A big weekend for the WAC

It's still the non-conference schedule but this weekend is an important one because the various WAC teams can earn some major RPI points with victories over assorted foes.

The Refraction-ers are ready with another exceptional issue focused heavily on Mr. Omar. St. Mary's can be taken if the opponent plays a 40 minute game. San Jose State led 45-33 at halftime on Monday only to eventually lose by seven to the Gaels.

KRAIG WILLIAMS -- no, he does not go by any other surname -- will be liveblogging the game -- that can be found at the Rush The Court site here.

Do watch for the Mickey McConnell - Jared Quayle matchup at the point. McConnell is feisty and knows how to play, scoring from outside and taking it to the hoop. Guard Matthew Dellavedova certainly doesn't appear like a freshman. By the way, Dellavedova has an interesting shot, seemingly releasing it before he gets to the top of his jump.

Jared Eborn/Deseret News has a pre-game article as does Shawn Harrison/Herald-Journal here.

Kurt Kragthorpe/Salt Lake City Tribune provides an in-depth look at Coach Stew Morrill. Okay, we know Morrill one day just might be convinced to appear on "Dancing With The Stars" due to his ability to cut a rug (hey, the phrase indicates our age but it does appear in the Urban Dictionary) but we'll pass on shirtless -- no offense meant Stew. Read the article to understand.

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Jason Groves/Las Cruces Sun News offers a commentary today on the Aggie - Lobo contest:

COMMENTARY: For Aggies to improve, hustle needs to be No. 1 priority
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
12/05/2009

Teams will come out of a shooting slump.

The New Mexico State men's basketball team has three players who are proven shooters for a Western Athletic Conference team.

What is troubling through the first six games is that the shooting percentage of the team doesn't tell the whole story.

Personnel changes due to grades, coaching adjustments or an improved shooting prowess won't matter on a game-to-game basis if the players on the court don't show effort at both ends of the floor for 40 minutes...

Go here for the remainder.

Jason Groves also has another article with a number of Marvin Menzie quotes.

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Junior college transfer Douglas Kurtz is finally eligible to play -- it's a good sign for Bob Nash to be gaining another player.

Bows 7-footer Kurtz will debut against Lamar
Dayton Morinaga
Honululu Advertiser

In an effort to patch its losing streak, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is bringing in reinforcements.

Seven-foot center Douglas Kurtz is expected to make his season debut tomorrow when the Rainbow Warriors host Lamar...

Go here for the remainder.

and

Dayton Morinaga's article has Bob Nash asking for greater effort at the defensive end:

Nash asks for better D
Brian McInnis
Honolulu Star Bulletin

Bob Nash and the Hawaii men's basketball team haven't felt comfortable for a while.

The third-year coach would prefer to transfer some of that discomfort to UH's opponents, starting tomorrow against Lamar when the Rainbow Warriors (2-4) try to end a four-game losing streak at 5:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"Don't let them get comfortable!" Nash bellowed several dozen times over the course of yesterday's 2-hour practice, during which the Rainbows tried to tighten up their porous man-to-man defense...

Go here for the remainder.

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Jagdip Dhillon/Stockton Record has a pre-game look at the Pacific - Nevada contest:

Tigers find new starting point
Jagdip Dhillon
Stockton Record
December 05, 2009

STOCKTON - Demetrece Young missed the first 17 shots he took this season, but his diligence has earned him the starting point guard job for Pacific...

Go here for the remainder.

Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal goes inside with Pacific Coach Bob Thomason, one of the good guys in the business.

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Boise State faces Illinois on the road, Louisiana Tech hosts Northwestern State, San Jose State travels to Orem to battle Utah Valley State.

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C'mon, let's earn those RPI points.

Plus, San Diego travels to Fresno tomorrow and Portland comes to Moscow to face the Vandals.