Tag: Air Force Basketball

All-Time Mountain West Basketball Series: No. 2 San Diego State vs. No. 7 Air Force

Who is going to move on in our best of the Mountain West tournament.

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All-Time Mountain West Basketball Series: No. 2 San Diego State vs. No. 7 Air Force

Falcons vs. Aztecs what is going to happen?

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Round 2 features two really good teams.

We took a bit of a break from our all-time Mountain West basketball series with the NFL Draft but now with that gone let’s move onto the next games in this series.

Round 2 Matchups:

Series 9: #1 2011 SDSU vs. # 8 2009 BYU

Series 10: #2 2020 SDSU vs. #7 2007 Air Force

Series 11: #11 2013 New Mexico vs. #14 2009 Utah

Series 12: #4 2011 BYU vs. # 12 2018 Nevada

Series 10 Preview: This series features two teams that are led by veterans, can score from anywhere, and take care of the ball. They both also like to play slow. Both teams are coming off of a seven-game series as well. I expect another close series between this 2020 Aztecs and the 2007 Falcons team.

Game 1: Viejas Arena, Series tied 0-0.

Air Force goes on a shooting barrage and the Aztecs can’t get their offense going in the second half. Air Force takes home-court advantage.

Game 2: Viejas Arena, Air Force leads series 1-0

SDSU locks in their defense and holds AIr Force to 39% from the field. 

Game 3: Cadet Field House, series tied 1-1.

Aztec’s offense really struggles in game 3, Air Force is forcing them to play sloppy.

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All-Time Mountain West Basketball: No. 7 Air Force vs. No. 10 Colorado State

All-Time Mountain West Basketball: No. 7 Air Force vs. No. 10 Colorado State 2005 Falcons vs. 2013 Rams Contact/Follow @MWCwire A Colorado matchup for supremacy The next matchup in our series for who the best Mountain West basketball team features …

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All-Time Mountain West Basketball: No. 7 Air Force vs. No. 10 Colorado State

2005 Falcons vs. 2013 Rams

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

A Colorado matchup for supremacy

The next matchup in our series for who the best Mountain West basketball team features an in-state matchup between Colorado State and Air Force in a 7 vs. 10 matchup. This has the making of a close matchup through this best of seven series.

In this series, look for Air Force to fire away from deep, as almost half of their shots come from behind the arc. Colorado state on the other hand should have no trouble controlling the glass. These teams are pretty equal in terms of overall talent and efficiency, at least according to KenPom, so whoever can play their style better will come out of top.

Keys for Colorado State: Get every offensive rebound, and draw fouls as Air Force doesn’t have great depth; Do what you can to contest shots, as Air Force has an eFG of 58%. 

Keys for Air Force: Shoot the lights out, CSU can’t get rebounds if you don’t miss shots; defensively don’t commit fouls, you don’t have the depth for it.

Game 1: Cadet Field House, Series tied 0-0.

Game 2: Cadet Field House, Air Force leads 1-0.

Air force takes a 2-0 lead on the strength of their inside game. Can they keep up their momentum, or will Colorado State make some adjustments in their own arena?

Game 3: Moby Arena, Air Force leads series 2-0

In what is probably the most exciting game of the tournament so far, Colorado State pulls out a victory in double overtime. Here is the play by play for the last minute of regulation.

Game 4: Moby Arena, Air Force leads series 2-1.

Despite some poor shooting, Air Force pulls off the comeback and wins. They have an opportunity to close out the series at home.

Game 5: Cadet Field House, Air Force leads series 3-1.

Another game that went to the wire, Air Force has the experience to pull off the win at home. They advance to play a 2020 SDSU team that looked shaky in the first round.

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Georgia basketball assistant accepts head coaching job

A Georgia basketball assistant has taken the head coaching job at Air Force.

On Tuesday, Air Force announced that it has hired Georgia basketball assistant coach Joe Scott to become the program’s new head coach.

Scott returns to the Academy for his second stint as head coach of the Falcons. He served as Air Force’s head coach from 2000-04.

“I would like to thank Nathan Pine for the opportunity to return to the Academy, as we pursue our common goal of reenergizing Air Force basketball,” Scott said in a statement.

“Thank you to our Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, members of the search committee and everyone else at the Academy connected with the search process. It was a first-class operation all the way.”

