Monday's thin (so far) WAC-itude

The departure of an All-League player such as Troy Gillenwater is always seen as a minus and understandably so. But the subtraction also provides opportunity because every talent has deficits. What Coach Marvin Menzies needs to do is field others on his roster who can provide the now missing inside/outside scoring and the ability to get his own shot (the latter will be the hardest to replicate) plus some rebounding.

But what Menzies also has the chance to improve on is better individual and team defense plus the all important team chemistry.

If Remi Berry is the real thing and not rust laden (he has been sidelined for two years), if the young frontcourters already on the team step up and if a creative point/scorer and/or a creative two guard/scorer sign on, then the effect of Gillenwater's absence can be lessened.

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Brian McInnis' next post will be titled "and then there was one" regarding Shaq Stokes.

As for the accuracy of our predictions (PTW sees Stokes not having any compelling reason to select Colorado State), we think we hit on more than we miss with our forecasts but don't keep track. However, it's worth noting that Vegas has yet to offer us a lucrative contract to come and earn money for the house. We all should know soon if the PTW's face has a look of satisfaction or is covered with egg.

Goodby Mr. G

Jason Groves has the scoop: Troy Gillenwater is remaining in the group of NBA draft eligibles.

PTW ample gut says this was decided some time ago and we wish him professional success.

The Aggie frontline youngsters just became laden with both opportunity and pressure.

In a gender-bending take, Stew Morrill got a gift on Mother's Day.

The WAC on Mom's Day

The G-Man headlines it today.

Teddy Feinberg and Jason Groves team up on the to be or not to be a collegian or a pro decision coming up for Troy Gillenwater.

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It looks like Gary Wilkinson will be back with his championship New Zealand team next season.

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Here's another article on Mike McChristian's signing with Idaho.

Troy Gillenwater's advisor

Someone was wanting to know who is advising Troy Gillenwater in his decision about the NBA draft -- it may involve more than one person but Rick Isaacs is certainly a primary guy.

The following article can no longer be fully accessed which is a shame

With no sneaker support, LA entrepreneur foots the bill
Bob Hohler
Boston Globe
July 24, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- The cellphone rang as Rick Isaacs, an entrepreneur who says he gave up cocaine to help kids chase their basketball dreams, steered his sleek black Mercedes toward the headquarters of his multimillion-dollar business.

The caller wanted one of Isaacs's best prospects, Boston native Troy Gillenwater, to attend a college camp for elite high school players. But Isaacs, who coaches the Los Angeles-based H Squad, one of the nation's top youth travel teams, wanted none of it.

"Troy doesn't have the money," Isaacs told the caller as he weaved his six-figure roadster through traffic. "And it's not in my budget."

Yet Isaacs's basketball budget is rich enough -- he said he spends as much as $100,000 a year out of his pocket -- that teenagers such as Gillenwater entrust their futures to him. Gillenwater, 17, who played most of the 2004-05 season for Charlestown High School, left his family in Mattapan to travel the country with Isaacs after he rejected a similar opportunity with the Nike-backed Boston Amateur Basketball Club.

In an era when a sneaker company sponsors nearly every major youth travel team, Isaacs is a different breed, a coach who underwrites some of the country's top college prospects without corporate support. He said he does it because he enjoys helping potential stars like Gillenwater -- underprivileged youths with academic challenges -- secure college scholarships and a shot at the NBA.

"This is my cocaine," he said. "It's my high."

Along the way, Isaacs said, he has helped pay tuition for several needy players to attend Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, which specializes in helping borderline students meet NCAA academic eligibility standards. The NCAA permits individuals outside a player's family to pay tuition at private secondary schools as long as the individuals are not agents or connected to college or professional teams.

Isaacs, 48, said he also has provided financial support to the mother of Danny Williams, an Oklahoma State recruit from Los Angeles who suffered a serious head injury last year in a car crash. He said he has helped Davon Jefferson, a hotly recruited star of his current team, travel from Los Angeles to the Patterson School in North Carolina. And he said he has helped provide housing and clothing for Gillenwater..."

A few more notes from the p.m.

One time USU wing recruit Matt Glover apparently liked the sights and sounds of Happy Valley and has committed to Penn State. Read about it here.

This article states that he selected PSU over Nebraska, with Iowa dropping out.

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Chris Murray has more on the accolades coming Nevada's way via Jeff Goodman's recent hidden gems feature.

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Adam Zagoria has the news that Olu Ashaolu, Troy Gillenwater and Greg Smith will be among the many on display this weekend in New Jersey as part of an NBA draft display.

