Nevada (5-0) vs. Kansas State (4-0)

Tuesday, Nov. 22 - 4:30 p.m. PT

George Town, Grand Cayman - John Gray Gymnasium

TV: FloSports // (Scott Warmann & Jess Settles)

Radio: ESPN 94.5 FM ( John Ramey) // The Varsity Network app

Live Stream: https://bit.ly/3URlG1G

Live Stats: https://bit.ly/2PDBhEw

GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman - Following a thrilling victory over Tulane in the first round of the 2022 Cayman Islands Classic, the University of Nevada Men's Basketball team will now face Kansas State in what will be another matchup of unbeaten teams, with the opportunity to advance to the Championship game on the line.

Preview

Nevada won their first game of the tournament in compelling fashion, using a 20-6 run win in which they knocked down 7-12 shots, including 5-9 shots from behind the arc over a seven-minute period late in the second half to turn a five-point deficit into a nine-point advantage and pull away from Tulane to earn a 75-66 victory over the Green Wave.

Just as they have done all year long, the Pack locked down on defense, forcing Tulane into their worst shooting percentages from the field and from three this season, while also limiting the Green Wave to the least amount of points scored in a single game this year. 

Nevada held Tulane to just 24 made field goals on 64 total shots, including an abysmal seven 3-pointers made on 25 attempts. 

Nevada's defense continues to rank at the top of the Mountain West in a plethora of categories, in addition to being ranked in the top 30 in the entire country in multiple statistical classifications.

The Pack leads the Mountain West in scoring defense (56.0 ppg), scoring margin (+19.60), opponent field goal percentage (31.4%), opponent 3-point field goal percentage (24.0%), and blocked shots (5.8 bpg), while ranking second in defensive rebounding (32.4). 

Nevada also ranks first in the Mountain West in free-throw percentage (75.6%) and third in total rebounds (40.4). 

Nationally, Nevada owns the country's fourth-best opponent field goal percentage, and they are tied for 15th best in opponent 3-point field goal percentage. 

The Pack has two players in the top seven of the conference in blocks per game, as K.J. Hymes leads the entire league, averaging 3.0 per contest, while Tre Coleman ranks seventh, rejecting 1.2 shots per game.

After a 22-point outing in which he set career highs in free throws made (11) and attempted (12) against Tulane, Jarod Lucas now sits at fourth overall in the Mountain West in scoring, as the senior guard is averaging an impressive 17.0 points per game. 

Back-to-back Mountain West Freshman of the Week, Darrion Williams, currently ranks sixth overall in the conference in rebounding, as the freshman is pulling down a stellar 7.8 rebounds per game. Williams became the first player in program history to garner conference Freshman of the Week honors in each of the first two weeks of the season.

Senior point guard Kenan Blackshear recorded the third double-double of his career in the Pack's win over Tulane, and he now ranks second in the Mountain West in assists (6.2), seventh in rebounds (7.4), 12th in steals (1.6), and 22nd in points per game (11.8). 

The 5-0 start by Nevada marks the best start to a single season for the Pack since the 2018-19 season. 

Nevada's win over Tulane also improved the Pack to an exceptional 9-0 record in MTEs under the guidance of Head Coach Steve Alford.

Nevada will now face their toughest challenge yet, as they will take on an undefeated and experienced Kansas State team, seeking to move on to the Championship game on Wednesday. 

Scouting Kansas State

The Wildcats have begun the season with four consecutive victories, including a 77-57 victory over Rhode Island yesterday on Day One of the Cayman Islands Classic. 

Similar to the Pack, Kansas State has been strong on the defensive end of the floor this season. They are currently holding their opponents to 55.3 points per game.

The Wildcats are averaging 75.5 points per game on the offensive end of the court this year.

Individually, KSU has been led by former First Team All-SEC honoree, Keyontae Johnson. Johnson is averaging a team-high 15.5 points per game this season on 51.2 percent shooting from the field and 43.8 percent from three. He is also tied for first on the team in rebounds per game, pulling down 5.8 boards per contest.

Point guard Markquis Nowell runs the show on offense for the Wildcats, as he ranks first on the team and first in the Big-12 Conference in assists per game, dishing out 8.0 per contest. Nowell also ranks third on the team in scoring at 11.2 points per game, and he is knocking down 40 percent of his 3-point attempts. 

Nevada will need to maintain their sensational defensive play and have one of their best offensive outings of the season to defeat Kansas State and make it to the Championship game on Wednesday.

Series History

Tuesday evening's game will mark the first time throughout history that Nevada will face Kansas State on the court.

Single-Game Tickets On Sale Now  

Single-game tickets for Nevada men's basketball home contests are available at www.mynevadatickets.com. Fans may also purchase single-game tickets for the season by phone at 775-348-PACK (7225). Those who have questions or need assistance may also contact the ticket office by phone or by emailing wolfpackticketinfo@unr.edu.  

Follow The Pack  

Follow Nevada Men's Basketball on social media at @NevadaHoops (Twitter), @nevadahoops (Instagram), and on Facebook at @NevadaMBB.