WAC basketball: Pack begins conference play today

RENO - Nobody has to remind the Nevada Wolf Pack about the dangers of Western Athletic Conference play.

"It's always intense," junior guard Malik Story said. "Every time you have a game, it doesn't matter where it is, whether it's Idaho or San Jose State or wherever, it doesn't matter. It's always intense."

The Wolf Pack, which opens WAC play today (at Idaho) and Saturday (at Utah State), speaks with experience this year. That wasn't the case a year ago as a young Wolf Pack team, with 10 players on the roster without so much as even one WAC game on their resume, learned about the WAC on the fly. The results was a disappointing 8-8 record and fifth-place finish in league play in 2010-11 with three losses in the last four league games.

Just call it on-the-job training.

This year's team features 11 players with WAC experience. That's why coach David Carter is confident this year will be a different story for the Pack in the WAC.

"It's not even close," said Carter, himself a veteran of 11 WAC wars. "They know what to expect now. Last year, the intensity in conference really increased and I don't think the guys were really ready for that for 16 games. This year they understand what they are about to get into."

The Pack, now 10-3, will bring a seven-game winning streak to Idaho. But, Carter warns, victories over such teams as Longwood, Pacific, Cedarville, Prairie View A&M, Montana, Portland and Riverside, don't necessarily translate into success in the WAC,

Then again, it's better than the alternative. A year ago the Pack was 3-10 heading into its New Year's Eve WAC opener with Hawaii at Lawlor Events Center after losses to such teams as South Dakota State, Portland and Pacific. They then proceeded to drop three of their first four WAC games.

"We know what to expect this year," Story said. "They (the WAC opponents) know us and we know them. It's going to be a hard grind. It's just who wants it more."

The Wolf Pack also has signature wins this year over Washington and Arizona State, two teams it lost to a year ago in December. WAC games, Carter added, are a whole different deal.

"This is the next step we have to take in our maturity as a basketball team," Carter said. "Now we are going to be playing teams that know our plays. Everyone has played 13 or 14 games and that means there are 13 or 14 tapes out there on you. They're going to scout you very well. Teams know what you are running. They will sometimes beat you to the spot and take away your shot. You have to adjust to that and execute better."

"We (WAC team) know each other so well," said center Dario Hunt, a senior who is still looking for his first WAC title. "There are no secrets. It's just a matter of who wants to get the win the most."

That team, the Pack insists, is the Wolf Pack.

"This is a confident group," sophomore Jerry Evans said. "We want to win. We're not going to settle for anything else. The intensity we have in practice shows how badly we really want it."

The Wolf Pack's 10-3 record is the best in the conference right now. The Pack was picked by the league's coaches as the favorite to win the league. Pack point guard Deonte Burton was selected as the Pre-season Player of the Year.

Those are a lot of expectations heaped up a team that was 13-19 overall a year ago and hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2007.

"I don't look at it like we're the favorite," Carter said. "Everyone is zero-zero right now. You can't say there is a favorite. Everyone is starting over."

"People can expect you to do different things but if you don't go out and show it, it doesn't matter," Story said. "But I feel if we play like we're capable of, I think we are (the WAC favorite)."

Carter, understandably, isn't very comfortable with his still-young team (six sophomores are among the rotation's top 10 players) carrying the weight of league favorite.

"With a young group that hasn't had a lot of success, you don't want them to get too comfortable," Carter said. "You haven't won the league, you haven't been invited to the postseason, you haven't really done a lot. You've won some games but there's a bigger picture and that's where we have to look, at the bigger picture in the conference."

Experience, the Pack hopes, will be the difference this year.

"We learned last year you can't take things for granted," Evans said. "We gave up leads last year, lost close games. We were just a young group. Young in the mind. This year we've grown up a lot. It shows. We know how to win now. It's not just taking it for granted. We actually go out there and put in the effort."

This year begins a series of drastic changes for WAC basketball over the next few years.

Boise State, which finished second in the league a year ago, has left the conference to join the Mountain West (they will return in 2012-13), leaving just eight teams and 14 league games this year. After this year Fresno State and the Wolf Pack will leave for the Mountain West Conference and Hawaii will head to the Big West Conference and will be replaced by Denver, Seattle, Texas-Arlington, Texas-San Antonio and Texas State.

The league tournament, which debuted in Las Vegas last March, will also have a vastly different look to it this year. Last year the top two seeds (Utah State, Boise State) received a bye into the semifinals and only had to win two games to win the title (Utah State beat Boise in the title game). The bottom four seeds (Nevada, Hawaii, San Jose State and Fresno State) had to, in theory, win four games and the third and fourth seeds (Idaho and New Mexico State) had to win three.

This year each team (all eight teams in the league qualify for the tournament) has to win three games to win the three-day (March 8-10) tournament at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

"I wish they would have kept it that way (the way it was last year)," Carter said.

