26-7; 13-5, second in the Mountain West Conference
Last March, Nevada finished the season strong, earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament…and got absolutely punked in the First Four by an Arizona State team which came out and shot 63.6% from the floor in running away from the Wolf Pack, 98-73.
Don’t be surprised if Nevada turns out to have taken that personally.
The Pack’s star duo came back for another ride in Reno, and it has been a successful one. Elite shooter Jarod Lucas and super-sized playmaker Kenan Blackshear have led the way for an even deeper and, in many ways, more complete team than Nevada had last year.
Lucas is a pure shooter, a legendary trash talker, and the type of guy who can absolutely explode to beat good teams very nearly by himself. The fifth-year shooter has made 333 career triples, and is just as lethal from the in-between spots. Lucas made more mid-range shots than triples this year, and unlike so many deep threats, is highly adept at getting to the free throw line. Not only did the feisty guard get to the charity stripe 179 times, he made 89.9% of those tries to lead the Mountain West and rank 17th nationally. In one of the league’s defining moments this year, Lucas actually missed both free throws attempts which could have put Colorado State away in Fort Collins. With the game tied moments later, Lucas heaved a half-court shot which banked in for the win – and then told the assembled Ramily exactly how he felt about the dub.
As complete a jump shooter as Lucas is, Blackshear does his best work off the bounce and in isolation opportunities around the lane. A big point guard who sees the floor well, passes creatively, and can overwhelm plenty of opponents physically, Blackshear is the true engine of this Wolf Pack. In three seasons with the Pack, he has climbed the ranks of Mountain West players to rank 19th all-time in assists, and Blackshear’s tough interior game makes him a triple-double threat. He’s also a standout defender who allows head coach Steve Alford great defensive versatility in playing matchups, and makes Nevada long at each spot on the floor.
The team’s #3 option is Nick Davidson, who has flourished in his sophomore season. Though a streaky outside shooter – especially the further he drifts from the rim, Davidson is terrific from about 12 feet and in. He has become more assertive as the season has gone on, too. While many of Davidson’s points come because he establishes great position and then decisively scores when fed by Blackshear, he’s developed quality footwork and shown more and more physicality against the MAC’S best bigs. Davidson finished seventh in the league in rebounding average, and has been particularly good since the calendar turned to February. Over the Pack’s final 12 games, Davidson has averaged 15.0 points and 8.4 boards on 66.2% true shooting; including 33.2% from three. When Davidson’s full arsenal is on display, the Pack presents opponents with true pick-your-poison problems.
As befits their name, a tremendous strength of the Pack is their depth of experienced, varied role players. The prince among this cast of gluey guys is Tré Coleman, a long, lean, exceedingly savvy veteran who rarely dominates the ball, but plays one of the more complete games in the MWC. Coleman was again named a member of the league’s All-Defense team and the 109-game starter is one of the premier perimeter irritants in the country. Over the second half of the Pack’s season, Coleman has posted averages of 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and a block per contest. His understanding of what the other team wants to do is an aid to his teammates, as Coleman communicates well and seems able to absorb the other team’s toughest matchup nearly every time out.
There’s plenty more hustle on the wing in the person of Australian veteran Daniel Foster. There’s nothing all that special about him, other than that Foster brings as much effort and energy as anyone on the floor whenever he appears. A smart, poised ballhandler who can take a turn running the offense, Foster also throws himself whole-heartedly into each defensive assignment and chase for a loose ball. He can hit from outside, but does his best work closer to the rim off of putbacks or hard cuts. For a team which plays some of its best ball when featuring a smaller lineup but strength and toughness at each spot, Foster fits. Freshman Tyler Rolison adds even more playmaking, and he hasn’t been intimidated yet despite his inexperience. A solid outside and occasionally explosive scorer, Rolison’s future is bright.
The frontcourt around Davidson has been a bit changeable, with youngsters in and out of the lineup. Fortunately for the Pack, senior KJ Hymes has bucked the back problems and other injuries which have undercut previous campaigns to play all but two games in the middle. The team’s top rim protector, Hymes moves smoothly and can get into great position with his feet as well as sheer strength. Though not a high-impact offensive player, Hymes has finished 16 dunks among his 59 made baskets and is shooting 60.8% from the floor overall. Tylan Pope, a sturdily-built forward from Tulane, and Jazz Gardner, a 4-star, seven-foot freshman, are reserves inside who offer matchup possibilities but haven’t seen a great many minutes.
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