2009–10 Western Athletic Conference men's basketball season

The 2009–10 Western Athletic Conference men's basketball season began with practices on October 17, 2009 and ended with the 2010 WAC men's basketball tournament March 11–13, 2010 at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, NV on the campus of the University of Nevada. Utah State won the regular season championship while New Mexico State won the WAC Tournament.

Pre-season
The WAC conducted a media teleconference on October 20, 2009 and released the media and coaches poll, as well as the preseason All-WAC teams and player of the year.

Media All-WAC Team
Player of the Year
 * Luke Babbitt, So. F, Nevada
 * Mac Hobson, Sr. G, Idaho
 * Armon Johnson, Jr. G, Nevada
 * Jared Quayle, Sr. G, Utah State
 * Jahmar Young, Jr. G, New Mexico State
 * Luke Babbitt, So. F, Nevada

Coaches All-WAC Team
First Team Second Team Player of the Year
 * Luke Babbitt, So. F, Nevada
 * Mac Hobson, Sr. G, Idaho
 * Armon Johnson, Jr. G, Nevada
 * Jered Quayle, Sr. G, Utah State
 * Jahmar Young, Jr. G, New Mexico State
 * Roderick Flemings, Sr., F, Hawai‘i
 * Paul George, So. G/F, Fresno State
 * Kyle Gibson, Sr. G, Louisiana Tech
 * Sylvester Seay, Sr. F, Fresno State
 * Tai Wesley, Jr. F, Utah State
 * Luke Babbitt, So. F, Nevada

Players of the week
Players of the week:

On January 26 San Jose State's Adrian Oliver was named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association for games ending the week of January 24.

Head coaches

 * Greg Graham, Boise State (fired on March 12, 2010)
 * Steve Cleveland, Fresno State
 * Bob Nash, Hawai'i (fired on March 8, 2010)
 * Don Verlin, Idaho
 * Kerry Rupp, Louisiana Tech


 * David Carter, Nevada
 * Marvin Menzies, New Mexico State
 * George Nessman, San Jose State
 * Stew Morrill, Utah State

NCAA tournament
First round

(12) New Mexico State vs. (5) Michigan State L 70–67

(12) Utah State vs. (5) Texas A&M L 69–53

NIT
First round

(6) Nevada @ (3) Wichita State W 74–70

Second round

(6) Nevada @ (2) Rhode Island L 85–83

CollegeInsider.com tournament
First round

Louisiana Tech vs. Southern Mississippi W 66–57

Quarterfinals

Louisiana Tech @ Missouri State L 69–40

Pre-draft trades
Prior to the day of the draft, the following trades were made and resulted in exchanges of draft picks between the teams.


 * On June 25, 2009, Minnesota acquired Charlotte's first-round pick from Denver in exchange for the draft rights to Ty Lawson. Previously, Denver acquired a first-round pick on June 25, 2008 from Charlotte in exchange for the 20th pick in the 2008 draft.
 * On June 23, 2010, Oklahoma City acquired Daequan Cook and the 18th pick in the 2010 Draft from Miami in exchange for the 32nd pick in the 2010 Draft. Previously, Oklahoma City acquired Etan Thomas and two second-round picks on July 27, 2009 from Minnesota in exchange for Damien Wilkins and Chucky Atkins. Previously, Minnesota acquired a second-round pick and cash considerations on June 25, 2009 from Dallas in exchange for the draft rights to Nick Calathes. Previously, Dallas acquired a second-round pick, the 24th and 56th picks in the 2009 draft on June 24, 2009 from Portland in exchange for the 22nd pick in the 2009 draft.
 * On June 22, 2010, Milwaukee acquired Corey Maggette and the 44th pick in the 2010 draft from Golden State in exchange for Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric. Previously, Golden State acquired the 44th pick in the 2010 draft and cash considerations on June 21, 2010 from Portland in exchange for the 34th pick in the 2010 draft. Previously, Portland acquired 2009 and 2010 second-round picks from Chicago in a three-team trade on June 26, 2008.

Draft-day trades
The following trades involving drafted players were made on the day of the draft.


 * Portland acquired Ryan Gomes and the draft rights to 16th pick Luke Babbitt from Minnesota in exchange for Martell Webster.
 * Indiana acquired the draft rights to 51st pick Magnum Rolle from Oklahoma City in exchange for the draft rights to 57th pick Ryan Reid.

All WAC teams

 * First team
 * Luke Babbitt, Nevada
 * Jahmar Young, New Mexico State
 * Adrian Oliver, San Jose State
 * Jared Quayle, Utah State
 * Tai Wesley, Utah State


 * Second team
 * Paul George, Fresno State
 * Kyle Gibson, Louisiana Tech
 * Magnum Rolle, Louisiana Tech
 * Armon Johnson, Nevada
 * Jonathan Gibson, New Mexico State


 * Honorable mention
 * Daequon Montreal, Boise State
 * Sylvester Seay, Fresno State
 * Roderick Flemings, Hawai'i
 * Mac Hopson, Idaho
 * Wendell McKines, New Mexico State


 * All–defensive team
 * Marvin Jefferson, Idaho
 * Kyle Gibson, Louisiana Tech
 * Magnum Rolle, Louisiana Tech
 * Dario Hunt, Nevada
 * Pooh Williams, Utah State


 * All–newcomer team
 * Daequon Montreal, Boise State
 * Greg Smith, Fresno State
 * DeAndre Brown, Louisiana Tech
 * Nate Bendall, Utah State
 * Brian Green, Utah State


 * Player of the year
 * Luke Babbitt, Nevada
 * Freshman of the year
 * Greg Smith, Fresno State
 * Don Haskins coach of the year
 * Stew Morrill, Utah State