RENO - Nevada puts its 10-game winning streak on the line tonight when it faces eighth-seed Boise State in a quarterfinal game at the WAC Tournament.
The Wolf Pack, 24-5 overall, swept Boise State during the regular season. Nevada beat Boise State 84-66 at Lawlor, and then had to overcome a 15-point second-half deficit to beat the Broncos 67-57.
Not that Nevada fears anybody, but Pack coach Mark Fox always seems to be wary of playing Boise State because of its ability to shoot three-pointers. The Broncos hit nearly 36 percent for the season, and Franco Harris (39 percent), Coby Karl (36.6), Jermaine Blackburn (34.2) and Eric Lane (34 percent) are all potent from beyond the arc.
"Their offense is designed to spread the floor and score," Fox said. "They have the best shooters in the league. It opens up the basket area.
"Blackburn is hard for everybody to guard. You have to really guard the ball, and play everybody 1 on 1. We won't double anybody. We didn't double (Taylor) Coppenrath of Vermont."
All four of the aforementioned Broncos can drive, and that opens up the three-point line when defenders collapse down inside to help out. That's what Nevada needs to contain is Boise State's penetration. Boise State shot 41 free throws against Tulsa, and the Broncos must attack the basket to be successful against Nevada.
Jason Ellis is coming off a 22-point, 21-rebound effort against Tulsa in the opening round, and he'll see a lot of Kevinn Pinkney tonight. Pinkney, who averages 7.6 rebounds, usually gets the more-active post player. Teammate Nick Fazekas (21.5 points, 9.4 rebounds a game) most likely will draw Tez Banks, the Broncos' other post man.
Nevada is fresh. The Pack narrowly knocked off San Jose State 73-69 last weekend, and had only a short flight to get home. All the rest of the teams had to travel Monday or Tuesday to get to Reno.
"They are very good," BSU coach Greg Graham said. "We have to come at them; have at it. If we aren't aggressive, they are too good and will shut you down."
Beating the same team three times in a season is tough, and no doubt Graham is hoping the odds are going his way.
"The games are tougher, because you know everything (the other team is doing)," Graham said. "It's a matter of trying to out-execute the other team. Nobody wants to play anybody (because of that)."
Nevada's execution has been sensational in the half-court because of the maturation of point guard Ramon Sessions (9.2 points, 5.2 assists) and shooting guard Kyle Shiloh, who has played sensational defense all season, and the improved play of Mo Charlo (9 points, 3.7 rebounds). Nevada averages 70 points a game and shoots nearly 47 percent as a team. The Pack is especially dangerous in the half-court because of Fazekas and Pinkney.
"We're a lot more comfortable," Fox said. "We've improved immensely on offense."
