Wolf Pack faces tough test at Rice

Coaches around the Western Athletic Conference, including Nevada's Mark Fox, would agree that a split on any road trip is a good thing.

So, after pulling out a six-point road win at Tulsa on Thursday night, the Wolf Pack (13-4, 6-1) are in great shape going into today's game at Rice (10-4, 5-1).

Nevada enters the game having already swept SMU and Louisiana Tech on the road. A win today would equal Nevada's win total on the road in conference all of last year (4-5). Nevada's last road sweep came against Boise State and UTEP during the 2002-03 season under Trent Johnson.

Fox knows that beating Rice at Autry Court will be a major task. The Owls are 9-0 at home this season and boast the preseason Player of the Year in 6-foot-8 Michael Harris, who is averaging 19.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per contest, and have an excellent shooting guard in 6-4 Jason McKrieth, who is scoring 13 points a contest.

"They (Rice) are terrific," Fox said Friday morning before departing for Houston. "They have inside scoring and outside scoring. They play very solid. I don't think they're doing much different compared to last year.

"Our defense has to get better. Our defense has not been good enough. (Against Tulsa) Thursday we played good defense the first half and didn't play very well offensively. In the second half, it was just the opposite."

Fox wouldn't tip his defensive hand, but 6-9 senior co-captain Kevinn Pinkney figures to spend a lot of time shadowing Harris, though 6-11 Nick Fazekas and 7-foot Chad Bell also will take their turns with the Rice star.

"We won't play him (Harris) the same way we did (Louisiana Tech's Paul) Millsap," Fox said. "Millsap did so much off offensive rebounds. Harris doesn't score off rebounds. He finishes (his own shot) well."

While Harris is the Owls' dominant player, Fox is wary of McKrieth and Brock Gillespie, who had a season-high 19 against Fresno State on Thursday. Forward J.R. Harrison came off the bench for 15 points and Morris Almond has been performing well in a reserve role, too.

"McKrieth is an excellent two guard," Fox said. "He shoots the ball well and scores off the dribble. Gillespie is a good shooter. They have a lot of weapons."

Ah, but so does Nevada.

Rice coach Willis Wilson isn't surprised by Nevada's strong start. He said winning the regular-season league title, the conference tournament and two NCAA games last year has meant a great a deal to the program, and guys like Fazekas, Pinkney and Jermaine Washington, all returnees from last year are playing with increased confidence.

"Nevada has been through it and seen it," Wilson said, referring to the Wolf Pack's trip to the NCAAs last year. "Fazekas and Pinkney are playing extremely well.

"They have a host of perimeter guys with (Ramon) Sessions, (Jermaine) Washington, (Kyle) Shiloh and (Mo) Charlo. These guys can battle. The thing I like is their aggressiveness. They are all young players and very athletic. They aren't afraid to take risks."

Fazekas, coming off a career-best 33 points against Tulsa, poses a huge problem defensively for the Owls.

"We have to step up to the challenge," Wilson said. "I don't think anybody has any secrets. Most big guys aren't comfortable (outside). He is a great shooter. We have to try and put as much pressure on him as we can."

Against Tulsa, Fazekas (11 for 18 from the field) was able to get some touches inside as well as outside, and he hit 10 of 12 from the line.

"I think they will probably do something to take Nick away," Fox said. "Willis is an experienced coach. He will have something up his sleeve."

That might very well be the case, but does Rice have enough defensive guns to take away both Pinkney, who had 24 points Thursday, and Fazekas?

That remains to be seen. If the Owls do contain the big men, then it will be up to perimeter players like Charlo, Sessions, Washington and Shiloh to get the job done.

Darrell Moody can be reached at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or by calling 881-1281.

NEVADA (13-4, 6-1) at RICE (10-4, 5-1)

When: Today, 12:05 p.m.

Where: Autry Court in Houston, Texas

Radio: ESPN Radio 630AM

Coaches: Mark Fox (Nevada); Willis Wilson (Rice)

Probable starters: Nevada - F Mo Charlo and Nick Fazekas; C Kevinn Pinkney; G Ramon Sessions and Kyle Shiloh. Rice - Jamaal Moore and Michael Harris; C Patrick Britton; G Jason McKrieth and Lorenzo Williams or Brock Gillespie