The WAC might have to rename its player of the week award after Wolf Pack point guard Deonte Burton.
The sophomore was honored Monday as the conference's player of the week for the third time in the season's nine weeks after back-to-back strong outings in road wins over Idaho and Utah State.
Burton tallied a game-high 26 points against Idaho in the 73-55 win before scoring a game-high 25 against Utah State. He averaged 25.5 points, 5.5 assists, three rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in the wins and shot 59.4 percent from the field, including 46.7 percent from the 3-point line.
Burton had a key four-point play late in the wire-to-wire, 78-71 win over Utah State, which snapped the Wolf Pack's five-game skid to the Aggies. The win also ended Utah State's 33-game home winning streak in WAC play.
Burton drew a rave review from Utah State coach Stew Morrill after the win. Morrill said he thinks Burton is better than his Pack predecessors Armon Johnson and Ramon Sessions, who are with NBA teams.
"Nevada's had two NBA guards before Burton, and I think he's better than both of them," Morrill said. "Burton's a pro, and Nevada is really good. Their athleticism really bothered us."
Burton has won four WAC player of the week awards in his career, though he might not have noticed.
"I don't even play attention to that," Burton said. "I just pay attention to the wins and just getting better in practice and getting my teammates better."
INJURED HUNT MISSES PRACTICE
Wolf Pack forward Dario Hunt, who suffered a shoulder injury in the final minute of Nevada's win over Utah State on Saturday, missed practice Monday but is expected to play Thursday against San Jose State.
Hunt collided with a Utah State player while jostling for a rebound. He clutched his shoulder as he walked off the court after the injury.
"The guy just kind of ran through it," Hunt said. "It was just a freak accident. It kind of hurt a little bit, but I'll be fine. I just have to ice it."
Wolf Pack coach David Carter said he was initially concerned Hunt dislocated the shoulder, but it is simply a bruise.
"He's been icing it for the last 36 hours now," Carter said. "I think he'll be ready on Thursday."
Guard Malik Story, who banged knees with a Utah State player and missed about 10 minutes of the game, practiced Monday and should be fine against SJSU.
TEAMS GET INTO LAWLOR FOR FREE
The Wolf Pack announced Monday that youth basketball, cheer and dance teams will be given free entry to a pair of home games later this season in a promotion called "High School Team Nights."
To be a part of the event, email your team's roster to Meredith Montoya at mmontoya@unr.edu or fax it to 775-784-4386. Once the roster is received, an email confirmation will be sent with more information on where to enter the arena. NCAA rules require team members and coaches to present a photo ID and sign the pass list provided at the game.
The games that teams will be given free admittance to include Saturday's 7 p.m. game against Hawaii and the Feb. 2 game versus Utah State.
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