WAC b-ball power poll rankings for this week
Last week’s WAC power poll was somewhat of a jumble and road jam with many middle of the pack teams. This weeks things are a bit more clear with some teams falling miserably to the bottom, and others soaring to the top. There are a few surprises, with the exception of the number one spot.
1. Utah State (16-2, 5-0) – After two solid road wins against Boise State (68-59) and Fresno State (52-39), the Aggies solidified the rights to No. 1 for the second consecutive week. The Aggies are working toward an unprecedented fourth-consecutive WAC title. The Aggies face Louisana Tech and New Mexico State this weekend.
2. Idaho (12-6, 5-1) – The Vandals may be the biggest successful surprise of the WAC this season. Former Aggie assistant head coach Don Verlin has his Vandals playing solid led by sophomore Kyle Barone’s 11 points and former Aggie guard Deremy Geiger’s 10 points per game. The Vandal’s only loss is against New Mexico State.
3. New Mexico State (10-9, 4-1) – Despite taking a hard bite from the injury bug, the Aggies from down south are holding their own. After a tough road loss to Boise State in the second game of the season, the Aggies have rattled off three straight double-digit victories at home against Fresno State, Hawaii and San Jose State.
4. Boise State (11-7, 4-2) – Under the reigns of newly-appointed head coach Leon Rice, the Broncos are doing just about as well as they could hope, but two consecutive home losses this past weekend, including a two-point loss to lowly Nevada, might be cause for concern. The Broncos have daunting task of the 3-game road trip over the next two weeks against Idaho, New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech.
5. Fresno State (7-9, 3-3) – The loss of Sylvester Seay and Paul George are really taking it’s toll. The Bulldog’s offense is led by freshman guard Kevin Olekaibe at 10.9 points a game. Sophomore center Greg Smtih, who was preseason all-WAC team pick, is struggling to rise above last season’s numbers. Head coach Steve Cleveland will have a chance to get some confidence for his crew, as they travel to Hawaii to face the slumping Warriors and host Seattle University.
6. Nevada (5-13, 2-3) – Despite the fact that the Wolf Pack are below .500, a gutsy road win against the Broncos may be just what the Wolf Pack needs to turn things around. The Pack has a big chance to move up in the standings with three consecutive home games coming up against New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech and Fresno State.
7. Hawaii (10-8, 1-5) – The seventh and eighth spot on this poll could easily be flip-flopped, Hawaii gets the higher spot for now just because of their overall record. Sadly for the Warriors they seem to be doomed to the cellar, as their only victory came at the cost of Louisiana Tech.
8. San Jose State (9-8, 1-5) – What’s really ironic about the Hawaii and San Jose State is that their only WAC wins thus far came against Louisiana Tech on the road during the same weekend. The WAC’s leading scorer, by a landslide, guard Adrian Oliver is prolific, but doesn’t seem to have equal leadership abilities as his team has lost four of their last five.
9. Louisiana Tech (9-10, 0-5) – The winless Bulldogs are absolute
ly hapless. After losses to San Jose State and Hawaii, things only get more difficult. A road trip featuring Utah State and Nevada is looming this weekend.
– ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu