RENO " It was one of Marcelus Kemp's best weeks in a Nevada uniform, and he reaped the benefits.
Kemp averaged 29.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in leading the Wolf Pack to a 2-1 record last week in games against Utah State, Boise State and Idaho. For his efforts he was rewarded with WAC Player of the Week
Kemp scored a career-high and conference-best 35 in the Pack's win over Utah State and had 32 in the win over Idaho. In the loss to Boise State, he had a team-best 22 points. For the week, Kemp shot 49 percent from the floor overall, including 37 percent from beyond the arc.
"Marcelus has really been consistent for us the last three games," Nevada coach Mark Fox said on the weekly Western Athletic Conference teleconference. "His play has improved.
"Early in the year, he tried to do too much because of the younger players around him. Now that they're comfortable it shows what kind of player he is. He makes guys better around him."
HARD STRETCH IS OVER
Nevada has a more conventional schedule the rest of the way after enduring five games in 10 days.
Nevada finished that stretch with a 4-1 record, the only loss coming at Boise State, a team that swept the Wolf Pack this season.
"I think under the circumstances 4-1 is probably something we're going to have to accept," Fox said. "Our goal was trying to win all five. It was difficult - more difficult than I imagined it would be. There was so little time to prepare. I looked at our kids yesterday on the way back and they were like zombies. I feel fatigued and I didn't even play."
LAGRONE UPDATE
Nevada entered last weekend's Idaho game banged up with David Ellis (thigh), Lyndale Burleson (ankle), Demarshay Johnson (ankle) and Matt LaGrone (lower back) all suffering from an assortment of injuries.
Of the four, only LaGrone was unable to play. Fox does expect him to be ready for Saturday's BracketBuster game at Southern Illinois (to be shown on ESPNU at 1:30 p.m.).
"He has a bone bruise in his lower back," Fox said. "He was extremely sore on Friday and had barely any movement. On Saturday, it was a little better. I didn't feel like it was safe to play him. He wanted to go."
SALUKIS UP NEXT
Southern Illinois of the Missouri Valley Conference comes into Saturday's game with a 9-6 conference record and 14-12 overall mark.
"We've been able to follow them," said Fox. "They have a successful program. I have a lot of respect for Chris Lowery (SIU coach). He's done a remarkable job. It's certainly going to be a big challenge for us."
The Salukis are led by forwards Randal Falker, who averages 12.7 points per game, and Matt Shaw (11.7), along with guard Bryan Mullins (11.0).
• Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281