Friday and the world of WAC basketball

Josh Wright provides a summary of Idaho basketball recruiting to date.

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With a tip o' the hat to Sam Wasson, the on-court offerings of His G-Ness are examined by JWhelan at the Mid Major Madness site.

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Jeff Portnoy examines what appears to be the 'new math' as utilized by Hawaii hoops.

Brian McInnis goes in-depth on new Rainbow Warrior DeShawn Mitchell.

Dayton Morinaga offers up yet another name -- a Golden State prep prospect -- in the mix for UH basketball recruiting.

WAC basketball on this fine Thursday morning

Dayton Morinaga fleshes out DeShawn Mitchell, the newest Rainbow Warrior. Call this one high risk-high reward as the young man does bring to the floor something that is missing from the UH arsenal.

Brian McInnis offers more on signee Hauns Brereton.

Is it a guarantee that a point is next what with one schollie left for Coach Gib Arnold?

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Jonathan Ford of the BleedTechBlue site has the latest (a Rivals sub is required) on Olu Ashaolu, who is down to three schools as his next destination.

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Jason Groves fills readers in on Troy Gillenwater's decision to test his NBA and maybe overseas attractiveness.

Continuing in our vein, here's another question: Does the G-Man stay or go? Based on gut feeling, PTW is leaning towards the latter.

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Daniel Lyght has an information-packed article posted, including the announcement of a new Bulldog assistant coach.

Yet another query: why would Tim Steed, who will be a senior, not return? He has the opportunity of being an integral part of next year's squad.

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Nick Jezierny offers the background on Boise State's three signees and also notes a departing player.

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Call this addition by subtraction: At one time, Utah State offered big man Jordan Railey and Nevada also showed interest but neither was able to seal the deal as Railey went with Iowa State. That's actually the good news because the sophomore just enjoyed a second run-in with the law.

The world of WAC basketball on Wednesday morning

It's Wednesday morning, not Thursday as we originally typed. Yes, PTW is all powerful but even we have limitations and time travel is one of them.

Dayton Morinaga reports that Hauns Brereton has agreed to become a Rainbow Warrior.

Brian McInnis goes over the remaining prospects linked to UH hoops.

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Jason Groves has the scoop that Sir G/His Troyness and the NBA draft.

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Daniel Lyght adds to his 'Greg-Smith-hires-an-agent' piece with news about another Bulldog big departing.

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Tony Jones cover the 'Utah-State-will-be-different-but-how-good?' question.

Sunday's report on last night's games

Here are the final regular season standings:

Utah State 15-1    
Boise State 10-6    
Idaho 9-7    
New Mexico State 9-7    
Hawai'i 8-8    
Nevada 8-8         
Fresno State 6-10    
San Jose State 5-11    
Louisiana Tech 2-14

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It was a Castillo-powered New Mexico State triumph over Nevada as the senior backcourter put up a double-double. Troy Gillenwater had a strong effort, too.

Jason Groves, Chris Murray (a hat tip to Gazette-Journal management for sending Chris to Las Cruces) and Sam Wasson provide their accounts. Chris also has a game notes column posted. Sam provides a bevy of game photos.

We missed the Nevada edition of the PanAmmunition.

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Hawaii was soaring, Fresno State declining. So what happens? The Greg Smith Engagement and this has nothing to do with matrimony but everything to do with an 16/16 double-double.

Daniel Lyght, Dayton Morinaga and Marek Warszawski all offer game reports.

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Ethan Conley and Shawn Harrison were present and accounted for (kudos to the Herald Journal management for sending Shawn to Ruston) in the Utah State rout of LA TECH.

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Is it seven come eleven for Boise State? This after the host Broncos downed San Jose State to rack up #7 in a winning streak.

Nick Jezierny serves up his take.

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Josh Wright covered Idaho getting by Seattle in a very late in the season non-conference matchup.

The Thursday a.m. WAC report

Jason Groves has a blog entry up, posted after last night's game -- TG does have a broken thumb. Also, Jason has become one with Twitter mania.

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As expected, Boise State had zero trouble against visiting Cal State Bakersfield. Nick Jezierny reports on the Senior Night game.

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Dayton Morinaga previews tonight's UH - SJSU tussle. Plus, Dayton also borrows from the big screen (Gib Arnold should have made it a point to either sign or land a walk-on with the first name of Ted).

