Warriors picked fourth in WAC preseason polls
The Hawaii basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the Western Athletic Conference preseason polls.
Both the WAC coaches and media selected the Warriors fourth in the eight-team conference.
Hawaii finished in a tie for fifth place last season, and six players return from that team.
Three Warriors were honored on the Preseason All-WAC Teams. Senior guard Zane Johnson was named to the first team by both the coaches and media. He led the team in scoring last season with 15.8 points per game.
Junior center Vander Joaquim was named to the first team by the WAC coaches. He averaged 11.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game last season.
Also, freshman point guard Shaquille Stokes was named the Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the media.
Nevada was picked first by the coaches, while Utah State was picked first by the media.
Here are the lists:
Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Nevada (5)…………..46
2. New Mexico State…..41
3. Utah State (3)……….38
4. Hawai’i ………………32
5. Idaho………………. .24
6. Fresno State………..18
7. San Jose State……..14
8. Louisiana Tech…….11
Preseason All-WAC Coaches Teams
First Team
Deonte Burton, So., G, Nevada
Vander Joaquim, Jr., C, Hawaii
Zane Johnson, Sr., G, Hawaii
Wendell McKines, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State
Second Team
Kyle Barone, Jr., C, Idaho
Dario Hunt, Sr., F, Nevada
Hernst Laroche, Sr., G, New Mexico State
Brady Jardine, Sr., F, Utah State
Malik Story, Jr., G, Nevada
Coaches Preseason Player of the Year: Deonte Burton, So., G, Nevada
Media Preseason Poll Results
1. Utah State (13)………. .174
2. Nevada (5)………….. …162
3. New Mexico State (3)…150
4. Hawai’i (3)………………126
5. Idaho………………. ……89
6. San Jose State…………66
7. Fresno State……………..59
8. Louisiana Tech…………38
Media Preseason All-WAC Team
Deonte Burton, So., G, Nevada
Dario Hunt, Sr., F, Nevada
Zane Johnson, Sr., G, Hawaii
Wendell McKines, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State
Media Preseason Player of the Year: Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State
Media Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Shaquille Stokes, Fr., G, Hawaii
Also of note, head coach Gib Arnold announced that senior Jace Tavita will redshirt the 2011-12 season.
Tavita, a transfer from Utah, would have been eligible for only the second half of this season if he opted to play. Instead, he will be eligible for a full season during the 2012-13 season.
“I guess you could say he’s the captain of our scout team (this year), but he’s going to play an entire year for us next year,” Arnold said.
Great to hear we can utilize Jace Tavita for a whole season next year. He will only get better for his senior year and will also help the younger point guards. Senior leadership will be key for next year, hopefully he can fill that MIah Ostrowski role perfectly.
Also, way to give our team a chip on their shoulder again WAC polls! I know that Gib and the team don’t think that poll positions are important but it should give them something to use when WAC play comes and we play Nevada, NMSU and Utah State. Let’s get ’em Warriors! Hope Brereton and Thomas get motivated and hyped because they could definitely end up in the 1st or 2nd team as well.
Excited for the season and see you guys at Ohana Hoopfest!
Is Tavita a Point or Shooting Guard…or is he a small forward ?????
Strange poll. Hawaii has two players on the first team and all newcomer in Stokes and we only get 4th place in the polls. What are they saying, that the rest of the team don’t amount to much? Well we will have to show them that we have good balance this year. Every position is solid. I’m especially high on Brereton. He reminds my of a small Amis: good attitude, hard worker, multi-skilled, and DISCIPLINED. I would start him somewhere. Too valuable to sit on the bench. He will make things happen. Should make at least 2nd team WAC. Tremendous find for Warriors. Don’t know why he was not more heavily recruited. Anyway beta fo us nobody wen like em.
Actually, I seem to remember reading that Hauns Brereton had an abundance of offers, including one from BYU. Even so, he was definitely a major get, and I think he will be an extraordinary contributor, starting right away.
Yes Kapanui you are right! I remember reading Hauns had offers from 24 schools
and BYU, Memphis as well as several on the list to play this year. He is definitely going to be a key contributor! He for sure made a splash in China.