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Nick Fazekas leads the
WAC in scoring with 21.0 ppg |
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PLAYER OF THE WEEK Tulsa forward Jarius Glenn, a senior from Decatur, Ga. (Avondale HS), averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals in wins over UTEP and Boise State. He had a game-high 18 points and eight assists in the win over the Miners who were tied for first in the WAC at the time of the game. Glenn then scored a game-high 27 points against Boise State on Saturday. For the week, he was 17-of-26 (.654) from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and also blocked three shots. The victories gave Tulsa its first two-game winning streak since January of 2004. It is Glenns first career WAC Player of the Week award and first for a Golden Hurricane player this year.
Others nominated:
Chris Berry, Fr., F, Fresno State - came off the bench and averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in a split of two games.
Julian Sensley, Jr., F, Hawaii - scored 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists in the win over San Jose State.
Paul Millsap, So., F, Louisiana Tech - averaged 24.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in a split of two games. He scored 28 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked three shots in the win at Fresno State.
Nick Fazekas, So., F, Nevada - averaged 25.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in two home victories. He scored 23 points against SMU and added 27 versus Louisiana Tech. For the week, he was 18-of-28 (.643) from the field and added five blocks.
Omar Thomas, Sr., F, UTEP - averaged 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in a split of two games. Against Rice, he scored 28 points and made all 14 of his free throw attempts.
BRACKET BUSTER SATURDAY The WAC will have three of its five teams that were selected for ESPNs third annual Bracket Buster Saturday event televised on either ESPN or ESPN2 as announced today by ESPN. The 11 games selected for Bracket Buster Saturday were announced last week but did not include the start times and which networks were televising the games. UTEP faces No. 24 Pacific in the only ESPN game of the event while ESPN2 will show Vermont at Nevada and Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Hawaii. All 11 games will be played on February 19. The other two games featuring WAC teams (Murray State at Rice and Buffalo at Fresno State) will be shown by ESPN Full Court, the networks out-of-market pay-per-view service, and will be distributed in the markets of the competing teams through ESPN Regional Television (ERT). Of the 11 games included in the Bracket Buster Saturday event, a total of five games will be shown on ESPN2, one on ESPN and five will be produced by ERT. A total of 64 teams made up the field for this years Bracket Buster Saturday, including all 10 WAC schools. Those teams not selected for the event were matched up to create 21 non-conference games. In all 32 games, the home team will play at the visiting team's arena next year in a non-conference game.
2005 ESPN Bracket Buster Saturday Games-February 19
Wichita State (17-3) at Miami (Ohio) (14-5), 12:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN2
Ark.-LR (14-8) at Bowling Green (13-6), 1:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN Full Court
Vermont (17-3) at Nevada (16-5), 11:00 a.m. (PT) ESPN2
Western Michigan (15-7) at Northern Iowa (16-7), 3:00 p.m. (CT) ESPN2
Drexel (12-8) at Ball State (12-7), 5:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN Full Court
Murray State (12-8) at Rice (11-8), 4:00 p.m. (CT) ESPN Full Court
Buffalo (13-7) at Fresno State (13-7), 4:00 p.m. (PT) ESPN Full Court
Southern Illinois (18-6) at Kent State (15-7), 6:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN2
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (17-5) at Hawaii (13-5), 3:00 p.m. (HT) ESPN2
Illinois St. (16-6) at UW-Green Bay (16-6), 8:00 p.m. (CT) ESPN Full Court
UTEP (18-5) at Pacific (18-2), 9:00 p.m. (PT) ESPN
Boldface denotes games involving WAC schools
In the previous two events, the WAC has gone 3-6 in Bracket Buster Saturday games:
2003
at Creighton 67, Fresno State 66 (ESPN2)
Northern Iowa 76, at Louisiana Tech 71 (Full Court)
Hawaii 79, at Kent State 78 (ESPN2)
at Gonzaga 69, Tulsa 60 (ESPN)
2004
at Rice 81, Louisiana-Lafayette 76 (Full Court)
East Tennessee State 66, at Fresno State 62 (Full Court)
Gonzaga 76, at Tulsa 56 (ESPN2)
at Nevada 60, Toledo 58 (Full Court)
at Southern Illinois 66, Hawaii 62 (ESPN)
FIVE SCORERS IN NATIONS TOP 25 In this weeks WAC stats, five players are averaging at least 19.8 points per game. At this time last year, there were none. Nevadas Nick Fazekas is first with 21.0 points per game followed by San Jose States Marquin Chandler (20.7), UTEPs Omar Thomas (20.0), Rices Michael Harris (19.9) and Louisiana Techs Paul Millsap (19.8). In the most recent NCAA stats, the five players are all ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring. No other conference has more than three in the top 25. Fazekas ranks ninth in the nation.