Brian Mcinnis also serves up a preview, one that contains this tantalizing quote from Gib Arnold: "It'll be a team defensive game first..."

Jeff Portnoy talked with former UH Coach Riley Wallace about UH hoops and the CIT.

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Chris Murray writes that intensity is the byword for the Wolf Pack as Nevada faces Louisiana Tech in Ruston tonight. Chris also offers his keys to the game plus a prediction.

Joe Santoro tells us that practice has been different this week for Coach David Carter's squad.

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Idaho is hosting Fresno State tonight.

We're not picking on them...

Really, we're not. But with the direction momentum is flowing right now, it doesn't seem possible that Troy Gillenwater will make the All-WAC first team.

The shooting percentages are creeping down, as is his rebounding average, plus there's the 12/29 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Of late:

* 33 minutes, six points and three boards versus UH

* 38 minutes, 18 points, right rebounds, no foul shots, a game winning miss at the end in OT against San Jose State University

Possibly his ankle is hurting him more than he is letting on but he sure doesn't seem to be having any fun on the court. There's no fire, no coalescing of the team around him as times are toughening.


But Nevada's Dario Hunt is also having a bit of a dry spell. This when the Wolf Pack needs a leader.

Last night, it was 16 minutes, two points, five boards and four fouls. Against Idaho, it was 34 minutes, six points but a monstrous 19 rebounds. Versus Hawaii , he put up seven points and five boards in 26 minutes, hindered by foul trouble again and ending with four whistles.

Hunt is at 11.5 points and 9.9 rebounds a game in WAC play, with a league-leading 31 shotblocks.

Thursday's WAC news and links

Sam Wasson has a game report from last night's New Mexico State loss to SJSU.

Here is our one-game snapshot take of the pairing last night:

Does Wil Carter desire to be an astronaut? Because he sure has some liftoff as Tyrone Watson experienced ... the white SJSU uniforms are apparently mothballed ... Justin Graham has a new BFF (check the urban dictionary if you are over 30) in Matt Ballard with those passes that led to a dunk and then a layup ... Troy Gillenwater: if he's not hitting, what does he offer? TG's run at WAC MVP ended last night with that last shot ... Tyrone Watson's dribble-drive proficiency surprised us ... New Mexico State's freshman center Tshilidzi Nephawe has the most effortless free throw shooting technique we've witnessed in a very long time for a college big ... The absence of Jahmar Young and Jonathan Gibson is apparent for the Aggies -- an outside sniper/individual creator is missing ... we think television agrees with AO, that is besides "Entourage" ... And finally, to ESPN: a shot of a cable car? Really?

The Aggie defeat makes it official -- Utah State wins another WAC basketball championship.

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Dayton Morinaga previews the UH - Louisiana Tech matchup tonight in the islands, complete with print, video and photos. All games probably qualify as such now but the Bulldogs especially cannot afford any more losses or it's no Vegas for them.

Beian McInnis covers Hiram (No Drama) Thompson. Brian also offers a Court Sense post on UH scheduling and names a name in recruiting.

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Gotta like Nevada's chances for the two spot in WAC tourney seeding, as Chris Murray details. Here is Chris previewing the Wolf Pack - Idaho contest tonight in Reno. For the trifecta, Chris offers a notes column.

Joe Santoro also checks in with his look at tonight plus the remainder of the season.

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Nick Jezierny profiles a Boise State walk-on who is producing more than anyone expected.

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Shawn Harrison writes about Pooh Williams and shooting, especially at the line.

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So, it's UH hosting LT tonight, Nevada welcoming Idaho and Boise State in Fresno.

Wednesday's a.m. Wac-itude

Tonight at 8 p.m. Pacific time, San Jose State hosts New Mexico State. Broadbrushing it, we're calling it the backcourt versus the frontcourt.

Jason Groves previews the matchup. In it, TG says the Aggies must limit turnovers and hit the boards. The Spartans don't usually force a lot of TOs and the Aggies are -0.2 in rebounding margin to -0.9 for SJSU.

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Can host Hawaii hold off Louisiana Tech, which will be minus DeAndre Brown? Brian McInnis takes a look. Dayton Morinaga goes in-depth with Hiram Thompson (print, video and photos).

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Josh Wright writes about Idaho's next challenges -- facing Nevada and then Utah State on the road. That has the makings of a road trip to hell.

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Tony Jones lauds the often unappreciated or under-appreciated contributions of Tyler Newbold.

Thursday's overall WAC report

Dayton Morinaga reports that Coach Gib Arnold is mining southern California -- no surprise there -- and one prep forward in particular.