Scott served as an assistant under Tom Crean at Georgia for the last two seasons. He has also had head coaching positions at Princeton and Denver.

In his 16 seasons as a head coach, Scott has compiled a record of 235-240 and was named the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year in 2004 after guiding the Falcons to a 22–7 record and an NCAA Tournament berth.

 

A Way-Too-Early Look At MWC Rosters For 2020-2021: Air Force Falcons

A Way-Too-Early Look At The Air Force Falcons Air Force will look a little different next season, starting with their floor general. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Joyce and Van Soelen return as the only major contributors on the Falcon’s …

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A Way-Too-Early Look At The Air Force Falcons

Air Force will look a little different next season, starting with their floor general. 

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Joyce and Van Soelen return as the only major contributors on the Falcon’s roster. 

Players have already accepted reality and have begun taking the next step in their careers as of Friday. For some that is beginning NBA draft preparations a little earlier than expected, for others it is finishing their remaining course loads online to better gear up for next semester. Though the last group of players it is looking for their next opportunity and entering the transfer portal.

After sporting leagues around the globe either canceled or postponed their seasons in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA followed suit by outright canceling scheduled spring sports but rewarding seniors another year of eligibility to return and compete next season. This was a swift and just decision in a time of uncertainty for a lot of student-athletes, but there was still a group left in with uncertainty.

Winter sport athletes have currently been left with hope, given a ruling from the NCAA that would grant them any sort of extra eligibility given their abrupt cancellation of the big dance. So in the spirit of pure fun we will take a look at Mountain West team’s rosters for next season. Taking a look at both scenarios, just in case the NCAA surprises us.

2020-2021 Roster: In the event seniors are granted further eligibility

F Lavelle Scottie GR 6-7 225 Fort Worth, TX-Arlington Heights HS

C Ryan Swan GR 6-8 240 Aurora, CO-Overland HS

G Caleb Morris GR 6-4 185 Vista, CA-Army-Navy Academy 

G Sid Tomes GR 6-4 200 Woodbury, MN-East Ridge HS

G LeSean Brown GR 6-2 185 San Antonio, TX-TMI Episcopal 

G Chris Joyce Sr. 6-5 193 Jacksonville, FL-Bishop Kenny 

G Akaya Ameka Sr. 6-6 215 Hagerstown, MD- Saint Maria Goretti 

G Van Soelen Keaton Sr. 6-7 195 Waukee, IA-Des Moines Christian 

F Abe Kinrade Jr. 6-7 200 Maquoketa, IA Maquoketa HS

F Isaac Monson Jr. 6-9 205 Salt Lake City, UT-Olympus HS

G Nick Rene Jr. 6-0 180 Garland, TX Lakeview Centennial HS

G Solomon Pierre-Louis So. 6-3 175 Columbus, OH-The Wellington School 

G Carter Murphy So. 6-4 190 Phoenix, AZ-Arcadia HS

F Nikc Jackson So. 6-8 195 Scottsdale, AZ-Rancho Solano HS

G Deven Nelson So. 6-1 185 Fountain, CO Mesa Ridge HS

G Mason Taylor So. 6-4 190 Kansas City, MO-Grandview HS

G Camden Vander Zwaag So. 6-4 200 Johnston, IA-Johnson HS

F CJ Haut So. 6-8 200 Monroe, WI-St. Mary’s Catholic Central 

G Simon Banks So. 6-1 185 Indianapolis, IN-Brebeuf Jesuit Prep 

F Charles Anthony So. 6-8 205 So. Orlando, FL-Strength N Motion Prep

Point Guard Shooting Guard  Small Forward Power Forward Center
Mason Taylor So. Chris Joyce Sr. Sid Tomes GR Lavelle Scottie GR Ryan Swan GR
LaSean Brown GR Caleb Morris GR Keaton Van Soelen Sr.  Ameka Akaya Sr. Abe Kinrade Jr.
Solomon Pierre-Louis So. Carter Murphy So. Nikc Jackson So. Isaac Monson Jr.
Simon Banks So. Camden Vander Zwaag So. CJ Haut So. Charles Anthony So.

Things of Note:

  • This would extremely similar to last years rotation, minus A.J. Walker, who entered the transfer portal on March 19th.
  • Also with the Air Force Academy’s roster structuring ways, it is very difficult to predict incoming freshmen.

