Last night and tonight in the WAC

This post will be a long one but guaranteed to be worth your time or your money back.

For starters, Fresno State won last night against Houston Baptist and, while we ordinarily wouldn't bother with even a mention of such a matchup, (this is not knocking the Bulldogs, just the inconsequence -- our 8th grade English teacher is doing a spin move in her grave -- of the contest), Daniel Lyght has a remarkable opening in his game report and it is worth repeating:

Nonconference game allows Fresno State freshmen their chance.
Daniel Lyght
The Fresno Bee
January 29, 2009

The kiss cam told it all Wednesday night. With 8 minutes left to play, the cameras scanned the crowd looking for smooching couples. They found an older pair.

The female was reading a book.

Fresno State (9-12) waltzed to an easy, unentertaining 81-63 win against Houston Baptist on Wednesday at Save Mart Center as several Bulldogs freshmen registered career numbers. The Bulldogs were led by freshman Mychal Ladd, who tallied three career-highs: 22 points, three steals, and 10 rebounds...

Go here if you need to read more.

As for the top contest tonight, here are two takes:

WAC contenders meet tonight
Shawn Harrison
The Herald Journal
January 29, 2009

Picked to battle for the Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball title back in October, the Aggies and Wolf Pack meet this evening atop the league standings.

Utah State brings a 14-game winning streak into the contest. The Aggies (19-1, 7-0 WAC) have also won 28 straight at home and 11 consecutive conference games. Nevada (12-7, 5-1) has won five straight.

“I’ve been looking forward to this game since the first of the year,” USU senior post Gary Wilkinson said. “The minute we won at Hawaii, I started getting ready for this game. It’s the top two teams in the WAC right now going toe-to-toe, getting to show what we are all about...”

Go here for the remainder.

and

Pack gets biggest league game yet in Utah
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
January 29, 2009

After losing the best player in school history in Jaycee Carroll, not too many people thought the Utah State basketball would get off to the kind of start that it has.

In fact, there probably wasn't a single prognosticator who would have predicted the Aggies would begin the season 19-1 overall, and 7-0 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Utah State coach Stew Morrill certainly didn't think his team would be sitting in this position. Asked earlier this week whether he could conceive of starting 7-0 in league action, his answer was succinct.

"No," Morrill said. "I worry if we can win just one game. I don't ever think I have a team that will win 20. That's reality..."

Go here for the remainder.

Plus, Kyle Whelliston is alive and kicking at The Mid Majority despite his public breakup and has a heckuva opening line on the Aggie - Wolf Pack contest:

"After a half a season filled with posing and pretending, it's time to truly get our WAC on..."

Last but certainly not least, The Refraction edition for the USU - Nevada game is posted.

We also loved this -- especially the tail end -- from Nick Jezierny, a few paragraphs into his article about the Boise State - Idaho matchup:

Daily Debate: Broncos-Vandals rivalry matters again
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
1/29/09

...Excitement around both of these teams has been lacking. For Idaho, it's understandable as the program hasn't had a winning season since 1998-99 and has struggled with single-digit win totals six times since.

The lack of a buzz over the Broncos makes less sense. They won the WAC Tournament last season and are again competing for a title and a postseason berth. They have won 39 of their past 53 games and are on their way to a third consecutive winning season.

Somehow, that hasn't been good enough to attract fans and interest to Taco Bell Arena, where the average crowd turnout is only 3,032 this season. Bronco Nation gets more excited about a soft verbal commitment in football than a swished 3-pointer in basketball...

Go here for the full article.

From the Honolulu Advertiser staff report on Hawaii basketball, this stood out for us:

..Nash said this past week of practice could also produce a new rotation of players for today's game.

"There are certain guys who are not fully on board with running things the way we want to," he said. "Guys who are not buying in with what we're doing can't play until they are ready to buy in..."

Finally, A Closer Look At LA TECH Hoops is back with updates on the Bulldog program