Brian McInnis offers more on the injury status of Hiram Thompson.

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Chris Murray names the dandiest dunkers in Wolf Pack history.

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Want some Chili for breakfast? Then go here.

It's not quite accurate but we'll label the New Mexico State - Northern Colorado matchup as big versus small and Jason Groves preview the Saturday contest. Jason also offers a blog entry on the status of Troy Gillenwater's ankle.

Sunday's report on last night's games

Visiting Fresno State had the unfortunate timing of following the Utah State loss to Idaho and Tai Wesley was mask-less. That's pretty much all you need to know.

Weston Mangum, Tony Jones here and here, Shawn Harrison and Kraig Williams all have game reports. Jennifer Meyers serves up 32 game photos. Plus, Craig Peterson provides 42 photos but we have to ask why none are game-specfic? And who is the Christoper Lloyd-like gentleman?

Daniel Lyght covers the matchup from the Fresno perspective. Marek Warszawski' column leads with a few Fresno State basketball items.

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Chris Murray goes prolific: here, here on the Wolf Pack overtime win in San Jose and in a lengthy feature on Dario Hunt that crystallizes the individual, the one off the court, for the reader. This one should be nominated for an award -- yes, it's that good. Mark Littlefield also provides a solid game report. 

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In what was another great game and one witnessed by a crowd in double-figures, host Boise State turned back Idaho in a close one throughout. Nick Jezierny was there and Josh Wright has his game report.

Earlier, we missed this Nick Jezierny feature on Idaho's Kyle Barone.

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Minus Sir Troy, New Mexico State still managed to get past Louisiana Tech in Ruston. Sam Wasson, Ethan Conley and O.K. Davis furnish the background.

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Wanna be introduced to Bill (Mr. Media) Amis? Start with Dayton Morinaga's feature. Brian McInnis gives the same treatment to Douglas Kurtz who may be coming to a squared circle near you.

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As requested, here are the current standings from the WAC sports site:

Utah State 12-1        
New Mexico State 8-4     
Nevada 7-4    
Boise State 7-6    
Idaho 7-6    
Fresno State 5-8    
Hawai'i 4-7    
San Jose State 3-9    
Louisiana Tech 2-10

More Friday items, including a recruit commit

Credit TurfToeJoe (that sounds painful) for posting this at the Scout BroncoCountry.com Taco Bell Arena Talk MB -- Boise State has landed a frontcourt commit. Head here.

Here is a game report for College of Southern Idaho featuring another photo of Mr. Buckner. who measures 6-foot-9, 245.The height might be a tad generous.

His stats to date: 17 games/16 starts ... 23.4 minutes per game ... 12.2 points per game ... shooting 55% on 166 attempts, has taken and missed his only trey attempt ... shooting 49% on 49 free throw attempts ... a team-leading 8.9 rebounds a game, looks like a solid offensive boarder ... eight assists, 22 TOs ... 19 blocks

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Jason Groves has a blog entry about Troy Gillenwater and also how dribble-drive proficient guards are causing problems for New Mexico State.

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Chris Murray is already on-line with his keys to the Wolf Pack - Louisiana Tech matchup on Saturday plus the lineups and a prediction. Chris also has an article up on David Carter telling his guys not to overlook the Bulldogs.

Thursday's opening night game reports

It was Wesley power -- 27/13 -- that propelled Utah State to a home victory over a very game Hawaii.

There's a bevy of game reports: Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison, Tony Jones (plus a blog entry), Weston Mangum, plus Craig Peterson's 40 game photos. From the alternate perspective, Dayton Morinaga, and Jeff Hunter.

Jeff Portnoy notes that his radio show is switching days.

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Celebrating his entry into this world, Troy Gillenwater returned from injury and led the Aggies to a road win up in Moscow.

Sam Wasson is here, the Sun-News is here and Jason Groves has posted a blog entry on the game.Josh Wright twittered the game and also reports that Idaho frontcourter Djim Bandoumel is academically ineligible -- that was quick. Josh's game report is here.

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Fresno State, in its best game of the season and powered by Smith and Steed, turned back visiting San Jose State.

Marek Warszawsk's game report is here

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A 20-2 start by Boise State left visiting Louisiana Tech in the dust.

Nick Jezierny was present and offers this game report. The Daily Bronco has every number you could ever want on the game.

Wednesday's WAC world

The non-conference records, good, medium and bad, mean nothing now as the real thing begins tonight.