Carter said he believes a lack of attendance last year in Vegas prompted the switch. The sessions in Las Vegas averaged just 3,518 fans and the total attendance for the entire tournament was just 14,075, the lowest ever for a WAC tournament.

"They never really said (the reason for the change)," Carter said. "But I think when all the teams are playing on one day, the attendance is better."

A capsule look at the eight WAC men's basketball teams heading into league play in the predicted order of finish . . .

1. NEVADA WOLF PACK

Head coach: David Carter (3rd year, 44-35)

Last year: 13-19, 8-8

This year: 10-3

Streak: Won 7 in a row and 10 of last 11

Most meaningful win this year: 76-73 in overtime over Washington at home on Dec. 2. Deonte Burton scored 31 points, including eight in overtime.

Toughest loss this year: 68-46 to Missouri State at home in the season opener on Nov. 11.

Interesting stats: The Wolf Pack leads the WAC in defense, allowing just 63.0 points a game . . . The Pack is the second-worst free throw shooting team in the WAC at .637.

Probable starters: Malik Story (6-5 senior), 14.2 points, 2.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds; Deonte Burton (6-1, sophomore), 14.0 points, 4.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds; Olek Czyz (6-7 senior), 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds; Jerry Evans (6-8 sophomore), 6.8 points, 5.6 rebounds; Dario Hunt (6-8 senior), 9.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks.

Keys off the bench: Kevin Panzer (6-9 sophomore), 4.5 points, 2.8 rebounds; Jordan Finn (6-4 sophomore), 1.5 points, 0.9 rebounds; Devonte Elliott (6-10 sophomore), 2.0 points, 1.6 rebounds; Patrick Nyeko (1.7 points, 1.6 rebounds; Keith Fuetsch (6-0 junior), 1.5 points, 0.3 rebounds.

Top players lost from 2010-11: Derrell Conner (4.5 points), Marko Cukic (0.6 points), Adam Carp (1.4 points).

Top newcomers: None that play meaningful minutes.

Pack notes: The Wolf Pack has extra motivation this year after seeing its streak of eight consecutive postseason appearances and seven consecutive 20-win seasons come to an end last year . . . Burton, Story and Hunt were named to the Pre-season All-WAC teams by either the media or the coaches.

2. UTAH STATE AGGIES

Head coach: Stew Morrill (14th year at Utah State, 332-109)

Last year: 30-4, 15-1

This year: 8-6

Streak: Won 4 of last 5

Most meaningful win this year: 69-62 over BYU at home on Nov. 11. Brockieth Pane scored 21 and Preston Medlin added 15 as the Aggies won for the 32nd time in a row at home.

Toughest loss this year: 67-54 to Denver on Nov. 30, snapping their 33-gae home winning streak.

Interesting stats: Utah State leads the WAC in home attendance with 9,944 a game . . . The Aggies have the second-worst offense (67.5 points) and the second-best defense (63.1) in the WAC.

Probable starters: Brockieth Pane (6-1 senior), 11.1 points, 3.5 assists; Kyisean Reed (6-6 junior), 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds; Preston Medlin (6-4 sophomore), 14.4 points, 3.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds; Danny Berger (6-6 sophomore), 7.1 points, 3.0 rebounds; Morgan Grim (6-8, senior), 10.1 points, 7.3 rebounds.

Keys off the bench: Mitch Bruneel (6-5 sophomore), 4.9 points; Ben Clifford (6-7 freshman), 3.7 points, 3.8 rebounds; Jordan Stone (6-10 freshman), 2,2 points; Steven Thornton (6-3 freshman), 2.7 points; E.J. Farris (6-2 junior (3.0 points); Adam Thoseby (6-4 freshman), 3.1 points).

Top players lost from 2010-11: Tai Wesley (14.8 points), Brian Green (10.5), Pooh Williams (8.6), Tyler Newbold (6.8), Nate Bendall (6.5), Matt Formisano (1.4).

Top newcomers: Reed, Berger.

Aggies notes: The Aggies lost 6-7 senior Brady Jardine for the season with a foot injury after just three games this year. He was averaging 7.7 points and 7.7 rebounds . . . Aggies only team in nation along with Kansas to win 23 or more games in each of last 12 years.

3. NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES

Head coach: Marvin Menzies (5th year, 85-63)

Last year: 16-17, 9-7

This year: 9-5

Streak: Won 5 of last 6.

Most meaningful win this year: 62-53 at New Mexico on Nov. 16 as Wendell McKines scored 14 points and Sy Bandja had 12 off the bench.

Toughest loss this year: 73-69 at UTEP on Dec. 11 after beating UTEP (89-73) at home on Nov. 19.

Interesting stats: The Aggies plus 7.2 rebounding margin is the best in the WAC . . . The Aggies lead the WAC in scoring at 78.4 points a game.

