Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
StumbleMWC BASKETBALL:
Despite offseason of activity, MWC basketball powers appear strong
Whose stock is up, and whose is down after wave of transfers, return of NBA Draft entrees
UNLV takes the floor after a timeout during the finals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Saturday, March 13, 2010, against San Diego State at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV lost, 55-45.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 | noon
Related Content
The 2009-10 men's basketball season marked a coming-out party of sorts for the Mountain West Conference.
Three teams had stints in the Top 25 polls, while four of the nine league members made the NCAA tournament — the most in the MWC's 11-year history.
But following that run — the peak of which was a memorable semifinal round of the MWC Tournament on March 12 at the Thomas & Mack Center — has been a couple of months filled with offseason headlines.
Now, in mid-May, the deadline for underclassmen to decide whether to remain in the NBA Draft or return to school has passed. Most players deciding whether to transfer have made up their minds.
Here is a close look to see whose stock among the league's four powers has gone up, stayed the same or dropped some:
BYU's Jimmer Fredette
BYU
2009-10 record: 30-6 overall, 13-3 MWC
2010 postseason: Lost in NCAA tournament second round to Kansas State, 84-72
Since the season ended: The first matter of business was star guard Jimmer Fredette declaring early for the NBA Draft after introducing himself to the rest of the nation with his 37-point splash in a double-overtime victory over Florida — the Cougars' first NCAA tourney win since 1990.
Riding the wave of momentum, he chose to enter without signing with an agent, and announced roughly a week ago that he'd be back for his senior season. After averaging 22.1 points, 4.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds last season, he's likely the Mountain West's preseason Player of the Year.
The key roster additions for this season are a pair of Collinsworths.
Chris Collinsworth, who averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds a game as a freshman in 2007-08, returns from a 2-year mission. His 6-foot-9 presence can only help a BYU team that was plagued by rebounding woes late in the season. His younger brother, Kyle, was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 134 prospect in the 2010 class.
At 6-6, the younger Collinsworth could be in line to eat up some of the minutes left vacant by Tyler Haws, who was the Cougars' third-leading scorer at 11.3 ppg as a freshman last season. Haws will be heading to the Philippines on a two-year mission. Don't expect to hear his name much until 2012-13.
The biggest loss, though, for BYU is the departure of Michael Loyd Jr.
The Palo Verde High grad announced his intent to transfer out of the blue a couple of weeks back, but according to a story last week in the Salt Lake Tribune, it appears that the speedy junior might have needed a change of scenery.
On the season, Loyd's 5.1 ppg were relatively modest, but he truly broke out late, as Dave Rose began wisely using the Vegas native's speed off the bench. In that victory over Florida, Loyd was as responsible for the result as anyone, scoring a career-high 26 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Now, he'll be trying to build off of it elsewhere, which is a shame for BYU, which loses one of the MWC's top athletes.
Stock report: Steady. Another 30-win season wouldn't be out of the question, but the Cougars lose a potential game-changer with the loss of Loyd's speed. Without him and 3-point gunner Jonathan Tavernari — who graduated — coming off of the bench, BYU's perimeter depth might take a bit of time to develop.
New Mexico's Dairese Gary
New Mexico
2009-10 record: 30-5 overall, 14-2 MWC
2010 postseason: Lost in NCAA tournament second round to Washington, 82-64.
Since the season ended: As expected, MWC Player of the Year Darington Hobson declared for the NBA Draft after just one season in Albuquerque. And that's where he's decided to stay, as the versatile swingman could be a first-round pick come June. He recently signed with an agent, closing the books on his amateur career.
Head coach Steve Alford, armed with a fresh contract extension, has to not just replace Hobson's hefty averages — 15.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game — but also fill the void left by Roman Martinez's graduation. The 6-6 Martinez averaged 13.9 points a game last season, but was a valuable rebounder and the league's most dangerous 3-point gunner.
Of course, New Mexico will get a boost from UCLA transfer Drew Gordon, who will be eligible following the fall semester. Before leaving the Bruins mid-way through last season, he was averaging 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds a game.
The carousel within the Lobos program actually isn't quite finished turning.
The most recent twist came with a commitment last week from Tennessee transfer Emmanuel Negedu. Rivals.com's No. 40 recruit in the 2008 class, Negedu played sparingly for the Volunteers in 2008-09 and wasn't allowed to play in 2009-10 after suffering a cardiac arrest in September. However, he was cleared medically and cleared by the administration at New Mexico and is attempting to become eligible this season.
If Negedu can play, the combination of he and Gordon should help the Lobos compensate for the absence of Hobson, who, while super-productive, had a tendency to be a bit of a loose cannon in the heat of battle.
The strange part of Negedu's commitment involves who could be headed out. With his arrival, the Lobos now have 14 scholarship players, and only 13 are allowed per NCAA rules. Some early speculation was brought up last week in the Albuquerque Journal.
