Nevada (18-5, 5-5) vs. #24 San Diego State (18-5, 7-3)

Friday, Feb. 9 - 5 p.m. (PT) - Lawlor Events Center

TV: CBSSN (Carter Blackburn // Pete Gillen)

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

Live Stats: https://shorturl.at/joSY5

Radio: KNEV 95.5 FM/The Varsity Network (John Ramey // Len Stevens)

RENO, Nev. - Coming off the first true road win over a ranked opponent since 1981, a dominant 77-63 victory at #22 Utah State, the Nevada Men's Basketball team will have the opportunity to write history on Friday evening, as they are set to host #24 San Diego State seeking back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for the first time in program history. 

Friday night's game is slated to tip off at 5 p.m. and will be available for viewing on CBS Sports Network. 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. 

Nevada earned one of the most impressive victories in program history this past Tuesday, a 77-63 commanding victory over #22 Utah State, in which the Pack put on a masterful performance on both ends of the court. 

Nevada was nearly flawless on defense, limiting the Aggies to just 63 points, their second fewest scoring output this season, on clips of just 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 23.8 percent from behind the arc. 

The Pack did a particularly excellent job of containing Karl Malone Award finalist Great Osobor, limiting the forward to just 11 points and four rebounds, well below his season averages of 19.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game entering the contest. 

Utah State commenced the game as one of the most prolific teams in the country in transition; yet, Nevada held the Aggies to just six fast break points throughout the game.

Offensively, Nevada was tremendous, as they scored 77 points on 52.9 percent shooting from the field, 40.0 percent from behind the arc, and 76.0 percent at the free throw line. The Pack recorded 17 assists on 27 made field goals, and Nevada completed the contest with 38 points in the paint.

Individually, Nick Davidson was sensational, as he scored a career-high 25 points on 10-14 shooting from the field, topping his previous career-high of 22 points which was set in Nevada's previous game against San Jose State. Davidson also pulled down 10 rebounds, as he recorded his second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season. 

The redshirt-sophomore has been playing the best basketball of his career as of late. Over Nevada's past five games, Davidson is averaging 16.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 64.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc.

Davidson continues to rank as one of the best rebounding forwards in the conference, as he ranks sixth in the Mountain West in rebounds per game (7.0 RPG). Davidson also ranks 16th in the conference in field goal percentage (54.9%) and 18th in blocks per game (0.8 BPG).

Kenan Blackshear was phenomenal in the victory over the Aggies, particularly in the second half, as the fifth-year senior scored 18 points, 12 of which came in the second period. Blackshear also dished out four assists, pulled down three rebounds, and recorded two steals. 

Blackshear continues to rank as one of the elite point guards on the West Coast this season. Entering Tuesday's contest, Blackshear ranks seventh in the Mountain West in assists per game (4.7 APG), eighth in points per game (15.7 PPG), ninth in steals per game (1.4 SPG), 20th in rebounds per game (4.8 RPG), and 22nd in field goal percentage (50.6%). The fifth-year senior has been instrumental in Nevada's success this season, as he is averaging 16.9 points, 4.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 53.5 percent from the field in the Pack's 18 victories this season. In Nevada's five losses, Blackshear is averaging just 11.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 38.9 percent from the field. 

Jarod Lucas did not have his typical scoring output against Utah State, posting nine points in the contest; however, he matched a career-high by dishing out four assists and recording one steal.

Despite not reaching double figures in scoring against the Aggies, Lucas continues to rank as one of the premier scorers on the West Coast. Lucas currently ranks seventh in the nation in free throw percentage (91.2%). The fifth-year senior ranks fourth in the Mountain West in scoring (17.0 PPG), eighth in made 3-pointers (49), and 16th in 3-point field goal percentage (38.9%). 

Like Blackshear, Lucas has been critical to Nevada's success this season. In Nevada's 18 victories, Lucas is averaging 18.2 points per game on 44.3 percent shooting from the field, 42.6 percent from behind the arc, and 92.9 percent at the free throw line. The fifth-year senior is also averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers and 5.1 made free throws in the Pack's victories. In Nevada's losses, Lucas is averaging 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. He is also averaging just 1.8 made 3-pointers and 2.2 made free throws per game in losses this season.

Lucas has been sensational at Lawlor Events Center this season. In the Pack's 12 home contests, he is averaging 18.3 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting from behind the arc. Lucas has had his two highest scoring outputs at home, dropping 30 in Nevada's win over Portland before putting up 28 points in the Pack's victory over #24 Colorado State.

Nevada is 12-0 when Lucas and Blackshear combine to score 30+ points this season, and the Pack is just 6-5 when the duo fails to reach 30 combined points.

Nevada received tremendous production from Tre Coleman, Daniel Foster, and Tyler Rolison in the victory over #22 Utah State.

Coleman was outstanding on both ends of the court. The senior scored eight points, grabbed four boards, dished out two assists, recorded two steals, and tallied one block. Coleman has been stellar throughout conference play for the Pack, as he is averaging 9.7 points per game on 46.9 percent shooting from behind the arc, in addition to grabbing 4.2 boards, dishing out 3.1 assists, and recording 1.8 steals per game. 

