WAC sends 5 to postseason
Though many still consider it a down year for Western Athletic Conference basketball (witness the losing records of usual contenders New Mexico State and Nevada) the WAC still managed to send five teams to postseason tournaments.
>> Utah State (30-3) earned a 12th seed in the NCAA Tournament and meets No. 5 Kansas State in the opening round. Tough going here for the Aggies, who did pretty much all anyone could have asked of them all season, only to get a lower-tier seed despite a No. 23 ranking in the AP (and 17 in the coaches poll).
>> Hawaii (18-12), as we all know by now, accepted an invite to play in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament on Tuesday night against visiting Portland (20-11) of the West Coast Conference, one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country. Should UH win, it will find out how the rest of the CIT bracket shakes out. Four seeds (affording a bye in the next round) are assigned after the opening-round games, but UH likely isn’t getting one of those.
>> Boise State (20-12), the runner-up in the WAC tournament, accepted an invitation to play in the College Basketball Invitational against Austin Peay. The Broncos had the best shot of anyone not named Utah State to make the NIT, but that didn’t happen. Getting to host one of the eight first-round CBI games is a decent consolation prize.
>> Idaho (18-13) played well all season despite any true stars on its team, and was matched up with a hot San Jose State team at the wrong time for the Vandals. CIT selection chairman Riley Wallace was quick to offer UI an invitation, and the Vandals will play at San Francisco in one of 12 first-round games.
>> San Jose State (17-15) surprised many people in the WAC tournament with their three-day run, knocking off Hawaii and Idaho and nearly taking down Utah State. But they didn’t surprise themselves, and now have a CBI berth to show for it. The Spartans play at Creighton on the other side of the CBI bracket from Boise State.
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UH senior point guard Hiram Thompson looks his closest yet to a return to action from his injured left arm. He’s not holding it as gingerly. Still, could be a longshot for him to play Tuesday.
A situation to keep an eye on is that of freshman point Bobby Miles. On a nice take to the basket about halfway through practice yesterday, Miles was hurt when all 265 pounds of center Doug Kurtz rolled into Miles’ left knee on the way down. The backup point guard, who said he may have hyperextended it, was sidelined for the rest of practice.
If Miles can’t play in tomorrow (Monday) practice, Miah Ostrowski could have to shoulder all 40 minutes himself against the Pilots. He’s done it before.
I must’ve been out of it for awhile but, when did these two new tourneys (CIT and CBI) come about?
Hawaii fronting any cash to be in it?
Thus the reason why Coach Gib needs to bring in another seasoned point guard like that one JC guy he’s after. With Miah playing football this coming season he’ll be out until December at least which means we got Bobby Miles, Pi’i, and who Gerry Blakes??? Doesn’t look to promising at the point guard position…
I agree with Pauoa Boy again. With Miah out at the beginning of next season the team will be
in trouble if Bobby Miles is starting point again. He has no offense or defense but most importantly he is at lost when trying to set up the offense. Coach Gib also has to find a big time forward to replace Amis. Right now Joston Thomas doesn’t have that mid range game that Amis had. Also I hope that the men spend some extra time this summer shooting free
throws and getting in better condition
Hoping he gets that PG from S.Idaho,supposed to have great handles and a shooter as well. I believe his name was Pearce ?
What about the point guard from Utah … was he sitting out this season due to NCAA rules, etc.? Will he be playing for UH next season?
Bobby Miles was a true freshman this year and has improved at running the offense. Hopefully he shoots 500 jumpers a day during the offseason. He’s not Miah, but he’s not a lost cause either.
love amis as team mvp, but w/o miah joining the team, i don’t think they would’ve won as many games as they did…just sayin.
they may need an established junior pg transfer to complement bobby miles before miah returns next year.
hopefully, josten, trevor and dominic really step-up as their potential inside is needed. another center to work off vander will be great, too.
anyway, go bows!!!
Bobby Miles averaged 27 ppg in high school and 5+ apg. He has that “it” in him, and the game is a little fast right now. The adjustment to Division I and to college life is tough, and I believe that he will flourish as long as he works hard and develops more confidence.
Miah may be playing college basketball for the first time this year, but he is mentally and physically not a freshman. He’s bigger, faster and stronger than he was in high school. There is no adjustment to college life at this point. He’s already respected as a receiver on the football team. He has confidence in himself, and it shows.
I posted this on 3/14/11 at 6:50 p.m. and “your comment is awaiting moderation”:
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Bobby Miles averaged 27 ppg in high school and 5+ apg. He has that “it” in him, and the game is a little fast right now. The adjustment to Division I and to college life is tough, and I believe that he will flourish as long as he works hard and develops more confidence.
Miah may be playing college basketball for the first time this year, but he is mentally and physically not a freshman. He’s bigger, faster and stronger than he was in high school. There is no adjustment to college life at this point. He’s already respected as a receiver on the football team. He has confidence in himself, and it shows.
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I think I waited long enough. Maybe the comment is not moderate enough.