (or would not) have it, Wyoming has a bye this week. While we are in SD playing the Aztecs, Wyoming will be home having 7 days to prepare for our team and our offense/defense.

Wyoming has struggled overall this season. See the same link from this summer on looking at the 2010-11 season, (Go to First Look) Wyoming lost only 1 Sr from last years team and got Muojeke back. The team has played well at times. Desmar Jackson (3d team MWC as a freshman) is the leading scorer and does it mostly by going inside as he did last season. He took over the role when Muojeke got injured last season and has not let go of the role averaging 15ppg. Muojeke, still not 100% in my mind, is 5^th on the team in scoring (8ppg/18mpg).

Wyoming starts Jackson and Cruz (JC transfer) 8ppg at guard. Big Waddell 6’10’/235# still starts at Center but is only getting 18mpg/6ppg. Thiam, listed as a F @ 6’10/215# is not starting but getting 27mpg/11ppg rotating at the F/C position with Waddell and 6’8’/240# So Gibson 9mpg/3ppg. JD Luster can provide a spark at guard and is a wide card in his play.

AF matches up well with this team. Waddell is big and can move but I believe the inside is not the problem with him. Wyoming is a 29% 3pt team and their offense is based on the dribble/drive especially with the ball in Jackson’s hands. Key will be to limit him (hard to do) but get him into foul trouble. Their top 3pt shooter is JC transfer Cruz…we will have to keep him from getting hot (avg’s 40% 3pt). On offense we must dribble drive to the inside but have the flexibility to kick out. Key may be our centers Taylor/Zach/Derek hitting the early 3 to bring Waddell or whoever out of the lane

Air Force plays their second game with SDSU, now #6 in the nation, as they come to Clune Arena thsi Saturday. Air Force comes off a very unsatifying loss at UNLV this week, in a game they may have played their best defensive effort while delivering a poor shooting offensive game. For Air Force to compete vs SDSU, they will have to do so on both ends of the court. SDSU is currently 25-1 (10-1) and plays tonight at NM in the PIT. We are furtunate to have an extra day to prepare for SDSU while they will have to lay it all on the line to get a win versus a resurging NM team that is difficult to beat at their home arena.

While having an extra day to prepare, AF also has the advantage of coming off a game where they will face a similar foe in the Aztecs as to UNLV. Both team exemplify physical and athletic play and both like to get the ball moving up the court. SDSU continues to be long and athletic and will challenge AF inside the paint. I expect to see mostly man-man after watching our first meeting with SDSU. I was at the first game in Viejas Arena and saw our AF Falcons the Aztec in their own house. Although it ended as a 13pt loss, AF was done only by 4 at the half and only by 2 with 12:40 to play. Both teams shot well with AF going 6-11 54% from the 3pt arc. The big difference in this game (and why is it always in the other teams favor?) was that AF was 5-6 from the FT line but SD shot 7-16 from the line. While it was on 2pt's difference from the line, the psycological effect of being on the 'the side' of the FT numbers was part of the equation in the loss. Full recap of the first game with box score and play-by-play http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310190021

SDSU really does differ from UNLV in one glaring area. While very physical and liking to go inside witih their bigs (and they have several to include Billy White 6'8'/235# , 6'11'/300#Carlwell and Sophomore Leonard 6'7'/225# (possible NBA bound).....they shoot the ball very well from the outside unlike the Rebels. They currently shoot the 3 ball at 36% and make the timely shots when needed.

Air Force must take care of the ball in this game, must find more than one person that can successfully hit the shot from the outside while still trying to go inside where we must also score. If SDSU is able to keep us outside the land then our difficulty will mount and, due to their quickness, we will find it difficult to get clear and open shots from the outside. AF must get production from their bigs in some combination for us to be in this game. Should be a good one at Clune. Here is the first preview from earlier in the season with additional SDSU roster evaluation.

First preview of SDSU for first meeting in MWC play in SD earlier this season. Air Force comesoff an unsatisfying loss to UNLV to go on the road to #6 SDSU then home to face Wyoming. SDSU leads the MWC with a 19-0 (4-0) record and Wyoming is at the opposite end of the standings at 8-10 (1-3). Air Force after their loss is now 10-6 (1-2 in the MWC). Unknown at this writing…status of Taylor Broekhuis who twisted his ankle per the Gazette in the game vs UNLV.

