This is a bit of surprise considering that McGee could have been a top five pick next season if he had improved during this offseason like he did last offseason and led the Wolf Pack on a deep NCAA Tournament run.

The long, athletic 7-footer is still rough, but his raw athleticism, leaping ability and huge wingspan make him one of the most naturally gifted young players in the country. It would have made sense for McGee to enter the draft without hiring an agent, assess his situation, and then have the option of returning for one more season.

It’s hard to blame the kid if he does go in the first round or late lottery, but the Wolf Pack is in serious trouble in the frontcourt next season.

More analysis later…

Because of my thesis, however, I’m stuck in Reno this week, watching on TV.

Still, I guess I can’t complain being able to drink beer and watch the games in my sweatpants in the living room.

Of all the WAC co-champs, Nevada had the toughest first round draw in Fresno State. Boise State had a tough go with Hawaii, but the Warriors had lost eight straight heading into the tournament.

The Wolf Pack struggled a little bit with the Bulldogs, but post players Demarshay Johnson and JaVale McGee ensured the victory. The Wolf Pack flat dominated the Bulldogs on the boards (the final margin was close because of several offensive rebounds in the closing minutes when the Wolf Pack had let up a bit).

The guard play, however, was atrocious. The Pack did a really good job defensively on Eddie Miller and Kevin Bell, but they gave it back on the other end.

Brandon Fields and Armon Johnson were both 1 of 7 and Marcelus Kemp finished with 12 points on 4 of 12 shooting.

The Wolf Pack won’t beat New Mexico State tomorrow unless the guards play better.

McGee won’t find as much space against the Aggies frontcourt, but the guards will have chances to make plays.

It’s so hard to beat a team three times, and the Aggies will be plenty motivated for the Wolf Pack.

Elections are tomorrow, and Garrett “The Truth” Hylton officially endorses Eli Michael Reilly for president of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada and Gracie Geremia for senator of the College of Liberal Arts.

I’m probably not going to vote (my biggest regret in college is actually voting in the 2005 election), but you should, and you should vote for these two.

Geremia’s done great work with Circle K and Reilly’s platform focuses on building tradition and a sense of community on campus. In my mind, that’s what the U lacks at the moment.

And they’re both good people.

Oh, the other offices.

Who cares? Just vote for Reilly and Geremia.

What, you don’t like endorsements?

Well, I don’t particularly care. So go throw some more complaints at the staff endorsement that was in today’s paper.

The All-NBA Prospect Team
Marcelus Kemp, Sr., G, Nevada
Jaycee Carroll, Sr., G, Utah State
JaVale McGee, So., F, Nevada
Herb Pope, Fr., F, New Mexico State
Justin Hawkins, Sr., F, New Mexico State

Analysis: While Carroll deservedly won the WAC player of the year award, Kemp is a better player and better NBA prospect. Carroll is limited athletically and doesn’t offer much more than that sweet jumpshot. Kemp, on the other hand, has a decent body and scores from everywhere on the floor.

I still think Carroll can play in the NBA if he lands with the right team. Steve Kerr played an awfully long time, and Carroll is a good enough shooter to fill a similar roll.

The best prospects on the team, however, are McGee and Pope. McGee is one of the most naturally gifted players in the country and Pope has huge upside as well. Pope, though, also has the best chance of never actually reaching the league based on his immaturity and questionable past.

The Kicked Puppy Player of the Year Award
Hector Hernandez, F, Fresno State
Runner-up: JaVale McGee, F, Nevada

Analysis: Hernandez deserves some credit for his signature facial gestures. McGee’s also an emotional player who can bust out a pretty impressive I-think-I’m-going-to-cry face after getting called for fouls, but Hernandez pretty much constantly looks like he just got kicked in the groin. Plus, McGee showed at San Jose State that he’s capable of kicking back.

Worst Tattoo
Reggie Larry, Boise State
Runner-up: Any player who has an area code tattooed anywhere
Analysis: Let’s put meaning aside and go straight off terrible appearance. Larry wins for the clip artish tat on his left arm that features two people holding hands in front of a basketball hoop. The area code fad has victimized shortsighted teens for years, but how can you beat a Hallmark card on the arm?

