Chris Murray on Nevada's win + player analysis

Are you getting the same feeling? That Chris Murray is not long for the Reno Gazette-Journal? No, not that anything adverse is going to happen to him -- on the contrary, that ESPN or one of its competitive brethren should be snapping him up fairly soon. The guy is prolific and putting some of the national personnel to shame.

Murray has two items today -- a game writeup and then his analysis on each Wolf Pack player. What he has to say about Luke Babbitt is intriguing. Here goes:

Pack basketball: Babbitt shines as Nevada grabs victory
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
November 16, 2008

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- It wasn't pretty -- in fact, at some points it was downright ugly -- but wins and losses don't come with style points, and the Nevada basketball team isn't going to apologize for a victory, no matter what it looks like.
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In fact, the young Wolf Pack probably learned more about itself in its season-opening 72-63 victory at Montana State on Saturday night than it would have learned from a blowout victory.

The Wolf Pack learned it could weather the storm of a late 19-6 run while staring down a rowdy and foul-mouthed crowd.

The Wolf Pack learned it could count on its defense when it needed it the most...

Go here for the remainder.

and

Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
November 15, 2008

I just got back to my hotel (by the way, if you ever need to stay in Bozeman, the Ramada Limited isn't too bad) and wanted to pass along quick thoughts on each player in the Wolf Pack's season-opening win over Montana State. Here we go, in order of most minutes played to least minutes played.

Luke Babbitt: I would say 20 points and 12 rebounds is a good debut. Babbitt went 8-of-19 from the field (and probably forced a couple of shots), but was clearly the Pack's go-to guy in the second half. As impressive as his offense was, Babbitt's defense was probably better. As the game story says, Babbitt held Divaldo Mbunga in check in the first half (the center was 1-of-6 in the first half). Babbitt was probably the most effective defender on Mbunga and he also managed to stay out of foul trouble, unlike most of the big men in the game. Montana State coach Brad Huse said Babbitt should go pro after this season (and the funny part is he wasn't joking). Huse is probably getting a little ahead of himself, but Babbitt didn't look like a freshman in his college debut.

Armon Johnson: Johnson had a rough shooting night (5-of-17), but still managed to score 16 points and grab seven rebounds. The difference from last season to this season, is an off shooting night would mean a bad night overall for Johnson. However, this season Johnson's presence will also be felt on defense. The sohomore's 'D' on MSU point guard Marquis Navarre was excellent and a real key down the stretch. Both he and Lyndale Burleson short-circuited MSU's late run with their defense at the point of attack...

Go here for the remainder.