2011-2012 Top 50 Countdown: Nos. 50-46

Over the coming weeks, we will be counting down our Top 50 teams in the country. Teams 26-50 will be posted in groups of five, while we will count backwards from No. 25 to the No. 1 team in the country. You can find a complete schedule of our 2011-2012 Season Preview coverage here. To browse through the rest of the Top 50, click here.


50. Weber State Wildcats:

Last Season: 18-14, 11-5 (Big Sky)

Head Coach: Randy Rahe

Key Losses: Lindsay Hughey, Trevor Morris

New Additions: Gelaun Wainwright, Shai Fields, Logan Foster, Mike Brown, Ryan Van Pelt, James Hajek, Davion Berry

Projected Lineup:

- G: Damian Lillard, Jr.
- G: Scott Bamforth, Jr.
- F: Kyle Bullinger, Sr.
- F: Byron Fulton, So.
- F: Darin Mahoney, Sr.
- Bench: Jordan Richardson, So.; Kyle Tresnak, So.; Gelain Wainwright, Fr.


Outlook: The 2010-2011 season was a surprisingly successful one for the Wildcats. They lost star guard Damian Lillard to a broken foot nine games into the season and still managed to finish third in the Big Sky and make the CBI. That success was largely due to the play of Scott Bamforth, a junior sharpshooter -- he shot 55.1% from three in league play -- that will be a terrific compliment to Lillard in the back court this season, and senior Kyle Bullinger, a face-up four with three-point range. With Lillard back, the graduation of Lindsay Hughey won't hurt as much, but replacing Trevor Morris could be an issue. He was a big, physical presence in the paint. Look for Kyle Tresnak to fill his role in the paint. The x-factor may end up being Byron Fulton, a 6'7" sophomore and reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year. Fulton averaged 7.0 ppg and 3.5 rpg while shooting 48% from beyond the arc as sixth-man. He should move into the starting lineup this season. With Montana and Northern Colorado both losing key pieces, Weber State should be the favorite to win the conference.


49. Long Beach State 49ers:

Last Season: 22-12, 14-2 (Big West)

Head Coach: Dan Monson

Key Losses: Greg Plater, Tristan Wilson

New Additions: Michael Caffey, Shaquille Hunter, Kris Gulley

Projected Lineup:

- G: Casper Ware, Sr.
- G: Shaquille Hill, Fr.
- G: Larry Anderson, Sr.
- F: Eugene Phelps, Sr.
- F: TJ Robinson, Sr.
- Bench: Edis Dervisevic, Sr.; Michael Caffey, Fr.; Kris Gulley, So.


Outlook: The good news for Dan Monson's club is that he returns four senior starters, three of whom were named all-Big West, from a team that won their league by four games. Casper Ware is a high-scoring, playmaking point guard complemented well by Larry Anderson, a 6'5" scoring guard. TJ Robinson averaged a double-double last season and is joined by Eugene Phelps on the front line. Those four have played together for four years. The bad news is that LBSU was not a deep team last season, and they lost the other three members of their rotation. The biggest loss is Greg Plater, who was the 49ers' designated shooter last season. Shaquille Hunter, a high-scoring and highly-touted freshman, might be able fill that void. Michael Caffey, a talented freshman point guard, will also contribute minutes. Edis Dervisevic should be able to help in the post, as should sophomore JuCo transfer Kris Gulley. The bottom line is that LBSU will go as far as their four main guys carry them.


48. Fairfield Stags:

Last Season: 25-8, 15-3 (MAAC)

Head Coach: Sydney Johnson

Key Losses: Warren Edney, Yorel Hawkins, Ed Cooley

New Additions: Rakim Sanders, Desmond Wade, Sydney Johnson, Adam Jones, Vince Van Ness

Projected Lineup:

- G: Derek Needham, Jr.
- G: Colin Nickerson, Jr.
- F: Rakim Sanders, Sr.
- F: Maurice Barrow, So.
- C: Ryan Olander, Sr.
- Bench: Desmond Wade, Jr.; Jamel Fields, So.; Keith Matthews, So.; Adam Jones, Fr.; Vincent Van Ness, Fr.


