2024-25 WAC Conference Preview
After writing an in-depth review of the A-10, AAC, ACC, Big East, Big 12, Big Ten, MVC, MWC, SEC and WCC, it's time to evaluate the WAC! Rankings and analysis per team are below.
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Introduction
As a fun way to prepare for this upcoming college basketball season, I’ll review the nation’s top conferences before doing deep dives on the less-heralded conferences as we move closer to the start of the season!
All of my college basketball-related content can be found here. Let the rankings begin!
Rankings
1. Grand Canyon
The Lopes are the clear-cut favorites to win the WAC. They retained most of their minutes yet brought in seven transfers to add more depth to compete as a second-weekend team in the Big Dance.
JaKobe Coles (TCU) is one of the big prizes. The sharp-shooting big wing shot 42.2% on two three-point attempts per game and will add size and versatility to the three and four slots. On top of that, Coach Drew adds another reliable shooting option in Makaih Williams, who comes from rival UT Arlington. The sophomore scored 44.8% from downtown on nearly three attempts per game.
It’s clear that Grand Canyon bets on adding depth while continuing to trust their program star Tyon Grant-Foster to carry most of the scoring load and ball touches. With a more than solid supporting cast of the returning guards Ray Harrison, Collin Moore, and center Duke Brennan, the Lopes have multiple ball handlers and floor-spacers while easily playing a four-out concept.
Outside of them being clear favorites, Coach Drew built one of the best mid-major teams in the country.
2. UT Arlington
Coach Turner won thirteen games as a first-year coach, so naturally, expectations are high for his second year in Arlington, Texas. Their grind is an example for many mid-major programs in the country, as they scout the low-major and JUCO reigns to perfection.
Troy Hupstead (Maryland Eastern-Shore) has had a terrific year in the MEAC and fits the mold of a face-up-scoring power four. On top of that, they get JUCO standout Tuscan Onuoha, who comes over from Dodge City. The seven-foot defense-anchoring five adds toughness and rebounding inside. Both will be complementary pieces off the bench.
To add experience to the roster, Coach Turner addressed continuity by bringing in starter-level player Darius Burford (Illinois State), who will take the leading guard responsibilities, with Diante Smith (Nicholls State) adding wing-depth. Ensuring that Brandyn Talbot and Kade Douglas both returned helps to play in a similar system that brought success last year.
The aforementioned Lopes are in a tier by themselves, but it’s a given that UT Arlington will give them a run for their money to make sure things stay competitive at the top.
3. Tarleton State
After winning 25 games last year, of which 16 came in conference play, it’s a given that the Texans will yet again be competitive. Coach Gillespie lost nine players, of which Emmanuel Innocenti (Gonzaga) and Devon Barnes (UTEP) hurt the most. Both combined for close to 200 three-point attempts and addressing their shooting need has been the main focus in the portal.
Freddy Hicks (Arkansas State) is the main figure, as the senior wing will serve as the floor-spacer with his rim pressure and shooting prowess. They get another bulky wing/forward-sized piece in Chris Mpaka (Indian Hills CC), who has had a fantastic outing at the JUCO reigns. Both are clear starters, with All-Conference potential.
Ronnie Harrison, Jr. (Navarro) is another accomplished wing-sized scorer at 6-foot-6, who will fight to earn a status as a starter. The guard rotation looks slim on paper, with sophomore Joseph Martinez and Dantwan Grimes being the other two options. Where if he stays healthy, Grimes has the nod to run point. Regardless, there’s lots of depth at Coach Gillespie’s disposal, where a group of seven good pieces and three incoming freshmen can repeat a season where they competed for the top spots.
4. California Baptist
Dominique Daniels, Jr. is back, and that’s what matters the most. The 6-foot floor general was one of the more productive guards at the mid-major level. His ability to read the game and get two feet in the paint will open up room for Coach Croy to surround his team with shooters.
Returning guard Brantly Stevenson will be the recipient, as he shot 34.1% on close to four attempts per game. That volume might go up this year. Adam Moussa (Tarleton State) adds another shooting to their guard rotation.
The Lancers lack true depth in their frontcourt, with AJ Braun (6-foot-9) and Kendal Coleman (6-foot-8) having the physicality and toughness, but could struggle against bigger and stronger athletes. To add more body and rebounding to the roster, Coach Croy brought in Sam Silverstein from Harvard.
Overall, there’s decent depth on this roster, with guard play and talent being the decisive factor to land the Lancers a top-four finish in a competitive WAC conference.