Best-Dressed Coach
Mark Fox, Nevada
Analysis: The man is in a class of his own when it comes to rocking the suit.

The All-Arrest Team
Herp Pope, F, New Mexico State
Jahmar Young, G, New Mexico State
Chris Cole, G, New Mexico State
Tyrone Nelson, F, New Mexico State

Analysis: So what if there are only four players? With that sort of arrest record, this group doesn’t need to observe conventional rules.

Nelson didn’t play this year after pleading no contest to robbing a Domino’s delivery man before last season. Still, he was allowed to play last season under the allegations and a hearing was actually pushed back so he could play in the WAC Tournament.

The other three were arrested this season and were suspended one game combined.

Utah State guard Jaycee Carroll won WAC player of the year honors over Marcelus Kemp, ending the Wolf Pack’s four-year reign of player of the years, and Boise State coach Gregg Graham won coach of the year, meaning Nevada coach Mark Fox didn’t win the award for the first time of his career.

First Team All-WAC
Jaycee Carroll, Sr., G, Utah State
Marcelus Kemp, Sr., G, Nevada

Kevin Bell, Sr., PG, Fresno State
Justin Hawkins, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Reggie Larry, Sr., F, Boise State

Analysis: Carroll deserved to win player of the year. Kemp is better - he actually scores more per 40 minutes than Carroll and is a more versatile athlete - but Carroll means everything to the Aggies. They simply wouldn’t have won a share of the WAC championship without him. Kemp means a lot to the Wolf Pack, but he has a better cast of players around him.

Carroll played all 40 minutes in eight of the Aggies 16 conference games. He played less than 38 minutes only twice. He was on the floor for basically the Aggies whole season, and he still managed to make more than half his shots from the field and from 3-point range.

All-WAC Second Team
Matt Nelson, Sr., F, Boise State
Matt Gibson, Sr., G, Hawaii
Jordan Brooks, Jr., F, Idaho
JaVale McGee, So., F, Nevada
Gary Wilkinson, Jr., F, Utah State

Analysis: McGee struggled at times this season, but he’s so much better than he was a year ago. He’s averaged almost 14 points per game and more than seven rebounds. That’s more than you could have expected preseason. He’s also emerged as the best big man in the conference and one of the most athletically gifted players in the country. If he shows the same improvement next season, he could be an All-American.

Coach of the year: Greg Graham, Boise State

Analysis: Fox didn’t win the award and this was arguably his best coaching job. But Graham deserves this award. Even though the Broncos choked away sole possession of the conference title, they won a championship after being picked fifth. The program hadn’t mattered until this season.

All-Newcomer Team
Jordan Brooks, Jr., F, Idaho
Gary Wilkinson, Jr., F, Utah State
Herb Pope, Fr., F, New Mexico State
C.J. Webster, So., C, San Jose State
Armon Johnson, Fr., PG, Nevada (newcomer of the year)

Analysis:Johnson’s been the frontrunner for this award for much of the season. He’s been amazing both as an efficient scorer and as a game-manager for a freshman. He’ll never be as good a passer as Ramon Sessions, the last Nevada player to win this award, but he’s already a more dangerous scorer. Once he gets his outside shooting touch back, he’ll be dangerous. Johnson wasn’t nearly as touted as preseason freshman of the year Herb Pope, but Johnson proved the Wolf Pack found another great player overlooked by the big schools.

One notable omission on this team is San Jose State freshman Justin Graham. He missed some time with an wrist injury, but he’s a big, sweet-shooting guard that played a big role in the Spartans improvement this season. I thought he was better than Webster.

All-Defensive Team
Matt Bauscher, Sr., G, Boise State
Matt Gibson, Sr., G, Hawaii
Lyndale Burleson, Jr., G, Nevada
JaVale McGee, So., F, Nevada
Fred Peete, Sr., G, New Mexico State

Analysis:

Burleson is probably the big surprise here, although he’s worthy of the mention. He didn’t play a ton of minutes, but Burleson was a huge difference maker on defense for the Pack after becoming eligible in December. His speed and size really give opposing ball handler’s problems, and he can be aggressive because he comes off the bench. Burleson gambles sometimes and gives up open shots, but how many times has he turned around a fast break by speeding down the court and knocking the ball loose?