Outlook: Fairfield is in the middle of a change in regime, as former head coach Ed Cooley, who is now coaching at Providence, was replaced by Sydney Johnson. Cooley certainly didn't leave the cupboard empty. Fairfield is coming off of a season where they won a school-record 25 games and return four starters and most of the rotation from that team while adding two impact transfers. Junior point guard Derek Needham is one of the best players in the conference, and he'll be joined on the perimeter by fellow junior Colin Nickerson, sophomore Jamel Fields and Houston transfer Desmond Wade. Even with that much talent on the perimeter, the strength of this team will be up front. Ryan Olander averaged double figures as a junior and will be back to provide a presence in the paint. Sophomore Maurice Barrow made the all-freshmen team and could be primed for a big season. The x-factor will end up being Rakim Sanders. Sanders averaged double figures in his three years at Boston College before transferring. The Stags will battle it out with Iona for the MAAC title this season.


47. Marshall Thundering Herd:

Last Season: 22-12, 9-7 (C-USA)

Head Coach: Tom Herrion

Key Losses: Tirrell Baines, Johnny Thomas

New Additions: Jamir Hanner, DeVince Boykins, Chris Martin, Robert Goff, Dennis Tinnon, Justin Coleman, Yaos Mbao

Projected Lineup:

- G: Damier Pitts, Sr.
- G: DeAndre Kane, So.
- G: Shaquille Johnson, Sr.
- F: Dago Pena, Sr.
- C: Nigel Spikes, Jr.
- Bench: Justin Coleman, Fr.; Yaos Mbao, So.; DeVince Boykins, Fr.; Jamir Hanner, Fr.; Chris Martin, Jr.


Outlook: Quite a bit is expected out of Marshall this season. After winning 22 games a season ago, the Thundering Herd lose just two seniors and bring in a loaded class of freshmen and transfers. It starts, however, with the back court. Senior Damier Pitts is one of the best point guards in the conference while shooting guard DeAndre Kane, only a sophomore, has a chance to be Player of the Year in Conference USA by the time he graduates. Nigel Spikes will provide size in the paint while both Dago Pena and Shaquille Johnson return and will provide experience. Tom Herrion has an impressive influx of talent, as well. Yaos Mbao, a 7'2" Marquette transfer, should provide size inside. Justin Coleman, who was ruled academically ineligible at Louisville, also joins the program. Freshmen DeVince Boykins and Jamir Hanner and JuCo transfers Chris Martin and Robert Goff should also see some minutes. The Thundering Herd have enough talent to be Memphis' strongest contender in Conference USA.


46. Virginia:

Last Season: 16-15, 7-9 (ACC)

Head Coach: Tony Bennett

Key Losses: Mustapha Farrakhan

New Additions: James Johnson, Malcolm Brogdon, Paul Jesperson, Darion Atkins

Projected Lineup:

- G: Sammy Zeglinski, Jr.
- G: KT Harrell, So.
- F: Joe Harris, So.
- F: Mike Scott, Sr.
- C: Assane Sene, Sr.
- Bench: Paul Jesperson, Fr.; James Johnson, Fr.; Malcolm Brogdon, Fr.; Jontel Evans, Jr.


Outlook: Despite losing Mustapha Farrakhan, who became the Cav's leader after Mike Scott went down with a season ending injury, Virginia will be a sleeper in the ACC this season. The biggest reason? The return of Scott, who averaged a double-double before seeing his season come to an end. He was granted a medical redshirt and will once again anchor the front line. Another reason is the injuries that Scott and Sammy Zeglinski sustained. With those two out, freshmen guards KT Harrell and Joe Harris and center Assane Sene got a chance to play a ton of minutes in an important role, which is invaluable experience. Throw in a talented group of freshmen -- Paul Jesperson, Malcolm Brogdon, James Johnson (who redshirted last year) -- and junior Jontel Evans, and this is as deep of a roster has Virginia has had since the days of Sean Singletary. If the pieces come together, the Cavs could be looking at double-figure wins in ACC play.
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Playing for a Utah state title? Yes, please!