Foster also had a solid performance on both ends of the court, and he completed the contest with seven points on 1-2 shooting from the field and a perfect 5-5 at the free throw line. 

Rolison had one of his most impressive performances of the season against Utah State, as the freshman guard was not fazed by a raucous road environment in Logan. Rolison scored five points, pulled down four rebounds, dished out four assists, and recorded two steals. The freshman played an instrumental role in a 12-2 run by the Pack during the first half, which helped Nevada take complete control of the contest. 

As a team, Nevada continues to rank as one of the elite defensive squads in the country. Entering Friday's contest, the Pack ranks 42nd in the country in scoring defense (66.1 PPG) and 46th in the nation in opponent field goal percentage (40.1%). 

Nevada has been particularly exceptional on defense at home, as they are holding opponents to just 61.2 points per game on 38.4 percent shooting from the field and 32.2 percent from behind the arc at Lawlor Events Center this season. Nevada has held all 12 of their opponents at Lawlor Events Center to less than 50 percent shooting from the field. 

Offensively, Nevada continues to rank as one of the premier teams in the country at taking care of the ball. The Pack ranks 11th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (9.4), 23rd in the country in assist/turnover ratio (1.54), and 35th in the nation in turnover margin (+3.1). 

Friday's contest will mark Nevada's first rematch of the season, as they fell to San Diego State at Viejas Arena just over three weeks ago by a final score of 71-59. 

The Pack was dominated on the glass in the game, as they were outrebounded by the Aztecs 44-25. Nevada surrendered 20 offensive boards to San Diego State, and the Aztecs scored 30 points in the paint. 

Coleman and Blackshear led the way for Nevada in the previous matchup. Coleman scored 16 points on 6-10 shooting from the field, including 4-7 from behind the arc, while Blackshear dropped 14 points and dished out seven assists. 

Nevada will have to keep the Aztecs off the glass and have another stout defensive performance on Friday evening in order to make program history by earning their second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent. 

Scouting San Diego State

San Diego State, the 24th ranked team in the country in both the AP and Coaches Polls, enters Friday's matchup with an overall record of 18-5, including a mark of 7-3 in conference play, as they are tied for first place in the Mountain West standings. 

The Aztecs have back-to-back games ahead of Friday, earning an 81-67 win over #17 Utah State last Saturday before picking up a 77-64 road victory over Air Force on Tuesday. 

San Diego State ranks as one of the most prolific defensive teams in the conference and in the country entering Friday night's showdown. The Aztecs rank first in the Mountain West and 43rd in the nation in opponent field goal percentage (40.9%), while also ranking third in the conference in scoring defense (67.2 PPG) and fourth in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (30.5%).

San Diego State has not shot the ball at an incredibly high level this season, as they rank tenth in the Mountain West in both field goal percentage (45.2%) and 3-point field goal percentage; however, the Aztecs are fifth in the conference in scoring this season (76.3 PPG).

San Diego State has been one of the premier rebounding teams in the conference this season, as they rank third in the Mountain West in rebounds per game (37.0 RPG) and offensive boards per contest (11.0 per game). 

Individually, the Aztecs are led by one of the premier players in the country in Wooden Award Midseason Watch List honoree Jaedon LeDee. LeDee ranks first in the conference in scoring (20.0 PPG), third in rebounding (8.6 RPG), and 15th in field goal percentage (55.1%). LeDee has reached double figures in scoring in all 23 games this season for the Aztecs, including scoring 20+ points in 11 games. The senior forward has accumulated nine double doubles this season. LeDee has been instrumental in the Aztecs' success, as he is averaging 20.8 points per game on 56.5 percent shooting from the field, as well as 8.9 boards per contest in San Diego State's victories; while averaging 17.2 points on 50.7 percent shooting, in addition to grabbing in 7.6 boards per game in SDSU's losses this season. LeDee relies heavily on getting to the free throw line, as he is averaging 6.9 made free throws in San Diego State's victories, and just 3.2 made free throws in the Aztecs' losses.

6-foot-6 junior guard and USC transfer Reese Waters has been exceptional in his first season with the Aztecs. Waters is averaging 11.8 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field, 43.8 percent from behind the arc, and 92.7 percent at the free throw line for the Aztecs. Waters has reached double figures in scoring in 15 games for SDSU, and he has knocked down multiple 3-pointers in 12 contests for the Aztecs this season.

Senior guards Micah Parrish and Lamont Butler have been impressive all season for San Diego State in the back court. Parrish is third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game on 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 33.7 percent from behind the arc, while also grabbing 3.9 boards and recording 1.3 steals per contest. Butler is putting up 9.5 points per contest, in addition to leading the team in assists per game (3.3) and steals per game (1.4 SPG).

Senior guard Darrion Trammell has provided a significant offensive spark off the bench for the Aztecs this season. Trammell is scoring 7.9 points per game, and he has scored in double figures in eight contests for the Aztecs. 

Nevada defeated San Diego State at Lawlor Events Center last season, and they will have to play one of their most complete games of the season on Friday night in order to earn their second straight victory over the Aztecs at Lawlor, as well as their second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent. 

Series History

Nevada and San Diego State have faced off 32 times throughout history, with the Aztecs owning a 25-7 advantage in the all-time series. 

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