It’s always a bit difficult to peg Air Force rosters from season to season. But if seniors are allowed to come back they’ll do so without sophomore guard A.J. Walker leading them, as he has opted to transfer. They would also do so without their head coach Dave Pilipovich who was fired just last week.

That is an interesting aspect to this idea as some guys who are given additional eligibility are sure to want to transfer, right? Given the fact that they have already graduated and for those who have lost their head coach either to a change in leadership or to another job. It would be extremely difficult to see those guys sticking around.

But in the event that the NCAA rules against awarding additional eligibility for winter sport athletes, which still seems like a possibility given how long it has taken to hear any news regarding the matter. Here is a list followed by a depth chart of the Air Force roster given their current recruiting class and who we know has entered the transfer portal.

Next: Roster and Depth Chart

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Mountain West Basketball: Off Season Transfer Tracker 2019-2020

Departures around the conference and possible destinations. It is that time again, maybe a little earlier than normal but the off season is here and so the transfers begin. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Keep track of all basketball …

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Departures around the conference and possible destinations.

It is that time again, maybe a little earlier than normal but the off season is here and so the transfers begin.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Keep track of all basketball movement in and out of the conference.

College basketball’s end this past week is still a bit surreal, but as many players are already doing across the country we must plan for the future and continue coverage of the Mountain West with the current situation at hand.

So, with any tournament action or updates at a bit of a standstill, we look towards the players in this vacuum of basketball. And for those with eligibility left, this is the time to evaluate their current situations and make decisions.

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Still a point of conversation among the NCAA and player advocates, players themselves aren’t waiting around for any kind of new legislation or changes regarding their rights to transfer. As players around the country are already entering their names in the transfer portal as the 2019-2020 season comes to an end.

So we will have an ongoing transfer tracker of players leaving and entering the Mountain West going forward. So make sure to revisit this page all off season for updates as they happen.

Air Force

In: Kind of rare actually

Out: N/A

Boise State

In: N/A

Out: N/A

Colorado State

In: N/A

Out: N/A

Fresno State

In: N/A

Out:

Lozaro Rojas, Redshirt Junior Forward-Porto Seguro, Brazil

Years of Eligibility: 1

19-20 Stats: 1.0 PPG 1.2 RPG & 0.1 BPG in 10 games (0 starts)

Best Performance: 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist against Cal-State San Bernadino on Nov. 17th

Possible Destinations: No rumored interest at the time of this publication.

Rojas was buried behind a mountain of frontcourt depth this season after playing in twenty-seven games (2 starts) last season as one of only three players standing 6-7 or above on the roster. This season was a different story as there were three players standing 6-10 or above, not to mention three others at 6-7 or above. Stuck on the bench and only seeing action in ten games (5.1 MPG), it was time for a switch. As only senior Nate Grimes‘ graduation was guaranteed to free up minutes and local seven-footer Braxton Meah is set to arrive soon for next season, eating up more minutes.

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Mountain West Tournament: Day 2 Results and Highlights

Wyoming’s dream run continues, as the Cowboys pulled off another upset in the MW Tournament. Earlier in the day, the hosts were ousted.

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Mountain West Tournament: Day 2 Results and Highlights

Cowboys’ dream run continues; Broncos send hosts home

Contact/Follow @andrewdieckhoff & @MWCwire

Wyoming’s late night upset highlights an exciting Day 2

It was nearly midnight in Laramie by the time the quarterfinal round of the Mountain West Tournament drew to a close. But Wyoming fans had plenty of reasons to stay up past their bedtime. Here’s a quick recap of how eight became four, as we roll into the semis.

(#1) San Diego State 73, (#9) Air Force 60

Full Recap: Aztecs eliminate Falcons

The Aztecs got off to a slow start against Air Force, as has become their custom of late. But just as customary was the second-half surge that saw SDSU through to the semifinals. Jordan Schakel led the Aztecs with 17 points, while the Falcons’ AJ Walker poured in a game-high 18.

(#5) Boise State 67, (#4) UNLV 61

Full Recap: Broncos headed to semifinals

On paper, this was always supposed to be a close matchup. This game didn’t disappoint in that respect, although the home crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center won’t be happy to see their team ousted so early – especially after a five-game winning streak to get here. Boise State’s RJ Williams exploded for 23 points and 15 rebounds as the Broncos move on to face San Diego State tomorrow.