SDSU is playing for real. All the comments I made earlier in the summer have come to fruition (see my preview I wrote back in June at: (Go to First Look) . SDSU brings back all starters plus all other players except one from last years NCAA team and also gets a transfer and player(s) back in full health who battled injuries last year. SDSU has played very well as their records shows and have wins over Gonzaga and Cal as part of their 19 wins. Some question the overall toughness of their schedule to date but it stands up with the best of them. One RPI site has them #2 in the country....SDSU comes in ranked 16th by kenpom with the #27 strongest schedule.

As with every year, SDSU plays a big 5 on the floor at all times, to include 3 Sr's. The term most often to describe them is 'long and athletic'. Kwai Leonard 6'7'/205 F (last years Fr of the year) and Billy White 6'8'/225# F pace this team. In their game vs NM, DJ Gay lead the team with 30pts (6'2'/170#). Their bigs include Shelton 6'7'/245# and Carwell 6'9'/300#...and he's not a 'round' 300#'. They are shooting 50% FG, 36% 3pt and 68% FT's. They play an uptempo offense trying to run the ball and will play aggressive half court pressing defense. Some full court may be seen but not traditionally versus our Falcons.

In their last game vs NM at the PIT, NM’s Coach Alford made the observation postgame: Coach Steve Alford, who lost only his fourth league home game with the Lobos, said it was "pick your poison" in whether to stop San Diego State's potent inside game or check the Aztecs on the perimeter. The plan was to play tough inside defense, and Gay and Tapley stepped up.

Again, while the Aztec are an average shooting team from the arc, they pick the time to get hot outside when needed and did in their last game going 13-25 52% 3pt shooting and DJ Gay an unconscious 7-11 (note: for the season he is a 40% 3pt shooter….WAY above his average.

In this matchup AF will have multiple decisions. Inside or outside. With most game as I have seen this season, AF will begin with guarding the interior/lane and tell the Aztecs to win it by making it from the outside. If they begin to hit then I expect to see shifts from matchup to box-1, 2-3 or 1-3-1 zone or something else. We have actually been ‘very’ successful in defending the lane. To date, and I hate to write this down (as I type here), AF has done fantastic on the inside game but teams that have won have done it with above average shooting from the three.

AF needs to control TO’s against SD aggressive defense. On offense, they must run the offense (and I would not be surprised to see mostly zone by SD) inside out aggressively even with the overly-athletic SD team. In the past we have had little to no inside game vs SD due to their ability to recover if/when beaten. I believe we ‘are’ faster and more athletic this year to help that area….but we must also be able to hit the three to open the lane, especially vs SD.

Matchup Edge

Statistics

Air Force gets a chance to play #9 BYU and the possible NCAA player of the year Jimmer Fredette at home at Clune this Wednesday with a 8pm MST tipoff. Could there be a bigger game at Clune this year? (Actually, possibly, if SDSU is still ranked above BYU the following week!).

Below these comments is the preview of BYU done prior to our first meeting @ BYU. AF came into that game as underdogs and early in that game it looked very bad as AF was down by 18pts with 18mins to go…but AF battled back in Provo getting it within 8pts with 3mins to go. While still losing, it was the first game on the road for this young team and raised some eyebrows around the MWC. AF held Fredette to 22pts in that game. Since then AF comes into this game at 4-5 off a road win at Utah and BYU at #9 nationally ranked 22-2 (8-1MWC) off a big home win vs UNLV.

Very good video summerizing BYU in their game vs UNLV. Listen and watch what we will face. Good look at team play, assists and Fredette as a scorer and as giving assists. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?n...mp;sid=14274487

Fredette continues to be the focus of this team. He is averaging a NCAA leading 27.6ppg and a team high 4.3apg. Interesting, he is getting as many or more points from the FT line than FG’s (16-16FT’s vs UNLV). Is he really getting fouled that much or just getting the calls? You watch and decide. He dribble drives aggressively and knows when to dish the ball. Guy’s playing him tight and if you touch him with your hand (or look at him) he will probably get the call. One point of note from a personal observation: Many have questioned his defense and his ability in the NBA. I watched him vs UNLV and he is indeed passive on defense, not wanting to get a foul called on him. I believe this is his big weakness and could hurt his team if exploited. He’s playing a team high 34.5mpg so defenses (and offenses) need to work him hard.

