Nevada continues to hold a one game lead in the WAC standings with two weeks to go before the tournament. The Wolf Pack defeated Idaho on Monday afternoon, 74-68. Nevada?™s Nick Fazekas scored a game-high 26 points and pulled down 15 rebounds for his 13th double-double of the season. The junior leads the WAC in scoring with 21.6 points per game.
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XBOX LIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK ?“ Louisiana Tech forward Paul Millsap, a junior from Grambling, La. (Grambling HS), averaged 17.7 points and 14.7 rebounds in three games last week. He had a double-double in a one-point loss at Nevada last Monday with 17 points and 10 rebounds. He then scored 11 points and pulled down a Thomas Assembly Center record 28 rebounds in a home win over San Jose State. On Saturday, he scored a game-high 25 points (17 in the second half), had six steals and blocked three shots in a 54-51 win at Southern Illinois. It is Millsap?™s seventh career WAC Player of the Week award and fourth this season.
Others nominated:
Eric Lane, Jr., G, Boise State - averaged 18.5 points and 5.0 assists in a split of two games last week. Against Cal State Northridge, he scored 21 points and dished out six assists.
Quinton Hosley, Jr., F, Fresno State - averaged 22.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in a split of two games. He scored game-highs in both contests with 25 points against Hawai'i and 19 at Creighton. For the week, he was 16-of-17 from the free throw line.
Julian Sensley, Sr., F, Hawai'i - averaged 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in a split of two games. Against Santa Clara, he scored 25 points, including 20 in the second half. He also tied his career-high with five three-point field goals.
Nick Fazekas, Jr., F, Nevada - averaged 18.0 points and 14.5 rebounds in wins over Louisiana Tech and Akron. In the win over Tech, he scored the game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds left and added 15 rebounds. He then followed that up with 24 points and 14 rebounds versus Akron.
Tyrone Nelson, So., F, New Mexico State - averaged 22.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in two wins. He had 24 points and 10 rebounds against Boise State and then added 21 points in the overtime win at Pacific. For the week he was 16-of-25 (.640) from the field.
Carlton Spencer, Jr., G, San Jose State - averaged 25.0 points in a split of two games. He scored 21 points at Idaho and then added 29 points versus UC Santa Barbara.
Nate Harris, Sr., F, Utah State - averaged 19.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in two wins. In the win over Northwestern State, he scored a game-high 27 points and tied his season-high with 12 rebounds. He was 14-of-20 (.700) from the field in the two games.
RACE TO THE FINISH ?“ Four teams are within two games back of Nevada in the loss column. Second place Louisiana Tech is 9-4 and plays a key game at New Mexico State on Thursday night as the Aggies are in fourth place. The biggest game of the week is Saturday night when Nevada travels to Utah State. If Utah State beats Boise State on Thursday night, the Aggies will be just a game back of Nevada. The winner of Saturday night?™s game will control its destiny for the regular season championship. If Nevada wins the game, then it would continue to hold sole possession of first place. If Utah State wins, the Aggies would own the tiebreakers over Nevada and Louisiana Tech as they would have swept both teams and would be a game up on New Mexico State and Hawai'i.
WAC POSTS 3-1 MARK IN BRACKETBUSTERS ?“ The WAC completed last weekend?™s BracketBusters presented by eBay with a 3-1 record. Nevada defeated Akron on Friday night, 88-61. On Saturday, Louisiana Tech won at Southern Illinois, 54-51, Utah State defended its home court with a 66-63 win over Northwestern State and Fresno State dropped a close decision at Creighton, 66-61. The 3-1 record was the second best of the six conferences that had at least two teams in the event behind only the Colonial Athletic Association?™s 3-0 mark. BracketBusters was created in 2003 in conjunction with the WAC, ESPN and several top college basketball conferences to match potential NCAA tournament hopefuls against each other.
NON-CONFERENCE MATCHUPS ?“ Last weekend, the WAC was 6-3 in its nine non-conference matchups that were created by BracketBusters. That record was the second best among the 16 conferences that had at least two teams participating behind only the Colonial Athletic Association?™s 6-2 mark.
5 NAMED TO NABC ALL-DISTRICT TEAMS ?“ The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) last week announced the NABC Division I All-District Teams recognizing the country?™s best men?™s collegiate basketball student-athletes. Five WAC student-athletes were named to the teams. Louisiana Tech?™s Paul Millsap, the nation?™s leading rebounder, earned first team District 8 honors. Also a first team selection for District 13 was Nevada?™s Nick Fazekas, the WAC?™s leading scorer. Second team selections from District 13 were Hawai'i?™s Julian Sensley and Boise State?™s Coby Karl. Utah State?™s Nate Harris was a second team selection from District 14. Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, these student-athletes represent the finest basketball players across the country. The 150 student-athletes, from 15 districts, are now eligible for the NABC Division I All-American Teams to be announced at the conclusion of the 2005-2006 NCAA men?™s basketball season.
