Crazy like a fox

We don't know how such a phrase as 'crazy like a fox' had its genesis nor have we enjoyed the acquaintance of such a mammal, let alone one of seemingly ill mental health. But if crazy is clever in this regard, then Mark Fox is doing just that.

Like any coach, he must be pulling out his hair over each turnover, incorrect player positioning, missed foul shots, etc. but, also like any coach, especially one with a young and inexperienced squad, patience is the password and gradual improvement the desired turn.

Here's the latest up Reno way.

Fox taking big-picture approach
Steve Sneddon
Reno Gazette-Journal
November 30, 2007

Mark Fox is looking at the big picture, so he's not alarmed.

For the rest of us, the small-picture people, Nevada's 74-68 loss to California wasn't a pretty snapshot Wednesday night.

It went deeper than the 13-game home winning streak, 12th longest in Division I, being snapped. And it also transcended the fact that it was only the Wolf Pack's seventh home loss in its last 68 home games, dating to the 2003-04 season.

It was a game the Pack never led, not even for a second. It was tied three times in the second half, but that was the best the Pack could do. The Pack couldn't slow down the Bears' 6-foot-11 Ryan Anderson, who finished with a career-high 36 points.

But worse yet might have been Nevada's 37 percent shooting from the field, including 30 percent in the second half.

The Pack dropped to 2-3 and Fox said after the game he is not worried about where his team is after five games. He said he's more concerned about his team improving each game and each week.

On Thursday, he looked at the game again through his big-picture lens.

"We took care of the ball better. We did a much better job of taking care of the basketball, so we improved," Fox said. "We have moments where we play well. We just need to be more consistent. We've got to string together good offense with good defense. You've got to be able to do those things back to back to back. That's what we're working to do."

Go here for the fill article.