Swac Capsules
In predicted order of finish:
Utah Valley Wolverines (9-0 this year)
1995-96 record: 15-3 SWAC, 29-6 overall
Coach: Jeff Reinert
Years coaching, record: 2, 51-16
Top returners: Nathan Hallows, F.
Newcomers: Silester Rivers, F; Leif Nelson, C; Phil DeGraffenried, G; Jared Call, PG; LeLand Osborne, G; Travis Hansen, G.
End lines: DeGraffenried, younger brother of former Weber State star, Jimmy, has made 58 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Coach’s comment: “We’re plenty good enough. Whether we’ve got the team chemistry and unity, I don’t know.”
Outlook: Ranked No. 3 nationally for good reason. Big, but mobile, club that can run or utilize pattern offense. Only problem could be keeping quality bench happy with enough playing time.
Eastern Utah Eagles (9-0)
1995-96 record: 12-6, 23-8
Coach: Guy Beach
Years coaching, record: 1, 23-8
Top returners: Ime Udoka, F; Mitchell Johnson, G; Noel Jackson, G.
Newcomers: K’Zell Wesson, C; Harold Arceneaux, F.
End lines: Udoka is leaning toward signing with DePaul, whose coach, Joey Meyer, visited earlier this season.
Coach’s comment: “I’m not going to try to downplay it. We’ve got some experience and that really helps.”
Outlook: Probably the best starting five in the conference. High-flying Arceneaux and 250-pound Wesson join savvy guards Johnson and Jackson. Likely champion if Utah Valley stumbles.
Ricks Vikings (10-0)
1995-96 record: 7-11, 15-17
Coach: Clyde Nelson
Years coaching, record: 3, 60-34
Top returners: Adam Green, C; Danny Bower, F (returning from mission); Jared Peterson, F (returning from mission)
Newcomers: Bryson Vaughn, PG.
End lines: Four returning missionaries give team experience and maturity.
Coach’s comment: “Honestly, it’s the best group since I’ve been here.”
Outlook: Bower, who signed at Idaho a few years ago but doesn’t plan on returning, is a deadeye shooter on a team filled with fine shooters. Green and Steve Howard add interior game to solid squad.
Snow Badgers (10-0)
1995-96 record: 9-9, 20-12
Coach: Jon Judkins
Years coaching, record: 3, 56-37
Top returners: Pat McGrath, F; Lance Barnes, F.
Newcomers: Paul Jonas, G (transfer from Utah); Matt Tullis, F; Brandon Fries, G.
End lines: Tragedy hit the program in September when two players, Dave Liddiard and R.J. Stahley, were killed in an auto accident.
Coach’s comment: “We really haven’t been tested. This weekend (Colorado Northwestern and Eastern Utah) we’ll be tested.”
Outlook: A workmanlike club with good shooters, good balance and tenacious defenders. Will be difficult to beat at home.
North Idaho Cardinals (6-0)
1995-96 record: 13-5, 25-6
Coach: Hugh Watson
Years coaching, record: 1st season at NIC
Top returners: David Cunnningham, G (currently ineligible); Toby Stack, G.
Newcomers: Todd Myles, G; Bo Johnson, F; Steven Ryan, C; Chris Harrison, F.
End lines: Watson was able to assemble talent, despite late start on recruiting.
Coach’s comment: “We haven’t really proved anything yet.”
Outlook: Athletic Cardinals will be tough at home. Problem may come on the road when they try to play aggressive pressure defense and find unfriendly whistles. Transfer Leonard Myles (eligible in January) could push NIC into top four.
Dixie College Rebels (7-2)
1995-96 record: 14-4, 28-5
Coach: Dave Rose
Years coaching, record: 6, 149-42
Top returners: Mark Bailey, F.
Newcomers: Kenyatta Clyde, F; Justin Bradshaw, G.
End lines: Talented forward Jasmine Mansell quit the team earlier this week.
Coach’s comment: “We’re not real athletic, but we’ve got pretty good shooters.”
