Nevada (19-6, 6-5) vs. UNLV (14-9, 7-4)
Saturday, Feb. 17 - 8:30 p.m. (PT) - Thomas & Mack Center
TV: FS1 (Derek Clark // Terrence Oglesby)
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/beyA6
Live Stats: https://shorturl.at/mruzS
Radio: KNEV 95.5 FM/The Varsity Network app (John Ramey)
RENO, Nev. - After a heartbreaking 83-82 loss at the hands of New Mexico on Tuesday night that snapped a three-game winning streak, the Nevada Men's Basketball team will aim to bounce back in a massive way on Saturday evening, as they are set to travel south to face intrastate rival UNLV.
Saturday's contest is slated to tip off at 8:30 p.m. and will be available for viewing on FS1. The game 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.
The Pack is coming off a difficult loss to New Mexico on Tuesday evening, as Nevada twice came back from a 10-point deficit in the second half, as well as erased a nine-point deficit with just 6:27 remaining; however, the Pack ultimately fell to the Lobos after missing a potential game-winning shot with one second remaining.
The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Pack that included victories over then No. 22 Utah State and then No. 24 San Diego State in consecutive games. Nevada received significant accolades ahead of the matchup with New Mexico, as the Pack was named National Team of the Week by ESPN; Head Coach Steve Alford was named National Coach of the Week by renowned analyst and former coach Dick Vitale; and, Nick Davidson was named the Mountain West Player of the Week, as well as being honored by media outlet Mid-Major Madness as the National Player of the Week.
Davidson continued his stretch of stellar play against New Mexico, as the redshirt sophomore scored 19 points on 8-15 shooting from the field, in addition to pulling down seven rebounds. Davidson is in the midst of the best stretch of basketball of his career; and, over Nevada's past four games, he is averaging 20.0 points per game on 62.7 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from behind the arc, as well as pulling down 8.3 boards per contest. Davidson has scored at least 14 points over the remarkable stretch, and he has tallied two double-doubles. The sophomore continues to rank as one of the best rebounders in the Mountain West this season, as he is seventh in the conference in rebounds per game (6.9 RPG) entering Saturday night's contest.
Jarod Lucas also had an impressive outing against the Lobos on Tuesday night, as he scored 19 points on 6-13 shooting from the field, 2-5 from behind the arc, and 5-5 at the free throw line. Lucas also recorded two steals, and he completed the contest with a team-high plus/minus of +5. One of the most prolific scorers on the entire West Coast, Lucas has scored in double figures in 22 of 25 games this season for the Pack. The fifth-year senior continues to rank within the top-15 of the Mountain West in a variety of individual statistical categories this season. Entering Saturday, Lucas is third in the conference in made free throws (113), fourth in scoring (17.0 PPG), fourth in free throw percentage (91.1%), eighth in made 3-pointers (53), and 15th in 3-point field goal percentage (39.3%).
Kenan Blackshear had another noteworthy, all-around performance against New Mexico, as he scored 17 points, dished out a game-high seven assists, and pulled down six rebounds. Blackshear continues to rank within the top-25 of the Mountain West in a multitude of different individual statistical categories following the contest against New Mexico. Ahead of Saturday's showdown, Blackshear ranks seventh in the conference in scoring (16.0 PPG), seventh in assists per game (4.7 APG), 11th in steals per game (1.4 SPG), 21st in rebounds per game (4.8 RPG), and 22nd in field goal percentage (50.2%).
Blackshear has been remarkable in contests away from Lawlor Events Center this season, as he is averaging 17.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in the Pack's 10 road/neutral games this season. Blackshear put together two of the best performances of his career away from home this season, scoring a career-high 31 points in a road victory over Washignton, before dropping 30 points in a neutral court win to secure the Diamond Head Classic Championship against Georgia Tech.
Blackshear has also been sensational in the second half of contests this season, as he consistently elevates his game over the final 20 minutes of play. Blackshear is currently averaging 9.2 points on 54.5 percent shooting from the field in the second half of games this season; whereas, in the first period, he is averaging just 6.5 points on 41.8 percent shooting.
Lucas and Blackshear have been vital to the Pack's success this season. In Nevada's 19 victories, Lucas is averaging 18.1 points per game on 44.3 percent shooting from the field and 42.9 percent from behind the arc; while, in the Pack's six losses, he is averaging just 13.5 points per game on 36.5 percent shooting from the field and 29.7 percent from behind the arc. Blackshear has been equally critical to Nevada's success, as he is averaging 17.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game throughout the Pack's 19 wins this season. In Nevada's six losses, Blackshear is averaging 12.0 points per game on 38.8 percent shooting from the field. Blackshear and Lucas are the highest-scoring duo in the Mountain West, and Nevada is 13-1 this season when the duo combines to score 30+ points.
