Missing Scott Could Cost Iu On Both Ends

If Gordon Scott isn’t able to play against New Mexico State on Thursday, the University of Idaho men’s basketball team would miss his 17.7 points per game.

But perhaps as much as his scoring, the Vandals would miss his defense because Billy Keys of the Aggies is the Big West’s best point guard.

“I don’t want to offend my players, but nobody’s going to guard him really well,” UI coach Dave Farrar said. “Gordon would be ideal, he has the size, energy and ability to do it. (Anthony) Lewis might have a chance to guard him, and both of those freshmen point guards (Lance Buoncristiani and Justin Logan) will be educated pretty quick.”

Scott missed practice Tuesday and his last on-court action was against Boise State last Thursday. Scott played that game with the beginnings of the illness that caused him to miss Saturday’s game at UC Santa Barbara.

He is expected to make the road trip, but his court time Thursday figures to be limited at best.

Scott “is very congested and his lungs are very full,” Farrar said. “I don’t think it’s the same inflammation of the linings of his chest he had over Christmas.”

Keys pumped in 26 points in last week’s win over Nevada. A Las Cruces reporter overheard him telling A.C. Green of the Los Angeles Lakers, who was sitting courtside watching his nephew, Nevada guard Terrance Green: “I hear the Lakers need a point guard. Tell Phil Jackson that I’m available.”

UI freshman reserve forward Chris Monroe, who has missed the last two games because of illness, won’t make the trip.

East meets West

The East Division has beat up the West, 16-12, in head-to-head matchups, a reflection of top-to-bottom dominance.

Saturday, East bully Utah State visits West kingpin Long Beach State to determine the top dog. Both are 8-0 in conference. USU has an eight-game winning streak; Long Beach State has won 14 straight, third longest in school history.

Asked to pick a winner, UI’s Farrar asked where the game was being played. When told it was Long Beach, Farrar quickly went with the home team.

Short practice

Boise State tried to practice Monday, but at times was limited to five players. Sitting out were Kejuan Woods (flu), Delvin Armstrong (sinus infection), Justin Lyons (knee), Richard Morgan (ankle) and Scott Fraser-Dauphinee (finger). C.J. Williams (knees), Abe Jackson (knees) and Joe Skiffer (hip pointer) were part-timers.

Coach Rod Jensen called off practice 45 minutes early. “We’ll try to go again (Tuesday),” he said.

Notes

Idaho’s victory over Boise State last week left the series tied at 31-31… . Idaho’s Cliff Gray has five double-doubles this season. The only other Big West player with five is Utah State’s Shawn Daniels. Idaho’s Kaniel Dickens has four… . If you think Idaho’s average attendance is low - and it is at 2,450 per game - check out Long Beach State. The 49ers draw 2,095 on average to the Pyramid, which seats roughly 5,000. The team is 16-3 and receiving votes in the top 25. Five Big West teams draw worse than Idaho. Boise State, despite standing last in the East Division, is first at 7,058.

A.C. Green of the Lakes has watched his nephew, Terrance Green, play twice for Nevada. Terrance scored a career-high 32 points against Cal Poly a couple weeks ago and topped that with 33 against New Mexico State… . Pacific’s Clay McKnight leads the NCAA in free-throw percentage (98.2), but he’s not the best foul shooter in conference games. Cal Poly’s Mike Wozniak shoots 95.8 percent; McKnight 95.7… . Boise State will face New Mexico State Sunday at noon PST on ESPN2.