The 2022-23 season is quickly approaching. In fact, there are 26 days left until tip-off. And this means WAC media day is upon us. Tuesday and Wednesday, coaches will talk with Kendra Sheehan along with an analyst regarding the upcoming season. Among the topics that will most likely be discussed are the preseason media and coaches polls.
They are always an interesting debate. The Almanac and Blue Ribbon have put out their preseason polls. And on Tuesday, two media members put out their preseason picks that were submitted to the WAC ahead of media days.
Aggie Beat Writer Picks Lopes to Win It All
Las Cruces Sun-News writer Stephen Wagner was lamented by Aggie fans for his takes on a recent podcast episode. In fact, many called for the Sun-News to fire him. It was kind of interesting.
On Tuesday, Wagner released his preseason All-WAC selections and preseason poll.
The choice for Player of the Year was Xavier Pinson. The LSU transfer is part of an entirely new group in Las Cruces. But, after averaging double digits in the SEC, doesn’t seem too far fetched.
And here's how I voted for the preseason All-WAC teams:
Player of the Year: Xavier Pinson, NMSU
All-WAC team:
Taran Armstrong, CBU
Jovan Blacksher Jr., GCU
Deshawndre Washington, NMSU
Cameron Tyson, Seattle
Airion Simmons, ACU
Rayshon Harrison, GCU
Jaylin Jackson-Posey, SFA— Stephen Wagner (@stephenwag22) October 11, 2022
As you can see, Wagner chose a few newcomers as part of his All-WAC First Team. Deshawndre Washington was one of the first commits for New Mexico State head coach Greg Heiar. And Rayshon Harrison has athleticism that will catch people off guard in 2022-23.
Cameron Tyson and Jovan Blacksher Jr. were two of the top returning scorers in the WAC. Taran Armstrong is getting looks from NBA squads. And Airion Simmons moves in ways that guys his size shouldn’t be able to according to his head coach Brette Tanner. Jaylin Jackson-Posey is the wildcard in this group. If he can be the player Kyle Keller wants him to be, he will be in consideration for these honors at the end of the season.
The Poll
This is where it gets interesting. I actually had to defend my position on one of Wagner’s picks in the poll. Check it out below to see what you think.
Just submitted my ballot for the WAC preseason media poll. Here's how I voted:
1. SFA
2. Grand Canyon
3. NM State
4. Abilene Christian
5. California Baptist
6. Seattle U
7. Southern Utah
8. Tarleton
9. Sam Houston
10. Utah Valley
11. UT Arlington
12. Utah Tech
13. UTRGV— Stephen Wagner (@stephenwag22) October 11, 2022
The top-4, I can agree with. If I’m being honest, I have a similar top-4 but in a different order. It is the No. 8 and No. 10 that kind of stick out. And all I can assume and from what I was told is Fardaws Aimaq leaving is a big reason why he has Utah Valley so low. I don’t agree with that considering what the Wolverines have coming back and who they added in the offseason. Maybe I am biased. But, Utah Valley will finish higher than 10.
Tarleton, on the other hand, lost its top-2 scorers in Montre Gipson and Tahj Small. And Freddy Hicks is injured right now. So, if Hicks is out for an extended period of time, that will hurt the Texans. Sure, Billy Clyde Gillispie can coach. And we have seen Tarleton surprise people. But, those are some big shoes to fill especially considering Gipson and Small played around 35 minutes per game in 2021-22.
What do you think?
Chelsea Releases Her Women’s Poll
WAC Hoops Digest contributor and GCU sideline reporter Chelsea Mendelson put out her women’s poll on Tuesday.
Submitted my Poll for WAC Women’s Basketball last Friday.
1. GCU
2. SFA
3. UTA
4. ACU
5. CBU
6. SHSU
7. Utah Tech
8. Tarleton
9. UVU
10. SUU
11. UTRGV
12. NM State
13. SeattleAnyone interested in my All-WAC picks? #WACHoops @WACHoopsDigest
— Chelsea Mendelson #FreeBG? (@Chelsea__Mend) October 12, 2022
It is quite interesting, actually. UT-Arlington and Stephen F. Austin are coming off conference championships. The Mavericks return Player of the Year candidate Starr Jacobs along with some other veterans. Stephen F. Austin lost quite a bit in the offseason and had even worse news come out in September that WAC tourney MVP Zya Nugent is out for the season with a knee injury.
So, these picks make sense. GCU added Sydney Palma from CBU and Aaliyah Collins from Chicago State to an already solid roster. I think SUU is a little low on this list and could finish top-5 in its first season in the WAC. The women’s side is a little more top-heavy than the men’s side. So it will be interesting to see how things play out.
What do you think?
Aggie Broadcaster Shares Thoughts on New-Look Aggies
New Mexico State broadcaster Adam Young has been following the new-look Aggie men’s basketball team all offseason. Young was in the Bahamas with the squad. And checks out practice on the regular. So his thoughts are pretty credible.
Random @NMStateMBB thoughts (my opinions) with 27 days until the Regular Season opener.
Workouts/practices have been a lot of fun to watch. Don’t waste time and jump on board!
?⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/GqWxiCREDO
— Adam Young (@youngpbp) October 12, 2022
Young has consistently said to media members that it will be a different style of play in 2022-23. Aggie fans will see a team that likes to get up and down the floor rather than simply being a half court offense. Length and athleticism has been a theme for the Aggies as has the depth on the 2022-23 squad.
They may not have that 6-10 or 7-footer like they have in recent years. But, they have some athletic bigs that can play multiple positions. It may not matter with how deep they are in the backcourt as Young points out.
Will Utah Valley Be Sporting New Home Jerseys?
Utah Valley had recruit on campus over the weekend. 6-6 forward Karson Templin out of Lucas, Texas was in Orem on an official visit. And some photos were taken in Utah Valley uniforms. Well, two of the photos show Templin in the home white jerseys. And if they are any indication, it looks like Utah Valley will sport new home white uniforms in 2022-23.
Had an incredible visit at @UVUmbb over the weekend! Big thanks to the entire Utah Valley coaching staff for making it so special #gouvu pic.twitter.com/h6ZyDydS7T
— Karson Templin (@karsontemplin) October 11, 2022
And fans kind of like the new white jerseys. I am a huge fan of them as the green and white go so well together!
Perhaps an inadvertent sneak peak at new @UVUmbb home whites? If so, they look GOOD. #GoUVU @WACHoopsDigest @UniWatch https://t.co/Tplx7FSxeP
— Jordan Bianucci (@JordanBianucci) October 11, 2022
Get Your WAC Hoops Gear NOW!
Just a little message to anyone traveling to Las Vegas for the WAC Tournament in March. Get your WAC Hoops gear and show your love for the brand and your favorite hoops conference.
Hey guys, remember to get your #WAChoops gear at the link below. Show your love for your favorite college hoops conference.
Tell you what…I'll buy a drink at #WACVegas for the first 20 people to post a picture in their new shirt/hat.
Let's Go! https://t.co/BehH8zTVvu https://t.co/VA4v1JsLWt
— WACHoopsDigest (@WACHoopsDigest) October 10, 2022
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