Nevada (24-6, 11-5) vs. Boise State (21-8, 12-4)

Tuesday, March 5 - 8 p.m. (PT) - ExtraMile Arena

TV: FS1 (Trent Rush // Dan Dickau)

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

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

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

RENO, Nev. - With a Mountain West regular season Championship still in play, the Nevada Men's Basketball team will put their current five-game win streak on the line Tuesday night, as they are set to clash with Boise State in a contest that holds critical implications for both teams. 

Tuesday night's game is slated to tip off at 8 p.m. (PT) and 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, beginning with a pregame show 30 minutes prior to tip.

Nevada and Boise State each enter Tuesday night's showdown on five-game win streaks, marking the longest active winnings streaks in the Mountain West.

The Pack has won eight of their past nine games, dating back to their first contest in February.

Nevada is coming off an exceptional week, in which they earned a thrilling 77-74 road victory over Colorado State this past Tuesday, before returning home to secure a 74-66 win over Fresno State on Friday.

Nevada was outstanding on the offensive end of the court in the win over the Bulldogs, as they shot 53.1 percent from the field (26-49), 44.0 percent from behind the arc (11-25), and 84.6 percent at the free throw line (11-13). The Pack recorded an incredible 23 assists on 26 made field goals, marking their second highest assist total in a single game this season.

Defensively, Nevada limited Fresno State to just 66 points on 42.6 percent shooting from the field and 30.4 percent from behind the arc.

Jarod Lucas continued his recent stretch of sensational play for the Pack in the win over Fresno State, as he scored a game-high 21 points on 7-12 shooting from the field, 3-6 from behind the arc, and a perfect 4-4 at the free throw line. Lucas garnered Mountain West Player of the Week honors for his stellar play in the Pack's wins over Colorado State and Fresno State this past week, after averaging 22.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while also shooting an outstanding 54.5 percent from behind the arc across the two victories.

Over the past month, Lucas has been playing arguably the best basketball of his career. Across Nevada's current five-game winning streak, the fifth-year senior is averaging 20.2 points per game on 47.1 percent shooting from behind the arc, while making an average of 3.2 3-pointers per game.

One of the most prolific scorers on the West Coast, Lucas has reached double figures in scoring in 27 of 30 games this season for the Pack, and he continues to rank within the top-10 of the Mountain West in a multitude of different statistical categories. Lucas is currently second in the conference in free throw percentage (90.3%), third in scoring (17.5 PPG), third in made free throws (140), tied for third in made 3-pointers (69), and fifth in 3-point field goal percentage (40.8%). 

Lucas has been vital to the Wolf Pack's success this season. In Nevada's 24 victories, Lucas is averaging 18.5 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting from behind the arc, while making 5.2 free throws and 2.4 3-pointers per contest. In the Pack's six losses, Lucas is averaging just 13.5 points per game on 29.7 percent shooting from behind the arc, while making 2.7 free throws and 1.8 3-pointers per contest. 

Nick Davidson also had a tremendous performance in Nevada's victory over Fresno State. Davidson scored 19 points on a highly efficient 7-9 shooting from the field and 2-4 from behind the arc, while also pulling down six boards and dishing out three assists. Davidson has continued to elevate his play as the season has progressed; and, he has been particularly exceptional since the commencing of Mountain West play. In conference play, Davidson is averaging 14.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 57.0 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from behind the arc, and 74.2 percent at the free throw line.

Davidson currently ranks sixth in the Mountain West in rebounds per game this season (7.4 RPG), as well as 12th in field goal percentage (56.0%) and 22nd in scoring (12.5 PPG). 

Similar to Lucas, Senior forward Tre Coleman has also been playing the best basketball of his career as of late. Coleman had an all-around outstanding performance in the win over Fresno State, as he scored six points, pulled down six rebounds, dished out a game-high six assists, and recorded a career-high four blocks. Over Nevada's current five-game winning streak, Coleman is averaging 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4. blocks per game, while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from behind the arc.

Coleman significantly raised his level of play for Nevada upon the commencing of Mountain West play. In 16 conference games, Coleman is averaging 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. He is shooting an exceptional 46.3 percent from the field, including 42.9 percent from behind the arc. During the non-conference portion of Nevada's schedule, Coleman was averaging just 7.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting 20.6 percent from behind the arc. 

Graduate Student Hunter McIntosh had another highly impressive performance in the win over the Bulldogs on Friday. McIntosh buried 4-5 shots from behind the arc on his way to a 12-point outing. He also dished out four assists in the game, while completing the contest with zero turnovers in a season-high 36 minutes of action. Over the Pack's past three games, McIntosh is averaging 14.7 points per game on 52.2 percent from behind the arc, while burying 4.0 3-pointers per game. McIntosh has logged 31 minutes per game over the stretch and has an astounding zero turnovers.  

Daniel Foster also continued his exceptional play in the Pack's win over Fresno State. Foster scored just three points; however, the senior pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, in addition to dishing out four assists. Foster has been instrumental on the glass for Nevada this past season; and, over the Pack's past seven games, he is averaging 6.0 boards per contest.