SADLER, FOX RANK NEAR TOP OF FIRST-YEAR COACHES There are 38 coaches in Division I who are in their first year at their respective schools. UTEPs Doc Sadler and Nevadas Mark Fox are near the top of the list. Sadler has an 18-5 record and his winning percentage of .783 is the second best of the group. Foxs record of 16-5 (.762) ranks third. Utahs Ray Giacoletti is first with a record of 20-3 (.864).
2005 WAC TOURNAMENT The 2005 WAC Tournament will be held March 8-12 at the Lawlor Events Center in Nevada, Reno. Both the men and women compete during the same week. On the mens side, the seven, eight, nine and 10 seeded teams will play on Tuesday, March 8. The remaining eight teams will all play in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 10 with the top seed competing versus the winner of the Tuesday eight-nine game, the No. 2 seed vs. the winner of the seven-10 game, the No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 and No 4 vs. No. 5. The winners will play in the semifinals on Friday and the championship game will be Saturday night.
CREDENTIAL/HOTEL INFORMATION The deadline for media members to return any requests for media headquarters hotel rooms and/or credentials is Monday, February 21. The media headquarters in Reno is the Silver Legacy Hotel. All media rooms and credentials requested must be made through and approved by the WAC office.
WAC ON ESPN/SPORTSWEST The WAC has a multi-year contract with both ESPN and SportsWest for coverage of WAC football and basketball. A minimum of 15 basketball games between the two networks are scheduled this season. This week, SportsWest is producing the San Jose State-Louisiana Tech game on Saturday.
GLENN, SENSLEY LEAD TEAMS Tulsas Jarius Glenn and Hawaiis Julian Sensley lead their respective teams in scoring, rebounding and assists. The WAC has six other players that lead their teams in two of those three statistical categories:
Julian Sensley, Jr., F, Hawaii (13.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.1 apg)
Paul Millsap, So., F, Louisiana Tech (19.8 ppg, 11.7 rpg)
Nick Fazekas, So., F, Nevada (21.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg)
Michael Harris, Sr., F, Rice (19.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg)
Marquin Chandler, Sr., F, San Jose State (20.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg)
Bryan Hopkins, Jr., G, SMU (16.9 ppg, 4.6 apg)
Omar Thomas, Sr., F, UTEP (20.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
Jarius Glenn, Sr., F, Tulsa (17.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.7 apg)
MILLSAP, HARRIS 3-5 IN NATION IN REBOUNDING Louisiana Tech forward Paul Millsap is third nationally in this weeks rebounding statistics while Rice forward Michael Harris is fifth. Millsap is averaging 11.7 rebounds per game. Dukes Shelden Williams is first with 11.8 boards per contest. Rice senior Michael Harris is averaging 11.5 rebounds per game. Last year, Millsap became the first WAC player to finish the season as the nations leading rebounder with 12.5 boards per game.
MINERS FIFTH IN NATION IN FREE THROW PERCENTAGE UTEP leads the WAC and is fifth in the nation in free throw percentage (.775). The Miners led the WAC in free throw percentage last year (.752). Last week, UTEP was 36-of-47 (.766) in its two games against Tulsa and Rice, including a 23-of-26 performance against the Owls.
1,000-POINT SCORERS The WAC has five players that have scored more than 1,000 points in their collegiate careers. Those five players with points and all-time school ranking: Rice senior forward Michael Harris (1,753-3rd); Rice senior guard Jason McKrieth (1,331-10th); Tulsa senior forward Jarius Glenn (1,175-18th); SMU senior forward Patrick Simpson (1,165-25th); and SMU junior guard Bryan Hopkins (1,164-26th). SMU senior Eric Castro is next on the list with 978 points.
UTEP OWNS LONGEST HOME STREAK UTEP owns the WACs longest home winning streak at nine in a row. Louisiana Tech and Tulsa are tied with the WACs second longest home winning streak at three in a row. In conference games only, UTEPs 12-game home winning streak is also the longest in the WAC. The Miners are the only team in the WAC not to lose a home conference game this season (4-0).
NATIONAL RANKINGS No WAC teams are ranked in the top 25, but Nevada and UTEP received consideration in both the AP and USA Today/ESPN polls. The top four WAC teams in the CollegeRPI.com ratings are Nevada (43), UTEP (56), Hawaii (76) and Rice (97).
HOME SWEET HOME The WACs 10 teams are a combined 81-32 (.717) at home this season. On the road and in neutral site games, the WAC is 31-57 (.352). In conference games, home teams are 37-17 (.685). Last week, three teams won on the road as Lousiaina Tech beat Fresno State, Hawaii won at Fresno State and UTEP beat Rice.
