Western Athletic Conference preview

Following, in the predicted order of finish, are summaries of all nine WAC teams: (current records in parentheses).

New Mexico State (6-9)

Coach: Marvin Menzies (6-9, 1st year)

2006-07 records: 25-9 overall; 11-6 WAC, 2nd

Players to watch: G/F Justin Hawkins, 6-7, Sr. (18.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg); G Fred Peete, 6-5, Sr. (12.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg); C Hatila Passos, 6-11, Sr. (10.5 ppg, 7 rpg).

Outlook: Bright. Hawkins, a first-team all-WAC selection, is one of three returning starters. The Aggies are outrebounding opponents by eight per game. NMSU has a deep, sizeable team.

Utah State (10-5)

Coach: Stew Morrill (450-223 overall, 22nd year; 232-85 at USU, 10th year)

2006-07 records: 23-12; 9-7 WAC, 4th

Players to watch: G Jaycee Carroll, 6-2, Sr. (21.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg); F Stephan DuCharme, 6-8, Sr. (11.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg); F Gary Wilkinson, 6-9, Jr. (11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg).

Outlook: These Aggies hope to challenge the other Aggies for the conference title. Carroll, a returning first-team all-WAC pick, was the preseason player of the year pick. He will be a difficult matchup for all conference teams.

Nevada (8-5)

Coach: Mark Fox (96-27 overall, 4th year; same at Nevada)

2006-07 records: 29-5; 14-2 WAC, 1st

Players to watch: G Marcelus Kemp, 6-5, Sr. (19.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.9 apg); F JaVale McGee, 7-0, So. (12.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.5 blocks); G Brandon Fields, 6-4, So. (12.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.5 apg).

Outlook: The four-time WAC champions will be in the mix for the conference title, but have big shoes to fill in the graduation of conference MVP Nick Fazekas. The Wolf Pack has featured three sophomores and a freshman around Kemp in the starting lineup four times.

Fresno State (7-6)

Coach: Steve Cleveland (182-137 overall; 44-29 at Fresno, 3rd year)

2006-07 records: 22-10; 10-6 WAC, 3rd

Players to watch: G Kevin Bell, 5-10, Sr. (17.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 6.2 apg); G Eddie Miller, 6-3, Sr. (13.5 ppg); F Hector Hernandez, 6-9, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg).

Outlook: Idaho coach George Pfeifer said the Bulldogs are “oozing with talent.” Five players score in double figures. The Bulldogs could challenge for a higher finish.

Boise State (9-3)

Coach: Greg Graham (93-67 overall, 7th year; 75-62 at BSU, 6th year)

2006-07 records: 17-14; 8-8 WAC, tied 5th

Players to watch: F Reggie Larry, 6-6, Sr. (18.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg); C Matt Nelson, 6-9, Sr. (16.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg); F Tyler Tiedeman, 6-7, Sr. (11.7 ppg).

Outlook: The Broncos have had the best non-conference showing. Nelson, a transfer two years ago from Eastern Washington, has been a steady contributor in the post. The combination of Larry and Nelson give BSU a duo that will be difficult to defend. The Broncos have the best pre-conference record of all WAC teams.

Hawaii (4-8)

Coach: Bob Nash (1st year)

2006-07 records: 18-13; 8-8 WAC, tied 5th

Players to watch: F Bobby Nash, 6-6, Sr. (15.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg); G Matt Gibson, 6-2, Sr. (14.0 ppg, 4.0 apg); G Riley Luettgerodt, 6-5, Sr. (13.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg).

Outlook: The Rainbows are a senior-rich team, featuring seven on their roster. A pair of Mountain West Conference transfers, guard Jared Dillinger (Air Force) and center Stephen Verwers (Colorado State), have played key roles early for Hawaii.

Idaho (3-8)

Coach: George Pfeifer (7-35 overall, 2nd year; same at Idaho)

2006-07 records: 4-27; 1-15 WAC, 9th

Players to watch: G Jordan Brooks, 6-3, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg); F Michael Crowell, 6-7, Sr. (9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg); G Trevor Morris, 6-4, Jr. (8.8 ppg).

Outlook: Pfeifer is much more optimistic than his fellow coaches and the media. The Vandals were picked to finish last by the coaches and media. To avoid a cellar finish, though, the Vandals must play better in the second half and shoot better at the free-throw line – both of which have been early liabilities.

San Jose State (6-5)

Coach: George Nessman (12-30 overall, 3rd year; same at SJS)

2006-07 records: 5-25; 4-12 WAC, 8th

Players to watch: C Chris Oakes, 6-9, So. (11.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg); G Justin Graham, 6-4, Fr. (10.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.4 apg); F Tim Pierce, 6-7, Jr. (9.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg).

Outlook: Nessman has started four different lineups trying to seek some consistency. Graham is off to the best start among conference freshmen. Rebounding has been a key for SJSU. When the Spartans outrebound opponents, they win.

Louisiana Tech (3-9)

Coach: Kerry Rupp (1st year)

2006-07 records: 10-20; 7-9 WAC, 7th

Players to watch: G Kyle Gibson, 6-4, So. (13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg); G Jonathan Clark, 6-0, Jr. (10.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

Outlook: Changes abound at Louisiana Tech. Rupp and many of his players are in their first years together, and that inexperience has been noticeable. The team struggled on offense last year, and offensive inconsistency has been a trend so far this season.