But this is not just a one man team although, without him, a more beatable team. Emery 14.4ppg (outstanding quick defender, team leader in steals and 2^nd in assists), Davies 11.6ppg (quick inside 6’9’/235#) Hartsock 9.0ppg and shooting 48%3pts…great for a big man and lastly Fr. Starter Kyle Collinsworth (6’6’/lanky/210#G) 6.7ppg…a very quick kid and getting better each game).

I believe we can do the impossible and hang with this team. While concerned inside, the physical matchup with AF vs BYU is better than vs a SDSU or NM. Defense on Fredette will be interesting to see…read this article on defending him as NM did: The Jimmer Fredette (Defense) Blueprint http://basketball.realgm.com/a...dette_Blueprint

On offense we must control the tempo and get off to a good start. Can’t wait and hope to see the stands full of Air Force Blue and Silver, not the other ‘blue’.

Air Force First look at BYU 8 January 2011…Air Force goes on the road to face a strong BYU team that is #16 in the nation and who comes off a road win at #25 UNLV in their season opener. They are playing with their all-American candidate and Wooden Watchlist player Jimmer Fredette who is averaging 25ppg in 31mpg and who shot for 39pts vs UNLV. He is paired up with Jackson Emory, another senior, who is averaging 12ppg and had 22pts vs UNLV.
We have seen this team before and know the players in front of us. While not playing 'big' like Utah, they start two 235# players in Harsock at center 6'9' and Davies at forward at 6'9'. Davies is very explosive inside while Hartsock, a very good player, plays like a more traditional center. They did start their freshman standout Kris Collinsworth who gave minutes but not many points.

Air Force and BYU's matchup is interesting on paper. Full comparison at http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/compare?t2=air-forc e&t1=brigham-young

BYU is ranked by statsheet.com as the #1 RPI team in the nation and the #18 SOS...AF is not close to these numbers.

While BYU's play is a team effort, their focus is obviously Fredette. Except for their freshman guard, their starting four generate points off a nationally ranked #57 15.2 assists per game...with AF right behind at #72 14.8 assists per game. They do rebound very well averaging 12offensive rebounds per game and I believe this will be a focus of the game as with every game AF plays.

The matchups I see as being critical will obviously be that of Fredette first and Emory second. Looking at their scoring options and play, both have the ability to score and score in 'bunches'. We have seen an evolution in our defense from playing only matchup zone to a combination matchup, 1-3-1, 2-3, some man and some box-and-one. I will be curious to see if we start early to target Fredette or not! On offense, AF must dig in their heels and start early and not get behind giving the projected 14,000 BYU fans the opportunity to scream for 40 minutes. Once again on offense we 'must' get time and minutes from our bench along with points and it cannot be just from Derek who is playing so well. The defensive efforts of Shawn and Mike Fitzgerald have been good and keys in many game. We must continue to get them moving to put points in the basket, as well as more time and points from Zach. My concern is the amount of minutes Evan and Mike Lyons are getting.

Many think that this is a 'given' X in the W column for BYU. But, as good as they are, there should be caution. They hammered us last year and they know it. They are coming off a very emotional win over UNLV a ranked team and they know it. Utah is not a 'great' team that AF beat and BYU know's it. they play their rival Utah next and they know it. This is Air Force they are playing and they know it. BYU is a very good team, but any play can get caught 'looking' ahead. Watch out BYU, this is 'not' the game you want to lose focus on or AF may surprise you.

AF first look at Utah :Tipoff 5 February2011 As Air Force begins the second half of play we keep the order the same but change venues. First up as we begin our final 8 conferenace games is Utah in Salt Lake City. The prview of the team done prior to the first game is below and highlights thoughts then and players. Air Force and Utah both come into this game looking up at 3-5 in the MWC. Utah was ‘unknown’ at the beginning of the year with new players and it showed losing their first 3, then wins @Wyo, Hm vs NM and @TCU with loses following in a close game 68-74 @CSU and a big loss last night at UNLV 54-67. Leading scorer is still transfer Clyburn 19ppg (16pts vs AF) and Josh Washburn 15ppg (held to 6pts vs AF). Kupets, the man on fire in our first game with 5-6 3pt/25pts is averaging 7ppg and 42% 3pt shooting. Biggest thing I see is 10players on Utah getting double minutes of play with 16mpg or more so their experience across the team has been growing.

