Chris Murray

cmurray@rgj.com

LAS VEGAS – A few more days have passed but the Wolf Pack didn’t seem any more confident that Marqueze Coleman will be healthy enough to play in the team’s MW Tournament opener Thursday.

“If we had a game today, I wouldn’t be able to play,” Coleman said before Tuesday’s practice.

Said coach Eric Musselman, reiterating what he said after Saturday’s game: “I have no hope”

Coleman, who has missed the last three games after injuring his ankle, hasn’t been able to practice since suffering the injury Feb. 24 (Coleman landed on the foot of a Utah State defender after hitting a three).

Seven takeaways from Pack's first two games vs. New Mexico

“I know I’m preparing as if he’s not going to play,” said Musselman, adding it wasn’t gamesmanship. “I think the worst thing that can happen is he tries to play and he’s not 100 percent. Then he won’t be able to defend. His game is a game of jumping, a game of athleticism, a game of getting to the basket.”

Coleman has been cleared to play by Wolf Pack trainer Shelly Germann and Musselman said it will be Coleman’s call if the senior point guard plays against New Mexico (tipoff is 2:30 p.m. Thursday).

“It’s nagging and it’s severe,” Coleman said (Nevada is 1-2 without him over the last three games). “You try and try. I’m still out there trying to jog. I’m still pretty far away. I want to go as badly as possible but if I feel like I’ll be a detriment to the team I won’t chance it. If I feel like it will be a detriment to my long-term health, I won’t chance it. We have a few days to go and hopefully it gets better by then.”

Coleman said he thought he broke his ankle on the play. He wasn’t able to walk for a few days and was limited to crutches. An X-ray revealed no breaks but a deep bone bruise, which has lingered. The Wolf Pack has struggled offensively since he’s been out and while fellow senior, Tyron Criswell, has stepped up his game in Coleman’s absence, Coleman said some others need to follow that lead in crunch time.

“I’m looking for that one guy to really step up when we really need a big play,” Coleman said. “In the last two games, guys are a little timid to try to stand out because if you miss the shot you’re going to get yelled at by coach. But you have to have balls. We need somebody to step up and make that play and whether you make it or miss you just have to live with decision like that.”

Freshman Lindsey Drew, a starter all season, has moved into the point guard spot with Coleman out. He played well in the first game without Coleman, nearly posting a triple-double, but has struggled in the last two games and was benched for the first time this year in the final nine minutes of the team’s last game, a loss to New Mexico.

“He’s always been a basketball player who makes the right play, who makes the extra pass and things like that,” Coleman said. “In some situations, it’s tough to do that because the shots aren’t falling. When I talk to him, I tell him, ‘Lindsey, you have to be more assertive and aggressive and make guys guard you because when they guard you that draws multiple defenders and allows kick-outs and things like that.’”

Musselman said Coleman will need to practice at least once before Thursday’s game if he’s going to play. Coleman is hopeful he’ll be able to play this week. If not, he might not wear a Pack uniform again.

“I’d be very disappointed,” said Coleman, who has never won a game at the MW Tournament. “Those are my guys and I love playing with them and this is potentially my last game. I’d be very disappointed.”

COLEMAN, OLIVER HONORED

Coleman was named to the All-MW second team by the conference’s coaches Tuesday, an honor Coleman appreciated even if he thought he should have been placed on the first team.

“It’s a little more motivation and another chip on my shoulder added,” Coleman said.

Freshman Cameron Oliver was named to the All-MW third team and was one of five players on the conference’s all-defensive team. Musselman was pleased with his players’ honors but was “baffled” Drew, the Wolf Pack’s top perimeter player, wasn’t named to the all-defensive team as well.

In the media awards handed out earlier this week, Coleman and Oliver were named second team; Oliver was the MW freshman of the year; and Tyron Criswell was the MW sixth player of the year.

“For the student-athletes, those awards are great,” said Musselman, a candidate for coach of the year. “The guys who received those awards took great pride in it. I know their parents did because we texted and sent some of the clippings to some of the parents. I think all of that stuff is great for the kids.”

The coaches’ top honors went to: Fresno State’s Marvelle Harris (player of the year); SDSU’s Steve Fisher (coach of the year); SDSU’s Skylar Spencer (defensive player of year); SDSU’s Jeremy Hemsley (freshman of year); New Mexico’s Elijah Brown (newcomer of year); and SJSU’s Brandon Clarke (sixth man of year).

WOLF PACK BASKETBALL

Who: No. 4 New Mexico (17-14, 10-8 MW) vs. No. 5 Nevada (18-12, 10-8 MW)

When: Thursday, 2:30 p.m.

Where: Thomas & Mack Center (capacity 19,522)

Radio/TV: 94.5 FM/CBS Sports Network