LAS VEGAS -- The Nevada basketball team, or at least two of its key players, could be hungrier than usual when the Wolf Pack plays the UNLV Runnin' Rebels tonight.
Top scorer Nick Fazekas and starting point guard Ramon Sessions are recovering from food poisoning on the Vermont trip earlier in the week, and by mid-day Friday the recovery was still slow.
"We'll see how healthy they are," said head coach Mark Fox. "They didn't have much of an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner."
A doctor in Vermont diagnosed the food poisoning, and Fox said there is less and less a chance it was the flu because no other players or coaches have gotten sick.
"It was pretty violent food poisoning," Fox said.
Fazekas and Sessions have progressed enough that Fox expects to begin with the same starting five he had in wins over Sacramento State and Vermont.
Fox said 6-foot-5 guard Marcelus Kemp, who had 24 points against Vermont and 15 points against Sacramento State, will continue to come off the bench.
"He's playing well in that situation," Fox said of Kemp, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. "He's still getting comfortable."
The teams will both take 2-0 records in the game. The game is listed as starting at 7:30 p.m., but pre-game ceremonies to honor former coach Jerry Tarkanian will push back the tip-off time.
The Rebels were 17-14 and reached the National Invitation Tournament in Lon Kruger's first season as their coach last season. The Rebels have gotten out of the gate quickly with a 108-73 win over Long Beach State and a 67-61 win over Hawaii.
"They really have a lot of quickness on the perimeter," Fox said. "They're not only quick, but they shoot well. I don't know if we are going to try to stop them. We're going to try to contain them."
The Rebels also will be trying to avenge an 84-78 loss to the Pack at Lawlor Events Center last December.
One of the keys to the game could be rebounding, which has been a significant strength for the Pack in the last three seasons.
Kruger has tried to strengthen the Rebels' ability to rebound. They outrebounded Long Beach State, 46-33, but just eked out a 44-43 edge on the boards against Hawaii.
"Rebounding is a big key for us," Kruger said. "We are not a big group."
Both the Long Beach State and Hawaii games were at Thomas & Mack Center. After tonight's games, the Rebels hit the road for games at Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Hawaii and Minnesota.
Kruger is still learning about his team.
"Obviously, the 2-and-0 part is good," Kruger said. "We have had good stretches of play. We have had some stretches that aren't so good.
"I love the attitude. They've done a great job all summer and fall."
Now, the Rebels test Fazekas and company.
"I think Fazekas is outstanding," Kruger said. "Bell is huge. They have experienced perimeter players.
"I think they not only have to feel good about their team, but their program, too."
Top scorer Nick Fazekas and starting point guard Ramon Sessions are recovering from food poisoning on the Vermont trip earlier in the week, and by mid-day Friday the recovery was still slow.
"We'll see how healthy they are," said head coach Mark Fox. "They didn't have much of an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner."
A doctor in Vermont diagnosed the food poisoning, and Fox said there is less and less a chance it was the flu because no other players or coaches have gotten sick.
"It was pretty violent food poisoning," Fox said.
Fazekas and Sessions have progressed enough that Fox expects to begin with the same starting five he had in wins over Sacramento State and Vermont.
Fox said 6-foot-5 guard Marcelus Kemp, who had 24 points against Vermont and 15 points against Sacramento State, will continue to come off the bench.
"He's playing well in that situation," Fox said of Kemp, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. "He's still getting comfortable."
The teams will both take 2-0 records in the game. The game is listed as starting at 7:30 p.m., but pre-game ceremonies to honor former coach Jerry Tarkanian will push back the tip-off time.
The Rebels were 17-14 and reached the National Invitation Tournament in Lon Kruger's first season as their coach last season. The Rebels have gotten out of the gate quickly with a 108-73 win over Long Beach State and a 67-61 win over Hawaii.
"They really have a lot of quickness on the perimeter," Fox said. "They're not only quick, but they shoot well. I don't know if we are going to try to stop them. We're going to try to contain them."
The Rebels also will be trying to avenge an 84-78 loss to the Pack at Lawlor Events Center last December.
One of the keys to the game could be rebounding, which has been a significant strength for the Pack in the last three seasons.
Kruger has tried to strengthen the Rebels' ability to rebound. They outrebounded Long Beach State, 46-33, but just eked out a 44-43 edge on the boards against Hawaii.
"Rebounding is a big key for us," Kruger said. "We are not a big group."
Both the Long Beach State and Hawaii games were at Thomas & Mack Center. After tonight's games, the Rebels hit the road for games at Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Hawaii and Minnesota.
Kruger is still learning about his team.
"Obviously, the 2-and-0 part is good," Kruger said. "We have had good stretches of play. We have had some stretches that aren't so good.
"I love the attitude. They've done a great job all summer and fall."
Now, the Rebels test Fazekas and company.
"I think Fazekas is outstanding," Kruger said. "Bell is huge. They have experienced perimeter players.
"I think they not only have to feel good about their team, but their program, too."