Probable starters: Wendell McKines (6-6, senior), 18.4 points, 10.7 rebounds; Bandja Sy (6-8 junior), 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds; Hernst Laroche (6-1 senior), 11.5 points, 3.7 assists; Hamidu Rahman (6-11 senior), 9.7 points, 7.0 rebounds; Tyrone Watson (6-5 junior), 4.4 points.

Keys off the bench: Daniel Mullings (6-2 freshman), 5.9 points; Tshilidzi Nephawe (6-10 sophomore), 4.7 points 32 rebounds.

Top players lost from 2010-11: Troy Gillenwater (18.9 points), Gordo Castillo (9.1 points).

Top newcomer: Mullings.

Aggies notes: The Aggies' Christian Kabongo was given his release this month and will transfer to another school. Kabongo, a 6-4 sophomore, averaged 14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds in 11 games. Before his release, Kabongo was suspended two games (he returned to play in two more games) for making an obscene gesture to UTEP fans on Dec. 11 . . . McKines was named to the Pre-season All-WAC team by both the coaches and media.

4. HAWAII WARRIORS

Head coach: Gib Arnold (2nd year, 27-19)

Last year: 19-13, 8-8

This year: 8-6

Streak: Won 6 of last 8.

Most meaningful win: 84-82 over No. 14 Xavier on Dec. 23 at home on Joston Thomas' lay-up with one second left. The Warriors then beat Clemson 75-68 two nights later at home.

Toughest loss this year: 89-72 to Eastern Washington on Nov. 22 at home.

Interesting stats: Hawaii (78.1 points allowed a game) has the second-worst defense in the WAC (San Jose State has allowed 71.0 . . . The Warriors average 5,540 fans a game at home.

Probable starters: Zane Johnson (6-6 senior), 15.1 points, 3.6 rebounds; Vander Joaquim (6-10 junior), 12.1 points, 9.2 rebounds; Trevor Wiseman (6-7 sophomore), 7.3 points, 6.4 rebounds; Shaquille Stokes (5-10 freshman), 10.1 points, 2.9 assists; Joston Thomas (6-7 junior), 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds.

Keys off bench: Hauns Brereton (6-7 junior), 6.7 points; Bobby Miles (6-1 sophomore), 2.6 points; Jeremiah Ostrowski (5-9 senior), 2.4 points; Garrett Jefferson (6-3 sophomore), 2.7 points; Davis Rozitis (7-0 sophomore), 3.5 points, 32 rebounds.

Top players lost from 2010-11: Bill Amis (15.2 points), Hiram Thompson (8.3 points), Bo Barnes (6.9 points).

Top newcomers: Brereton, Rozitis, Stokes.

Warriors notes: Hawaii had its first winning season in 2010-11 since it went 18-13 in 2006-07 . . . Johnson, a member of two Arizona NCAA Tournament teams (2008, 2009), averaged 15.8 points a game last year for Hawaii after sitting out a season after transferring from Arizona . . . Johnson and Joaquim were named to the Pre-season All-WAC First teams by either the coaches and media.

5. IDAHO VANDALS

Head coach: Don Verlin (4th year, 57-53)

Last year: 18-14, 9-7

This year: 7-7

Streak: Lost three in a row.

Most meaningful win: 74-60 at Oregon State on Dec. 9 as Deremy Geiger had seven 3-pointers.

Toughest loss this year: 73-66 to Eastern Washington at home on Nov. 30.

Interesting stats: Idaho, at 14.4 a game, has the most assists in the WAC this year . . . The Vandals are tied with the Wolf Pack with the most blocks (5.1 a game).

Probable starters: Deremy Geiger (5-11 senior), 13.1 points, 2.5 assists; Kyle Barone (6-10 senior), 12.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks; Stephen Madison (6-5 sophomore), 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds; Landon Tatum (5-11 senior), 7.8 points, 4.4 assists; Djim Bandoumel (6-8 senior), 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds.

Keys off bench: Connor Hill (6-2 freshman), 5.5 points; Dazmond Starke (6-6 junior), 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds; Matt Borton (6-5 freshman), 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds; Mansa Habeeb (6-3 junior), 3.9 points.

Top players lost from 2010-11: Jeff Ledbetter (12.8 points), Luiz Toledo (9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds), Shawn Henderson (8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds), Brandon Wiley (7.9 points).

Top newcomers: Borton, Habeeb, Hill, Starke.

Vandals notes: Verlin spent nine years (1998-09) as an assistant at Utah State . . . The Vandals' 50 wins in Verlin's first three seasons combined were the school's most in a three-year span since the program won 60 from 1991-92 through 1993-94 . . . Vandals are 7th in WAC with an average home crowd of 1,364.

6. SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS

Head coach: George Nessman (7th year, 74-127)

Last year: 17-16, 5-11

This year: 6-8

Streak: Won 3 of last 4.

Most meaningful win: 72-66 over Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 30 at home as James Kinney scored 30 points and Keith Shamburger had 18 points and 11 assists.

Toughest loss this year: 77-70 at Montana State at home on Nov. 29.

Interesting stats: Spartans are minus 4.4 in rebounding margin, the worst in the WAC . . . The Spartans are also the worst shooting team in the WAC at .390 although they lead the conference with 8.6 3-pointers a game.

Probable starters: James Kinney (6-2 junior), 16.7 points, 3.6 rebounds; Keith Shamburger (5-11 sophomore), 15.4 points, 5.1 assists; Wil Carter (6-8 senior), 9.8 points, 7.4 rebounds; Chris Jones (6-4 junior), 3.8 points; Matt Ballard (6-9 senior), 4.2 rebounds.

Keys off bench: Calvin Douglas (6-3 senior), 8.1 points; Jaleel Williams (6-6 freshman), 3.8 points; Stephon Smith (6-8 freshman), 1.3 points; LaVanne Pennington (6-4 junior), 4.1 points; D.J. Brown (6-2 freshman) 5.8 points.

Top players lost from 2010-11: Adrian Oliver (24.0 points), Justin Graham (14.2 points).

Top newcomers: Brown, Kinney, Pennington

Spartans note: Spartans have beaten just one team (UT-San Antonio) with a winning record this year. . . The Spartans are last in the WAC with an average home crowd of 1,354.

7. LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS

Head coach: Michael White (1st year, 8-7)

Last year: 12-20, 2-14

This year: 8-7

Streak: Lost 2 of last 3.

Most meaningful win: 94-93 over Northwestern State on Dec. 6 at home on Raheem Appleby's 3-pointer at the buzzer in double overtime.

Toughest loss this year: 66-48 at Portland State on Nov. 26.

Interesting stats: The Bulldogs free throw percentage (.617) is the worst in the WAC . . . The Bulldogs lead the WAC with 7.4 steals a game.

Probable starters: Trevor Gaskins (6-2 senior), 10.7 points, 4.7 rebounds; Cordarius Johnson (6-5 sophomore), 10.1 points, 4.4 rebounds; Kenyon McNeaill (6-1 sophomore), 6.3 points; Romario Souza (6-10 senior), 5.9 points; J.L. Lewis (6-8 junior), 5.3 points, 3.9 rebounds.

Keys off bench: Raheem Appleby (6-2 freshman), 11.1 points; Kenneth Smith (6-3 freshman), 4.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists; Michale Kyser (6-9 freshman), 4.5 points; Isaiah Massey (6-7 freshman), 4.6 points.

Top players lost from 2010-11: DeAndre Brown (15.8 points), Brandon Gibson (9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds; Olu Ashaolu (14.2 points, 9.4 rebounds.

Top newcomers: Appleby, Kyser, Massey, Smith.

Bulldogs notes: Gaskins is a transfer from Mississippi . . . Bulldogs are averaging just 2,724 fans at home this year.

8. FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS

Head coach: Rodney Terry (1st year, 7-8)

Last year: 14-17, 6-10

This year: 7-8

Streak: Won 3 in a row

Most meaningful win: 54-52 at SMU on Nov. 15 as Kevin Olekaibe (24 points) hit a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left.

Toughest losses this year: 85-83 to Manhattan at home on Nov. 21 and 78-65 at North Dakota State on Nov. 26.

Interesting stats: Kevin Olekaibe leads the WAC in scoring at 19.4 points a game . . . Bulldogs have the lowest amount of assists (10.2 a game) in the WAC this year.

Probable starters: Kevin Foster (6-8 junior), 7.4 points, 3.9 rebounds; Tyler Johnson (6-2 sophomore), 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds; Kevin Olekaibe (6-1 sophomore), 19.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals; Steven Shepp (6-2 senior), 5.1 points, 4.6 assists; Jonathan Wills (6-6 senior), 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds.

Keys off bench: Jerry Brown (6-7 senior), 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds; Garrett Johnson (6-4 junior), 2.6 points; Larry McGaughey (6-5 junior), 3.8 points.

Top players lost from 2010-11: Greg Smith (11.7 points), Tim Steed (10.7 points), Nedeljko Globovic (6.9 points).

Top newcomers: Foster, McGaughey, Grant Hefeng (6-8 freshman), 0.9 rebounds.

Bulldogs notes: Over the past two seasons, the Bulldogs have lost as much talent as anyone in the WAC with Sylvester Seay, Paul George, Greg Smith, Mike Ladd, Brandon Sperling, Nedeljko Golubovic and Tim Steed leaving . . . Fresno is second in the WAC with an average home crowd of 6,150.