Nic Faces Adversity, Fourth-Ranked Foe

Other than illness, injury, academic inattention, lineup changes and a visit from a fourth-ranked opponent, everything’s swell for North Idaho College men’s basketball.

Actually, things are better than they were earlier this week. If NIC had played on Tuesday, it might have been without starting guards Rashaad Hines (ill) and Jerry Petty (foot injury).

By Wednesday, though, NIC’s outlook had improved. Hines was back at practice and Petty’s condition was improving. NIC (4-1 over-all, 0-1 Scenic West Athletic Conference) might need all of its weapons when Utah Valley (11-0, 2-0) visits Christianson Gym at 7:30 p.m. The women’s teams play at 5:30.

NIC’s lineup will have at least one new starter and possibly two. Johnny Goodman, averaging 25 points per game, might not start because “he’s a little behind in a class,” NIC coach Hugh Watson said.

Center Jason Keep has moved into the starting lineup after a string of solid efforts off the bench.

Utah Valley’s Danny Brotherson, a physical 6-foot-3 forward, averages 17.2 points per game. He’s surrounded by three Division I transfers - wing Justin Sant (Idaho State), 11.8 ppg; forward Nate Knight (Oregon State), 12.6 ppg; and center Greg Barratt (Utah), 12.8 ppg.

“We’ve won twice at CSI and we’ve won at Dixie,” said Utah Valley coach Jeff Reinert, winless in six attempts at Christianson Gym. “I told a reporter down here I feel like (Mario) Mendoza. I’m below the (.200) line and I’m due.”

NIC braces for Wolverines

NIC’s women (3-1, 0-1) face Utah Valley and the ghost of Ricks, which thumped the Cardinals 84-58 Saturday night.

“We certainly have to get over that (loss) mentally,” NIC coach Greg Crimp said.

Utah Valley (8-3, 2-0) is led by former prep teammates Tiffany Massey (14.2 ppg) and Melissa Tervort (11.2).

And Salt Lake (10-0, 2-0), which visits Saturday, might be an even tougher assignment.