Posted on: Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Nevada motivated by loss in WAC tourney
By Scott Sonner
Associated Press
RENO, Nev. — As painful as it was for Nevada to end a 10-game winning streak in its opening league tourney game on its own floor, Nick Fazekas figures it may turn out to be just what the doctor ordered.
"I think we were getting a little too comfortable. We probably needed to lose," said the 6-foot-11 sophomore, who was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
The Wolf Pack, the WAC's regular-season champion, had won 20 of its past 22 before eighth-seeded Boise State stunned it 73-72 with a last-second rebound off a missed free throw in the league quarterfinals last Thursday night.
Reno, 24-6.
Coach: Mark Fox. Region: Chicago. Seed: No. 9. Bid: At large. Tournament Record: 2-3, 3 years.
Last NCAA Appearance: 2004. Conference: Western Athletic. Top Scorers: Nick Fazekas 21.4; Kevinn Pinkney 12.1; Mo Charlo 9.3; Ramon Sessions 9.1.
Last 10: 9-1.
Texas Longhorns
Austin, 20-10.
Coach: Rick Barnes.
Region: Chicago. Seed: No. 8. Bid: At large. Tournament Record: 25-25, 22 years. Last NCAA Appearance: 2004. Conference: Big 12. Top Scorers: Daniel Gibson 14.4; Brad Buckman 12.4; Jason Klotz 10.9; Kenny Taylor 10.6.
Last 10: 5-5. "Texas has the kind of team that can make another deep run into the tournament," Fox told reporters on a teleconference call after watching videotape of Texas.
"They've got weapons everywhere. They have a coach that has taken a team to the Final Four. They are just terrific."
At times it sounded like Fox was raving about top-ranked Illinois — the team the winner of the Nevada-Texas game is likely to face — instead of the Longhorn squad that lost six of its last 11 and fell to Colorado in the Big 12 tournament.
"I knew they would be good defensively because I know what a great coach Rick Barnes is ... On top of that, they are better offensively than I ever imagined," Fox said.
Barnes returned the compliments, suggesting in a separate call with reporters that Nevada likely would have finished among the top teams in the Big 12 this year.
"They are a good team," he said. "I like the consistency they have shown. I think that stands out.
"They have five players back from a Sweet 16 team last year. They are one of the hottest teams in the country. They had won 10 straight before their conference tournament," he said.
In addition to Fazekas, Barnes said he has been impressed with the play of freshman point guard Ramon Sessions.
"They are not going to be wide-eyed about going to the NCAA tournament. With the kind of year they've had, they have to be confident and feeling good about themselves," Barnes said.
Fazekas, who ranks 12th in the nation averaging 21.5 points per game and 20th in rebounds with 9.4 per game, said he expects a physical game against the Longhorns.
PLAY-IN GAME
As an NCAA moderator introduced Oakland coach Greg Kampe last night, he mentioned the Grizzlies' 12-18 record.
"You really had to bring that up, didn't you?" Kampe scolded in mock disgust. "Couldn't you have said 18-12?"
The Grizzlies and Alabama A&M (18-13) will meet tonight in the play-in game at the University of Dayton after weathering seasons filled with adversity.
Oakland began 0-7, losing by an average of 13 points a game. The foes: Illinois, Marquette, Xavier, Missouri, Texas A&M, Kansas State and Saint Louis.
"We understand our record is not what some people think it should be. We make no apologies," Kampe said.
A&M had to overcome the stunning news that coach Vann Pettaway had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pettaway's doctors suggested he leave the team to receive treatment, but he returned for what has become a magical ride.
"It motivated us," Bulldogs star guard Obie Trotter said. "That's the type of person he is. He never gave up."
"It probably helps us to lose," Fazekas said yesterday as No. 9 seed Nevada (24-6) prepares to face No. 8 seed Texas (20-10) in the opening round of the NCAA tournament at Indianapolis on Thursday.
Coach Mark Fox said the Wolf Pack will need all the help it can get to have a shot at knocking off the Longhorns, who are making their seventh straight NCAA appearance and have advanced to the round of 16 each of the past three seasons.
Nevada Wolf Pack