AF needs to find the balance between the inside and outside defense. We do that, we play the offense we have (and have our ‘normal’ TO’s not 17), we can win this game on the road.

Preview done 2Jan11: Utah (7-7) after loss New Years Eve @ Portland (12-3), is a team in transition. Utah came into the season with the loss of their top two scorers due to transfer and the loss of two others. They rebuilt thier team with those that stayed along with several key transfers. For an early look at Utah's players from Summer 2010 review I did.. (Go to First Look..scroll down for Utah) I don not have the names of all transfers at the time but it gives you an idea. Utah still has the twin towers starting Washburn, 7'0', 235#, So, 8ppg backed up by Foster, 7'3', 250#, Jr, 2ppg. Their leading scorers are two of their transfers from JC, Clyburn 18ppg and Josh Watkins 15ppg...returning senior Jay Watkins is 3d at 9ppg. They are mostly a 'go inside team' averaging 29% from the 3pt arc. They are an up and down team with wins vs Bradley and Boise St (young team) but loses Butler, Oral Roberts, Utah St.

Air Force will be challenged by the size of this team in the middle, but will also have to matchup with two difficult drive and dive players in Clyburn 6'7', Watkins 6'0' and Watkins 6'8 to add to the quickness and the size.

One game left in MWC play….AF has surprised many and sits just below .500 at 3-4 as we play NM at Clune Arena to end the first half of conference action. Air Force will matchup up with a NM team that came into the season with high expectations, finished OOC with a 12-3 record, faltered early in MWC play (1-4 after 5) then wins last two with last night over #9BYU home at the PIT.

Should be a great game….see everyone at Clune Arena on Tuesday 6pm tipoff and on theMtn. Hope we can get the Cadet Wing there!

2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

Trying to get info out when I can....Checkride later in the week so it will be 'busy' for me.

Second up on this weeks 2game road trip for Air Force are the TCU Hornfrogs….No, not the BCS busting football team, but basketball. TCU comes into this game with mixed emotions. OOC play began well prior to MWC action as the Frogs beat teams such as SMU, Texas Tech, Houston and USC, all at home. Conference play has not been as successful beginning the season 1-5 with a tough early schedule, beating Wyoming at home but losing to SDSU and Utah at home and loses to BYU, UNLV and CSU on the road. While AF drives up to a 6pm local time away at CSU, TCU goes to NM for a late 8pm local tipoff vs the Lobos (and the Pit will be rocking with NM aching for a win).

TCU has a big backcourt…in addition to Green 6’7’, they start Cerina 6’9’/245# F, and Fields 6’9’/210# F.

It’s time….major week for our Air Force Falcons to focus and play some of their basketball. And they need to try to do that on the road as they travel to CSU and TCU. At 2-3 in the MWC season with losses to the top 3 teams (in games they either led or trailed by single digits late into the 2^nd half), they now face two teams away and one at home to finish the first half of conference play.

From the outside we see several familiar faces pacing CSU. Nigon, 47%/3pt plus Eikmeir, Carr and Green (all 38% 3pt for the year) lead the game respectively from the 3pt arc .

SDSU on Wednesday. Air Force comes off an unsatisfying loss to UNLV to go on the road to #6 SDSU then home to face Wyoming. SDSU leads the MWC with a 19-0 (4-0) record and Wyoming is at the opposite end of the standings at 8-10 (1-3). Air Force after their loss is now 10-6 (1-2 in the MWC). Unknown at this writing…status of Taylor Broekhuis who twisted his ankle per the Gazette in the game vs UNLV.

Wyoming next Saturday. The crux of the problem vs Wyoming will be the SDSU. First and foremost, I believe our Falcons need to take the SDSU (@ SDSU) game as a one and done game and be ready to go to the next game. WE overachieve, shock the nation and upset SDSU!!!...then we need to get over it and get ready for Wyoming. We do not fare well in SD, then we forget it (vs the #6 team in the nation) and come home and build on the aggressive play we did on Saturday vs UNLV and get back into the win column. This game is a double edge sword in many ways. No matter the outcome vs SD, it will be an all out effort for our guys after a tough game vs UNLV.

As luck would (or would not) have it, Wyoming has a bye this week. While we are in SD playing the Aztecs, Wyoming will be home having 7 days to prepare for our team and our offense/defense.

