Mountain West Notebook: He’s the real McCoy for UNLV

Brandon McCoy, who was named the Preseason Freshman of the Year, has enjoyed tremendous success in leading UNLV to a 4-0 start.

UNLV has scored 90-plus points in each of the wins. The last time that happened was the 1987-88 season.

McCoy is averaging 20 points and 11.8 per game. He had a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes recently against Rice.

“Brandon was phenomenal,” UNLV coach Marvin Menzies said. “He dominated from the jump. He draws so much attention and when he is playing well, he opens things up for other guys.”

Not to be overlooked in the Rice game was the 19-rebound effort by Shakur Juiston. It was the most rebounds by a UNLV player in a single game since Chris Wood pulled down 19 during the 2014-15 season.

Caroline honored

Nevada forward Jordan Caroline was named the Mountain West Player of the Week after helping the Pack beat Rhode Island, Santa Clara and Pacific last week.

Caroline is averaging 18.5 point and 10.3 rebounds a contest.

“I’m happy when one of our players is honored,” Musselman said. “We look at it as a team award.

“He had a monster game against Santa Clara. Not so sure about the Pacific game from a defensive standpoint.”

Apology by UNM coach

New Mexico coach Paul Weir apologized to Lobo fans after a dismal performance against in-state rival New Mexico State on Nov. 17. New Mexico State tuned 25 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points en route to an easy 75-56 victory in a game that featured five technicals and an ejection.

Weir coached at NMSU last year, leading the Aggies to a 28-6 record.

“I thought the fans were terrific,” Weir told reporters after the game. “I didn’t feel mistreated in any way and even if I was, that is their right to do that. I thought the game was great as far as fans go. They supported their team, and the home team played very well. Their dominance of the offensive glass set the tone, gave them a lot of energy, and we just couldn’t overcome it.

“I think the first road game of the season is always a good measuring stick to see where you’re at, and now we have to learn and grow from it and get better.”

CSU loses twice in Jamaica

The Rams found the going tough last week. After knocking off Winthrop, CSU lost 80-53 to Tulane in Jamaica, and then followed that up with a 90-73 loss to Florida State.

The Rams’ shooting to start the Tulane game was absolutely frigid. CSU made just 1 of its first 17 shots from the field and fell behind by 23 at the half. The Rams scored just 14 points in the first 20 minutes.

Inexperience has been an issue for CSU.

“Our issue in a lot of situations is our youth and being receptive to coaching,” CSU head coach Larry Eustachy said. “We are having to adjust without Gian (Clavell) and Emmanuel (Omogbo) this year and guys are having to learn those roles, and sometimes it’s a challenge.”

After Jamaica, CSU went to New Mexico State as part of an eight-day road trip.