(#2) Utah State 75, (#7) New Mexico 70

The Lobos might have scored a win at The Pit on Senior Day, but they weren’t able to repeat the task against Utah State on Thursday. Sam Merrill’s 29 points were simply too much for New Mexico, despite the game remaining close throughout. Perhaps it was an act of grace, as the Lobos’ tumultuous likely draws to close. New Mexico’s record is likely good enough to earn an invite to the CBI or CIT, but it is unclear whether the team would accept one.

(#11) Wyoming 74, (#3) Nevada 71

Allen Edwards’ team had to wait a long time to start their game, but they decisively answered any questions about whether they could carry the momentum of their upset over Colorado State into Thursday’s game against Nevada. Perhaps owing to the late tip, the Wolf Pack were outlasted by a Wyoming team that became the first-ever double-digit seed to reach the Mountain West semifinals. They will face Utah State on Friday for a trip to the championship game.

Check back tomorrow for updates from Day 3 of the Mountain West Tournament. In the meantime, head over to our MW Tournament Hub to keep up on all the hoops coverage here at Mountain West Wire.

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Mountain West Tournament: Day 1 Results and Highlights

Day 1 of the 2020 Mountain West Tournament provided plenty of drama, with only one favored team advancing to tomorrow’s quarterfinals.

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Mountain West Tournament: Day 1 Results and Highlights

Wyoming makes history; Lobos, Falcons also advance

Contact/Follow @andrewdieckhoff & @MWCwire

Day 1 of the Mountain West Tournament has already provided some good drama.

With the opening round of the Mountain West Tournament in the books, let’s take a quick look at who will stay at the table in Vegas — and who is heading home empty-handed.

(9) Air Force def. (8) Fresno State, 77-70

The Falcons may have flown off course during the season, but they kept their 2019-20 campaign alive on Wednesday, thanks to a 24-point performance from AJ Walker. Fresno State’s season never really got off the ground, and they’ll limp back home with no postseason on the horizon.

(7) New Mexico def. (10) San Jose State,  79-66

Following a sensation Senior Night in which he led the Lobos to an upset of Utah State, Vance Jackson kept it up against the Spartans. The senior put up 26 and 12 for New Mexico. Jean Prioleau saw his team improve from last season, but they still have a long way to go.

(11) Wyoming def. (6) Colorado State, 80-74

Easily the least likely of the three upsets, Wyoming was not ready to be swept in three Border War bouts this season. The Cowboys became the first-ever #11 seed to win a game in the Mountain West Tournament behind 20 points from Kwane Marble. Colorado State will now wait to see if their 20 wins will be enough to earn a bid to one of the lesser postseason tournaments.

Check back tomorrow for updates from Day 2 of the Mountain West Tournament. In the meantime, head over to our MW Tournament Hub to keep up on all the hoops coverage here at Mountain West Wire.

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2020 Mountain West Tournament Day 1 Picks

Our staff has picks for the first day of the Mountain West tournament.

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2020 Mountain West Tournament Day 1 Picks

Who is advancing to Day 2?

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Mountain West tournament is here and we have picks.

Throughout the Mountain West tournament, we will have picks every day from our staff to see who they feel will advance.

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Game 1: No. 8 Fresno State vs. No. 9 Air Force, 3 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

Jeremy: Fresno State

Tron: Fresno State

Larry: Fresno State

Josh F: Fresno State

Andrew: Air Force

Eric: Fresno State

Game 2: No. 7 New Mexico vs. No. 10 San Jose State, 5 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

Jeremy: New Mexico

Tron: New Mexico

Larry: New Mexico

Josh F: New Mexico 

Andrew: New Mexico

Eric: New Mexico

Game 3: No. 6 Colorado State vs. No. 11 Wyoming, 8 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

Jeremy: Colorado State

Tron: Colorado State

Larry: Colorado State

Josh F: Colorado State

Andrew: Colorado State

Eric: Colorado State

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MWWire’s 2020 Mountain West Basketball All-Conference Awards

MWWire’s 2020 Mountain West Basketball All-Conference Awards Aztecs run away with the awards. Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Time to hand out some hardware. The Mountain West media handed out its awards but we have our own and two sets …

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MWWire’s 2020 Mountain West Basketball All-Conference Awards

Aztecs run away with the awards.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Time to hand out some hardware.