Matchup Edge

Statistics

Matchup Edge

Statistics

AF first look at Florida A&M University and 1st 2011 MWC foe Utah for 2-5 January 2011

Air Force faces their last OOC opponent Florida A&M University (FAMU) on 2Jan11 at Clune Arena then begins the 2010-2011 MWC schedule with a home game vs Utah on the 5th. AF is coming off a tough road trip going 1-1 with a win vs Sam Houston St and a loss @ UTEP. FAMU is 5-7 (0-1 MEAC) while Utah is 7-6 OOC and playing @ Portland on New Years Eve at the time of this update. (Scroll down for Utah)

FAMU is a young team that starts 1 Sr, 1 Jr, 1 So and 2 Fr in it's last game. Although not all starting, FAMU"s 3 Sr are all in their top six scorers. Their top two scorers are Jenkin, Sr, 13ppg Stevens, So, 8ppg along with two others at 8ppg, only 1 true big man (really 290#) but limited in play to 8mpg. They are an avg team from the outside at 32% 3pt. Based on number of FG's they are a run and shoot team averaging 60 FGperGm vs AF 47 FGperGm. Hard to compare the matchup with FAMU as their opponents seem to be vey similar to them in the run-gun so a much high number of rpg for FAMU.

I expect them to try to run and AF to put them at 'our pace' at the 7,000 AGL they will find themselves at Clune Arena. I believe this may be the game that AF finds itself 'healthier' with Taylor Broekhuis back, hopefully Mike Lyons unless they rest him for the season opener vs Utah, and Zach Bohannon back with another few practices under his belt. This may be the final 'golden' opportunity for the Falcons to play a full game, hopefully get a lead and get some 'other' off the bench for experience prior to MWC play.

Per Game Stats | Stat Totals | Advanced Stats

	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
AF	66.8	47.7	71.5	33.3	30.1	6.2	23.9	14.2	12.6	6.9	3.3	17.3
FAMU	67.4	40.7	59.0	32.4	40.0	13.8	26.2	10.1	16.7	8.7	4.7	20.8
AF Opps	63.7	38.9	74.9	34.1	34.8	12.2	22.6	13.5	14.2	5.5	2.4	20.8
FAMU Opps	68.8	39.8	64.3	36.1	40.2	13.8	26.3	13.6	17.0	8.3	2.9	18.0

2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

POINTS	PPG	FG%	FT%	3PT%
A. Stevens	13.0	.492	.653	.240
R. Jenkins	8.1	.357	.643	.373
REBOUNDS	REB	OFF	DEF	BPG
Y. Crowder	7.1	2.3	4.8	1.9
A. Stevens	6.7	2.4	4.3	0.5
ASSISTS	APG	SPG	TO	AST/TO
R. Jenkins	2.9	0.9	2.1	1.4
J. Kennings	1.5	1.0	3.5	0.4

