To see the previous teams ranked in the 82 in 72 series, please see below:
61. TCU Horned Frogs
63. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
65. Syracuse Orange
68. Iowa Hawkeyes
70. Butler Bulldogs
71. Princeton Tigers
74. Oklahoma Sooners
75. West Virginia Mountaineers
76. Georgia Bulldogs
77. UAB Blazers
80. Missouri Tigers
Here’s where our college basketball analysts have the Wolfpack ranked:
| Steven | Maxwell | Kam | Cody |
| 77 | 53 | 35 | 90 |
2022-2023: Steve Alford’s fresh start
Since Steve Alford took over the Nevada basketball program in 2019-2020, following his departure from UCLA, he has a combined record of 96-59 with a win rate of 61%. Over the past few years, Nevada has consistently finished at the top of the MWC winning 22+ games over the past couple seasons.
After a somewhat tumultuous 2021-22 season, where they ended with a 13-18 record and a 8th-place finish in the MWC, they aimed to replenish their talent and get back to their winning culture during the 2022-2023 season. They achieved a 22-11 record finishing 4th in the MWC. This time, the Wolf Pack earned an 11th seed in the NCAA Tournament, which would mean they would have to play in order to make the tournament. They were not able to defeat a streak Arizona State ending a season for the Wolfpack. All was not a loss as they were able to break the losing streak and regain their momentum heading into the 2022-2023 season on a high note.
Nevada’s offensive strategy is fully engrained by Steve Alford’s famous 2-out-3-in motion. This allows for isolation and self creation from the ball-handler emphasizing a clear paint for dribble penetration cutting plays. During the 2022-23 season, they averaged 72.3 PS/G points per game (ranking 155th nationally) and shot very well from beyond the arc at a 35.1% conversion rate (ranking 127th nationally). Additionally, they were in the top 10 in Free Throws converted per game and Free Throw Percentage. Defensively, Nevada allowed 67.8 PA/G(110th nationally). Not much of note defensively as they were around middle of the pack in most defensive metrics. Nevada should be noted for having a clear and intentional offense, capitalizing on mistakes from opponents and converting on free points.
The key to Nevada’s success was the dynamic duo of veteran guards Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear, who both made the ALL-MWC 2nd team this season. Lucas, usually classified as an isolation scorer rather undersized at 6’3″, he did not let that stop him from shooting the lights out of the ball averaging 17 PPG and 2.6 RPG, while finding himself at the free throw line more than 5 times per game. Blackshear, the more passive of the duo, should not be understated as he averaged 14.1 PPG and 4.6 APG, while finding his way to the free throw line 5 plus times per game as well. Additionally, the Wolf Pack was anchored in the middle by 6 ’11 transfer from Texas Will Baker, who was named to All-MWC 3rd team averaging 13.6 PPG and 5.2 RPG.
2023-2024 Season: Returning Vets to Nevada
Heading into the 2023-2024 season, Nevada was riding a hot-streak bringing back the dynamic back court duo of Lucas and Blackshear. In total they would be bringing back 68.4% of the minutes played from the previous season along with 67.7% of the scoring. Will Baker would be the sole primary loss from the 2022-2023 roster as he decided to transfer to LSU. This alone would mean that they would start the season as one of the favorites in the MWC. The Wolfpack did not disappoint finishing the season with a 26-8 record and 13-5 in conference, which was 2nd in the MWC. They continued the hot streak under Alford as they scored 75.9 PS/G (102nd Nationally). In addition to this the defensive structure took a major leap as they allowed only 66.9 PA/G which ranked them among the top 50 in the nation. This put the nation on notice as they were not only defending well but they were scoring with efficiency ranking 42nd in Field Goal Percentage at 47.4%. This combination would prove to be tough for opponents to stop.
Nevada would be upset in the first round of the MWC tournament by a very competitive Colorado State team. This would leave some ambiguity as to if they were to get an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament at all. Luckily, they were able to squeak into the tournament as a 10 seed where they would face Dayton. The lockdown Dayton defense was able to hold the Wolfpack at the very end, winning a barn burner 63-60, as the Wolfpack would experience another first round departure.
The end of the 2023-2024 season marked an end to a very fun run for the Wolf Pack as they would lose many of the key veteran contributors. The departure of Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear, who have been the focal point of Nevada’s success for over two plus years. This would mean that there is relative uncertainty as to who would be stepping up in place of the backcourt duo in the coming season.
Looking Ahead: The 2024-2025 Season
As the Wolfpack look for contributions elsewhere in the 2024-2025 season, they will have seven players returning who can potentially take strides forward with the increase of ball share. Nick Davidson, a 6’10” forward who averaged 12.2 PPG and 7.3 RPG will be a name to watch this season in the MWC as he could potentially bid for an All-MWC spot once again. Additionally he will have some help from a veteran presence in Tre Coleman, a 6’7″ wing who has shown the ability to shoot the ball at around 37% from distance. The Wolfpack were not very active recruiting, only signing one player, Caelum Harris, a 6’6″ forward from Phoenix Prep. They were a little more active in the transfer portal adding sophomore guard, Chuck Bailey III from Evansville who averaged 8.4PPG, senior scoring threat Xavier Dusell from Fresno State who averaged 11.5 PPG on shooting splits of 42.3/39.5/82.7 and 6’8″ prolific scoring threat guard, Kobe Sanders from Cal Poly, who averaged 19.6 PPG along with 3.7 RPG.
The Nevada roster has a lot of new faces this season, as well as some older faces that will now be looking to make an impact given their new role. It’s very hard to bet against Steve Alford and the Wolfpack given their recent success, I believe he will have his work cut out for him this season as they have relied heavily on strong veteran guard play these past few seasons. Nonetheless, I am sure there will be wrinkles to the offense that will catch everyone by surprise this season as they are expected to be once again at the top of the MWC. The Wolfpack will bring back 45.9% of their minutes and 47.1% of their scoring returning from last season. While this may seem like a lot of returning players, they will be without their top two players per production last season, leaving an opening for others to now solidify their role on the offensive side of the ball. One of my players to watch this season is Kobe Sanders as he will look to continue his production at a high level, he has great positional size and can be lethal in isolation, ranking in the 91st % last season.
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