RENO, Nev. - Coming off a historical week in which the Nevada Men's Basketball team defeated then No. 22 Utah State on the road and No. 24 San Diego State at home —marking the first time in program history that the Pack had defeated ranked opponents in consecutive games— Nevada will return to Lawlor Events Center to host New Mexico on Tuesday evening.
Tip off is slated for 8 p.m., and the game will be available for viewing on CBS Sports Network. The contest will air over the radio on KNEV 95.5 FM and through the Varsity Network app, beginning with a pregame show 30 minutes prior to tip.
Renown Health is set to sponsor Tuesday night's game, with a Pink Out theme to support breast cancer awareness.
Nevada is coming off a sensational week, as the Pack defeated ranked opponents in back-to-back games and now owns an overall record of 19-5 this season, including a mark of 6-4 in Mountain West play.
Nevada was named the National Team of the Week by ESPN on Monday for their stellar play this past week, and Head Coach Steve Alford was named National Coach of the Week by renowned analyst and former coach, and Dick Vitale.
The Pack earned a thrilling 70-66 overtime victory over San Diego State this past Friday, as senior forward Tre Coleman hit a go-ahead bucket with 12 seconds remaining and Nevada got a massive stop on defense, before knocking down a pair of free throws to secure the four-point victory over the Aztecs.
Kenan Blackshear was tremendous in the contest for the Pack, particularly in the second half and in overtime. Blackshear scored a game-high 22 points in the game, 18 of which came after the first half. Blackshear was exceptional in the overtime period, as he scored or assisted on all 10 of Nevada's points, scoring eight on 3-3 shooting from the field, while picking up an assist on Coleman's clutch bucket.
Blackshear was outstanding for the Pack in both victories last week; and, he continues to rank as one of the premier players in the Mountain West this season. Entering Tuesday night's contest, Blackshear is seventh in the conference in scoring (15.9 PPG), seventh in assists per game (4.6 APG), eighth in steals per game (1.5 SPG), 20th in rebounds per game (4.8 RPG), and 22nd in field goal percentage (50.7%).
The fifth year senior has reached double figures in scoring in 19 of 24 games, and he has dished out at least three assists in 21 contests for the Pack. Blackshear is approaching 1,500 points for his career, as he has totaled 1,416 points entering Tuesday's game.
Blackshear has been vital to Nevada's success this season, as he is averaging 17.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 53.5 percent from the field in the Pack's 19 victories this season. In the Pack's five losses, Blackshear is averaging just 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, while shooting 38.9 percent from the field.
Blackshear's back court mate, Jarod Lucas, also had a superb performance in the victory over San Diego State. Lucas scored 15 points on 4-9 shooting from the field, 2-4 from behind the arc, and 5-6 at the free throw line, in addition to pulling down five rebounds and recording one steal. Lucas got off to a fast start, as he scored 12 points on 4-6 shooting in the first half of the game.
The fifth year senior is one of the most prolific scorers on the entire west coast, and he continues to rank within the top-15 of the Mountain West in numerous offensive statistical categories.
Lucas is fourth in the conference in scoring (16.9 PPG), fourth in free throw percentage (90.8%), eighth in made 3-pointers (51), and 13th in 3-point field goal percentage (39.2%). Lucas has reached double figures in scoring in 21 of 24 games this season for the Pack, and he is just 54 points shy of reaching 2,000 career points.
Like Blackshear, Lucas has been instrumental in Nevada's success this season, as he is averaging 18.1 points per game on 44.3 percent shooting from the field, 42.9 percent from behind the arc, and 92.4 percent at the free throw line in the Pack's 19 wins. In Nevada's five losses, Lucas is averaging just 12.4 points per game on 34.4 percent shooting from the field, 28.1 percent from behind the arc, and 78.6 percent at the free throw line. In victories, Lucas is making 2.2 3-pointers and 5.1 free throws per game; whereas, in losses, he is making 1.8 3-pointers and 2.2 free throws per contest.
Lucas has been sensational at Lawlor Events Center this season, as he is averaging 18.1 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting from behind the arc in the Pack's 13 home contests this season. Lucas has achieved his two highest scoring outputs of the season at home, dropping 20 points against Portland and pouring in 28 points against Colorado State.
Nevada is undefeated this season when Lucas and Blackshear combine to score 30+ points.
Redshirt sophomore Nick Davidson continued his outstanding play in the victory over San Diego State, as he scored 14 points and pulled down five rebounds. Davidson was named the Mountain West Player of the Week for the first time in his career on Monday morning after averaging 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game with clips of 66.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from behind the arc last week. After struggling a bit to start Mountain West play, Davidson has been on a tear over Nevada's past three games. During the Pack's current three-game win streak, Davidson is averaging 20.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc.
Coleman did not have his best offensive performance in the win over San Diego State; however, he scored seven points, including the most critical bucket of the game. He also dished out four assists, pulled down three rebounds, and recorded two steals.
Coleman has been superb in conference play for the Pack this season, as he is averaging 9.4 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting from behind the arc, while also pulling down 4.1 rebounds, dishing out 3.2 assists, and tallying 1.8 steals per contest. In non-conference play, Coleman was averaging 7.6 points per game on just 20.6 percent shooting from behind the arc, as he has significantly elevated his game since the commencing of Mountain West play.
