2024 Preview
Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: Grand Canyon
Best Overall Player: Tyon Grant-Foster, GCU
Best Shooter: Hunter Madden, ACU
Best Defenseman: Collin Moore, GCU
Sleeper Team (Conference): UT Arlington
Sleeper Team (March): Grand Canyon
GCU Forward Tyon Grant Foster; GCU Athletics
1. Grand Canyon Lopes
2023 Record: 30-5
The Lopes’ breakthrough to the Round of 32 last March was a step in the right direction for coach Bryce Drew, who returns four starters and over 70% of the team’s 2023 production. Conference Player of the Year Tyon Grant-Foster is back and with him over 20 points a night. Defensive mastermind Collin Moore is back as well and will be the linchpin of the backcourt, with big gurd Lok Wur more than likely stepping up on the wing.
The Lopes return little to no bench production aside from Wur but will rely on the portal to fill the holes left by a cleared out bench. TCU transfer forward JaKobe Coles will be an immediate impact player on the nation’s 32nd ranked defense. Grand Canyon was by far the best team in the WAC last season and will hope to continue its dominance with many key returning players and newcomers.
2. Cal-Baptist Lancers
2023 Record: 16-17
The Lancers lose a handful of important offensive players but replace them with experienced tranfers by way of former conference rivals. Cal Baptist returns two starters outright, including the dangerous Dominique Daniels Jr. (19.2) and Blondeau Tchoukuiengo. AJ Braun (Wright State) and Sadaidriene Hall (SFA) are two key transfers who will more than likely step into lead roles for the Lancers.
Cal Baptist was the best rebounding team in conference play last season and will look to continue that trend with a replenished frontcourt headed by Braun. To elevate to WAC contender status, the Lancers must improve inside the arc (45.1% last season) and limit turnovers in critical situations. The Lancer defense was one of the more consistent units in the league but struggled to force turnovers all season.
3. Seattle Redhawks
2023 Record: 23-14
A majority of its 2023 production is gone but the Redhawks continued success in the WAC (oftentimes the thorn in the side of Grand Canyon) will more than likely continue in 2024. Three point ace John Christofilis returns but is the only large contributor to do so. Forward Kobe Williamson will step into a larger role on the wing and in the paint on defense. There is plenty of returning production from the bench, including shifty guard Paris Dawson.
A bevy of D-II transfers will fill in the remaining holes for Seattle, who will look to continue its contention status following three 20-plus win seasons in a row. To do so, Seattle must improve on the defensive boards and will have to force turnovers at a higher rate to fuel its suffocating offensive tempo.
4. Tarleton State Texans
2023 Record: 25-10
The Texans finished one game shy of first place in the WAC last season and were eliminated in the first round of the WAC Tournament before losing all five starters and all but two reserves this off season. A slap in the face would be an understatement. The good news for the Texans; Arkansas State transfer Freddy Hicks — a former Texan — returns for 2024 to lead Tarleton State.
There are a handful of other newcomers to watch but there is not a lot of depth behind them. Tarleton State will have to replace virtually its entire roster after reaching 20-plus wins for the first time at the D-I level. Coach Billy Gillispie has proven to be a talent developer during his tenure with the Texans and will more than likely keep Tarleton in the thick of the WAC race in 2024.
5. Abilene Christian Wildcats
2023 Record: 16-18
The Wildcats overall disappointing 2023 was countered with surprising wins over Grand Canyon and Seattle to close out the year. Maintaining that momentum will be key for coach Brette Tanner, who returns two starters and a handful of reserves ready to step into bigger roles. Oklahoma State transfer Quion Williams will be one of the conference’s best rebounders and shooter Hunter Madden is an effective three point gunner.
The Wildcats will have to rebuild an offense that ranked ninth (out of 11 last season) in overall efficiency in the WAC. Abilene Christian did shoot the three ball effectively but will have to improve its knack for turning the ball over. On defense, the Wildcats are rebounding and turnover specialists — two characteristics worth building on. The progression of reserves from last season will be critical to the team’s development in 2024.
6. Texas Arlington Mavericks
2023 Record: 20-14
There is one starter back for the Mavericks in forward Shemar Wilson ahead of coach KT Turner’s second season at the helm. UT Arlington went to the WAC title game last season with a considerably worse roster on paper and welcomes the transfer of All-Southland guard Diante Smith to operate the backcourt. The dynamic Darius Burford will be a reliable third option scorer.
UTA was one of the best shooting teams in the WAC last season, ranking inside the top three in eFG%, 2PT% and 3PT% in conference play. On defense, the Mavericks were one of the toughest defensive outfits in the WAC, something that may take a dip following the loss of four starters ahead of 2024.
7. Utah Valley Wolverines
2023 Record: 16-16
Coach Todd Phillips went an even 16-16 in his first year as head man of the Wolverines. Gone are four starters from that team, but the Wolverines led the WAC in bench minutes played last season, which is a plus. Returning starter Tanner Toolson will be crucial early as reserves Ethan Potter and Osiris Grady acclimate to starting roles.
The Wolverines will have to improve on its league-worst three point percentage in order to find consistency. Utah Valley relied on the three more than any team in the WAC last season and it oftentimes proved not to be very reliable.
8. Southern Utah Eagles
2023 Record: 10-21
The Eagles crashed to a 10-win 2023 following three consecutive 20-plus win campaigns from 2020-2022. Southern Utah does return a more experienced roster than last year, however, with two starters and many returning bench pieces back in Cedar City. Rob Jeter returns leading scorer Dominique Ford but not a ton of offensive production. The portal was used sparsely as Jeter will rely on homegrown talent in 2024.
The Eagles were one of the worst defensive teams in the conference last season and must improve its FG% allowed to escape the WAC’s basement. Southern Utah was one of the more consistent two-point shooting teams in the conference and will need to use that as a building block ahead of 2024.
9. Utah Tech Bison
2023 Record: 11-20
The Bison enter year five at the D-I level after a forgettable 11-win 2023 saw three starters leave. There is no proven scorer on the roster following the departure of Tanner Christensen, which leaves a massive question on the offensive end for Utah Tech.
The Bison ranked in the bottom three in all but one defensive statistic last season in WAC play. Any improvement will be taken after a lackluster defensive effort crashed 2024 early.