Tight race for second in WAC

RENO - Thursday night's games did little to unclog the logjam in the Western Athletic Conference's men's basketball standings.

Nevada clinched the No. 1 seed for the third straight year with its 83-60 win over San Jose State Thursday night. Hawai'i topped New Mexico State to move into a three-way tie for second with Utah State and Louisiana Tech. All three teams are 10-5.

New Mexico State finished its season at 10-6 and in fifth place.

Besides Fresno State (8-7) at Nevada, Hawai'i hosts Louisiana Tech and San Jose State visits Utah State.

Dave Chaffin, assistant commissioner for the WAC, said a draw was conducted between Hawai'i and Utah State, and the Aggies won the draw, thus earning the second seed if both teams win tonight.

Utah State and Hawai'i split their head-to-head series, split against Nevada, were 2-2 against New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech, and each split with Fresno State.

Here's the scenarios for the various teams:

(insert bullet) Hawai'i would finish second if it beats Louisiana Tech and San Jose beats beats Utah State. Because of the draw, if Hawai'i and Utah State both win, Hawai'i would be third. If Hawai'i loses to Louisiana Tech, it would finish fourth.

(insert bullet) Louisiana Tech would finish second if it beats Hawai'i and San Jose State beats Utah State. The Bulldogs would finish third if they beat Hawai'i and Utah State beats San Jose State. Tech would slip to fifth if it loses to Hawai'i.

(insert bullet) Utah State finishes second if it beats San Jose State and Louisiana Tech beats Hawai'i, or if Utah State beats San Jose State and Hawai'i beats Louisiana Tech. The Aggies would finish fourth if they lose to San Jose State and Hawai'i beats Louisiana Tech. If Utah State loses to San Jose State and Louisiana Tech beats Hawai'i, the Aggies would finish fifth.

(insert bullet) New Mexico State would finish third if San Jose State beats Utah State. If Hawai'i beats Louisiana Tech and Utah State beats San Jose State, New Mexico State would be fourth. If Louisiana Tech beats Hawai'i and Utah beats San Jose State, New Mexico would be fifth.

As far as the WAC Tournament goes, No. 6 Boise State will play the No. 3 seed at noon on Thursday. San Jose State, the No. 7 seed, will play the No. 2 seed at 2:30 p.m. In the evening session, Nevada hosts No. 8 seed Idaho at 6 p.m. and the No. 4 and No. 5-seeded teams play at 8:30 p.m.

Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281