Point guard Curtis Eatmon isn't a big fan of the clear plastic mask he must wear the rest of the season, on account of the broken nose he suffered nine days ago against UNLV.

Didn't care much for the surgery he needed to repair the injury, either - though the result was satisfactory.

"It hurts," Eatmon said, "but it's straight."

Coach Ray Giacoletti concurred, on his way down the hallway before practice Monday. But how much Eatmon plays in the last few games will depend a lot on how well he can tolerate the pain, as well as the uncomfortable mask.

The freshman missed the trip to Wyoming last week because of the injury, and played just six minutes against New Mexico the other night as he tried to get accustomed to the mask and a tiny splint that was inserted inside his nose to help the healing.

Before the injury, Eatmon had not played so sparingly since the first two games of the league season - and only five times in the preseason before that. He has not made a basket in the last five games in which he has played, though, and has committed seven turnovers against just two assists in that span. Not exactly the best way to earn playing time.