Nevada (10-3) vs. Boise State (10-3)
Wednesday, Dec. 28 – 7 PM
Reno, Nev. – Lawlor Events Center
TV: NSN/Mountain West Network
Radio: ESPN 94.5 FM (John Ramey/Len Stevens) // The Varsity Network app
RENO, Nev. – Following the most successful run through nonconference play during Head Coach Steve Alford’s time at the helm of the program, the University of Nevada Men’s Basketball team is set to host reigning Mountain West Champions, Boise State, in their first conference game of the season.
Wednesday’s game will be sponsored by Have a Heart Washoe County and will also serve as the City of Reno Day and the Reynolds College of Journalism Night. The Reno High School band will be performing throughout the game, and halftime will include a performance from the Reno Ballers as well as a high school cheerleading performance. Nevada students can bring guests for just $5.
Game Preview
The Pack had a sensational run through the nonconference portion of their schedule, reaching the double-digit win mark last Wednesday against Norfolk State, and they will enter conference play with an impressive winning percentage of 76.9%, marking the best winning percentage through nonconference play under the leadership of Alford.
Nevada dominated Norfolk State to secure their tenth victory, controlling the game from start to finish and leading by as many as 24 points, as they cruised to a 78-66 victory.
Will Baker scored a season-high 23 points on a perfect 9-9 shooting from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line, in addition to pulling down a season-high eight rebounds. Baker earned Mountain West Player of the Week honors for his outstanding performance. Baker currently ranks third on the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) and rebounding (5.0). He also ranks first in the conference and 44th in the country in free throw percentage (87.8%).
Kenan Blackshear once again had a strong outing for the Pack, scoring 12 points, dishing out four assists, and grabbing three rebounds. Blackshear currently ranks in the top-20 of the Mountain West in a plethora of categories, including total assists (1st), assist rate (1st), assists per game (2nd), free throw percentage (8th), minutes per game (9th), points per game (14th), steals per game (14th), and rebounds per game (17th).
Blackshear’s 66 assists this season not only lead the Mountain West, but also rank 30th in the country. Blackshear has been particularly stellar over the Pack’s past four games, as the senior guard is averaging 18.3 points per game on 51.1 percent shooting from the field, 88 percent from the free throw line, and 33.3 percent from three, while also grabbing 4.0 rebounds, tallying 3.5 assists, and recording 1.3 steals over the four-game stretch.
Jarod Lucas had a solid performance against Norfolk State, scoring 17 points while hitting four 3-pointers. Lucas has now scored in double figures in 12 out of 13 games this season, and he has hit multiple 3-pointers in 11 contests for the Pack. Lucas currently ranks second in the Mountain West in total scoring (219 points), third in points per game (16.8), third in free throw percentage (87.5%), fourth in 3-point field goal percentage 37.8%), and first in both minutes per game (35.2) and turnover rate.
Darrion Williams continues to lead the Pack in rebounding this season after matching a career-high by grabbing 11 boards against Norfolk State. Williams currently ranks fourth overall in the conference in rebounding, as the freshman forward is averaging an impressive 7.5 boards per game. Williams also leads Nevada with 20 steals this season, and he ranks eighth in the conference at 1.5 steals per game.
Tre Coleman dished out a career-high eight assists in Nevada’s win over Norfolk State, while also tallying a game-high three steals, as the junior forward continues to maintain his exceptional defensive prowess.
As a team, Nevada enters conference play ranked in the top-five of the Mountain West in an abundance of defensive categories, as they have been immaculate on that end of the court throughout the season. The Pack ranks second in opponent field goal percentage (38.5%), fourth in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (31.2%), fourth in defensive rebounding (27.9), fifth in opponent points per game (64.2), fifth in blocks per game (3.9), and fifth in turnover margin (+2.1). Nevada’s opponent field goal percentage of 38.5% also ranks as 27th best in the nation.
Offensively, Nevada continues to lead the conference and rank at the top of the country in free throw percentage, as they are knocking down 78.5 percent of their free throw attempts, which ranks as the tenth best clip in the country. The Pack also ranks sixth in scoring offense (73.0 ppg) and seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (34.0%).
Nevada will face a talented Boise State team that holds an even record of 10-3, as the Pack looks to begin conference play with a victory against the reigning champions and remain unbeaten at home this year.
Scouting Boise State
Boise State concluded nonconference play with a record of 10-3, picking up marquee wins over Washington State, Colorado, Texas A&M, and Saint Louis.
The Broncos have been stout on defense this season, holding their opponents to just 58.3 points per game, which ranks as first best in the conference.
They have also been solid on the glass, as they rank third in the Mountain West in rebounding at 38.3 boards per game.
Boise State has struggled offensively at times, as they rank eighth in the conference in points per game at 70.6.
Individually, 2022 All-Mountain West Second Team honoree Marcus Shaver Jr. has led the way for the Broncos. The fifth-year senior is averaging a team-high 14.8 points per game this season; but, he has not played since December 10, and his status for Wednesday’s game is unknown.
2022 Mountain West Freshman of the Year Tyler Degenhart is having another strong season for Boise State, as the sophomore is averaging 13.2 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
Max Rice and Chibuzo Agbo are also averaging double figures in scoring for the Broncos, as Rice is putting up 12.3 points per game on 36.1 percent shooting from behind the arc, while Agbo is scoring 11.0 points per game and knocking down a team-high 41.5 percent of his 3-point attempts.
The Pack will need to protect the 3-point line and have one of their best offensive performances of the season against a stingy Boise State team if they hope to begin conference play 1-0.
Series History
Nevada and Boise State have met on the court 40 times throughout history, with the Pack owning a 26-14 advantage over the Broncos in the series. Boise State has won the past three contests, most recently beating Nevada 71-69 in the 2022 Mountain West Tournament.