Outlook: A rare down year for Dixie, which lost standouts Kevin Simpson and Keon Clark to graduation. Don’t feel too much sympathy: Clyde could be a one-man wrecking crew.
Southern Idaho Eagles (6-0)
1995-96 record: 11-7, 24-8
Coach: Jim Thrash
Years coaching, record: 1st season at CSI
Top returners: Rich Brown, F.
Newcomers: Jarvis Mullahon, G/F; Travon Broadway, G.
End lines: Eagles are holding opponents to 46 points per game. Coach’s comment: “We’re young, with nine freshmen. We’ve got some good athletes but we’re getting used to each other.”
Outlook: Though they’re ranked No. 9, Eagles don’t appear to have the talent of past years. CSI is playing controlled, possession basketball, which could lull fast-breaking opponents into problems.
Salt Lake Bruins (9-0)
1995-96 record: 5-13, 16-15
Coach: Norm Parrish
Years coaching, record: 5, 98-63
Top returners: Brady Edwards, G.
Newcomers: Ryan Halliday, G (originally signed at Idaho); Cory Reiser, G (transfer from D-II Armstrong State); Travis Homer, G/F (transfer from Dixie); Isaac Sojourner, F/C (transfer from Weber State).
End lines: Landed Homer despite coach’s agreement that players not be allowed to transfer within conference. Why? Dixie’s administration gave Homer a release.
Coach’s comment: “When you go 16-15 (last season), you clean house.”
Outlook: A dangerous club that could finish anywhere from fourth to ninth. Meshing transfers is the key. Homer and Halliday can be torrid shooters and Sojourner could add inside power.
Treasure Valley Chukars (5-3)
1995-96 record: 3-15, 10-19
Coach: Drake Wallick
Years coaching, record: 8, 63-172
Top returners: Jeremy Ramos, G; Scott Baird, G.
Newcomers: Bjorn Magnussen, C (booted off Idaho’s team last year); Jeremy Killion, G; Brian Watson, C; LaMark Judkins, G.
End lines: Magnussen was run off Idaho’s team last year for numerous team rules violations. He’s 6-10 and could be a force in SWAC.
Coach’s comment: “We’ll be right in the middle of the pack when it’s all said and done.”
Outlook: Chukars might not be the pushover they’ve been in years past. They have size, decent athleticism and scoring capability. Don’t be surprised if they make top 8.
Colorado Northwestern Spartans (4-6)
1995-96 record: 1-17, 8-22
Coach: Paul Conrad
Years coaching, record: 27, 354-499
Top returners: Mike Geiger, F.
Newcomers: Steve Cox, F; Steve Bentz, G.
End lines: With former NIC coach Rolly Williams’ retirement, Conrad becomes the dean of SWAC coaches.
Coach’s comment: “We could be better than last year, but last year we didn’t win many.”
Outlook: Just pesky enough to upset an overconfident team or two. The Spartans are capable, as a comeback win over Seward County (Kansas) last week showed, but most likely will be reduced to spoiler role.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch Silester Rivers, 6-foot-7, freshman, forward, Utah Valley (transfer from Arizona State) Leif Nelson, 6-11, sophomore, center, Utah Valley (transfer from Nebraska, signed at Washington State) LeLand Osborne, 6-3, sophomore, guard, Utah Valley (transfer from South Alabama) Kenyatta Clyde, 6-8, sophomore, center, Dixie (transfer from Baylor) Todd Myles, 6-4, freshman, guard, North Idaho (transfer from West Virginia) Ime Udoka, 6-5, sophomore, forward, Eastern Utah Harold Arceneaux, 6-6, freshman, forward, Eastern Utah Pat McGrath, 6-6, sophomore, forward, Snow (signed with Northern Arizona) Danny Bower, 6-4, sophomore, forward, Ricks (originally signed at Idaho) Jarvis Mullahon, 6-4, freshman, guard, Southern Idaho