Per Game Stats | Stat Totals | Advanced Stats

		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#5	R. Jenkins	12	12	25.417	8.083	35.7	64.3	37.3	2.25	0.333	1.917	2.917	2.083	0.917	0.0	2.333
#22	A. Stevens	12	11	25.333	13.0	49.2	65.3	24.0	6.667	2.417	4.25	1.167	1.833	1.25	0.5	2.083
#42	Y. Crowder	12	12	24.917	8.0	45.6	63.6	0.0	7.083	2.333	4.75	0.25	2.167	1.083	1.917	2.917
#32	L. Jackson	12	8	22.833	5.917	50.0	44.2	0.0	4.917	1.25	3.667	0.5	1.667	0.25	0.417	2.917
#1	A. Moore	12	4	19.417	7.667	29.3	77.8	27.8	1.833	0.583	1.25	1.333	1.917	1.417	0.0	1.0
#20	B. Hosley	12	8	18.0	5.25	36.7	80.0	29.7	1.833	0.167	1.667	1.333	1.25	1.0	0.083	1.083
#25	J. Dean	12	0	15.833	4.0	42.2	50.0	20.0	3.167	1.083	2.083	0.667	1.5	0.583	0.583	2.083
#12	R. Lewis	12	4	15.333	4.917	40.4	87.5	51.9	1.0	0.417	0.583	0.583	0.5	0.167	0.083	1.417
#3	C. Walker	10	1	16.9	5.4	38.8	57.7	33.3	5.1	1.8	3.3	0.7	1.3	0.5	0.8	1.5
#21	C. Bent	11	0	8.909	3.636	47.2	33.3	0.0	2.0	0.727	1.273	0.182	1.273	0.273	0.364	2.818
#2	C. Watson	6	0	10.167	2.833	37.5	40.0	42.9	1.833	0.667	1.167	0.333	1.0	1.167	0.167	0.833
#11	I. Brown	6	0	5.667	1.333	18.2	66.7	0.0	0.667	0.333	0.333	0.333	0.333	1.167	0.0	0.167
		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#35	E. Washington	12	12	33.917	9.917	45.2	56.5	0.0	4.833	0.667	4.167	2.667	2.583	1.417	0.833	1.833
#20	T. Fow	12	12	27.167	12.417	47.3	87.0	43.1	3.917	0.5	3.417	0.833	1.25	1.0	0.25	1.583
#34	T. Broekhuis	10	10	31.8	11.4	56.6	74.1	30.8	4.9	1.1	3.8	1.9	2.0	0.6	1.1	2.9
#14	M. Lyons	11	10	28.909	13.0	51.1	76.7	25.0	3.636	1.273	2.364	2.091	2.091	1.091	0.545	2.364
#10	T. Fletcher	12	12	25.417	4.667	43.2	76.2	36.4	2.0	0.25	1.75	3.0	1.25	0.917	0.25	2.417
#24	D. Brooks	12	0	22.667	10.0	47.6	77.8	40.0	5.083	0.917	4.167	1.0	1.083	0.917	0.417	2.417
#15	T. Stewart	12	2	17.25	3.167	38.2	57.1	0.0	1.833	0.583	1.25	1.583	1.25	0.667	0.083	1.083
#5	M. Fitzgerald	12	0	11.5	1.583	34.8	100.0	7.7	0.75	0.25	0.5	0.333	0.333	0.167	0.0	0.917
#32	S. Hempsey	9	0	10.667	2.333	50.0	75.0	20.0	1.778	0.111	1.667	1.444	0.778	0.222	0.0	1.111
#13	Z. Bohannon	2	1	16.0	6.0	40.0	85.7	50.0	2.0	0.0	2.0	1.0	2.0	0.0	0.5	4.0
#30	A. Brakeville	6	1	3.667	0.333	25.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.167	0.833	0.0	0.333	0.167	0.0	1.333
#21	M. Jerrett	2	0	1.5	1.0	100.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.5
		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG

.......
Utah (7-7) after loss New Years Eve @ Portland (12-3), is a team in transition. Utah came into the season with the loss of their top two scorers due to transfer and the loss of two others. They rebuilt thier team with those that stayed along with several key transfers. For an early look at Utah's players from Summer 2010 review I did.. (Go to First Look..scroll down for Utah) I don not have the names of all transfers at the time but it gives you an idea. Utah still has the twin towers starting Washburn, 7'0', 235#, So, 8ppg backed up by Foster, 7'3', 250#, Jr, 2ppg. Their leading scorers are two of their transfers from JC, Clyburn 18ppg and Josh Watkins 15ppg...returning senior Jay Watkins is 3d at 9ppg. They are mostly a 'go inside team' averaging 29% from the 3pt arc. They are an up and down team with wins vs Bradley and Boise St (young team) but loses Butler, Oral Roberts, Utah St.

Air Force will be challenged by the size of this team in the middle, but will also have to matchup with two difficult drive and dive players in Clyburn 6'7', Watkins 6'0' and Watkins 6'8 to add to the quickness and the size.

Per Game Stats | Stat Totals | Advanced Stats

	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
UTAH	70.5	42.6	70.6	28.3	37.9	12.2	25.7	9.6	14.5	5.5	5.5	21.6
AF	66.8	47.7	71.5	33.3	30.1	6.2	23.9	14.2	12.6	6.9	3.3	17.3
UTAH Opps	69.4	40.6	69.5	32.7	35.3	11.5	23.8	11.2	12.5	6.8	4.2	21.5
AF Opps	63.7	38.9	74.9	34.1	34.8	12.2	22.6	13.5	14.2	5.5	2.4	20.8

