Nevada (16-4, 3-3) vs. #25 New Mexico (17-3, 4-2)

Sunday, Jan. 28 - 7 p.m. (PT) - The Pit

TV: FS1

Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/amK48

Live Stats: https://shorturl.at/rsyBG

Radio: KNEV 95.5 FM/The Varsity Network app

RENO, Nev. - After earning a dominant 77-64 victory over #24 Colorado State at Lawlor Events Center this past Wednesday, the Nevada Men's Basketball team will aim to write history on Sunday by earning back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for the first time in program history when they face #25 New Mexico at the well-renowned arena, The Pit.

Sunday's contest is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. (PT), and the game will be available for viewing on Fox Sports 1. The contest will air over the radio on KNEV 95.5 FM and through the Varsity Network app.

Nevada is coming off one of their most impressive performances of the season, as the Pack earned their first ranked win of the season, which also constitutes their third overall victory over a ranked opponent at Lawlor Events Center since the start of the 2022-23 season. 

Wolf Pack Head Coach Steve Alford earned his 673rd career victory as a collegiate head coach, as well as his third win over a ranked opponent at the helm of the Nevada program, marking the most victories over ranked opponents by a Nevada Head Basketball Coach in program history.

Nevada put on an exceptional display of basketball on both ends of the court against Colorado State. The Pack shot 53.7 percent from the field, 40 percent from behind the arc, and 83.3 percent at the free throw line. Nevada recorded 19 assists on 29 made field goals, and the Pack scored 26 points in the paint. 

Colorado State entered the contest boasting the number one ranked offense in the Mountain West, and Nevada limited the Rams to their third fewest points in a game this season on just 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 26.1 percent from behind the arc. 

Jarod Lucas was phenomenal throughout the game, as the fifth-year senior had his second-highest scoring output of the season with a 28-point outing on 10-14 shooting from the field, 3-3 from behind the arc, and 5-5 at the free throw line. 

After the 28-point explosion, Lucas has now reached double figures in scoring in 19 of 20 games for the Pack this season, including scoring 20+ points in eight contests.

The fifth-year senior is one of the premier scorers on the entire west coast, and he continues to rank within the top-10 of the Mountain West in numerous offensive statistical categories. Lucas currently ranks third in the conference in average made free throws per game (4.8), fourth in scoring (17.6 PPG), fourth in free throw percentage (92.3%), and eighth in average 3-pointers per game (2.2). 

Lucas had one of the best performances of his career in Nevada's thrilling 77-76 last-second victory at New Mexico last season, scoring 28 points on 11-18 shooting from the field, including 6-9 from behind the arc. 

Lucas' back court mate, Kenan Blackshear, also had a tremendous outing in the victory over Colorado State. Blackshear scored 20 points on 9-12 shooting from the field, including 16 points on 7-8 shooting in the second half alone. Blackshear also pulled down five rebounds, dished out five assists, and recorded two steals.

One of the elite point guards in the country, Blackshear has scored in double figures in 16 of 20 games for the Pack, dished out three or more assists in 19 games, and pulled down five or more rebounds in 12 contests this season. 

Blackshear continues his season-long trend of ranking within the top-25 of the Mountain West in a multitude of individual statistical categories. He is currently seventh in the league in scoring (16.2 PPG), seventh in assists per game (4.9 APG), 10th in steals per game (1.5 SPG), 17th in rebounds per game (5.2 RPG), and 21st in field goal percentage (51.3%). 

Blackshear did not have his best overall performance at New Mexico last season; however, he hit one of the most memorable shots in Nevada Basketball history, as he drained the game-winning jumper with 0.1 seconds left on the clock to defeat the Lobos. 

Senior forward Tre Coleman maintained his recent stretch of outstanding play in the win over Colorado State, as he scored five points, dished out a game and season-high seven assists, and pulled down five rebounds. After struggling at times during the non-conference portion of the season, Coleman has been immaculate since the commencing of Mountain West play. 

In the Pack's six conference games this season, Coleman is averaging 11.5 points per game on 51.1 percent shooting from the field and 52.2 percent from behind the arc, in addition to averaging 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. The senior has scored in double figures in three of six conference games for the Pack. 

Nick Davidson had a stellar bounce back game against Colorado State after struggling in the Pack's previous contest, as the redshirt sophomore scored 10 points on 3-4 shooting, while also pulling down a team-high seven rebounds. Davidson continues to lead Nevada in rebounding, and he also ranks seventh in the Mountain West in boards per game (6.7 RPG). Davidson ranks 14th in the league in blocks per game (0.9 BPG) and 18th in field goal percentage (52.4%).

Nevada received a remarkable boost off the bench from redshirt junior Tylan Pope, who had arguably his best game in a Wolf Pack uniform. In 12 minutes of action, Pope scored seven points, pulled down three rebounds, and recorded two blocks, as he made a substantial impact on both ends of the court. 

