Today’s been packed with academic stuff, so we’ve gone to an afternoon edition again.
We’ve got two big games tonight in hoops-land: the women are at home against the Wyoming Cowgirls, while the men are down in the San Fernando Valley, taking on the Cal State-Northridge Matadors. Both games tip off at 7 p.m. Because we have class tonight, we won’t be doing a play-by-play liveblog — however, we will have regular scoring updates on Twitter.
The other big news today: standout offensive lineman Mike Iupati was named an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. He’s the only WAC player on the list, and one of just three from non-BCS schools.
Basketball
- We go Inside Cal State-Northridge for a look at their fast-paced offensive style and bench struggles, and chat with Don Verlin about the game. Gilberto Manzano of the Daily Sundial has a look from the Matador perspective. The Spokesman-Review’s Josh Wright chimes in as well. Idaho is the only WAC men’s team in action tonight.
- Myself and Sam Wasson have this week’s edition of Checking in on the WAC for Rush the Court. We look at all nine WAC teams and break down their week to come.
- Before a packed and insanely-rocking house in Logan, the Utah State Aggies stretched their ridiculous home winning streak to 38 games by knocking off BYU in the Spectrum, the Herald-Journal’s Shawn Harrison reports. Jared Quayle led the charge back for the Aggies, Wesley Meacham says. Check out the awesome signage the students brought to bear in the rivalry battle, too.
- Louisiana Tech’s Kyle Gibson buried a last-seconds 3-pointer to edge out Louisiana-Monroe, as the Bulldogs’ SID reports. They don’t have any marquee wins yet, but the Bulldogs do have the WAC’s best record at 6-1. (h/t to Parsing the WAC)
- It woulda, coulda, shoulda been a 3-0 sweep for the WAC last night, but the slumping Rainbow Warriors couldn’t get it done against UC Irvine. As Tom Connolly reported for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, the Anteaters built a 15-point halftime lead on the back of Hawaii’s frightful 27 percent shooting performance in the opening period.
- Kyle Whelliston has a beautiful, insightful and moving look at basketball coaching on The Mid-Majority. It’s the best piece of hoops writing I’ve read all year. You won’t be disappointed.
Football
- As noted, the AFCA named Mike Iupati to its All-America Team. He’s among illustrious company — Colt McCoy, Golden Tate, Ndamukong Suh and Toby Gerhart, to name a few.
- The Reno Gazette-Journal’s Dan Hinxman has some thoughts on what WAC fans should be watching for this weekend.
- Oh, those crazy folks at OBNUG. Somehow, they don’t think Idaho coach Robb Akey’s miracle turnaround season deserves the WAC’s Coach of the Year honors. I get it, I mean, all Akey’s done is win more games than any Vandal team in a decade, and more than triple the number of wins over last season. That’s no big deal. Clearly, Chris Petersen should win the award for doing about as well with the Broncos as everyone expected he’d do.
One Response to “Good Afternoon Vandal Nation: Dec. 3, 2009”