Wolf Pack to start tough stretch in WAC play

RENO - Four games in eight days.

That's what awaits the 15th-ranked and 12-1 Nevada Wolf Pack as they enter the start of Western Athletic Conference play Saturday with a home game against the University of Idaho at Lawlor Events Center.

Following the Idaho game, Nevada hosts the Coby Karl-led Boise State Broncos Monday at 7 p.m. On two days rest, Nevada will play at San Jose State Thursday night and then travels to Hawai'i for a Saturday night game against the Warriors.

"It's not ideal," Nevada coach Mark Fox said. "It is what it is. It's not like we have a choice in this matter."

Nevada was the only WAC team NOT in action Thursday, as San Jose visited Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State hosted Hawai'i, Boise State hosted Utah State and Fresno State hosted Idaho.

The past two years, Nevada has played at Hawai'i on a Thursday night and then had to return to San Jose for a Saturday afternoon game.

"It's reversed, we go to Hawai'i second," Fox said. "The only difference is that we're not having to come back to San Jose for an afternoon tip. It's still the fourth game in eight days. I worry about winning the first one in that stretch."

Nick Fazekas, the Pack's 6-foot-11 All-American forward, said he's looking forward to the start of the conference season.

"It's exciting," Fazekas said. "WAC play to me is the most fun part of the season. It seems like it's more competitive; tough games night in and night out.

"It definitely will be a good race. I don't think we take a different approach (than we have). It (preseason) still counts in your win-loss record."

Fox said this is as strong as a conference as he's seen in recent years.

"I don't know if I've seen the WAC as strong since I've been here," Fox said. "Three or four teams are going to compete for post-season play."

Fresno State, Utah State and New Mexico State have been the most-prolific teams in nonconference play thus far, but with travel being what it is in the WAC, every team is danegrous on its home floor once conference starts.

The 12-1 record Nevada takes into the Idaho game is impressive, and includes neutral-court wins over Cal and Gonzaga plus road wins at Oregon State, Louisiana-Lafayette and Santa Clara.

"It was pretty good," Fazekas said. "Definitely with Gonzaga, Oregon State and the road win at Akron. We've had better preseasons."

In 2005-06, Nevada finished nonconference at 10-2 with road wins at UOP, Kansas, UNLV and Vermont plus big home wins over Georgia and Akron.

The only thing that stands between Nevada and a 13-0 start is a home loss to UNLV (58-49).

"I think about that one loss a lot," Fox said. "We allowed it to only be one. We didn't allow it to turn into a second one."

After the loss to UNLV, the Pack have ripped off wins over Saint Mary's (home), UOP (home), Akron (away), Maine (home) and Gonzaga (neutral site).

The Gonzaga game, according to Fox, was critical for both teams.

"It was an important game for the NCAA resume," Fox said. "Both teams competed at a very high level. It doesn't get much better than that."

Fox was asked what Nevada needs to improve on, and he didn't hesitate when responding.

"We're not as consistent offensively as I'd like," Fox said. "Offensively, we're still adding things. We have lots of areas to improve."

Nevada still doesn't have a set rotation off the bench past Lyndale Burleson and David Ellis. JaVale Mcgee has logged the most minutes of the freshmen followed by Brandon Fields, Tyrone Hanson anc Matt LaGrone.

"Brandon has been the most consistent," Fox said. "JaVale has had the best moments. Tyrone has come on lately. All of them have had their moments. I'm pleased with them."