As a team, Nevada continues to rank as one of the most elite defensive units in the nation. The Pack is currently 38th in the country in scoring defense (65.4 PPG) and 36th in the nation in opponent field goal percentage (40.2%). Nevada has limited 19 of their 20 opponents to less than 50 percent shooting from the field, and the Pack has held 14 opponents to less than 70 points. 

Offensively, Nevada has been outstanding at taking care of the ball this season, as they rank 10th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (9.4). The Pack has had 10 or less turnovers in 16 of 20 contests this season. Nevada has also been highly efficient from the field this season, as they rank 50th in the nation in field goal percentage with a clip of 47.5 percent.

The Pack is 15-0 this season when leading at halftime, as opposed to just 1-4 when trailing at the break. Getting off to a fast start has proven to be critical for Nevada, and they have done an exceptional job at maintaining leads down the stretch of games this season.

Nevada and Alford will have the opportunity to make history on Sunday night, as a win would mark the first time in program history that the Pack has defeated ranked opponents in consecutive games; but, a fast-paced and extremely talented New Mexico team ranking 25th in the country will stand in the way of Nevada's aspirations.

The Pack has been highly successful against New Mexico under Alford, as they are a perfect 8-0 against Alford's former team under his command. Alford is a remarkable 93-9 at The Pit throughout his career, with 91 of those victories coming during his time at the helm of the Lobos' program. 

Alford and Nevada will aim to secure their 17th victory of the season and pick up their second ranked win in as many contests on Sunday.

Scouting New Mexico

New Mexico enters Sunday's showdown with an overall record of 17-3, including a mark of 4-2 in conference play. The Lobos have been outstanding on their home court this season, as they own a perfect record of 10-0 at The Pit with an average scoring margin of +20.9. 

New Mexico has picked up marquee victories this season over Santa Clara, #19 San Diego State, and #16 Utah State. 

UNM heads into Sunday's matchup on a four-game winning streak, winning each contest by double figures.

New Mexico boasts one of the best offensive units in the country this season, as their average of 84.2 points per game ranks as the 18th most points per game in the nation. 

The Lobos play at an incredibly fast pace, as they are 11th in the country in points per game in transition (16.0).

Defensively, New Mexico thrives on forcing turnovers, and they are currently 10th in the nation in steals per game (10.2 SPG), as well as 12th in the country in turnovers forced per contest (16.2). 

New Mexico has also been sensational on the glass this season, as they rank first in the Mountain West and 53rd in the country in rebounds per game (39.3 RPG). 

Individually, New Mexico boasts one of the deepest and most talented back courts in the country. The Lobos' back court consists of 2022-23 Second Team All-MW and All-MW Defensive Team honoree Jaelen House, 2022-23 First Team All-MW and First Team NABC All-District honoree Jamal Mashburn, sophomore guard Donovan Dent, and 2022-23 Honorable Mention All-MW honoree Jemarl Baker. 

The trio of House, Mashburn, and Dent has been sensational for the Lobos this season. Mashburn has been limited to just 13 games this season due to injury; however, he leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game on 36.8 percent shooting from the field, 29.8 percent from behind the arc, and 85.2 percent at the free throw line. Mashburn has reached double figures in scoring in all 13 games that he has played in, including scoring 20+ points twice.

House has been highly impressive on both ends of the court this season, as he ranks second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.3 points per game on 39.5 percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent from behind the arc, in addition to ranking first in the Mountain West and eighth overall in the country in steals per game (2.7 SPG). House is also averaging 3.8 assists and 3.1 boards per game for the Lobos this season.

Dent has made tremendous year-over-year improvements since his freshman campaign, and the sophomore is averaging 14.9 points per game and a team-high 6.1 assists per contest. Dent also ranks second on the team in steals, as he is averaging 1.7 per game. 

New Mexico's front court has also been impressive this season, as J.T. Toppin has proven to be one of the premier freshmen in the nation this year. Toppin, a six-time MW Freshman of the Week honoree, is averaging 13.4 points per game on 53.3 percent shooting from the field. Toppin ranks first on the team and third in the Mountain West in rebounds per game (8.3 RPG), while also ranking second in the conference in blocks per game (1.8 BPG), as he has proven to be an elite rim protector. 

Starting center and Iona transfer, Nelly Joseph, has had a stellar season for the Lobos. Joseph is putting up 9.2 points per game on 54.7 percent shooting from the field, while also ranking second on the team and fifth in the conference in rebounds per game (7.6 RPG). Like Toppin, Joseph has provided significant rim protection for New Mexico, as he ranks fourth in the Mountain West in blocks per game (1.5 BPG).

Nevada will need to do an exceptional job of taking care of the ball, as well as limit the Lobos' offensive production in transition and keep the trio of House, Mashburn, and Dent in check, in order to earn their second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent. 

Series History

Nevada and New Mexico have faced off 21 times throughout history as Division I opponents, with the Pack owning a 14-7 advantage in the all-time series. Nevada has won the past nine contests against New Mexico.

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