UTAH STATE SET SCORING RUN RECORD ?“ Last Wednesday, Utah State set a new NCAA record in its 80-42 win at Idaho with its 37-0 run during the game. The run is the longest in the history of college basketball according to the NCAA. The previous record was accomplished by Seton Hall against Kean University on Nov. 29, 1998, as the Pirates scored the first 34 points of the game. Against the Vandals, Utah State held Idaho scoreless for the final 7:49 of the first-half and for the first 6:04 of the second-half (13:53 total), as UI missed 25 straight shots. Overall, Utah State held Idaho scoreless for 13:53, which is the third-longest scoring drought in NCAA history. According to the NCAA, the longest scoring drought in college basketball history was on Feb. 25, 1979 when Duke held North Carolina scoreless for 20:48, and the second-longest drought was on Dec. 29, 1984 when Massachusetts held Columbus State scoreless for 15:33. USU also held Idaho without a field-goal for 16:01, which is the second-longest stretch in NCAA history behind the Duke-North Carolina game of 1979.
BIG MONDAY ?“ The WAC returned to ESPN?™s Big Monday lineup this season and has played three games so far this year. The WAC has one more scheduled Big Monday game this season:
Jan. 23, Utah State 59, at Nevada 53 (ESPN)
Jan. 30, at Utah State 63, Hawai'i 52 (ESPN2)
Feb. 13, at Nevada 50, Louisiana Tech 49 (ESPN2)
Feb. 27, Boise State at Fresno State, 9:00 p.m. (PT)-ESPN2
UTAH STATE LEADS NATION IN THREE-POINT FG PERCENTAGE ?“ For the second straight week, Utah State is leading the nation in three-point field goal percentage through Monday?™s games. The Aggies are shooting 43.1 percent from three-point range. Southern Utah is second at 41.9 percent. USU is also second in the nation in field goal percentage at 51.0 percent, trailing Florida (.515).
MILLSAP FIRST IN NATION IN REBOUNDING ?“ Louisiana Tech junior forward Paul Millsap remained first nationally in this week?™s rebounding statistics with 13.0 per game. Hartford?™s Kenny Adeleke is second with 12.8 per contest. Millsap was the nation?™s leading rebounder in each of the past two seasons. As a freshman, he became the first WAC player to lead the nation in rebounding with 12.5 boards per game. Last year, he became the first player to lead the country in rebounding in back-to-back seasons since American?™s Kermit Washington did it in 1971-72 and 1972-73. Millsap was also the first ever to take consecutive rebounding titles as a freshman and sophomore. No player has ever won three NCAA rebounding titles.
FAZEKAS, MILLSAP NAMED NAISMITH MID-SEASON CANDIDATES ?“ Nevada forward Nick Fazekas and Louisiana Tech forward Paul Millsap were named mid-season candidates for both the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award which are both given to the national Player of the Year.
WAC SCHOOLS STREAM VIDEO OF HOME GAMES ?“ The WAC is streaming live video and audio of its schools?™ home games via the WAC?™s web site at www.wacsports.com (Windows Media Player is required).
This week?™s schedule:
February 23 (Thursday)
Louisiana Tech at New Mexico State, 7:00 p.m. (MT)
Utah State at Boise State, 7:30 p.m. (MT)
Fresno State at San Jose State, 7:00 p.m. (PT)
February 25 (Saturday)
Hawai'i at San Jose State, 3:00 p.m. (PT)
Nevada at Utah State, 7:00 p.m. (MT)
Idaho at New Mexico State, 7:00 p.m. (MT)
February 27 (Monday)
Idaho at Louisiana Tech, 7:00 p.m. (CT)
NATIONAL RANKINGS ?“ Nevada returned to the top 25 at number 25 in the AP poll and is receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today coaches?™ poll. No other teams in the WAC are receiving votes. In the CollegeRPI.com ratings, WAC teams ranked in the top 100 are: Nevada-28th, Utah State-50th, Louisiana Tech-64th and Hawai'i-82nd.
1,000-POINT SCORERS ?“ The WAC has six players that have scored more than 1,000 points in their collegiate careers. Those players with points and all-time school ranking: Nevada junior forward Nick Fazekas (1,652-3rd), Louisiana Tech junior forward Paul Millsap (1,598-9th); Utah State senior forward Nate Harris (1,340-14th); Boise State junior guard Coby Karl (1,178-8th); Hawai'i senior forward Julian Sensley (1,144-9th); and Idaho senior guard Tanoris Shepard (1,070-10th). Two other players are getting close: Louisiana Tech?™s Corey Dean (972) and Fresno State?™s Ja?™Vance Coleman (928).
