Nevada (5-1) vs. Akron (3-2)
Wednesday, Nov. 22 - 2 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 - After dropping a heartbreaking game in overtime to Kansas State Tuesday night, marking their first loss of the season, the University of Nevada Men's Basketball team will face Akron in the third-place game on the final day of tournament play at the 2022 Cayman Islands Classic.
Nevada had an exceptional outing on the offensive end of the court against Kansas State last night, shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three for the game. The shorthanded Pack battled their way back from a nine-point deficit with under four minutes to go in regulation to take the lead with 46 seconds to go; but, Kansas State managed to tie the contest and send the game into overtime.
The Pack went on to fall in the overtime period, as they lost their first game of the season after reeling off five straight victories prior to the matchup with the Wildcats.
Nevada will now turn their attention to Akron, as they have the opportunity to claim a third-place finish in the loaded field at the Cayman Islands Classic and return to Reno with a record of 6-1.
After allowing the most points to an opponent in a single game this season, Nevada will look to bounce back and return to their exceptional defensive ways, with hopes of shutting down Akron on Wednesday.
After recording his second consecutive double-double and the fourth of his career by scoring 17 points and dishing out 10 assists, Kenan Blackshear now ranks 12th in the nation in assists per game (6.8), in addition to ranking first overall in the Mountain West Conference. Blackshear is also tied for first on the team in rebounds with Darrion Williams, as they are each averaging 6.8 boards per game which ranks as sixth-best in the conference.
Blackshear has played 79 out of a possible 85 minutes throughout the Cayman Islands Classic thus far, and the Pack will need another strong performance from him on both ends of the court in order to earn a victory over the Zips.
Jarod Lucas had his most efficient game from three this season against the Wildcats, pouting in a team-high 20 points on 6-12 shooting from the field and a stellar 4-9 from three. Lucas is now averaging 21 points per game on a sensational 43.8 percent shooting from behind the arc throughout the Cayman Islands Classic. On the season, Lucas is averaging a team-high 17.5 points per game, which is also good for fifth-best in the Mountain West.
After scoring 13 points on four made 3-pointers against Tulane, followed by a 10-point outing against Kansas State, Tre Coleman has posted double figures in scoring in consecutive games for the third time in his career.
Coleman has been a defensive force for the Pack, and he will need a strong outing on that end of the court as he will likely be matched up against Akron's leading scorer, Xavier Castaneda, throughout the contest.
Following his best offensive performance of the season in which he scored 19 points on 8-13 shooting from the field, Will Baker ranks third on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game, and he will have a difficult matchup today, facing off against Akron center Enrique Freeman who is averaging 14.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Baker will need to slow down Freeman on the defensive end of the court and maintain his offensive play from Tuesday and be aggressive in attacking Freeman on the other end of the floor.
Scouting Akron
The 2021-22 Mid-American Conference Tournament Champions returned nine players from last year's team, including 2022 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Enrique Freeman and All-Conference Honorable Mention honoree Xavier Castaneda.
Akron enters Wednesday's contest with a record of 3-2, with their losses coming against SEC opponents Mississippi State and LSU.
Castaneda has led the way for the Zips offensively, as he ranks first on the team and second in the MAC in scoring at 22.2 points per game on 42.4 percent shooting from the field and 41.9 percent from three. Castaneda also averages a team-high 4.4 assists per contest.
Freeman has been a force in the paint for Akron, as he is averaging an impressive 14.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
The Zips have four other players averaging at least 5.4 points per game, as they have a multitude of players who are threats on the offensive end of the court.
Series History
Nevada is 3-0 all-time against Akron. The two teams most recently met in Reno in 2018, with the Pack earning a 68-62 victory over the Zips.
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.