ROAD WARRIORS In all games, the WAC has two teams with winning road records this season. Nevada is 6-2 while UTEP is 5-3. In conference games only, Nevada is 4-0 and UTEP is 4-3.
NON-CONFERENCE MARK The WAC is 58-35 (.624) in non-conference games this season, including a 51-35 (.593) mark against Division I teams. In 2003-04, WAC teams were 72-42 (.632) in non-conference games with a 61-41 (.598) mark against Division I teams. The WACs best record ever against non-conference opponents came during the 1974-75 season when it was 73-22 (.768).
HAWAII TOP TEAM OVER LAST FOUR YEARS Over the last four seasons, Hawaii is 80-35 (.696), the best record of any WAC team during that time. In conference games, Nevada has won 42 games, the most in that same time period. The top five teams in wins (both overall and WAC) over the last four seasons:
Overall Record (Pct.) WAC Record (Pct.)
1. Hawaii 80-35 (.696) 1. Nevada 42-23 (.646)
2. Nevada 76-41 (.650) 2. Hawaii 40-24 (.625)
3. Fresno State 66-45 (.595) 3. Fresno State 39-26 (.600)
4. Rice 62-48 (.564) 4. La. Tech 37-28 (.569)
5. Tulsa 65-51 (.560) 5. Tulsa 35-30 (.538)
WAC TO CHANGE IN 2005-06 Last year, the WAC issued invitations to Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State effective July 1, 2005, the same date that Rice, SMU, UTEP and Tulsa are moving to Conference USA. In mens basketball this year, Idaho is 8-14, New Mexico State is 5-17 and Utah State is 17-5.
HARRIS NAMED PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR In a vote by the WACs head coaches and media, Rice senior forward Michael Harris was picked as the leagues preseason Player of the Year. Last season, Harris averaged 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds in leading the Owls to a 22-11 record and a berth in the NIT.
FIVE IN POSTSEASON Last year, the WAC had five teams that made appearances in the 2004 postseason tournaments. It was the most since the 1999 season when the WAC placed eight teams as a 16-team conference. In its six previous seasons as a 10-team conference (1993-94-95-96-02-03), the most teams placed into the postseason had been four teams in 1994, 1996 and 2002.TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTES
Boise State Broncos (9-13, 3-8 WAC)
Completed its four-game road trip with a 0-4 record ... has lost seven of its last nine games but has won its last two home games ... hosts Nevada on Thursday and has lost eight of the last nine games against the Wolf Pack ... shot under 33 percent from the field in the last two games, the first time all year that the Broncos shot under 40 percent in back-to-back games ... Boise State leads the WAC in three-point field goals made per game (7.6) ... senior forward Jason Ellis is the schools all-time leader in rebounds with 831 ... Ellis has averaged 7.2 points and 9.8 rebounds over the last six games since returning from a six-game absence due to an injury.
Fresno State Bulldogs (13-7, 7-4 WAC)
Has lost three of its last five games ... sophomore JaVance Coleman hit an eight-foot jumper with 3.0 seconds left to give Fresno State a 71-70 win over SMU on Saturday ... it was Colemans third game-winning shot of the year ... he scored the Bulldogs final eight points of the game as Fresno State overcame a 69-63 deficit with 1:30 to play ... is 5-1 in conference games decided by five points or less and 6-2 overall ... has scored at least 80 points five times this year, matching its total in the past two years combined ... senior center Mustafa Al-Sayyad leads the WAC in blocks (2.2 bpg) ... features an 11-man rotation that includes seven freshmen and a sophomore in his first year at the Division I level (Coleman).
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (13-5, 5-5 WAC)
Its win at San Jose State snapped an eight-game conference road losing streak ... is in the midst of an 11-day road trip ... made a season-high 13 three-pointers in the win at SJSU (one shy of the school record) ... senior Jake Sottos leads the WAC in three-point FG percentage (.462) ... sophomore Matt Gibson leads the WAC in free throw percentage (.862) ... Gibson scored a career-high 23 points against SJSU ... is 6-5 in games decided by five points or less ... UH has not lost a game by more than four points and its five losses are by a combined 11 points ... has won 36 straight games when scoring 80 or more points after beating SJSU, 84-73 ... has won 19 of its last 21 home games ... has held its opponents to under 90 points in 132 consecutive games.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (11-9, 6-5 WAC)
Had its five-game winning streak snapped in a 76-58 loss at Nevada on Saturday ... won at Fresno on Thursday, giving Fresno State its first conference home loss of the year ... has four players averaging double figures in scoring, the most in the WAC ... Paul Millsap has scored in double figures in 24 straight games, the longest active streak in the WAC, and has reached the 20-point mark in five straight games ... Millsap has a WAC-high 14 double-doubles this year, and 34 in his two-year career ... Tech has not allowed its opponents to score 100 points in a game for 329 contests, the longest such streak in the WAC ... has a home record of 213-58 (.786) at the Thomas Assembly Center, the best winning percentage of any WAC team at its current arena.
