It's never too early: My First Look at the MWC for 2014-2015
Postby ltcpilot » Today, 2:16 pm
Enjoy.....Next year should be interesting...
1st Look MWCBBALL 2014-2015 who leaves, who returns
Full look at all returners plus their stats for 2014-2015
The MWC celebrated victory for one team as New Mexico beat San Diego State for the MWC Championship at the Thomas&Mack Center in Las Vegas. The following day announcements were made for some teams and for others it was back to the officers to begin looking at next season. San Diego State gets a #4 seed and New Mexico a #7 seed in the NCAA tourney. The MWC does not get any teams invited to the NIT this year and Fresno State and Wyoming draws the bids to play in the CBI. Note that UNLV finished the season with an opportunity to play in post-season in the CIT but decline saying better to just get ready for next season and Boise State also turned down an invite citing ‘injuries and the health of the team’ as reasons not to participate.
With basketball fresh in our minds and the teams and players in the MWC still familiar with fans, I thought I would take an early look at who is leaving and who is coming back from current team rosters as they graduate some, lose some and return many. This is a look at returners only and is not looking at recruits and/or transfers to the teams.
All the links do not transfer here so read full review at: http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
AIR FORCE Team 2013-2014: 66ppg/32rpg/33% 3pt shooting
For Air Force, their basketball season came to an abrupt end with their loss to Fresno State at the MWC tournament followed by a long plane ride home to cool weather, Recognition Week for the Doolies on the team and to ponder what is next for them on the basketball court as they look forward to next season. Several team loses only a few players, but Air Force is projected to have everyone back that played significant minutes throughout the season. In fact, the Falcons only lose one senior, Chase Kammerer, who finished his senior season as a role player for the Falcons and averaging only 1.4ppg. This should mean the Falcons start training for the fall season without losing any of it’s strengths and can only be better based on experience and the additions it may get from either the Prep School or from direct in recruits. Remember, this was a young team in this 2013-2014 season having graduated 5 senior starters and the top 7 scorers from the past season. Fast forward to this fall and the potential is there for an exceptional season. Top returners back in the fall:
(Rank is ranking in points scored in 2013-2014; Yr is Class Next season)
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
Keys for the Falcons will be who establishes clear roles as the leader of the team both in communication and in play. Need to find consistent scoring from the outside and it will be incumbent for Coach P to not just find but use more off the bench as 7 projected players on the team will be seniors and will graduate after next season. Interesting thought would be make Tre' the shooting guard and let someone else be the primary ball handler. I still look for junior to be Zach Moer to be a big asset (no pun intended) at the five.
BOISE STATE Team 2013-2014 76ppg/34rpg/37% 3pt
The Bronco's come into next season with the loss of three players and none so more important than Watkins. While he was the #3 scorer on the team, he was a monster inside with 11rpg along with his 12ppg. Bronco's also lose Bropleh #5/8ppg/3rpg/43% 3pt and Ellioraga #6/8ppg/46% 3pt. These two while playing less minutes this season were top in shooting the long ball for the Bronco's. Keys for them in the fall will be continued guard play from Marks and Thompson, from the forward with Drmic and finding their replacement big man. Duncan will be a sophomore this fall and will try to work to fill the void. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
COLORADO STATE Team 2013-2014 73ppg/38rpg/33% 3pt
Very similar to Air Force, CSU will be a team to watch next season. They lose bigman Santo (6'9'/240#) who had 6ppg/4rpg last season but everyone else is projected back. Solid across the bench and with Avilia back to bulldoze his way inside to score or go to the glass along with shooter Bejarrano. Still not big on height but has size. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
FRESNO STATE Team 2013-2014 73ppg/34rpg/36% 3pt
FSU will be without their spark and leader on the court losing guard Tyler Johnson who lead the team with 16ppg plus 7rpg and 43% shooting from the arc. He was the 'go to guy' for FSU. Huddleston will also be missed at #5/9ppg/3rpg. However the core group will be back led by Harris and Guerrero and MWC FOY Watson. A leader on the floor has to emerge for this team that surprised many this season. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
NEVADA Team 2013-2014 72ppg/35rpg/34% 3pt
