Long Range, Scott Looks Like 3-Point Favorite

Idaho’s Gordon Scott entered last week sick in bed and finished it breaking records.

Scott’s eight 3-pointers against North Texas equaled Orlando Lightfoot’s single-game school record set in 1993. The performance sent Scott past Marvin Ricks and Lightfoot on UI’s single-season list. With six regular-season games remaining, Scott has made 77 3s. Ricks made 73 in 1993 and Lightfoot 71 in 1994.

Not bad for a guy who was questionable to make the road trip with “bronchitis and the crud,” according to coach Dave Farrar.

At Scott’s current rate of 3.67 3-pointers per game, he will overtake Lightfoot as Idaho’s career leader.

Lightfoot, who played three seasons, nailed 168 3s. Scott is at 147. Scott’s current pace would net him 22 more for a career mark of 169.

“You couldn’t have a much better game offensively then he had,” Farrar said.

Aggies, Mean Green visit

Farrar’s focus is on defense as two of the Big West’s better offensive clubs visit this week. New Mexico State, Thursday’s foe, has several perimeter threats who shot down UI last week in Las Cruces. North Texas, which visits Saturday at 2:30, averages 76 points per game.

“If we can’t improve on (defense), we not only won’t go to Reno (for the Big West Tournament), but we won’t deserve to go,” Farrar said.

Bronco revival

Boise State has gone from last place in the East Division a couple of weeks ago to being a contender for second place. That’s four rungs up the ladder.

For that to happen, BSU (4-6 Big West) needs to sweep North Texas and New Mexico State this week. If Idaho sweeps the same two schools, the Vandals, Broncos and Aggies would be 6-6 with four games remaining.

BSU has won three straight road games after opening the Big West 1-6. The Broncos have lost four straight at home.

“We helped ourselves tremendously by playing well on the road,” coach Rod Jensen said. “But the (BSU) Pavilion is where we want to be.”

Quiet, please

After his Wolf Pack absorbed their sixth loss in seven games, Nevada’s first-year coach Trent Johnson wouldn’t allow his players to be interviewed.

“It’s hard on them, they’re pretty emotional,” said Johnson, following Saturday’s setback to Pacific. “I would hope you understand, I have a pretty young group. I don’t want them to spill their emotions in the paper… I wouldn’t make it a habit. It’s just one time.”

Except it isn’t. Johnson closed practice to media this week and players remain off limits.

No quiet, please

Idaho coach Dave Farrar was criticized by a New Mexico newspaper for not speaking to reporters after Thursday’s game against New Mexico State. The paper reported Farrar had done the same thing two years in a row.

Farrar’s take was considerably different. “We’ve been there three years in a row and not one time has an SID (sports information director) asked me to come to a media room. I’ve never turned down an opportunity to visit with the media. I waited outside our locker room and I was accessible.”

His conclusion? “Cheap shot.”

Notes

With 16 losses and six games remaining, Nevada is in danger of a 20-loss season for the first time since 1971-72… . Before losing to Utah State, Long Beach State had a 15-game winning streak, tied for the longest in the nation. Now, Utah State has won 10 straight, second only to Cincinnati’s 15. The Aggies received six votes in the ESPN/USA Today poll… . UI reserve center Chris Monroe, out for roughly two weeks due to illness, has practiced the last two days and should play this week.