Men’s WAC Basketball Tournament: Utah State (1) claims tournament crown against Nevada (2)

WAC Tournament MVP Gary Wilkinson waves to his fans during Utah State’s post-game celebration of their 72-62 championship victory over Nevada. -Chad Ziemendorf - Spartan Daily

The Utah State Aggies are on their way to the NCAA Tournament after a convincing victory, 72-62, over the Nevada Wolf Pack in the WAC Tournament championship game.

A telling moment happened with 3:35 to play, and the Aggies ahead, 64-47. WAC Player of the Year and tournament MVP Gary Wilkinson had Wolf Pack defenders all over him, making rabid attempts at steals that should have been fouls, and he managed to bump, absorb bumps and then sneak a layup into the basket. If you can’t stop that, you’re going to have a hard time winning a basketball game.

Men’s WAC Basketball Tournament: Fresno State (9) edges Hawaii (8) in play-in game

Bulldogs Paul George and Dwight O'Neil celebrate after their victory as Hawaii's Bill Amis shows his disappointment. Chad Ziemendorf - Spartan Daily

The ninth-seeded Fresno State Bulldogs will advance to the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament after defeating the eighth-seeded Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Tuesday night in the play-in game.

Let’s go right to the finish.

With 57 seconds to go, Hawaii forward Bill Amis got hacked and went to the line with the score tied, 57-57. He hit one of two, 58-57 Hawaii.

Fresno State forward Seay Sylvester missed a three, but guard Dwight O’Neil got the rebound and bounced it off a Hawaii player as he fell out of bounds. Fresno got the ball with 32 seconds and no shot clock.

So they held for the last shot, right? Nope. O’Neil pulled up for a 15-foot jumper to put the Bulldogs up by one, 59-58, with 21 seconds to go.

Hornberg: Women’s basketball predicted order of finish in the WAC

Executive Editor John Hornberg predicts the ranked order of finish for women’s basketball teams in the Western Athletic Conference. Each team’s current record/conference record in parentheses.

1. Fresno State (17-6; 8-2 WAC)

Buchan: Men’s basketball predicted order of finish in the WAC

Sports Editor Ryan Buchan predicts the ranked order of finish for men’s basketball teams in the Western Athletic Conference. Each team’s current conference record in parentheses.