New Mexico State has represented the WAC each of the past four seasons in the NCAA tournament and enters 2015 as the front-runner again despite significant losses.
The Aggies simply have more talent than any other team in the league. More support, more resources. However, don't expect coach Marvin Menzies' team to run away with the regular-season crown as it did a year ago when it went 13-1 in WAC play.
Cal State Bakersfield has a star in senior center Aly Ahmed. UMKC has one in junior guard Martez Harrison. And Grand Canyon coach Dan Majerle comes off a 17-15 season overall and an 8-6 record in league play. The Antelopes bring back a talented backcourt with DeWayne Russell and Joshua Braun -- and adds some size with Boubacar Toure and Uros Ljeskovic. Seattle coach Cameron Dollar is coming off a solid season, and it will be interesting to see what Dan Hipsher does with the program formerly known as UT Pan American, now called Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
Favorite
Despite Losing four of its top six players, including WAC Player of the Year Daniel Mullings, the Aggies remain the team to beat in the league. New Mexico State has won 99 games over the past four seasons, gone to the NCAA tourney each year and still has arguably the best player in the league back in 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Pascal Siakam. The Cameroon native averaged 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds and is also one of the WAC's best players on the defensive end. Menzies' team also returns starting point guard Ian Baker, who averaged 9.3 points and 2.7 assists. Who else will emerge? There are plenty of candidates including 6-10 sophomore forward Johnathon Wilkins, who played sparingly last season (17.3 minutes per game).
Sleeper
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
Coach Rod Barnes and the Roadrunners were only 7-7 in the league last season, but they return one of the conference's top players in Ahmed, a 6-9 senior (13.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg), and two more starters in Kevin Mays and Jaylin Airington. Mays is a 6-4 senior who led the league in rebounding (8 per game), and Airington, a junior wing, started 26 games and averaged 7.7 points. Ahmed spent the summer playing for his native Egypt in the FIBA Africa Championship. Bakersfield also gets Baylor transfer Damiyne Durham, who's eligible after the 6-4 Houston native sat out last season.
Team that could fall on its face
Coach Kareem Richardson has one of the top players in the league in junior guard Martez Harrison, but UMKC lost three starters and one of its assistant coaches. Andre McGee is at the center of the Louisville investigation as allegations swirl regarding his involvement setting up escorts for former players and recruits. Richardson was also briefly an assistant at Louisville. McGee has been place on paid leave, and this situation could prove to be a major distraction for a team that also isn't certain how Shayok Shayok comes back from an injury-plagued season.
Top pro prospect
Siakam, New Mexico State
Siakam is only a sophomore so there's plenty of room for him to grow as a player. He's a terrific rebounder and shot-blocker because of his length and athleticism. Siakam is also strong and effective in the low post. He probably will be an overseas player, but NBA execs will take a look, especially if he can improve his perimeter game.
Projected all-conference team
G: Martez Harrison, UMKC
G: DeWayne Russell, Grand Canyon
G: Ian Baker, New Mexico State
F: Pascal Siakam, New Mexico State
C: Aly Ahmed, Cal State Bakersfield