Stock report: Down a bit. The talent level is still very good. Senior Dairese Gary is the league's best pure point guard, while Phillip McDonald and A.J. Hardeman also should continue to grow as juniors. But depth still will be the issue, and the lack of it didn't help down the stretch run last season. Like BYU, New Mexico will have to develop it in a hurry. At the end of the day, the loss of Hobson is very significant. He single-handedly took the program to another level. That can't be underestimated. Plus, in the eyes of the rest of the country, the Lobos will have to do some damage control early in the season to make up for a poor showing in the NCAA tournament after earning a 3-seed that many outside of the league thought was too generous.
MVP Kawhi Leonard of San Diego State cuts down the net after his team beat UNLV 55-45 to win the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Saturday, March 13, 2010, at the Thomas & Mack Center.
San Diego State
2009-10 record: 25-9 overall, 11-5 MWC
2010 postseason: Lost in NCAA tournament first round to Tennessee, 62-59
Since the season ended: The Aztecs, out of these four, have had the quietest offseason.
SDSU's top five scorers will be back this fall, including rising sophomore Kawhi Leonard, who very well could head to the pro ranks next year. He was a double-double machine as a freshman and is the best the conference has to offer when it comes to combining natural athleticism and pure talent.
It won't affect the Aztecs one way or the other next season, but Steve Fisher and his staff landed a nice transfer in former Washington State guard Xavier Thames, who will be eligible in 2011-12.
Most important, though, is that SDSU again will have quite possibly the most potent frontcourt on the West Coast with Leonard and seniors Billy White and Malcolm Thomas.
Quiet wasn't necessarily a bad thing for the Aztecs.
Stock report: Up slightly. The Aztecs' late-season momentum from 2009-10 should keep building heading into next season. Combine all five starters returning with the eligibility of Santa Clara transfer James Rahon, who averaged 11.3 points and shot 40.7 percent from the 3-point range in 2008-09, and there's no reason to believe that San Diego State won't be back in the NCAA tourney next year. They also are likely to contend for the MWC regular-season title.
Tre'Von Willis
UNLV
2009-10 record: 25-9 overall, 11-5 MWC
2010 postseason: Lost in NCAA tournament first round to Northern Iowa, 69-66
Since the season ended: The Rebels lost only two rotation players to graduation in forward Darris Santee and guard Steve Jones. And with that, the Rebels were tapped early on as an early mid-major favorite heading into next season by several national media outlets.
The unexpected bump this offseason came when veteran forward Matt Shaw was suspended for a year after failing an NCAA-administered drug test at the NCAA tournament in Oklahoma City. Given that senior-to-be Shaw already used his redshirt in 2008-09 while recovering from a knee injury, his UNLV career is done.
Shaw was UNLV's most accurate 3-point shooter last season, and his ability from long range combined with his large 6-foot-8 frame allowed him to spread out opposing defenses.
But with next season's additions of Kansas transfer Quintrell Thomas and redshirt freshman Carlos Lopez on the interior, the Rebels should be able to move forward without skipping a beat.
The Rebels' offseason, though, is highlighted by quirky recruiting stories.
First, Findlay Prep guard Cory Joseph, who many believed was close to being UNLV's first McDonald's All-American in the Lon Kruger Era, committed to Texas.
After that fell through, Kruger and his staff turned their attention to Bishop Gorman's Johnathan Loyd to fill the point-guard spot in their recruiting class. That didn't turn out as planned, either, as Loyd headed to Oregon to play for Kruger's good pal, Dana Altman.
UNLV also was rumored to be close to drawing a commitment from Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year Dwayne Polee Jr., who took an official visit to campus in November. But as his stock rose late in his prep career, other programs turned up the heat on him and he was all over the map, ultimately heading to St. John's with first-year coach Steve Lavin.
The Rebels did score some points by landing UCLA transfer Mike Moser, who is in the mold of Chace Stanback and should fit in nicely come 2011-12. As for the team's vacant scholarship, it likely will roll over into the 2011 class, which is when UNLV will need to land a nice crop of talent. Any commitment they got from a high school senior in the 2010 crop would have essentially been a nice bonus to add on to a stacked, experienced roster.
Stock report: Steady. Despite missing on Loyd, Joseph and Polee, the Rebels still will be widely considered a preseason Top 25 club. They'll also likely be the preseason favorite in the Mountain West.
Discussion: 20 comments so far…
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.
Post a comment
Never can get enough UNLV analysis and chatter? Then this is the stop for you. Join the Sun sports staff in The Rebel Room for your fix.
Rebels down San Diego State in final minute
Follow the Rebels
Widgets
Jerry Tarkanian: Mike Moser impresses yet again on a day to remember former Rebel greats
Email Newsletters
To view/update your newsletter subscriptions and interests, please visit our Preference Center.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
As far as UNLV goes, what team wants to waste a free scholarship for the whole 2010 season, this team needs improvement, better to spend it on a Juco transfer....by the way is Las Vegan Michael Loyd Jr available after leaving BYU?
the score of the UNI game was 69-66
I am not sure that UNLV will be tabbed as the preseason #1. I would bet that most magazines and media will still go with BYU or SDSU given the Cougars consistent place at the top of the MWC and SDSU's dominance of UNLV the last two years.