Nevada Wolf Pack (16-5, 9-2 WAC)
Beat Louisiana Tech for the fifth straight time last Saturday ... its 16-5 mark is its best since beginning the 1981-82 season with the same record ... is 6-2 on the road after a 5-8 mark last year ... is 12-0 when holding an opponent to 60 points or less ... has won five straight road games (for the first time since 1965-66) including four in a row in the WAC ... Nick Fazekas has scored in double figures in all 21 games this year and has scored 20 or more in 13 contests, the most of any player in the WAC ... he leads the WAC in scoring with 21.0 ppg ... Nevada leads the WAC in scoring defense (61.9), field goal percentage defense (.388), rebounds (40.0) and rebounding margin (+8.9) ... has made more free throws (368) than its opponents have attempted (351).
Rice Owls (11-8, 6-5 WAC)
Has lost four of its last five games ... Morris Almond scored a career-high 17 points against UTEP ... senior Michael Harris has scored in double figures in 22 consecutive games ... he has 46 career double-doubles, the most of any active WAC player ... he is second in the WAC in rebounding (11.5 rpg) and first in field goal percentage (.610) ... Harris has 1,753 career points and 967 career rebounds ... he needs 153 points and 82 rebounds to tie Brent Scott for first at Rice ... Harris was one of 12 named to CollegeInsider.coms mid-season All-America team ... senior guard Jason McKrieth recorded a triple-double on Dec. 29 against SMU, the first by a WAC player in over three years ... Rice leads the WAC in scoring (75.5) and FG percentage (.478).
San Jose State Spartans (6-13, 3-7 WAC)
Marquin Chandler has made his last eight three-point field goal attempts over the last two games ... has matched its overall win total from a year ago and tripled its number of WAC wins ... three of its six wins this season have come by one point ... is averaging a WAC-low 63.7 points per game for the season, but has averaged 79.7 points per game over its last three contests .. Chandler has reached double figures in scoring in 20 straight games ... he has scored at least 30 points in two straight games, the first Spartan to do so in eight years ... Chandler is second in the WAC in scoring with 20.7 points per game ... has lost its last 16 conference road games ... SJSU has not scored 100 points in a game since beating Utah State, 101-85, on Jan. 25, 1979 (734 games).
SMU Mustangs (9-10, 4-7 WAC)
Has lost six of its last eight games ... against Nevada, two players scored 20 or more points as Eric Castro had 22 to go along with 10 rebounds and Bryan Hopkins added 20 ... Patrick Simpson scored 20 points to lead four Mustangs in double figures in the game against Fresno State last Saturday ... Hopkins returned to action last week after missing the previous two games due to a sprained wrist ... he averaged 16.5 points per game in those two contests ... Hopkins leads the WAC in three-point field goals made per game (2.7) and in steals (2.2) ... SMU leads the WAC in steals (9.3) ... is the only team in the WAC to not win a game decided by five points or less (0-4).
UTEP Miners (18-5, 8-3 WAC)
Omar Thomas was 14-of-14 from the line against Rice, tied for the second most made free throws of any player in the nation that has hit all of his free throw attempts this year ... completed its four-game road trip with a 2-2 record ... became the last team in the WAC to lose consecutive games this season when it lost at Tulsa last Thursday ... Thomas is third in the WAC in scoring with 20.0 ppg ... senior guard Filiberto Rivera leads the WAC in assists (6.7 apg) ... senior forward Jason Williams has started 55 consecutive games, tied for the longest active streak in the WAC ... UTEP leads the WAC in FT percentage (.775), 3-point FG percentage (.357), assists (16.6) and scoring margin (+10.9) ... has made more free throws (411) than its opponents have attempted (393).
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (6-14, 3-8 WAC)
Beat UTEP in the 100th game at the Reynolds Center last Thursday and is now 76-25 (.752) in the six-year history of the arena ... has won consecutive games for the first time in over a year ... has won three straight home games for the first time since winning the first three of the 2003-04 season ... is 6-1 when holding its opponents to 65 points or less ... is the only team in the WAC with two players in the top 10 in scoring as Jarius Glenn is seventh (17.1 ppg) and Anthony Price is ninth (15.4 ppg) ... Glenn has started 55 consecutive games, tied for the longest active streak in the WAC ... interim head coach Alvin Pooh Williamson, 31, is the second youngest coach in NCAA Division I this season.