Also, we can debate McGee’s inclusion all we want, but he belongs. Yes his footwork needs tons of improvement, he doesn’t always dominate the boards like he should and he gives up easy points to players who are much smaller and less athletic than him, but he’s the most dangerous shot blocker in the West. His mere presence changes the way teams play against the Wolf Pack. Opposing guards often hesitate as soon as they get in the paint. His presence alone is worthy of selection.

After Boise State choked away its chance at a solo title by losing at home to Utah State, the Broncos, Nevada and both Aggies will be hanging conference title banners next season.

It’s seems a fitting conclusion to a crazy season.

It started when the entire college struggled in nonconference play, leaving the WAC about 10 spots higher than its usual position in the RPI.

Then, when the conference season started, things got crazy.

San Jose State, the conference door mat, beat two of the co-champs, Utah State and Nevada, and Idaho was one of only two teams to sweep the dreaded SJSU-Hawaii road swing.

It only makes sense that a muddled regular season would remain muddled to the end.

Utah State will be the No. 1 seed at next week’s WAC Tournament, the Pack will be No. 2, the host Raggies will be No. 3 and the Broncos fall to No. 4 after leading the conference for most of the season.

The banner probably means the most to the Wolf Pack, who claimed its fifth straight conference title by taking out Fresno State tonight.

Nevada coach Mark Fox probably won’t win the conference coach of the year award for the first time of his career, but this season was probably his best coaching job.

After winning from the front the last two seasons, the Wolf Pack won this year with a young squad that was picked to finish third in the preseason polls. The program’s longevity has been amazing.

This is Cleveland’s third season leading the Bulldogs and, at 13-18, it’s hard to see any improvement.

Cleveland’s had a lot of talent to work with, too, which makes the Bulldogs lack of success all the more baffling. Granted, this season Cleveland’s dealt with a great deal of adversity with injuries and suspensions (Fresno State seems to struggle with off-court issues no matter who coaches the team).

But last season the Bulldogs boasted a lineup of Kevin Bell, JaVance Coleman, Dominic McGuire, Quinton Hosley and Hector Hernandez with Eddie Miller coming off the bench. From a pure talent standpoint, that lineup was as good as any in the conference. Yet the Bulldogs never truly made a competitive run at a conference title.

I think Cleveland gets at least one more year to prove his worth, but I don’t like the odds. The Bulldogs weren’t exactly young this season, either. Cleveland has to overcome the loss of six seniors, including Miller, Bell and Hernandez. It’s hard to imagine there will be enough talent to better what the Bulldogs have accomplished with their previous cast.

It seems like half the fans boo his poor footwork and overly-emotional reactions and half the fans applaud his highlight reel dunks and ridiculous blocks.

Well, the haters need to back off.

When considering McGee as a player, it’s important to remember how far he’s come.

McGee played barely 10 minutes a season ago and contributed little besides the occasional dunk and block. This season he’s played nearly 30 minutes per game, led the Wolf Pack in rebounding and and been second in scoring. Complain all you want about his shortcomings, but McGee worked hard in the offseason and he’s twice the player he was last season.

Anyone who thought the production he’s given this season is a fool. McGee worked hard to make himself a better player, and that’s obvious this season. There’s no reason to think that won’t continue next season. Nevada coach Mark Fox has made a program out of improving players throughout their careers, and it’s stupid to thing McGee won’t make gigantic progress between this season and the next.

Considering that, I still don’t understand all the criticism heaped on McGee. Plain and simple, McGee has spent most of his life as a small forward. He’s still adjusting to being a permanent post player. So yeah, his footwork isn’t the best, he’s often out of position and he gives up a ton of easy points. But attribute most of that to inexperience.

I’ve been hearing people tell me all season that McGee isn’t worthy of making the all-defensive team in the WAC. I disagree. Even considering the mistakes that McGee makes, his mere presence changes the way teams play. Kid’s got a 7-foot-5 wingspan with ridiculous athleticism, and other team have been cautious to challenge that for most of the year. His presence alone changes the way other teams play offense, and fo that he deserves a spot on the all-defensive team.