Thanks, hrz. It's fixed.
With BYU and SDSU in the mix, it's going to be a challenge to get the MWC regular season title. An NCAA bid seems fairly certain, but with our comparatively iffy frontcourt, I see a first or second round loss.
@ kckool. Michael Loyd Jr is only available for one season after transfering. He is a sophomore turning junior but has already used his red shirt season so he will be completely losing his junior year. Thus, he can only play his senior season.
Looking forward to next season. If SDSU had a coach I'd be picking them to win the MWC outright but let's face it, Steve Fisher can't freakin coach! BYU will lose to UNLV three times next season leaving them in second place to the one and only UNLV!
Interesting option for the last scholarship - frosh PG Justin Cobbs will transfer from Minnesota to be closer to home in LA. ESPN gave him an 87 overall rating and ranked him the 38th best point. He could sit next year and have 3 years remaining just like Moser. Jahii Carson is blowing up lately and seems less and less likely to pass up just about anywhere he wants in the Pac-10 for Vegas. If Kruger can get Cobbs, I think he should.
Wow, Negedu went to New Mexico, yikes that's a very formidable front line over in Loboland. UNLV and coach K need to step up the recruiting next season if they want to keep up.
@rebelsun
You do realize that Cobbs is transferring to Cal, right?
Ya, were definitely going to need one heck of a recruiting class next year!
@rebelsun ... Expect that scholarship to go unfilled and go towards the 2011 class.
Yes, pdid, Fisher can't coach. That is why he beat the Rebels all 3 games last year and 2 out of 3 this year. What does that say about your coach, Reb fans?
@ air corell: It says that all that San Diego St. focus' on is the rebels...(pretty flattering)
REBELS B!@TCHE$!!!
No, just means MY focus at this particular time was pdid's lame comment about fisher's coaching ability.
Have you ever watched any of the sdsu games lately? When there one and only option becomes compromomised on offense they all just stand around and wait for something to happen. That's relying on athletic ability, not a coach! The rebels have struggled with the aztecs due to their amazingly athletic ability and rebounding for second chance points and also the rebels inability to shoot at times. I'm not saying that it's not going to be the same old story of sdsu's overpowering over unlv's smaller guards and forwards. If the trend continues it will be due to their athletic ability and not the coach. I mean how do you lose to a terrible team in Wyoming last season? sdsu has enough talent and athleticism to win the mwc outright every season that old woman that you call a coach in fisher is the weak spot, not the players. not to mention they have one of the best draw cities in the nation in terms of weather and location.
BYU can shoot so therefore they win the byu sdsu matchup every time, but unlv struggles in that category at times. The reason why unlv tends to win the byu matchup is because they have a coach that knows what he's doing and gets the best out of his players when the shots aren't falling.
Kruger realizes that if you stop Fredette, you stop BYU. end of story.
Your comments make you come off as an extremely unsophisticated basketball fan, which I know a lot of Rebel fans are not, so I won't bother taking the time to refute your comments line by line. I'm sure many of your Rebel cohorts can see the multiple flaws in your logic. And to answer your first question - yes, I have watched all of SDSU's games lately. My guess is you have watched portions here and there and have jumped to your own conclusions.
And if you would have been an Aztec fan, as I was, during the extremely lean years from the mid-80's through the 90's, you would know how good of a coach Steve Fisher is. He single-handedly built that team from a perennial nobody to a perennial 20-win team. I'm not claiming it in any way matches UNLV's illustrious history, but it sure as heck shoots down your claims that he's a lousy coach, and especially your claim that he's the one holding the team back.
coryellfan:
Fisher is a GREAT recruiter- no doubts. Way better than Kruger. But he has never been known as a top notch x's and o's guy. SDS has as good a talent as most teams in the country- they probably should be better than they are. That being said, you are right that Fisher has put them on the map and made them a player on the national scene.
Thanks for making a reasonable reply, but I do disagree with the perception that he's not a good x's and o's coach. I only seem to hear that from opposing fans, and maybe a hack writer or two. I have never heard that from an acknowledged basketball expert.
And as far as the idea that he's simply a great recruiter, he has only recruited one(yes only 1) McDonald's All-American to SDSU, and that recruit only lasted one year, blew out his knee in the offseason, then stopped attending classes(Evan Burns). He's beaten some teams who have had a few All-Americans(AZ for one), so I would say he can do a little coaching. I think because he recruited the Fab 5 to Michigan, people have this perception that he can only recruit and not coach.
It should be fairly obvious to any knowledgeable basketball that Steve Fisher is a much better coach than he was just a few years ago.
The old knock on Fisher was that he just rolled out the ball and the kids did whatever they wanted to. This years SDSU squad was as least as well coached as UNLV.