2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

POINTS	PPG	FG%	FT%	3PT%
W. Clyburn	18.8	.463	.767	.409
J. Watkins	14.6	.427	.700	.200
REBOUNDS	REB	OFF	DEF	BPG
W. Clyburn	8.6	2.4	6.2	0.2
S. Glover	5.6	1.5	4.1	0.5
ASSISTS	APG	SPG	TO	AST/TO
J. Watkins	3.5	0.9	3.7	0.9
C. Kupets	1.4	0.5	1.5	0.9

Per Game Stats | Stat Totals | Advanced Stats

		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
	W. Clyburn	13	12	36.231	18.769	46.3	76.7	40.9	8.615	2.385	6.231	1.308	2.0	1.538	0.154	2.615
	J. Watkins	13	13	29.846	14.615	42.7	70.0	20.0	1.923	0.538	1.385	3.462	3.692	0.923	0.0	2.923
#42	J. Washburn	13	12	22.615	7.846	58.7	75.7	0.0	5.231	1.846	3.385	0.385	1.154	0.615	1.615	3.231
#1	J. Watkins	11	8	25.636	8.909	47.8	58.6	0.0	4.818	1.545	3.273	0.818	1.0	0.364	0.091	2.091
#0	C. Hines	13	8	21.231	6.231	38.6	70.6	33.3	1.385	0.385	1.0	0.846	1.846	0.538	0.0	1.769
#32	S. Glover	13	7	19.923	6.231	35.5	70.0	21.6	5.615	1.538	4.077	0.538	0.923	0.385	0.462	2.154
#51	D. Foster	13	1	16.231	2.0	50.0	66.7	0.0	3.385	1.0	2.385	0.462	1.308	0.308	3.0	2.846
	C. Kupets	11	1	17.273	5.364	35.0	86.7	19.0	1.091	0.273	0.818	1.364	1.545	0.545	0.0	2.455
	A. DiMaria	12	0	7.333	1.5	31.2	71.4	23.1	1.167	0.25	0.917	0.167	0.417	0.083	0.0	0.75
#2	J. Tavita	5	0	16.0	1.2	10.0	66.7	0.0	3.4	0.8	2.6	1.0	1.2	0.6	0.2	1.4
	J. O`Brien	4	3	15.25	2.75	31.2	25.0	0.0	3.5	1.5	2.0	0.75	1.75	0.25	0.25	3.0
#41	J. Olsen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#35	E. Washington	12	12	33.917	9.917	45.2	56.5	0.0	4.833	0.667	4.167	2.667	2.583	1.417	0.833	1.833
#20	T. Fow	12	12	27.167	12.417	47.3	87.0	43.1	3.917	0.5	3.417	0.833	1.25	1.0	0.25	1.583
#34	T. Broekhuis	10	10	31.8	11.4	56.6	74.1	30.8	4.9	1.1	3.8	1.9	2.0	0.6	1.1	2.9
#14	M. Lyons	11	10	28.909	13.0	51.1	76.7	25.0	3.636	1.273	2.364	2.091	2.091	1.091	0.545	2.364
#10	T. Fletcher	12	12	25.417	4.667	43.2	76.2	36.4	2.0	0.25	1.75	3.0	1.25	0.917	0.25	2.417
#24	D. Brooks	12	0	22.667	10.0	47.6	77.8	40.0	5.083	0.917	4.167	1.0	1.083	0.917	0.417	2.417
#15	T. Stewart	12	2	17.25	3.167	38.2	57.1	0.0	1.833	0.583	1.25	1.583	1.25	0.667	0.083	1.083
#5	M. Fitzgerald	12	0	11.5	1.583	34.8	100.0	7.7	0.75	0.25	0.5	0.333	0.333	0.167	0.0	0.917
#32	S. Hempsey	9	0	10.667	2.333	50.0	75.0	20.0	1.778	0.111	1.667	1.444	0.778	0.222	0.0	1.111
#13	Z. Bohannon	2	1	16.0	6.0	40.0	85.7	50.0	2.0	0.0	2.0	1.0	2.0	0.0	0.5	4.0
#30	A. Brakeville	6	1	3.667	0.333	25.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.167	0.833	0.0	0.333	0.167	0.0	1.333
#21	M. Jerrett	2	0	1.5	1.0	100.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.5

2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

Matchup Edge

Statistics

2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

SDSU 2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

Wyoming 2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

Matchup Edge

Statistics

Matchup Edge

Statistics

2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS

2010-11 REGULAR SEASON TEAM LEADERS