Now, finally, consider McGee as an NBA prospect. Sure he’s inconsistent, but he’s one of the best athletic packages in the entire country. Even North Carolina doesn’t have a player that can match McGee’s length, athleticism, and skill set. That’s why scouts are after him so hard. Quite simply, he’s more naturally gifted than just about ever player in the country.

If he stays at Nevada for a year or two, he’ll be dominant and show why the NBA loves him so much. He’s skilled and athletic. The problem is that there are tons of players like that sitting on NBA benches or playing in Europe because they never developed.

Trust, at least for now, that McGee will be around to make himself better, and more attractive to the NBA. As frustrating as he may be, McGee is an unbelievable prospect who deserves the opportunity to fulfill his potential with the Wolf Pack.

The Broncos, after all, have two double digit wins against the Wolf Pack.

Instead, logic suggests, the Wolf Pack would be better off facing host New Mexico State, a team it drubbed in both games this season.

It won’t be easy either way, but here’s something to consider: it’s extremely difficult to beat the same team three times in a single season.

So while it seems the Wolf Pack matches up well with the Aggies, the Raggies might be due.

The WAC Tournament will be brutal no matter what.

Utah State, New Mexico State, Boise State and the Wolf Pack all have about even odds to grab the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, so it’s not like one path is all that easier than another.

To me, the Wolf Pack is the most talented team in the tournament. The Raggies are talented, too, but referring to them as a team is about like believing that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama could team up on the Democratic side of the ballot this November.

Still, I’d be weary of another Wolf Pack-NMSU matchup in the tournament. The Wolf Pack has so much success against New Mexico State because the Aggies can’t overwhelm it with size and athleticism.

The Aggies are an almost impossible matchup for the Broncos and UtAgs because neither team has the personnel to win one-on-one matchups with the Aggies. But here’s a secret - NMSU’s pressure defense isn’t very good, it just appears that way when they can overwhelm opponents.

The Wolf Pack isn’t bothered too much by the pressure, and is able to penetrate and create good shots, something the Raggies struggle with.

Still, the Raggies are going to be tough to beat in Las Cruces. At this point, I’d call them the tournament favorite. They’re more than capable of taking down the Wolf Pack.

And I actually like the way the Wolf Pack matches up with Boise State from a personnel standpoint. The Wolf Pack is much bigger and more athletic, but the Broncos are so experienced and play well together.

Utah State is the least talented of the group, but the Aggies feature a senior backcourt that includes Jaycee Carroll, who can win games on his own.

To me, the Wolf Pack’s best bet involves the UtAgs and the Broncos. I understand the Wolf Pack’s success against the Raggies, but coach Marvin Menzies’ squad is incredibly dangerous at home.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Wolf Pack is going to have to play the home squad no matter what.

Who do you think the Wolf Pack matches up best with?

With several ties likely among the top four, and a possible four-way co-championship, when the regular season concludes this weekend, no team’s path to the NCAA Tournament is clear. It seems like every other conversation I’ve had for the last two weeks concerns this debacle.

But here’s what I know about the tie-breaker scenarios – absolutely freaking nothing.

I spend ridiculous amounts of time researching college basketball, but I have no idea who has to win and who has to lose for the Wolf Pack to get the No. 1 seed.

Want to know why?

It doesn’t matter. At all.

I couldn’t care less about the seeds, and neither should you, because this season they mean absolutely nothing (except for who has to play San Jose State and Fresno State in the first round).

Utah State, New Mexico State, Boise State and Nevada are all pretty evenly matched. The Raggies and Wolf Pack are the most talented, the Broncos have the most experience and the UtAgs have the best player and coach.

The champion is almost certainly going to have to beat two of that group, no matter how the seeds shake down. So don’t worry about it.

There hasn’t been a tournament this wide open in the WAC for a long time, so just sit back and enjoy.

Now if you want to handicap the field, that’s a different, and infinitely more interesting, debate. But we’ll talk about that tomorrow.