Senior guard Daniel Foster was terrific off the bench for the second consecutive game for Nevada in the win over SDSU. Foster pulled down a team-high six boards, four of which came on the offensive glass, while also recording four assists in the contest.
Freshman guard Tyler Rolison also played an instrumental role for Nevada off the bench for the Pack on Friday, as he scored four points, pulled down two rebounds, dished out two assists, and recorded two steals.
Nationally, Nevada continues to rank as one of the most prolific defensive units in the country. The Pack currently ranks 41st in the nation in scoring defense (66.1 PPG) and 45th in the country in opponent field goal percentage (41%).
Offensively, Nevada continues to rank as one of the premier teams in the country at taking care of the ball. Nevada is 17th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (9.7), 31st in the country in assist/turnover ratio (1.5), and 36th in the nation in turnover margin (+3.0).
Nevada has been sensational at Lawlor Events Center since the start of the 2022-23 season, as the Pack owns a record of 26-2 in their past 28 games at home. This season, Nevada is 12-1 on their home court with an average scoring margin of +17.5, and the Pack has defeated two ranked opponents at home. Nevada's defense has been incredible at Lawlor Events Center, as they are holding their opponents to just 61.5 points per game on 38.6 percent shooting from the field and 31.2 percent from behind the arc at home this season.
Tuesday's contest will be the second Mountain West rematch of the season for Nevada, as they suffered their worst defeat under Alford at New Mexico earlier this season, an 89-55 defeat to the Lobos.
Nevada has been exceptional against New Mexico under Alford; however, as the Pack is 8-1 against UNM with Alford at the helm of the program.
Getting off to a fast start could be critical for the Pack, as Nevada is a perfect 18-0 when leading at halftime this season, while they are just 1-5 when trailing at the break.
Nevada will aim to earn their fourth consecutive victory and 20th overall this season on Tuesday night; but, a star-studded explosive New Mexico team will stand in the way of Nevada's aspirations.
Scouting New Mexico
New Mexico, led by third-year Head Coach Richard Pitino, enter Tuesday's contest with an overall record of 19-5, including a mark of 7-4 in conference play.
The Lobos are coming off a difficult loss, as they fell at home to UNLV this past Saturday.
New Mexico has been solid away from home this season, as they own a record of 4-3 in true road games, and 7-3 in road/neutral contests.
New Mexico boasts one of the most prolific offenses in the country, as they rank first in the Mountain West and 16th in the nation in points per game this season (84.1 PPG). New Mexico also ranks fourth in the conference and 55th in the nation in field goal percentage with a clip of 47.2 percent.
The Lobos have been spectacular at forcing turnovers and creating offense off turnovers. New Mexico ranks 22nd in the nation in turnovers forced per game (15.3), while ranking fourth in the country in fast break points per contest, as they are scoring a staggering 16.9 points per game in transition.
New Mexico has also been stellar on the defensive end of the court, as the Lobos rank second in the Mountain West in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (30.4%) and third in opponent field goal percentage (42.1%). UNM is also leading the Mountain West in both steals per game (9.5 SPG) and blocked shots (5.0 BPG).
The Lobos boast one of the premier backcourts in the country, comprised of 2022-23 Second Team All-Mountain West honoree and MW All-Defensive Team honoree Jaelen House, 2022-23 First Team All-Mountain West honoree Jamal Mashburn, Jr., and sophomore guard Donovan Dent.
House, a fifth-year senior, has been tremendous on both ends of the court for New Mexico. He ranks ninth in the Mountain West in scoring (15.7 PPG), while also ranking first in the conference and seventh in the country in steals per game (2.6 SPG).
Mashburn Jr. ranks second on the team and tenth in the conference in scoring this season, as he is putting up 15.2 points per game for the Lobos. Mashburn has scored in double figures in all but one contest this season for New Mexico.
Dent has had a sensational sophomore campaign, as he leads the Lobos and ranks eighth in the conference in scoring this season, pouring in 15.9 points per game on 52.7 percent shooting from the field and 38.2 percent from behind the arc. Dent also ranks sixth in the Mountain West and 28th in the nation in assists per game, as he is dishing out 5.7 dimes per contest. The sophomore has got it done on the defensive side of the ball as well, as he ranks fourth in the conference in steals per game (1.6 SPG) entering Tuesday night's matchup.
The Lobos are also loaded in the frontcourt, as the duo of JT Toppin and Nelly Joseph have proved to be one of the most formidable duos in the conference this season. Toppin, a seven-time Mountain West Freshman of the week honoree, is averaging 12.5 points per game on 62.9 percent shooting from the field, while ranking first in the Mountain West in blocks per game (2.0 BPG) and second in boards per contest (8.8 RPG).
Joseph, meanwhile, is fourth in the Mountain West in blocks per game (1.5 BPG), in addition to averaging 8.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Nevada will need to keep the trip of House, Mashburn, Jr., and Dent in check, while limiting turnovers and preventing the Lobos from getting out in transition in order to pick up another massive victory on Tuesday night.
Series History
Nevada and New Mexico have faced off 16 times throughout history, with the Pack holding a 14-8 advantage in the all-time series.
Follow The Pack
Follow Nevada Men's Basketball on social media at @NevadaHoops (X), @nevadahoops (Instagram), and on Facebook at @NevadaMBB