The Mountain West media handed out its awards but we have our own and two sets really. We did a weekly horse race by ranking the best players of the week first to fifth with the best player getting five points down to one point for the fifth player of the week. Those can be found here.

Coach of the Year

Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

Player of the Year

Malachi Flynn, San Diego State

Newcomer of the Year

Malachi Flynn, San Diego State and Jalen Harris, Nevada

This was sort of a surprise and goes along the lines of giving each Harris and Flynn and an award to recognize the two best players in the conference. Unless you are San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher who said, “Everybody gets a ribbon?” That is a bit harsh. It can come down to that Flynn was Player of the Year due to the Aztecs having an amazing year and then newcomer to Harris’ whose Nevada team while good not as good.

Defensive player of the Year

Cheikh Mbacke Diong, UNLV

First-Team All-Conference

Malachi Flynn, San Diego State
Jalen Harris, Nevada
Derrick Alston Jr, Boise State
Sam Merrill, Utah State
Nico Carvacho, Colorado State

Second-Team All-Conference

Bryce Hamilton, UNLV
Justin Bean, Utah State
Neemias Queta, Utah State
Matt Mitchell, San Diego State
Yanni Wetzel, Wyoming (Tied for 5th)
Seneca Knight, San Jose State (Tied for 5th)

Those first and second teams are not all that different with the one big exception is New Mexico’s JaQuan Lyle making the all-conference team that was awarded on a weekly basis missed the cut. Then there is players like Matt Mitchell who earned only a single vote in the weekly poll but he was second-team for the season-long awards.

The weekly awards benefited those who had great weeks where Mitchell was consistent but not overwhelming which is why for the weekly votes he got so few.

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Coaches Awards

First Team
Malachi Flynn, Jr., G, San Diego State
Jalen Harris, Jr., G, Nevada
Sam Merrill, Sr., G, Utah State
Matt Mitchell, Jr., F, San Diego State
Bryce Hamilton, So., F, UNLV

Second Team
Yanni Wetzell, Sr., F, San Diego State
Neemias Queta, So., C, Utah State
Nico Carvacho, Sr., C, Colorado State
Justinian Jessup, Sr., G, Boise State
Derrick Alston, Jr., F, Boise State
Jazz Johnson, Sr., G, Nevada

Third Team
Justin Bean, So., F, Utah State
Lavell Scottie, Sr., F, Air Force
Seneca Knight, So., G, San José State
Isaiah Stevens, Fr., G, Colorado State
Amauri Hardy, Jr., G, UNLV

Defensive Team
Malachi Flynn, Jr., G, San Diego State
KJ Feagin, Sr., G, San Diego State
Neemias Queta, So., C, Utah State
Lindsey Drew, Sr., G, Nevada
Justin Bean, So., F, Utah State

Honorable Mention
KJ Feagin, Sr., G, San Diego State
Hunter Maldonado, So., G, Wyoming
Lindsey Drew, Sr., G, Nevada
Nate Grimes, Sr., F, Fresno State
Orlando Robinson, Fr., F, Fresno State

Player of the Year:  Malachi Flynn, Jr., G, San Diego State
Defensive Player of the Year: Malachi Flynn, Jr., G, San Diego State
Freshman of the Year: Isaiah Stevens, Fr., G, Colorado State
Newcomer of the Year: Jalen Harris, Nevada
Sixth Man of the Year: Nisré Zouzoua, Nevada
Coach of the Year: Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

Media Awards

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PODCAST: Predicting Who Will Win The Mountain West Tournament?

Breaking down the matchups in the Mountain West tournament that starts today.

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PODCAST: Predicting Who Will Win The Mountain West Tournament

Aztecs tournament to lose? Yup.

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Can anyone play spoiler?

Jeremy and Andrew are back to preview the 2020 Mountain West tournament which begins this week. The two go through the scenarios in the tournament and they both find a soft spot for Colorado State who could sort of play a spoiler in this event. They also go over the various all-conference awards and wonder what is the deal with San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher who is complaining a lot for a likely No. 1 seed.

Also, all signs point to a two-bid Mountain West tournament, well as long as Utah State doesn’t mess things up.

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