Nick Jezierny with a WAC notes column

Well, we are back from our super duper, double secret mission but unlike Jack Bauer none of our efforts saved the country. However, the economy certainly got stimulated as we were on the go beginning at 5:30 a.m. and returned home about 10 p.m. and damn, the WAC world apparently got along just fine without any PTW posts.

So with ego deflated and any shred of self-importance in retreat:

Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
1-14-09

WAC notebook: Vandals' health is 50-50

Idaho coach Don Verlin will get one of his injured players back this week and hopes for good news about another ailing Vandal.

Backup guard Brandon Brown, who has missed the past seven games with a thumb injury, is expected to play Thursday night when the Vandals play at New Mexico State.

"He's back and ready to go," Verlin said. "He's about 80 percent."

But the status of senior post player Luis Augusto remains somewhat of a mystery. Augusto has missed eight games with a foot injury that doctors can't seem to fix.

"It's the dangedest thing I've ever seen," Verlin said. "He practiced (Sunday) and today (Monday) he can't walk. ... They can't figure it out, and I'm very frustrated with the situation because it's lingered on for five weeks."

Brown's return means Idaho will use an eight-player rotation. If Augusto were to play, that would give Verlin nine players.

"Right now, we're without a backup post," the first-year coach said. "That's going to hurt us as the league season moves on..."

Go here for the remainder.

There are a bunch of games tonight. Can Idaho and Boise State continue their fine play to date this season while facing New Mexico State and Nevada respectively on the road and how will Fresno State react to their expected 'kind and gentle' Spectrum reception?