5. Seattle
Coach Victor enters his fourth year and looks to make it a competitive one. But things start tricky with standouts Cameron Tyson, a high-end mid-major scorer, and Alex Schumacher, who stood out with his ability to get to the charity stripe and get two feet inside the paint with his rim pressure.
Guard play determines close to everything in college basketball, and that’s what the Redhawks will yet again try to build through with their three-guard lineup. Brayden Maldonado (Metro State) was a Division II standout, while Maleek Arrington (Idaho State) has proven to be taking on interior scoring and playmaking duties.
They surround their guards with big strong forwards, with Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe (Georgia) being the clear-cut starter alongside Kobe Williamson, who returns for his senior year. Both are big bodies who will stretch the floor while focusing on boxing out hard to get the defensive rebounds needed to compensate for a lack of size on their backcourt.
This team has the potential to challenge the top four and see their standouts make transfers to high majors.
6. Utah Tech
Coach Judkins enters his 20th season in St. George, UT, and this will be a good one for him and his staff. They saw six of their players leave the program, with the majority in their frontcourt. Tanner Christensen (Hawaii) and Larry Olayinka (Samford) got two good transfers, with Jaylen Searles (Nicholls State) being the one that probably hurts the most.
They bring in power-five transfers with Dallin Grant (Utah State) and Samuel Ariyibi (Washington), who both stand at 6-foot-8 but will need to play bigger than they are due to the group’s lack of size. This will also put more pressure on Beon Riley to combine his scoring prowess with toughness inside the arc on the defensive side of the ball.
If the Trail Blazers want to push for a top-five finish, their guard play has to be top-notch. Noa Gonsalves enters his fourth year in the program and is the team’s de facto leader and likely top scorer this upcoming season. He will get support from two six-foot guards Unisa Turay who is also a returner, and Hakim Byrd, the the CACC Tournament MVP in 2023-24. There is lots of scoring at Coach Judkins’ disposal, where the lack of size and rebounding are the challenges this roster has to overcome.
7. Abilene Christian
Quion Williams is a name to keep in mind for the NBA Draft. He’s one of the youngest juniors in the country and looks for a more on-ball role. That led to him transferring from Oklahoma State. His partner in crime will be Hunter Jack Madden, a returning senior guard who is the team’s de facto leader. Both will be close to fifteen points per game scorers.
The Wildcats had ten wins last year, and Coach Tanner will have to work hard to maintain that level. He has a decent group at his disposal, with Leonardo Bettiol being the team’s starting five while partnered by incoming transfer forward Bradyn Hubbard (Connors State), who’s entering his junior year. The lack of proven shot depth is appealing. Regardless, they have a decent team overall, but likely not enough to be a serious contender for the top five of the conference.
8. Southern Utah
Coach Jeter brought in eleven new names. Despite the upperclassmen-heavy roster construction, there are simply too many new pieces. However, Taviontae Jackson (Colorado State) is the big prize, as the 6-foot-2 guard comes off a successful high-school career, where he was a nominee to be a Burger Boy. I expect him to be an All-Conference level guard, as he now gets the runway to play with the ball in his hands and carry the team’s scoring load.
With Jamir Simpson, who redshirted last year, they get another solid two-level scorer, whereas Jamari Sibley is another key returner who will see the importance of his role increase. Coach Jeter also retained high-volume shooter Dominique Ford, who took the offensive scoring load last year. There’s lots of scoring on this roster. But the true challenge is how to feed the many mouths and maintain defensive stability. I can see the Thunderbirds outperforming their ranking, with the defense being the X factor.
9. Utah Valley
The Wolverines struggled in this off-season, seeing the majority of their minutes leaving the program. Tanner Toolson is back and looks to be the team’s leading ball handler and scorer. On top of that, strong interior presence Ethan Potter returns to Orem, UT as well.
With Osiris Grady entering his sophomore year, that’s the team’s X factor for future success. The big man will give more body to the interior as a rebounder and play-finisher. Coach Phillips focused on bringing in talent from the JUCO reigns, with scoring guards Kylin Green (Daytona State), Dominick Nelson (Polk State College), and forward Majer Sullivan (Yuba College) all looking like legitimate pieces.
Regardless, the Wolverines look like the conference’s boom-or-bust program, where it wouldn’t shock me if they win more games than expected.
Finalizing Summary
To summarize the piece, here’s the list for my 2024-25 WAC Basketball Preview:
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