Louisiana Tech is at Boise State. Ethan Conley offers a feature on DeAndre Brown and Olu Ashaolu acting as role models for the younger Bulldogs.

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Hawaii leaves the islands to face league behemoth Utah State -- Dayton Morinaga has a report plus video.

Brian McInnis offers something similar but also serves up a tasty WAC team-by-team preview/review. Brian also wrote a Court Sense blog entry with interesting quotes from Stew Morrill.

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Chris Murray takes a look at each member of the Wolf Pack roster in a very good read.

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Sam Wasson at Bleed Crimson provides his weekly interview with Marvin Menzies.

Jason Groves previews the New Mexico State matchup with and at Idaho and wrote a commentary plus, who knows what this means but Troy Gillenwater, Hamidu Rahman and Wendell McKines tripped to Moscow.

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Nick Jezierny looks at the WAC as a whole and see a hole, especially compared to last season.Plus, the Idaho Statesman encapsulizes each WAC team plus what the BSU players will miss the most and least about the other WAC destinations.

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Marek Warszawski sees a backcourt offensive juggernaut with SJSU playing tonight in Fresno. Jeff Davis blogs about the Red Wave trickling into the Save Mart Center.

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Kraig Williams gives some pub to Tai Wesley, Shawn Harrison writes about the WAC this season and also Hawaii arriving at The Spectrum tonight while Tony Jones calls USU the best team in a lesser (from the 2009-2010 edition) WAC. The Standard-Examiner expects the crowd to be smaller tonight since the Aggie students are on break.

Sunday's WAC-aroo

Utah State topped Cal State Bakersfield with what Aggies fans hope are a change of fortune in Tyler Newbold's shooting prowess this season. Kraig Williams, Shawn Harrison and Tony Jones all contribute game reports. It's worth noting that Stew Morrill made some starting lineup changes. Craig Peterson of the Cache Valley Daily offers up 41 game photos here with Weston Mangum's story on the game..

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In a rematch, New Mexico State fell again to in-state rival New Mexico, plus Troy Gillenwater injured an ankle. Jason Groves is here. Sam Wasson offers his Bleed Crimson game report here. The good new is that Hamidu Rahman got back on the court. Jason also posted a blog entry here.

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It's near impossible to find Waves in Fresno (maybe one of the nearby lakes?) and the Bulldogs dispensed visiting Pepperdine back to the Pacific Coast with a loss -- Daniel Lyght reports.

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Louisiana Tech fell on the road to intra-state rival McNeese State -- LT athletics reports.

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Per Idaho athletics, Seattle took down visiting Idaho by beating the Vandals in most of the statistical categories.

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As expected, Nevada topped San Francisco State behind Dario Hunt's double-double -- here's Mark Littlefield of the Silver and Blue site. Chris Murray is here and also posted a game notes column here.

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Hawaii also took down HP (Hawaii Pacific, not Hewlett Packard -- Carly Fiorina did that). Dayton Morinaga has print, photos and video on the game, plus information about the status of Bill Amis. Brian Mcinnis is here plus added an entry at his Court Sense blog. Jeff Portnoy writes more about Hawaii and the Big West.

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Boise State faces Missouri Valley Conference member Drake this afternoon as Nick Jezierny reports. Will the Broncos love the Drake?

San Jose State hosts Eastern Washington in a rematch of one month ago.

Monday's a.m. world of WAC basketball

It was close and the Broncos actually had a double-digit lead with just over nine minutes left but visiting Long Beach State edged Boise State as Nick Jezierny reports. Maybe the BSU should have Nick interview Daequon (10 points, 13 boards and three rejections) Montreal before every game. Powerful UNLV on the road is next.

The Daily Bronco has numbers galore on the game.

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Per Idaho athletics, the Vandals brought out the brooms and won the third in a row in its own tournament:

MOSCOW, Idaho - The University of Idaho men's basketball team shot better than 50 percent for the second game in a row and spread the ball around to extend their winning streak to four games with a 75-60 victory over Eastern Michigan on Sunday.

The game capped off an exciting Basketball Travelers Classic tournament, which was the first regular-season tourney in Moscow since 1989. Idaho (5-3) went 3-0 over the weekend, while Eastern Michigan (1-6) went 0-3 after two close losses on Friday and Saturday.

"We executed offensively very well and we made some key defensive stops to ignite our runs, especially in the second half," Idaho head coach Don Verlin said. "I thought we had a lot of guys step up and play very well in a lot of areas of the game."