TEAM LEADERS ?“ The WAC has seven players that lead their teams in two of three statistical categories (points-rebounds-assists):
Coby Karl, Jr., G, Boise State (17.5 ppg, 4.1 apg)
Quinton Hosley, Jr., G/F, Fresno State (18.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg)
Tanoris Shepard, Sr., G, Idaho (15.8 ppg, 3.6 apg)
Paul Millsap, Jr., F, Louisiana Tech (19.9 ppg, 13.0 rpg)
Nick Fazekas, Jr., F, Nevada (21.6 ppg, 10.0 rpg)
Tyrone Nelson, So., F, New Mexico State (18.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg)
Nate Harris, Sr., F, Utah State (17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
HAWAI'I OWNS WAC?™S LONGEST HOME WINNING STREAK ?“ Hawai'i has the WAC?™s longest home winning streak at six games. The Rainbow Warriors?™ next home game is Thursday, March 2 against San Jose State. Hawai'i also has the longest conference home winning streak at seven games dating back to last season.
HOME SWEET HOME ?“ The WAC?™s nine teams are a combined 80-34 (.702) at home this season. On the road and in neutral site games, the WAC is 39-70 (.358). Last week, WAC teams were 7-3 at home.
UTAH STATE/NEVADA TOP TEAMS OVER LAST FOUR YEARS ?“ Over the last four seasons, Utah State is 91-27 (.771), the best record of any WAC team during that time. In conference games, Nevada has won 50 games, the most in that same time period.
NON-CONFERENCE MARK ?“ The WAC is 63-49 (.563) in non-conference games, including a 57-49 (.538) mark against Division I teams. In 2004-05, WAC teams were 63-45 (.583) in non-conference games with a 55-45 (.550) mark against Division I teams. The WAC?™s best record ever against non-conference opponents came during the 1974-75 season when it was 73-22 (.768).
WAC ON ESPN/SPORTSWEST ?“ The WAC has a multi-year contract with both ESPN and SportsWest for coverage of WAC football and basketball. Currently, 22 basketball games between the two networks are scheduled this season.
NEVADA TO HOST 2006 TOURNAMENT ?“ For the second consecutive year, Nevada?™s Lawlor Events Center (11,200) will host the WAC Basketball Tournament. The dates for this season?™s tournament are March 9-11. Due to self-imposed penalties, Fresno State will not compete in the 2006 tournament. Therefore, with an eight-team field, there will be no first round games as in years past. The quarterfinals will begin on Thursday, March 9. As announced on Nov. 11, New Mexico State will be the host for the 2007 and 2008 tournaments.
TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTES
Boise State Broncos (13-12, 5-8 WAC)
Snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Cal State Northridge on Saturday, 82-71 ... six players scored in double figures in that game ... it marked the first time six players had scored in double digits since Dec. 18, 1992 (Elizabeth City State) ... Lane came off the bench for the first time this season in the last two games and averaged 18.5 points per game ... Coby Karl has started 64 consecutive games, tied for the longest current streak in the WAC ... Karl has scored 20 or more points in a game 11 times this year ... he is second in the WAC in scoring in conference games with 20.0 points per game ... the Broncos lead the WAC in free throw percentage (.721) ... is 20-1 when scoring 80 or more points under head coach Greg Graham.
Fresno State Bulldogs (13-11, 6-6 WAC)
Made all 13 free throw attempts in the game at Creighton ... Ja?™Vance Coleman has scored at least 20 points in 12 games this season while Quinton Hosley has reached that mark 11 times this year ... the two have scored 20 or more points in the same game six times this season ... Coleman is tied for the lead in the WAC in three-point field goals made per game (3.25) ... Hosley leads the WAC in steals with 2.25 per game ... he has made 20 of his last 22 free throw attempts ... Kevin Bell leads the WAC in assists with 5.79 per game ... the Bulldogs lead the WAC in steals (8.54) and three-point field goals made per game (9.29) ... is 11-2 at home this year, its best mark in the three-year history of the Save Mart Center.
Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (14-9, 7-5 WAC)
Has won four of its last five games ... is the only WAC team to not lose a conference home game this season (6-0) ... is 3-0 when tied at the half ... is tied for the WAC lead with six victories when trailing at halftime ... has won seven straight OT games dating back to the 2002-03 season ... leads the WAC in FG percentage defense (.404) and blocked shots with 5.83 per game ... has 134 blocked shots, breaking the previous single-season school record of 128 set during the 1993-94 season ... Julian Sensley is the first player in UH history to rank in the school?™s top 10 in points, rebounds and assists ... junior Ahmet Gueye leads the WAC in blocked shots (2.48) ... Matt Lojeski leads the WAC in FT% (.870).
Idaho Vandals (4-20, 1-11 WAC)
Has lost 14 of its last 15 games ... Tanoris Shepard scored a team-high 18 points, dished out six assists and had four steals in the six-point loss against Nevada on Monday afternoon ... Brett Ledbetter added 16 points, his second best output of the season ... the Vandals were outrebounded by Nevada, 41-24 ... hosts Hawai'i on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. (PT) at Memorial Gym due to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the Kibbie Dome ... lost by 38 points against Utah State last week, the biggest margin of defeat in the 36-game series, breaking the record of 35 set earlier this year ... has lost 13 straight road games ... has not allowed its opponents to score 100 points in a game for 426 contests, the longest such streak in the WAC.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (17-10, 9-4 WAC)
Has won three of its last four games ... junior forward Paul Millsap leads the nation in rebounding (13.0) and is second in the WAC in scoring (19.9 ppg) ... no WAC player has finished the season leading the conference in both of those categories since Utah?™s Josh Grant in 1992-93 ... he is averaging 15.0 rebounds per game in conference-only contests ... his 28 rebounds against SJSU last week are the second most by any player in the nation ... Millsap has scored 20 or more points in 40 contests during his career ... he is the WAC?™s active leader in double-doubles with 64 ... he has started 64 consecutive games, tied for the longest current streak in the WAC ... he has reached double figures in scoring in 24 straight games, the longest active streak in the WAC.
Nevada Wolf Pack (21-5, 10-3 WAC)
Has an eight-game winning streak for the first time since a 10-game winning streak to end last year?™s regular season ... the eight-game winning streak is tied for the eighth longest in the nation ... has reached 20 wins for the third season in a row ... Mark Fox (in just his second year) is the first coach in school history to record two 20-win seasons ... Ramon Sessions dished out a career-high 13 assists in the win over Akron, the most by any WAC player in a game this season ... is 9-3 on the road ... Nick Fazekas has scored 20 or more points 41 times in his career ... Fazekas leads the WAC in scoring with 21.6 points per game ... he has started 64 straight games, tied for the longest current streak in the WAC ... Fazekas has had 36 double-doubles in his career.
New Mexico State Aggies (13-12, 8-5 WAC)
Has a four-game winning streak for the first time since the beginning of the 2003-04 season ... has not won five in a row since winning six straight during the 2002-03 season ... is over .500 for the first time this season ... sophomore Tyrone Nelson recorded his 11th double-double of the season on Monday against San Jose State with 17 points and 13 rebounds ... David Fisher also had a double-double in that game with 13 points and 11 rebounds ... has seven more wins than all of last season (6-24) ... has had three or more players score in double figures in 21 games ... is tied for the WAC lead with six victories when trailing at halftime ... leads the WAC in scoring in conference games only with 73.7 points per game.
San Jose State Spartans (6-20, 2-10 WAC)
Has lost eight of its last nine games including four in a row ... Demetrius Brown scored a game-high 25 points in the loss at New Mexico State on Monday ... Carlton Spencer averaged 25.0 ppg last week against Louisiana Tech and UCSB after coming into those games with a 7.8 ppg average ... the Spartans have blocked 80 shots this year, 36 more than all of last season ... has tied its season total in each of the past two years in wins ... is the only team in the WAC to win more games away from home (4: 3 road, 1 neutral) than at home (2) ... has won three road games for the first time since going 5-9 away from home in 2000-01 ... has not scored 100 points in a game since beating Utah State, 101-85, on Jan. 25, 1979 (770 games).
Utah State Aggies (18-6, 8-4 WAC)
Has won three of its last four games ... is the only team in the WAC to not have lost back-to-back games this year ... Nate Harris leads the WAC and is fifth in the nation in field goal percentage (.629) ... the Aggies lead the nation in three-point FG percentage (.431) and are second in the country in field goal percentage (.510) ... USU leads the WAC in scoring (73.8 ppg), scoring defense (63.3 ppg) and scoring margin (+10.4) ... Jaycee Carroll has made a three-point field goal in 27 straight games ... Carroll leads the WAC and is sixth in the nation in three-point FG percentage (.484) ... he is also tied for the lead in the WAC in three-point field goals made per game (3.25) ... is 110-10 at home under head coach Stew Morrill.