Freshman guard Tyler Rolison came off the bench and provided a tremendous boost for Nevada in the win over Fresno State. Rolison scored seven points on 2-4 shooting from the field and 2-2 at the free throw line, while also grabbing three rebounds and dishing out three assists.

Star point guard Kenan Blackshear was forced to miss the contest against Fresno State due to a minor injury; however, Blackshear continues to rank within the top-25 of the Mountain West in a variety of individual statistical categories. Blackshear currently ranks seventh in the conference in assists per game (4.9 APG), tenth in scoring (15.2 PPG), 11th in steals per game (1.4 SPG), 19th in rebounds per game (4.9 RPG), and 24th in field goal percentage (49.7%). 

Like Lucas, Blackshear has been instrumental to Nevada's success this season. In the 22 victories that Blackshear has suited up for this season, he is averaging 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, while shooting 52.6 percent from the field. In the Pack's six losses this season, Blackshear is averaging just 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 38.8 percent from the field. 

Nevada has been outstanding in contests away from Lawlor Events Center this year, as they own a record of 10-4 in games away from home, including a mark of 7-3 in true road contests.

Nationally, the Pack continues to rank as one of the premier defensive squads in the country. Nevada currently ranks 41st in the country in scoring defense (66.6 PPG), 56th in the nation in opponent field goal percentage (41.6%), and 84th in the country in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (32.0%).

Offensively, just as they have done all season, Nevada continues to rank as one of the most prolific teams in the country in terms of taking care of the ball.

The Pack has also continued to improve their shooting clips and currently ranks 43rd in the nation in field goal percentage (47.4%) and 77th in the country in 3-point field goal percentage (35.9%). In Mountain West play, Nevada has shot the ball at an incredibly high level, as they rank first in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (38.4%) and second in the league in field goal percentage (46.7%) in conference only games this season. 

Nevada and Boise State faced off nearly two months ago in a tightly contested game at Lawlor Events Center in early January. In what was a defensive battle, the Broncos pulled out a 64-56 victory over Nevada. Kenan Blackshear led the Pack with 15 points, while Jarod Lucas chipped in 14, and Nick Davidson added in 12. Nevada was dominated on the glass in the first matchup, as the Broncos outrebounded the Pack, 43-24. Boise State pulled down 11 offensive rebounds and scored 12 second chance points in the game.

Nevada will aim to even the season series with a victory over Boise State on Tuesday night, in addition to clinching a first round bye in the Mountain West Tournament, and keep their regular season Championship hopes alive. 

Scouting Boise State

Boise State, led by 14th year Head Coach Leon Rice, enters Tuesday night's contest with an overall record of 21-8 this season, including a mark of 12-4 in Mountain West play, as they are currently tied with Utah State for first place in the conference standings. 

Rice is the winningest Head Coach in Boise State Basketball history, and the Broncos are seeking their second regular season Mountain West Championship in the past three seasons. 

Boise State has been playing arguably their best basketball of the season, as they enter Tuesday night's contest on a five-game winning streak, having won all five games by double figures, including winning four of those contests by 20+ points. 

The Broncos have been one of the best defensive teams in the Mountain West throughout the entire season, and they currently rank third in the conference in scoring defense (66.6 PPG) and third in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (30.8%). 

Offensively, Boise State has shot the ball at a high level all season, particularly from behind the arc. The Broncos rank fourth in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (34.9%) entering Tuesday night's showdown.

Boise State has been one of the best rebounding squads not only in the Mountain West, but also in the entire country, as the Broncos' rebounding margin of +7.7 ranks first in the conference and is tied for 16th in the nation. Boise State dominated the glass in the first contest of the season series, as rebounding could be a critical aspect of the game on Tuesday. 

Individually, the Broncos are led by 2022-23 All-MW First Team honoree Tyson Degenhart. Degenhart ranks first on the team and fourth in the conference in scoring, as he is averaging 17.0 points per game on 52.3 percent shooting from the field. Degenhart is also pulling down an impressive 5.6 rebounds per contest. 

Senior guard Chibuzo Agbo is having the best season of his career, and he ranks second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.9 points per game, while shooting an exceptional 42.9 percent from behind the arc, marking the second best 3-point field goal percentage of any player in the conference.

Senior forward O'Mar Stanley is third on the team in scoring, putting up 13.5 points per game on 56.7 percent shooting from the field. Stanley also leads the team in rebounding, as he is pulling down 6.4 boards per contest. 

Senior guard Max Rice has had another impressive season for the Broncos. Rice is averaging 12.4 points per game, while shooting 36.4 percent from behind the arc and 84.2 percent at the free throw line. 

Sophomore guard Roddie Anderson III completes the starting lineup for the Broncos, and he is averaging 5.8 points per game, in addition to dishing 2.4 assists per contest. Anderson has proven to be a formidable defender, as he is averaging a team-high 1.1 steals per game. 

Nevada will need to keep the Broncos off the offensive glass and protect the 3-point line if they hope to come out of ExtraMile Arena with a victory on Tuesday night. 

Series History

Nevada and Boise State have faced off 85 times throughout history, with the Wolf Pack owning a 52-33 advantage over the Broncos 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