Big loss for Nevada will be Deonte Burton who was at the top of the scoring board in the MWC and contended for player of the year as Nevada's #1 scorer at 20ppg while adding 4rpg. He was the leader in all aspects of running the offense. They also lose Evans Jr. 12ppg/6rpg/36% 3pt. While they played small in a quasi 4 guard/small forward offense, their key was Burton being able to go to the basket. Slack will have to be picked up by Huff and Perez with Huff being a 40% 3pt shooter on the season. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
NEW MEXICO Team 2013-2014 75ppg/38rpg/34%
Key pieces of New Mexico's team in both Bairstow #1(6'9'/250#/20ppg/7rpg/33% 3pt) and Williams #2/16ppg/4rpg/40% 3pt are definitely gone due to graduation following what most hope is a deep run into the NCAA tourney this season. The question in the back of Lobo fans minds is if #3 scorer and leading rebounder Kirk will also be gone (7'/250#/#3 14ppg/9rpg). Most project him to be a high pick if he desires to go to the NBA a year early (he would be a senior next season). It will be incumbent for those remaining to reinvent this team as they also do so finding a new big man to fill the void of the outstanding play of Bairstow and Kirk. If Kirk remains I believe they will be the #1 pick in preseason polls for the MWC next fall. Greenwood will be back for his senior season and coach's son Neal will round out the backcourt. Back in the fall with the ?????? by Kirk:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
SAN DIEGO STATE Team 2013-2014 71ppg/38rpg/36%
How good can this team be without MWC POY Xavier Thames (#1 17ppg/3rpg/39% 3pt)? Hard to say but they were definitely a much better team with him on the floor these last two season than without him. When he was in foul trouble and not in the game in the MWC championship game, the Aztecs were not as explosive on the court. Overall the Aztecs were not as strong shooting from the perimeter when he was not on the court. They also lose on the glass with Davis at #5 in scoring 8ppg but bring 10rpg to SDSU. Their strength this season was a deep bench and that will continue with Shepard, O'Brien, Polee and Shrigley leading the way. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
SAN JOSE STATE Team 2013-2014 63ppg/36rpg/33% 3pt
San Jose was the youngest team in the league with freshmen in the starting lineup and a first year coach. They bring all back in the fall except senior Cunningham at #4 with 8ppg/6rpg. They love to shoot the three ball but were not consistent this season, but will be better next. They were led in scoring off the bench by Fr. Mohammad who will be the key for this team in the fall. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
UNLV Team 2013-2014 71ppg/40rpg/33% 3pt
Interesting note for Coach Rice's Rebels. They were offered a post-season tourney and turned it down say "we need to start focusing on next season". The Monday after the tourney was over it was announced that junior and leading scorer DeJean-Jones would not be back (would graduate this summer still on scholarship but would look elsewhere to play senior season as a 5th year graduate student). This takes 14ppg/4rpb/32% 3pt off the team. They also lose #3 Olekaibe 10ppg/36% 3pt. Big question for the Rebels is if big man and #2 scorer Birch will leave the team early after this year's junior season (12ppg/10rpg) and vie for the NBA. Time will tell. Most also say goodbye to their workman Lopez-Sosa who graduates. Roscoe Smith (UConn) is back with 11ppg/11rpg) and shooters are back and will attempt to pick up the slack but team dynamics appear to be hurting on this team. Back in the fall with the ???? by Birch.
**Update, possibility of 2-3 more players leaving....ouch (as of 3/20/14)
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
UTAH STATE Team 2013-2014 69ppg/36rpg/41%
Utah State had a surprise welcoming to the MWC, not only getting beat by AF early but finding themselves in the bottom of the final standings after doing so well in the WAC....Hello MWC! They did this with a very veteran team and now find major scoring being lost to graduation this fall. losing their #1/2/3/6 scorers to include Shaw at 14ppg and team leading 8 rpg. Davis will pick up the boards at 7rpg but the team is lean past that. Back in the fall:
*Update: Looks like Davis and 2-3 others may be leaving...ouch!(as of 3/20/14)
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
WYOMING Team 2013-2014 65ppg/29rpg/36% 3pt
The Cowboys will be tough again this fall and have the added incentive of finishing strong in the CBI this spring. Tough loss for them with Nance Jr's injury at the end of the season but the word is the surgery went well and he should be back in the fall. While not the key, he is a major reason for Wyoming's success this year and for next at 16ppg/9rpg. They do lose steady play from the #4/#6 players (Sobey 10ppg/4rpg/27% 3pt; Granberry 6ppg/2rpg/38%) but bring back their core to include Nance, Adams, Grabau and Cooke. They will be tough in 2014-2015. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
Postby ltcpilot » Today, 2:16 pm
Enjoy.....Next year should be interesting...