Idaho hit 52 percent of its shots for the game and shot at least 50 percent in each half on Sunday. The Vandals also went 8-of-14 (.571) from 3-point range and 15-of-19 (.789) from the free throw line for the game.

Sophomore center Kyle Barone put together the best offensive game of his Vandal career with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including a 6-of-6 performance from the free throw line. He also tied for the team lead with six rebounds.

Senior guard Jeff Ledbetter pitched in 12 points, all from the 3-point line, while senior guard Shawn Henderson added 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Junior forward Luiz Toledo and senior forward Brandon Wiley each scored eight points, while Deremy Geiger had six, with three assists.

"We've just done a good job of executing our offense and hitting the open guy," Verlin said. "We've done a great job of sharing the ball, especially this weekend. When you have 20 assists and nine turnovers, that's a great stat."

Brandon Bowdry led EMU with 17 points and six rebounds, while Derek Thompson hit five 3-pointers for the Eagles and finished with 15 points. Eastern Michigan shot 46.7 percent from the floor and 41.2 percent from the 3-point line.

Idaho scored 30 points in the paint, while allowing just 14 to EMU. The Vandals also outscored the Eagles 12-9 off turnovers, 2-0 on the fast break and 30-27 off the bench. Both teams had six second-chance points.

In addition to its second 20-assist game of the season, Idaho committed a season-low nine turnovers. Idaho also had three blocks and five steals. Eastern Michigan had 11 assists, 13 turnovers, three blocks and three steals.

Geiger, who averaged 12.0 points and 3.3 assists, and shot .476 from the floor for the weekend, was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Toledo shot .565 from the floor and averaged 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds, and was named to the Basketball Travelers Classic All-Tournament Team. Bowdry of EWU, Patrick Mitchell of North Dakota, and Mike Myers Keitt and Will Campbell of Monmouth were also all-tournament selections.

Eastern Michigan made six of their first eight attempts from the field in the first nine minutes, but Idaho forced four turnovers during that same time span and made six of their 11 shots to make it a 16-16 tie at the 11:02 mark of the first.

The Vandals used a pair of small scoring runs to extend their lead to double digits late in the first half. A 7-0 run starting at the 10:43 point put Idaho up 23-16 at 8:13, then minutes later, with a 27-21 lead, the Vandals rattled of seven more unanswered points for a 13-point advantage at 34-21 with 4:09 left in the period.

After Geiger's half-court attempt at the buzzer rattled out, the Vandals took a 38-29 lead into the halftime break.

EMU scored the first two baskets of the second half, but Idaho responded by hitting their next four shots, and back-to-back triples by Geiger and Henderson put Idaho back up by 13 at 48-35 with 16:14 left. Idaho matched Eastern Michigan shot-for-shot for most of the second half, and the lead never got below eight points. Henderson's tip-in at 1:23 gave Idaho a 74-57 lead - its largest of the game.

The four-game win streak is Idaho's longest non-conference winning streak since the Vandals won seven in a row against non-conference foes early in the 1989-90 season. Interestingly, that streak started with a 94-63 win over Centenary in the second game of the Palouse Classic - the last regular-season tournament in Moscow prior to this weekend's action.

"We probably had one of the worst performances in Idaho basketball history at Montana (on Nov. 22), and to come back and win four straight is a credit to the guys on our team and their character," Verlin said.

Sunday's game marked the end of an exciting tournament on the Idaho campus. Four of the six games, including Monmouth's 57-52 win in the early Sunday game, were decided by five points or less. Idaho finished the weekend 3-0, while Monmouth went 2-1, North Dakota was 1-2 and Eastern Michigan was 0-3.

"All the games were close games," Verlin said of the tournament. "We had a little spurt at the end of the North Dakota game, Monmouth took us right down to the wire, this game was closer than that (margin), and all the other games were close games.

"Basketball Travelers did a great job of picking the field - we had four even teams here, and we were fortunate enough to come out of here with three wins."

Up next for the Vandal men will be a road trip to Seattle University on Saturday, Dec. 11. It will be the first of a home-and-home series with the Redhawks this season. Idaho went 2-0 against Seattle last year, including an 87-85 win at KeyArena.

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It's the vets versus the youngsters as Nevada faces Houston on the road and Coach David Carter calls for consistency -- go here for Chris Murray's article.

Chris also reports on the seasons so far on former Wolf Packers and other preps from Nevada.

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Jason Groves offers a feature on Troy Gillenwater plus other notes in this article.