RENO, Nev. – Coming off of a win over UC San Diego last week, the University of Nevada Men’s Basketball team will return to the court Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Pack will take on Norfolk State, seeking to remain unbeaten at home, and eclipse the double-digit win mark in non-conference play.
Wednesday’s game will serve as the City of Carson Day, and the Carson High School Band will be performing throughout the game. Pre-game photos with Santa Claus will be available prior to the start of the contest, and The Rockin’ Holiday Cirque Show from Grand Sierra Resort will provide entertainment during halftime.
Preview
After earning a victory over UC San Diego last Wednesday, Nevada is off to their best start through 12 games under the guidance of Head Coach Steve Alford. A win on Wednesday would also mark the Pack’s highest winning percentage through the non-conference portion of their schedule under Alford, as the Pack would own an impressive winning percentage of 76.9% through 13 games if they are able to secure the victory.
The Pack had a stout defensive performance against UC San Diego, fueling them to an eight-point victory over the Tritons. Nevada held UC San Diego to just 35.6 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from three, including a mark of 16.7 percent from behind the arc in the second half. The Pack dominated the glass in the contest, outrebounding the Tritons, 39-32, throughout the game.
Kenan Blackshear led all scorers in the game, pouring in 19 points on an efficient 7-9 shooting from the field. Blackshear also pulled down five rebounds, dished out four assists, and recorded two steals and two blocks throughout the game.
Over Nevada’s past three games, Blackshear is averaging 20.3 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field, 43 percent from behind the arc, and 87 percent from the free throw line, in addition to pulling down 4.3 rebounds, recording 3.3 assists, and tallying 1.7 steals per game.
Blackshear has scored 61 total points over Nevada’s past three games, marking the most points scored over a three-game stretch throughout his career. Blackshear currently ranks in the top 15 of the Mountain West Conference in points per game (13th), rebounds per game (13th), steals per game (13th), and free throw percentage (10th), while leading the conference in assists per game (5.2).
Will Baker also had a strong outing for the Pack against UC San Diego, scoring 17 points on 6-10 shooting from the field while knocking down all four of his free throw attempts.
Jarod Lucas maintained his 10-game streak of reaching double figures in scoring, putting up 13 points in the second half alone on 4-7 shooting from the field. Lucas has now scored in double figures in 11 of 12 contests this season, and he currently ranks first overall in the
Mountain West in total points this season (202). Lucas also ranks second in the conference in free throw percentage (88.3%), fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (38.8%), and fourth in points per game (16.8).
Junior forward Tre Coleman had an all-around stellar performance against UC San Diego, scoring nine points while pulling down six rebounds and dishing out four assists. Coleman also limited the Tritons’ leading scorer, Bryce Pope, to just 5-13 shooting from the field as the primary defender.
Freshman forward Darrion Williams continues to lead the Pack in rebounding after pulling down a game-high 10 boards in Nevada’s win over UC San Diego. Williams has achieved double-digit rebounds in four games this season and currently ranks sixth in the Mountain West in rebounds per game (7.2).
Following another sensational defensive performance against UC San Diego, the Pack continues to rank in the top five of the Mountain West in a multitude of defensive statistical categories, including opponent points per game (5th), opponent field goal percentage (2nd), opponent 3-point field goal percentage (4th), defensive rebounding (4th), and blocks per game (3rd).
Nevada is limiting opponents to just 37.6 percent shooting from the field, which not only ranks as second-best in the conference but is also the 16th-best mark in the country.
Nevada has maintained an exceptional free throw percentage throughout the season, and they currently lead the Mountain West and rank 11th in the nation in free throw percentage, knocking down 78.2 percent of their attempts at the line this season.
The Pack will need another strong defensive performance against an efficient and high-scoring Norfolk State team if they hope to improve their overall record to 10-3 on Wednesday.
Scouting Norfolk State
Norfolk State has had a solid start to the season, picking up nine wins in their first 13 games, with their only losses coming on the road to Baylor, UCLA, and Houston, in addition to dropping a home game against Old Dominion.
The Spartans have been strong on both sides of the court, as they currently rank fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in points per game (75.1) and third in opponent points per game (69.4).
Norfolk State also ranks second in the MEAC in field goal percentage (46.7%) and first in opponent field goal percentage (41.3%).
Individually, they have been led by Joe Bryant Jr., who is averaging a team-high 15.5 points per game while ranking second on the team in assists at 3.4 per contest.
Forward Kris Bankston has been impressive all season for the Spartans, as the 6-9 graduate student is averaging 13.7 points per game on 70 percent shooting from the field, in addition to pulling down a team-high 7.1 boards per game.
Guards Cahiem Brown and Christian Ings are also averaging double figures in scoring this season. Brown is putting up 12.6 points per game, while Ings is averaging 10.9 points and currently leads the team in assists per game (3.5).
Nevada will look to slow the pace of the game, while limiting the production from Norfolk State’s backcourt and protecting the paint, forcing the Spartans to consistently hit shots from behind the arc.
Series History
Wednesday’s contest will mark the second time throughout history that Nevada has faced Norfolk State on the court, with the Pack claiming a 56-46 victory over the Spartans in 2005.