1st Look MWCBBALL 2014-2015 who leaves, who returns
Full look at all returners plus their stats for 2014-2015
The MWC celebrated victory for one team as New Mexico beat San Diego State for the MWC Championship at the Thomas&Mack Center in Las Vegas. The following day announcements were made for some teams and for others it was back to the officers to begin looking at next season. San Diego State gets a #4 seed and New Mexico a #7 seed in the NCAA tourney. The MWC does not get any teams invited to the NIT this year and Fresno State and Wyoming draws the bids to play in the CBI. Note that UNLV finished the season with an opportunity to play in post-season in the CIT but decline saying better to just get ready for next season and Boise State also turned down an invite citing ‘injuries and the health of the team’ as reasons not to participate.
With basketball fresh in our minds and the teams and players in the MWC still familiar with fans, I thought I would take an early look at who is leaving and who is coming back from current team rosters as they graduate some, lose some and return many. This is a look at returners only and is not looking at recruits and/or transfers to the teams.
All the links do not transfer here so read full review at: http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
AIR FORCE Team 2013-2014: 66ppg/32rpg/33% 3pt shooting
For Air Force, their basketball season came to an abrupt end with their loss to Fresno State at the MWC tournament followed by a long plane ride home to cool weather, Recognition Week for the Doolies on the team and to ponder what is next for them on the basketball court as they look forward to next season. Several team loses only a few players, but Air Force is projected to have everyone back that played significant minutes throughout the season. In fact, the Falcons only lose one senior, Chase Kammerer, who finished his senior season as a role player for the Falcons and averaging only 1.4ppg. This should mean the Falcons start training for the fall season without losing any of it’s strengths and can only be better based on experience and the additions it may get from either the Prep School or from direct in recruits. Remember, this was a young team in this 2013-2014 season having graduated 5 senior starters and the top 7 scorers from the past season. Fast forward to this fall and the potential is there for an exceptional season. Top returners back in the fall:
(Rank is ranking in points scored in 2013-2014; Yr is Class Next season)
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
Keys for the Falcons will be who establishes clear roles as the leader of the team both in communication and in play. Need to find consistent scoring from the outside and it will be incumbent for Coach P to not just find but use more off the bench as 7 projected players on the team will be seniors and will graduate after next season. Interesting thought would be make Tre' the shooting guard and let someone else be the primary ball handler. I still look for junior to be Zach Moer to be a big asset (no pun intended) at the five.
BOISE STATE Team 2013-2014 76ppg/34rpg/37% 3pt
The Bronco's come into next season with the loss of three players and none so more important than Watkins. While he was the #3 scorer on the team, he was a monster inside with 11rpg along with his 12ppg. Bronco's also lose Bropleh #5/8ppg/3rpg/43% 3pt and Ellioraga #6/8ppg/46% 3pt. These two while playing less minutes this season were top in shooting the long ball for the Bronco's. Keys for them in the fall will be continued guard play from Marks and Thompson, from the forward with Drmic and finding their replacement big man. Duncan will be a sophomore this fall and will try to work to fill the void. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
COLORADO STATE Team 2013-2014 73ppg/38rpg/33% 3pt
Very similar to Air Force, CSU will be a team to watch next season. They lose bigman Santo (6'9'/240#) who had 6ppg/4rpg last season but everyone else is projected back. Solid across the bench and with Avilia back to bulldoze his way inside to score or go to the glass along with shooter Bejarrano. Still not big on height but has size. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
FRESNO STATE Team 2013-2014 73ppg/34rpg/36% 3pt
FSU will be without their spark and leader on the court losing guard Tyler Johnson who lead the team with 16ppg plus 7rpg and 43% shooting from the arc. He was the 'go to guy' for FSU. Huddleston will also be missed at #5/9ppg/3rpg. However the core group will be back led by Harris and Guerrero and MWC FOY Watson. A leader on the floor has to emerge for this team that surprised many this season. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
NEVADA Team 2013-2014 72ppg/35rpg/34% 3pt
