After earning a massive 85-70 comeback victory over Utah State this past Friday to move to 15-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play, the University of Nevada Men’s Basketball will travel to Boise, Idaho to take on Boise State Tuesday evening at 6pm (PST).
Tuesday night’s contest will be the second tilt between the two programs, with the Pack earning a thrilling 74-72 victory over the Broncos previously, courtesy of a Kenan Blackshear layup with just over three seconds left in the game.
The Pack had a stellar offensive performance in the first matchup against Boise State, shooting 46.0 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from behind the arc, and 78.3 percent from the free throw line.
Nevada also had six different players score at least seven points in the game, led by a 20-point outing from Blackshear.
Defensively, the Pack did an excellent job of defending the 3-point line, as they held the Broncos to an abysmal 5-16 shooting mark from behind the arc.
Nevada is coming off of another comeback victory over Utah State, in which the Pack outscored the Aggies 48-28 in the second half and ended the game on a 23-6 run over the final eight minutes and six seconds of game time, as they went on to earn the 15-point victory.
The Pack’s offense was immaculate during the game, particularly in the second half, where they shot 62.1 percent from the field (18-29) and 60 percent from behind the arc (3-5).
Nevada also had a stout defensive performance, limiting Utah State to 38.6 percent shooting from the field throughout the game. Nevada was brilliant on that end of the floor over the final 20 minutes, holding the Aggies to 28.6 percent shooting from the field (8-28) and 18.2 percent from behind the arc (2-11).
Kenan Blackshear was phenomenal against Utah State, turning in one of the best performances of his career. The senior scored a career-high 28 points on 9-15 shooting from the field, in addition to tallying five assists and recording a career-high five steals. Blackshear was particularly impressive down the stretch, as 19 of his 28 points came in the second half, including scoring 10 in the final 8:06, fueling Nevada’s 23-6 run over that stretch.
Blackshear has reached double figures in scoring in ten straight games, and in 16 of 19 games overall this season. He has also recorded at least three assists in 18 of 19 games for the Pack.
Blackshear continues to rank in the top 10 of the Mountain West in a multitude of individual statistical categories. He currently ranks first in both total assists (91) and assists per game (4.8), seventh in free throw percentage (81.5%), and ninth in both points per game (14.7) and steals per game (1.6).
Will Baker also had one of the best performances of his career against Utah State, pouring in a career-high 24 points on 10-14 shooting from the field and 3-6 from behind the arc while pulling down a team-high six rebounds in the game.
Baker is now third on the team and 18th in the conference in points per game (12.9), and he ranks second overall in the Mountain West in free throw percentage, knocking down 86.2 percent of his attempts at the line.
Jarod Lucas eclipsed the 20-point scoring mark in Nevada’s win over Utah State, dropping 21 points on 7-14 shooting from the field and 3-6 from behind the arc. Lucas also matched a career-high by dishing out four assists, and he recorded a game-high plus/minus of +16 in 39 minutes of action.
Lucas has now scored in double figures in 17 consecutive games, and he has accomplished the mark in 18 of 19 games this season. Lucas has also hit three or more 3-pointers in 10 contests and two or more 3-pointers on 17 games.
Lucas continues to rank at the top of the conference in numerous offensive statistical categories. He currently ranks second in the Mountain West in both total points (321) and made 3-pointers (51), third in free throw percentage (85.1%), third in 3-point field goal percentage (38.3%), and fourth in points per game (16.9).
Freshman forward Darrion Williams had another solid all-around outing for the Pack against Utah State, scoring four points, dishing out four assists, pulling down five rebounds, and recording two blocks. Williams continues to lead Nevada in rebounding this season, as the freshman is pulling down an impressive 7.1 boards per contest, good for sixth best in the Mountain West. Williams also ranks eighth in the conference in steals per game (1.6).
Redshirt freshman Nick Davidson maintained his recent exceptional play against Utah State, scoring eight points on 3-5 shooting from the field and 2-2 from behind the arc off the bench for the Pack. Davidson also pulled down four rebounds in the game, two of which came on the offensive glass.
As a team, Nevada shot a sensational 55.4 percent from the field, 47.1 percent from three, and 83.3 percent at the free throw line in against the Aggies. The 55.4 percent from the field marked the Pack’s best shooting percentage in a game this season, and Nevada’s mark of 47.1 percent from three was their second-best clip from behind the arc this year.
The Pack also had an outstanding effort on the defensive end of the court, holding the Aggies to 70 points on just 38.6 percent shooting from the field. Utah State entered the contest averaging 81.9 points per game on 49.0 percent shooting.
After their strong defensive outing, Nevada continues to rank in the top-five of the Mountain West in almost every defensive statistical category. Nevada is currently second in the league in opponent field goal percentage (40.2%), fourth in opponent points per game (64.7 PPG), fifth in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (32.3%), fifth in defensive rebounding (26.7 per game), and fifth in turnovers forced (245).
Nevada will face another difficult test, as they will take on a Boise State team that is on a four-game winning streak since losing to the Pack in late December as Nevada looks to earn their 16th victory of the season.
Scouting Boise State
Boise State enters Tuesday’s contest with an overall record of 14-4, including a mark of 4-1, with their lone loss coming to Nevada.
The Broncos have claimed four straight victories, taking down San Jose State, Utah State, UNLV, and most recently Wyoming.
Boise State has been one of the best defensive teams in the Mountain West throughout the entire season, as they enter Tuesday’s game ranked first in the Mountain West in both opponent points per game (60.5 PPG) and opponent field goal percentage (39.0 %), as well as second in opponent 3-point field goal percentage.
Boise State’s scoring defense not only ranks first in the conference, but also 18th in the nation, and their opponent field goal percentage of 39.0 percent is good for 20th in the country.
Offensively, the Broncos have been stellar from behind the arc, entering Tuesday’s game shooting 37.1 percent from three this season which ranks as third best in the conference.
Individually, Marcus Shaver Jr. has led the way for the Broncos, currently ranking first on the team in points (14.2 PPG), rebounds (6.6 RPG), assists (4.7 APG), and steals (1.9 SPG).
2021-22 Mountain West Freshman of the Year honoree, Tyson Degenhart, has also had a strong season for Boise State, as he currently ranks second on the team in scoring (13.6 PPG), rebounding (5.8 RPG), and assists (2.2 APG).
Chibuzoa Agbo and Max Rice are also averaging double figures in scoring for Boise State, as they each average 12.2 points per game. Agbo is shooting an incredible 46.1 percent from behind the arc while Rice is knocking down 39.5 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Nevada will need to have another strong offensive performance and do an exceptional job of defending the 3-point line on Tuesday if they hope to improve to 16-4 overall and 6-1 in Mountain West play.
Series History
Nevada and Boise State have faced off 83 times throughout history, with the Pack holding a 52-31 advantage in the series. Nevada won the most recent contest between the two squads, earning a 74-72 victory on December 28, 2022.
