Nevada (7-1) vs. Weber State (5-3)
Wednesday, Dec. 13 - 7 p.m.
Reno, Nev. - Lawlor Events Center
TV: NSN // Mountain West Network (Alex Margulies // Keith Fuetsch)
Radio: KNEV 95.5 FM // The Varsity Network App (John Ramey // Len Stevens)
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/mNTX4
Live Stats: https://shorturl.at/izCY3
RENO, Nev. - Coming off their first loss of the 2023-24 season at the hands of Drake this past Saturday in Las Vegas, the Nevada Men's Basketball team will return to Lawlor Events Center to host Weber State Wednesday night, aiming to bounce back and earn their eighth victory of the season.
Wednesday's contest will serve as the Pack's Holiday Game, and Nevada Basketball's annual teddy bear toss will take place at halftime, with all teddy bears being donated to the Renown Children's Hospital. Photo opportunities with the Grinch and Olaf will be available in the concourse prior to the game.
Nevada was exceptional in contests following a loss last season, as they did not sustain back-to-back losses until the final two games of the regular season. Throughout the 2022-23 regular season, the Pack owned a record of 7-1 in games following a loss, outscoring their opponents by an average of 7.5 points per game.
The Pack sustained their first loss of the season this past Saturday, a 72-53 defeat against Drake at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada.
Jarod Lucas and Tyler Rolison led the way offensively for the Pack, scoring 10 points apiece. Rolison was impressive throughout the contest, splashing a career-high three 3-pointers on just four attempts. The freshman also pulled down a career-high six rebounds in the game.
Lucas reached double figures in scoring for the eighth time in eight games for the Pack this season. The fifth-year senior has now reached double figures in scoring in 36 of 41 contests with Nevada, dating back to the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
Lucas, an elite scorer, ranks first on the team and eighth in the Mountain West in scoring, averaging 16.5 points per game, while also ranking fourth in the conference in free throw percentage (92.9%).
Despite not scoring in the first half against Drake, Kenan Blackshear finished the contest with eight points on 4-5 shooting from the field, in addition to pulling down seven rebounds and dishing out three assists.
Blackshear continues to rank within the top-20 of the Mountain West in a plethora of different individual statistical categories. He is currently seventh in the league in assists per game (4.5 APG), ninth in scoring (16.4 PPG), 13th in field goal percentage (56.0%), and 15th in rebounds per game (5.9 RPG). The do-it-all point guard has scored 12 or more points in six of eight games this season, dished out five or more assists in four games, and pulled down four or more rebounds in six games this year for the Pack.
K.J Hymes had another solid performance against Drake, scoring nine points and pulling down three rebounds, as the graduate student has continued to elevate his play as the season has progressed. Over Nevada's past four games, Hymes is averaging 9.5 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, in addition to pulling down 3.8 boards per contest.
Nick Davidson scored eight points, grabbed seven rebounds, and tallied one block against Drake. Davidson is currently third on the team in scoring, as the redshirt-sophomore is putting up 10.1 points per game this season. Davidson also ranks second in the Mountain West in free throw percentage (95.8%), ninth in rebounds per game (6.6 RPG), and tenth in the league in blocks per game (1.0 BPG).
Senior guard Daniel Foster did not have his best shooting night; however, Foster once again made a significant impact off the bench for the Pack, pulling down six rebounds, dishing out three assists, and tallying one steal and one block.
Despite having a season-high 19 turnovers against Drake, Nevada still ranks as one of the premier teams in the nation in taking care of the ball, as the Pack is 22nd in the country in fewest turnovers per game (9.6), 26th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.55), and 66th in turnover margin (+2.9).
This season, Nevada's defense has been one of the best in the conference, as well as the entire country. The Pack ranks first in the conference and 35th in the nation in opponent field goal percentage, limiting their opposition to just 30.9 percent shooting from the field. Nevada also ranks third in the Mountain West in opponent points per game (65.8 ppg) and fifth in the league in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (30.9%).
Nevada's offense was outscored in the paint for the first time this season against Drake; however, the Pack is still dominating its opposition in the paint this season. Nevada is outscoring its opponents in the paint by an average of 8.5 points per game, as the team is putting up 33.3 points in the paint per game, while limiting opposing teams to just 24.8 points in the paint per game. Nevada has held four different teams to 20 points or less in the paint this season.
The Pack has also continued getting to the free throw line at an elite rate, and Nevada has made an incredible 43 more free throws than their opponents have attempted this season. Nevada currently ranks third in the country in free throw attempts per game (28.9) and 68th in the nation in free throw percentage (74.0%).
Nevada will aim to return to their early-season form and bounce back in a massive way on Wednesday night; however, an experienced Weber State team, led by one of the premier players in the country, will stand in the Pack's way.
Scouting Weber State
Weber State enters Wednesday night's contest with an overall record of 5-3, with marquee victories at St. Mary's and over Yale on a neutral court.
The Wildcats have been exceptional on the defensive end of the court this season, ranking first in the Big Sky Conference and fifth in the country in opponent points per game, limiting their opposition to just 58.5 points per contest.
Weber State also ranks third in the Big Sky in opponent field goal percentage (41.8%), and fourth in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (31.4%). The Wildcats are 13th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (9.6), and they boast an outstanding turnover margin of +4.75, good for 19th best in the country.
Individually, the Wildcats are led by 2022-23 First Team All-Big Sky honoree, and the 2023-24 unanimous preseason Big Sky Player of the Year, Dillon Jones. Jones has been sensational for Weber State this season, as he ranks first in the Big Sky in points per game (19.7 PPG), and first in the conference in rebounds per game (10.7 RPG). Jones also ranks first on the team and fifth in the Big Sky in assists per game (3.6 APG).
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound junior is coming off a near triple-double against Cal Poly, posting a stat line of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Jones has already accumulated four double-doubles this season and has scored at least 13 points in all seven games that he has played for Weber State this season.
Senior guard Steven Verplancken has also had an impressive season for the Wildcats thus far, as he is averaging 12.6 points per game on 37 percent shooting from behind the arc.
Outside of Jones and Verplancken, Weber State relies on a variety of different players for offensive production, as they have six different players averaging between 4.5 and 7.9 points per game.
The Wildcats have been tremendous on defense; but, they have struggled on offense at times this season, as they rank last in the Big Sky in field goal percentage (42.4%).
Nevada will need to have another superb defensive outing, while limiting Jones' production in order to earn a victory over the Wildcats and improve to 8-1.
Series History
Nevada and Weber State have faced off 38 times throughout history as Division I opponents, with the series being tied 19-19. The Wildcats won the most recent matchup between the two squads, earning a 59-56 victory over Nevada in 2014.
Season and Single Game Tickets on Sale
Season tickets, mini plans, and single game tickets are on sale now. Season tickets for Nevada Men's Basketball start at just $149. Student admission for regular season games is free on a first come first served basis on Gameday.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Follow The Pack
Follow Nevada Men's Basketball on social media at @NevadaHoops (X), @nevadahoops (Instagram), and on Facebook at @NevadaMBB
