New Zealand opener Tom Latham stressed on patience several times two days before the start of their two-Test series against Zimbabwe, in Bulawayo. Latham identified that adjusting to the sluggish surfaces in Zimbabwe and grinding the attack would be crucial to New Zealands success in the series.The conditions are low and slow compared to what we have back home and we need to adjust to it...It is about [being] patient and playing the long game, Latham said. It is more about the patience side of things, you are not going to go and blast quick runs over here. So, its about the patience game, and wear the bowlers down, and bat for a day or four sessions, and that is probably the biggest thing for the whole batting group.The first Test will be New Zealands first since February 2016, but Latham said that the side drew confidence from the warm-up match against Zimbabwe A in Harare, where the visitors surged to a 259-run victory.Prior to that, the team spent time at a training camp organised by former New Zealand player Kruger van Wyk at the University of Pretorias High Performance Centre, the home to CSAs National Academy.It was a good three days for the whole group, Latham said. Everyone spent a little bit time at the crease and got enough overs under their belt to put them in good stead for the Test match coming up.Thats the beauty of coming over nice and early. We have not played a Test for a while and it is about getting used to the long form and being patient with all facets of the game. Certainly a beneficial couple of weeks for us, and I know the boys are looking forward to the first Test.Latham was wary of Zimbabwes ability to perform better in home conditions, which New Zealand encountered when Zimbabwe ran down 304 in the first ODI in Harare last year.Zimbabwe are certainly very good in their home conditions and they showed it last year in the one-day series we had over here last year, he said.Latham also said he was looking forward to Kane Williamsons first Test series as full-fledged captain.He [Kane Williamson] is a very switched-on guy and certainly leads from the front with his batting. He has had enough experience throughout his career and Im sure he is going to do a fantastic job. Air Max 97 Plus Cheap Wholesale . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Air Max 270 Black Wholesale . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.com/ . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. Kobe Bryant Shoes Clearance . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Wholesale Nike Shoes China . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Quinndary Weatherspoon had a career-high 25 points to lead Mississippi State past Boise State 80-68 at the Charleston Classic on Friday night.Weatherspoon had 19 points in the first half as the Bulldogs (2-1) opened up a double-digit lead and kept control of things against the Broncos (1-2).Weatherspoon scored 19 points on Thursday, but it didnt help as the Bulldogs trailed UCF 47-19 in the first half on the way to a big loss. This time, Weatherspoon made sure his cold-shooting team did not fall behind.Tied at 18-all, Weatherspoon scored 11 straight points to move in front 29-25. His teammates joined in, going on a 26-11 run encompassing the halves to lead 55-36 on Weatherspoons basket with 14:13 left.Weatherspoon, a quick, 6-foot-4 sophomore, made nine of 12 shots and topped his previous high of 24 points set against Vanderbilt last February.Chandler Hutchison and Paris Austin had 13 points each to top Boise State.Tyson Carter added 15 points for the Bulldogs.BIG PICTUREMississippi State recovered frrom an awful effort against UCF -- the Bulldogs trailed by 28 points in the first half -- to defeat Boise State.dddddddddddd There are still plenty of issues that need attention, however. The Bulldogs settled for way too many outside shots (they were just 2 of 15 from behind the arc the first 20 minutes) and post players Schneider Herard, Aric Holman and E.J. Datcher all struggled with their touch around the basket, combining to go 6 of 15 from the field against the Broncos.Boise State needs to find a second option when prime scorer Hutchison is off target, out of synch or on the bench with foul trouble as he was against Mississippi State. No one rose to the occasion for Boise State.UP NEXTMississippi State will play UTEP for fifth place at the Charleston Classic on Sunday.Boise State will play Western Michigan -- an all-Broncos matchup -- for seventh place at the Charleston Classic on Sunday. ' ' '