Senior forward Tre Coleman did not have his best performance against the Lobos; however, he still managed to post a stat line of five points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while limiting UNM guard Donovan Dent to just eight points as his primary defender. Coleman has been exceptional throughout Mountain West play for the Pack, as he is averaging 9.0 points per game on 43.6 percent shooting from the field and 42.5 percent from behind the arc, in addition to grabbing 4.0 boards, dishing out 3.2 assists, and tallying 1.7 steals per contest in Nevada's 11 conference games this season. A 2022-23 All-MW Defensive Team honoree, Coleman has tallied at least one steal in nine of the Pack's past 10 games, including recording 2+ steals in seven of those contests.
Senior guard Daniel Foster had another impactful performance off the bench for Nevada against New Mexico, as he led the Pack in rebounding for the second consecutive game, pulling down eight boards in the contest, four of which came on the offensive glass. Foster has continued to display his versatility this season, as he is third on the team in rebounding (4.4 RPG), fourth in assists (38), and tied for fourth in steals (17).
Sixth-year senior K.J. Hymes had one of his best offensive performances of the season in the game against New Mexico. Hymes scored 11 points on 5-7 shooting from the field and 1-1 at the free throw line. Hymes has been highly efficient for the Pack this year; and, entering Saturday's matchup, he is second in the Mountain West in field goal percentage with a sensational clip of 63.2 percent shooting from the field.
As a team, Nevada continues to rank as one of the premier defensive squads in the country. The Pack currently ranks 50th in the nation in scoring defense (66.8 PPG), 60th in opponent field goal percentage (41.4%), and 101st in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (32.2%).
Offensively, just as they have done all season, Nevada continues to rank as one of the most prolific teams in the nation at taking care of the ball. Nevada is currently 13th in the country in fewest turnovers per game (9.6), 24th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.54), and 37th in the country in turnover margin (2.8). Nevada has also continued to shoot the ball at a high clip from the field, as they are 55th in the country in field goal percentage this season (47.3%).
Nevada will face another difficult test on Saturday, as they aim to earn a road victory over intrastate rival UNLV and take a 1-0 advantage in the season series with the rematch to take place in Reno in just three weeks.
Scouting UNLV
UNLV enters Saturday night's showdown with an overall record of 14-9, including a mark of 7-4 in Mountain West play.
The Runnin' Rebels are playing at an incredibly high level, as they enter Saturday's contest on a five-game winning streak. UNLV has picked up marquee victories this season against Creighton, New Mexico (2x), and Boise State.
UNLV boasts one of the most athletic rosters in the Mountain West, and the Rebels have been solid on both ends of the court this season.
Offensively, UNLV currently ranks sixth in the Mountain West in points per game (75.0 PPG) and sixth in field goal percentage (47.2%).
On the defensive end of the court, the Rebels rank sixth in opponent points per game (69.8 PPG), and fifth in opponent field goal percentage (43.7%).
UNLV has been outstanding on the offensive glass this season, as they currently rank fourth in the Mountain West in offensive boards per game, pulling down 10.2 per contest.
Individually, the Rebels are led by 3x Mountain West Freshman of the Week Dedan Thomas, Jr. Thomas is averaging a team-high 12.4 points per game 46.4 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from behind the arc. Thomas is an elite passer, as he ranks fourth in the Mountain West and 23rd in the nation in assists per game (5.9 APG).
Outside of Thomas, Fifth-year senior and Oklahoma State transfer Kalib Boone has been highly impressive for the Rebels this season. Kalib Boone is second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 points per game, and he ranks seventh in the conference in field goal percentage with an exceptional clip of 59.1 percent shooting from the field this season. Kalib Boone has also proven to be a prolific rim protector this season, as he currently ranks second in the Mountain West in blocks per game (1.6 BPG).
Keylan Boone, Kalib Boone's twin brother, has been stellar for the Rebels after missing the first seven games of the season. In 16 contests for UNLV, Keylan Boone is averaging 11.9 points per game, and he ranks second on the team in rebounding, averaging 6.7 boards per contest.
Fifth-year senior Luis Rodriguez leads the team and ranks eighth in the conference in rebounding this season (6.9 RPG), while averaging 11.7 points per game for the Rebels.
Nevada will need to prevent UNLV from getting out in transition and limit the Rebels' production on the glass if they hope to secure their 20th victory of the season and defeat their intrastate rivals.
Series History
Nevada and UNLV have faced off 97 times throughout history, with the Rebels holding a 64-33 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