Big loss for Nevada will be Deonte Burton who was at the top of the scoring board in the MWC and contended for player of the year as Nevada's #1 scorer at 20ppg while adding 4rpg. He was the leader in all aspects of running the offense. They also lose Evans Jr. 12ppg/6rpg/36% 3pt. While they played small in a quasi 4 guard/small forward offense, their key was Burton being able to go to the basket. Slack will have to be picked up by Huff and Perez with Huff being a 40% 3pt shooter on the season. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
NEW MEXICO Team 2013-2014 75ppg/38rpg/34%
Key pieces of New Mexico's team in both Bairstow #1(6'9'/250#/20ppg/7rpg/33% 3pt) and Williams #2/16ppg/4rpg/40% 3pt are definitely gone due to graduation following what most hope is a deep run into the NCAA tourney this season. The question in the back of Lobo fans minds is if #3 scorer and leading rebounder Kirk will also be gone (7'/250#/#3 14ppg/9rpg). Most project him to be a high pick if he desires to go to the NBA a year early (he would be a senior next season). It will be incumbent for those remaining to reinvent this team as they also do so finding a new big man to fill the void of the outstanding play of Bairstow and Kirk. If Kirk remains I believe they will be the #1 pick in preseason polls for the MWC next fall. Greenwood will be back for his senior season and coach's son Neal will round out the backcourt. Back in the fall with the ?????? by Kirk:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
SAN DIEGO STATE Team 2013-2014 71ppg/38rpg/36%
How good can this team be without MWC POY Xavier Thames (#1 17ppg/3rpg/39% 3pt)? Hard to say but they were definitely a much better team with him on the floor these last two season than without him. When he was in foul trouble and not in the game in the MWC championship game, the Aztecs were not as explosive on the court. Overall the Aztecs were not as strong shooting from the perimeter when he was not on the court. They also lose on the glass with Davis at #5 in scoring 8ppg but bring 10rpg to SDSU. Their strength this season was a deep bench and that will continue with Shepard, O'Brien, Polee and Shrigley leading the way. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
SAN JOSE STATE Team 2013-2014 63ppg/36rpg/33% 3pt
San Jose was the youngest team in the league with freshmen in the starting lineup and a first year coach. They bring all back in the fall except senior Cunningham at #4 with 8ppg/6rpg. They love to shoot the three ball but were not consistent this season, but will be better next. They were led in scoring off the bench by Fr. Mohammad who will be the key for this team in the fall. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
UNLV Team 2013-2014 71ppg/40rpg/33% 3pt
Interesting note for Coach Rice's Rebels. They were offered a post-season tourney and turned it down say "we need to start focusing on next season". The Monday after the tourney was over it was announced that junior and leading scorer DeJean-Jones would not be back (would graduate this summer still on scholarship but would look elsewhere to play senior season as a 5th year graduate student). This takes 14ppg/4rpb/32% 3pt off the team. They also lose #3 Olekaibe 10ppg/36% 3pt. Big question for the Rebels is if big man and #2 scorer Birch will leave the team early after this year's junior season (12ppg/10rpg) and vie for the NBA. Time will tell. Most also say goodbye to their workman Lopez-Sosa who graduates. Roscoe Smith (UConn) is back with 11ppg/11rpg) and shooters are back and will attempt to pick up the slack but team dynamics appear to be hurting on this team. Back in the fall with the ???? by Birch.
**Update, possibility of 2-3 more players leaving....ouch (as of 3/20/14)
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
UTAH STATE Team 2013-2014 69ppg/36rpg/41%
Utah State had a surprise welcoming to the MWC, not only getting beat by AF early but finding themselves in the bottom of the final standings after doing so well in the WAC....Hello MWC! They did this with a very veteran team and now find major scoring being lost to graduation this fall. losing their #1/2/3/6 scorers to include Shaw at 14ppg and team leading 8 rpg. Davis will pick up the boards at 7rpg but the team is lean past that. Back in the fall:
*Update: Looks like Davis and 2-3 others may be leaving...ouch!(as of 3/20/14)
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
WYOMING Team 2013-2014 65ppg/29rpg/36% 3pt
The Cowboys will be tough again this fall and have the added incentive of finishing strong in the CBI this spring. Tough loss for them with Nance Jr's injury at the end of the season but the word is the surgery went well and he should be back in the fall. While not the key, he is a major reason for Wyoming's success this year and for next at 16ppg/9rpg. They do lose steady play from the #4/#6 players (Sobey 10ppg/4rpg/27% 3pt; Granberry 6ppg/2rpg/38%) but bring back their core to include Nance, Adams, Grabau and Cooke. They will be tough in 2014-2015. Back in the fall:
Returner player stats at http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/