College hoops in the state of Utah is currently in the midst of some drastic changes.

BYU not only loses the most popular Mormon this side of Joseph Smith, Jr, but the Cougars are leaving the Mountain West for the WCC. Utah's changing conferences as well, heading to the newly-named Pac-12. Utah State hasn't left the WAC quite yet, but Nevada, Fresno State, and Boise State all have. The only constant is Weber State, who is a favorite to win the Big Sky next season.

Basketball fans in Utah are rabid which is part of what makes the rivalries between the in-state programs so intense. But with the changes in conference affiliation, there is no guarantee that these rivalries last. Take Utah and Utah State, for example. A game that has been played every season since 1944-1945 and 223 times since 1908 won't take place in the upcoming year. With the Utes moving to the Pac-12 an adding a couple of conference games, there isn't room for the Aggies, who were scheduled to play host the game this season. Utah is also apparently worried about scheduling tough, non-conference road games playing in a stronger (Is the Pac-12 actually going to be stronger than last year's MWC?) league.

BYU and Utah saved some face. The two schools signed a four-year contract guaranteeing that they would play each other once each year in mid-December. But mid-December games -- when the students may or may not be on campus -- don't really hold the same kind of intensity as conference rivals battling in late February.

But according to the Deseret News, Utah AD Chris Hill has some interesting ideas about how to keep the rivalries afloat:

As such, he's floated an idea with Utah Jazz officials and BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe about bringing the Utes, Cougars, Aggies and Weber State together at EnergySolutions Arena to start each season in an effort to build some excitement and allow the teams to play each other. The Utes are contractually committed to playing at Weber State in 2011, but there is no agreement between the Wildcats and Utes beyond this year.

Umm, YES!

This would be AWESOME!

Play a two-day tournament. Make the tournament be for the "state title". Put something on the line. You don't think that would pique the interest of fans? Being able to have state-wide bragging rights for an entire season? I would certainly watch it, and I live on the other side of the country.

Colleges don't capitalize on regional rivalries like this enough anymore. Indiana is trying to do it, as Butler, Notre Dame, IU, and Purdue are playing in the Crossroads Classic. But that is simply a double-header. Its not a tournament. As everyone knows, tournaments are always more fun than regular games.

So take advantage of this, Utah!

You could build yourself a marquee event in December, something that you don't see often in college hoops.
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St. Mary's and Weber State to play after the season

St. Mary's has added a home game against Weber State after the end of the WCC season, which is to take place on March 11th.

Its a risky move for the Gaels. Weber State was a trendy pick to win the Big Sky this season, but those hopes went out the window when star guard Damian Lillard broke his foot and was done for the season. That said, the Wildcats have gotten hot late in the season. Their six game winning streak was snapped on Friday night, but prior to the Weber State had won eight of their last 10 games without Lillard and moved to 9-4 in league play, which puts them a game out of first place in the loss column.

In other words, the Wildcats are not a bad basketball and they seem to be hitting their stride late in the season.

They are also a team with an RPI of 135. With St. Mary's losses to San Diego and Utah State last week, they cannot afford a home loss to the Wildcats. They may not be able to afford even playing them if the Gaels want an at large. Another win against a team with a sub-100 RPI is not going to strengthen St. Mary's resume.

Its a calculated risk, however. The Gaels have a 10 day layoff between the end of the season and the start of the conference tournament, so Randy Bennett is adding the game to try and keep his team from getting rusty.


For Weber State, the reason they took this game is quite obvious. Lillard, a junior guard that was averaging 17.7 ppg when he got hurt, played in nine games before getting hurt. (Ed. Note: His ESPN profile says that he played in 10 games, but the two minutes stretch he had against Montana is a mistake. Lillard was on crutches on the bench during that game.) The NCAA's rule regarding medical redshirts is that the player could not have participated in more than 30% of the team's games. St. Mary's will be Weber State's 30th game of the season, meaning that Lillard will have participated in exactly 30% of the Wildcat's games.

In other words, Weber State took the game so that Lillard will be eligible to receive a medical hardship waiver and get another year of eligibility.

Smart move.

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