Straight Outta WAC

In this episode of the Straight Outta WAC podcast, Derryl spoke with California Baptist guard Filipa Barros. Barros is in her fourth season in Riverside and has battled back from a knee injury that knocked her out of the 2024-25 season. The Lancers sit in first place atop the WAC standings with a two-game lead over ACU. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subsc...

Derryl was joined by ACU broadcaster Andy Penney this week to take a look at the WAC at the midway point of conference play. Penney discusses the Wildcats, what they are doing well, and so much more. Give it a listen. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

Kylee Mabry has been a Utah Valley Wolverine for the entirety of her collegiate basketball career. Through ups and downs, new heights, setting a program record for wins at the Division I level, and much more, Mabry has been a big part of Dan Nielson’s plan at Utah Valley University. Mabry spoke with Derryl about the Wolverines, the season thus far, and much more. Get full access to WAC Hoops Natio...

Southern Utah guard Sierra Chambers jumped on the Straight Outta WAC podcast to talk to Derryl about the T-Birds, the non-conference slate, growth, and much more. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

The CBU women’s basketball team is back to its winning ways, beginning the 2025-26 season a perfect 5-0. Analyst Taylor Kilgore jumped on the podcast with Derryl to talk about the Lancers, the wins, the roster, and who has stood out so far. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

Earlier this week, Derryl got a chance to visit with Tarleton State guard Jakoriah Long about her journey to Division I basketball, to Stephenville, and her expectations for the 2025-26 season. Could something special happen in Stephenville, in a brand new arena, in the final year of the WAC? Check out what Long has to say. Image courtesy Tarleton State Athletics. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nati...

In his first year at UT Arlington, KT Turner won 20 games. In year two, the wins were hard to come by. Now, in his third year, KT Turner is excited about returning Preseason All-WAC selection Raysean Seamster and the level of unity his newcomers are showing. Can the Mavs win close games in 2025-26? Here is what the head coach has to say about his squad. And about his choice to grow a bear. Get ful...

JD Gustin hopes his team can stay healthy. If the Trailblazer women can stay healthy, especially Maddie and Macie Warren, Utah Tech could be extremely dangerous in their final season in the WAC. Gustin is excited and looking forward to the 2025-26 season. Here is the full interview with Derryl. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

Derryl had the opportunity to talk with Utah Tech women’s basketball broadcaster Kylee Young about the 2025-26 season, and some of the excitement surrounding the Trailblazers. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

There are some high expectations in Stephenville in year three under Bill Brock. The Tarleton State women’s basketball team moves into a new home, has a lot of experience at the guard level, and a big opportunity to get to the NCAA Tournament in a wide-open Western Athletic Conference. Clayton Neville gets a front-row seat to the action each and every night as the broadcaster and voice of the Texa...

Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

The Utah Valley Wolverines won 20 of their final 21 regular season games en route to a WAC regular season title. Todd Phillips then led the Wolverines to the WAC title game for the first time in program history. However, with three key players from that 2024-25 squad off to Power 4 programs, Phillips and his staff have to revamp the roster a bit. Phillips returns floor general Trevan Leonhardt, al...

Since joining the WAC in 2018, all CBU has done is win. The Lancers have two WAC regular-season crowns and two WAC tournament wins. However, 2024-25 was rough as it was the first losing season of the Division I era. Injuries played a part in that; never having a full roster also played a part in that. However, head coach Jarrod Olson doesn’t make excuses and is excited for what 2025-26 can bring....

Khloe Lemon is a sharpshooter who plays with an edge. It fits into head coach Jarrod Olson’s system perfectly. Now, in her third season in Riverside, Lemon is hoping to continue her growth by staying healthy, and helping lead CBU back to the NCAA Tournament. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

Since joining the WAC in 2021-22, the ACU women’s basketball team has failed to win a game at the WAC tournament. Will that change in 2025-26? Perhaps Payton Hull, a WAC Player of the Year candidate, and the Wildcats can change the misfortune at Orleans Arena in March. Head coach Julie Goodenough has a talented and experienced roster and is excited to see what her team can do in the final year in...

Utah Tech is in its final season in the WAC as the Trailblazers will join the Big Sky Conference in 2026-27. Jon Judkins has coached college basketball for 30-plus years, and continues to lead the Utah Tech men’s basketball program in the Division I journey. One thing that Judkins and his staff are learning about recruiting, is that perhaps they can pitch to kids to come to St. George, have a good...

There is a lot of excitement in Orem ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Utah Valley women’s basketball team won 19 games in 2024-25, and made it to the WAC semifinals. Ultimately, Dan Nielson’s crew returns the most of any team in the WAC but will have to replace floor leader Ally Criddle and scoring threat Tahlia White. Amanda Barcello and Halle Nelson return along with a few others for a team that...

Halle Nelson plays with a huge chip on her shoulder. Nelson has battled injuries, been told she wasn’t good enough to compete on this level, and much more. But the senior forward found a home in Orem and is looking to lead the Wolverines to their first-ever WAC Tournament title in the final year in the WAC. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

There is some excitement in West Texas as Brette Tanner has the most returners in the WAC, ACU continues to grow, and the Wildcats have a Player of the Year candidate in Bradyn Hubbard. Tanner talks with us about the Wildcats, his favorite music, and what he won’t miss when ACU moves into the UAC after 2025-26. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

Andy Penney, broadcaster for Abilene Christian women’s basketball, jumped on the podcast to talk with Derryl about the Wildcats, West Texas and much more. Make sure you tune in. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

New roster, NIL, and more from Southern Utah men’s basketball head coach Rob Jeter. The T-Birds have finished near the bottom of the WAC in the first two seasons under Jeter. Now, in their final season in the WAC, can things change? There is some excitement in Cedar City as Jeter really likes his 2025-26 squad. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

UT Arlington women’s basketball head coach Shereka Wright jumped on the podcast to talk about the Lady Mavs, the special run and end to the 2024-25 season, and how expectations are high despite some overlooking the Lady Mavs in 2025-26. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

Southern Utah women’s basketball coach Tracy Mason joined the podcast to preview the T-Birds, talk about hiking, not coaching her daughter for the first time in a long time, and much more including the youth on her 2025-26 roster. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe

Ava Uhrich is in the best shape of her collegiate career, according to her head coach Tracy Mason. If that is true, Uhrich could be a Player of the Year candidate in 2025-26. The 6-0 junior is the team leader on a very young T-Birds squad but the experience, athleticism, and ability to play multiple positions put Uhrich in a great position to fit that leadership role. Get full access to WAC Hoops...

In this episode of the Straight Outta WAC podcast, Derryl interviews the Voice of the Thunderbirds Spencer McLaughlin as the two discuss SUU women’s basketball and what Tracy Mason has coming back. Along with that discussion, McLaughlin talks about some exciting times around Cedar City. Get full access to WAC Hoops Nation Newsletter at www.wachoopsnation.com/subscribe