Western Athletic Conference Preview

The following preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the most thorough preview available of the upcoming season, order the 2002-03 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.   Blue Ribbon Forecast No. Team  '01-02 Conf. Rec. (Overall) 1. Tulsa  15-3 (26-6)  2. Louisana Tech  14-4 (20-9)  3. Hawaii  15-3 (27-5)  4. SMU  10-8 (15-14)  5. Fresno State  9-9 (19-14)  6. Nevada  9-9 (17-13)  7. Boise State  6-12 (13-17)  8. Rice  5-13 (10-19)  9. UTEP  3-15 (10-22)  10. San Jose State  4-14 (10-22)  All-Conference Team Did You Know? F: Kevin Johnson SR, Tulsa F: Antonio Meeking SR, Louisiana Tech G: Quinton Ross SR, SMU G: Carl English JR, Hawaii F: Michael Harris SO, Rice Player of the Year Quinton Ross SR, SMU Newcomer of the Year Antonio Lawrence FR, San Jose State Top Backcourts 1. Tulsa 2. Hawaii 3. Nevada Top Frontcourts 1. Louisana Tech 2. Tulsa 3. Fresno State 2002-03 Conference Tournament March 11-15, Reynolds Center, Tulsa, OK 2001-02 Champions Hawaii (Tied overall and won conference tournament) Tulsa (Tied overall) 2001-02 NCAA Tournament Postseason Record 2-4 (.333) NCAA Tulsa (Second round) Fresno State University of Hawaii forward Carl English was one of 50 players selected nationwide to the Wooden Award Preseason All-America team. The Canadian is from a town better known for hockey than hoops, but he played well enough last year to finish second-team All-WAC, averaging 15.5 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. He helped Hawaii to a 27-6 record and second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. Tulsa advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, before losing to Kentucky in a hard-fought game. The Golden Hurricane returns nearly every key ingredient from that team. Tulsa will be looking for its 14th NCAA tournament appearance. The Golden Hurricane has gone four times since joining the WAC. Two years ago, Tulsa won the postseason NIT. Look out for Louisiana Tech and we don't mean the women's program. Like Hawaii and Tulsa, the Bulldogs return four starters. The Bulldogs advanced to the second round of the postseason NIT. It was the fifth time the Bulldogs have been in that postseason event. They would like a trip to the Big Dance come March and they may have the team to do it. Fresno State, San Jose State and Boise State open with new head coaches. The Bulldogs said goodbye to Jerry Tarkanian, who decided to retire after 38 collegiate campaigns. San Jose welcomed back Phil Johnson, who left three years ago to be an assistant for the Chicago Bulls. The new kids on the block should offer an interesting perspective, including Boise's Greg Graham. He made a name for himself as an assistant at Oregon the last five years. Ray Lopes takes over at Fresno after eight successful seasons as an assistant at Oklahoma. Nevada broke a school record last year with 644 free throws. The Wolf Pack also won six road games, one more than the previous three years combined.

 

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