2010-2011 WAC Basketball Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

2010-2011 WAC Basketball Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds

The Utah State Aggies continued their dominance over the WAC last season, winning the regular-season title with a 14-2 conference record. While losing all-eonference point guard Jared Quayle hurts, the Aggies return plenty of players, including last season’s leading scorer Tai Wesley, and should stay near the top of the WAC in 2010.

Finishing tied for second in the conference last season were the New Mexico State Aggies and the Nevada Wolf Pack with 11-5 records in WAC play. New Mexico State loses both Jahmar Young and Jonathan Gibson, their star guards who both finished in the top five in the WAC in PPG last season. Nevada took an even harder hit this offseason, losing five of their top six starters, including two NBA draft picks (Luke Babbitt and Armon Johnson). New stars will have to emerge for both teams.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs finished in fourth place in the WAC last season at 9-7 in conference play. Like many other teams in the WAC, the Bulldogs lose a slew of key players. All three of the Bulldogs’ top three scorers last season (Kyle Gibson, Magnum Rolle and Jamel Guyton) are gone.

With a 7-9 record in conference play last season, the Fresno State Bulldogs finished fifth in the WAC. The Bulldogs lose their top two scorers from last season, including Paul George, who was taken tenth overall in the NBA draft. Sophomore center Greg Smith will be the main weapon this season.

At 6-10 apiece in conference play, the Idaho Vandals and San Jose State Spartans finished tied for sixth in the conference last season. The Vandals couldn’t live up to their high expectations last season and will enter the 2010 season with the bar set lower, after losing all four of last season’s top scorers. San Jose State has reason to be optimistic, with the return of star guard Adrian Oliver, who led the WAC in scoring last season at 22.5 PPG. He and Justin Graham make up one of the WAC’s best backcourts.

The Boise State Broncos (5-11 conference record last season) bring in former Gonzaga assistant Leon Rice to try to spark the program. They lose last year’s leading scorer (Ike Okoye), but return senior forwards Robert Amold and Oaequon Montreal, who both averaged 10+ PPG last season. The Hawaii Warriors (3-13 conference) have a long way to go to get back to a competitive level.