Three keys for Nevada to win
1. Keep hitting its threes: Nevada has improved its 3-point shooting from 30.7 percent last season to 39.5 percent this season, the third-large improvement in the nation (behind Washington and Creighton). If the Wolf Pack keeps hitting at a 40 percent rate, it?s going to be hard to stop in Mountain West play. San Jose State has the third-worst rate in the MW of 3-point defense, so Nevada should have some open looks. The Spartans also have improved its 3-point shooting, improving by 6.6 percent this season.
2. One shot per possession: Coach Eric Musselman has stressed defensive rebounding to his team in advance of the game against the Spartans. San Jose State leads the MW in offensive rebounds at 12.4 per game. The Spartans have cut down its 3-point attempts this year and focused on doing damage inside the arc. Sophomore forward Brandon Clarke is third in the MW in offensive rebounds, so Nevada has to keep him off the glass and make sure San Jose State is only getting one shot per possession.
3. Total focus: The Wolf Pack is coming off a game in which it nearly lost to a Santa Barbara team that entered the game 1-8 (and that win wasn?t over a Division I opponent). Nevada pulled out the one-point victory but it will have to be more focused and more inspired against San Jose State, which is another team that would be easy to overlook considering the Spartans are 5-49 in MW play in its three seasons in the league. The only way Nevada loses this game is if it doesn?t take the Spartans seriously.
San Jose State is improved, but this is not a game in which the Wolf Pack should be challenged. Some of Nevada?s players called the one-point win over Santa Barbara a ?wake-up call? heading into MW play, and we?ll see if the Wolf Pack treats it as such and comes out with a strong performance in its conference opener. I believe that?s exactly what will happen and Nevada will take a comfortable victory as long as its free throw woes from the last outing ? Nevada was 14-of-31 from the line against the Gauchos ? was a one-game blip and not the beginning of a trend. Nevada is a perfect 5-0 at home this season (and 7-0 in games played in the Silver State) and should secure a victory in its MW opener before heading to Fresno State on Saturday.
-- chtis murray/ reno journal
1. Keep hitting its threes: Nevada has improved its 3-point shooting from 30.7 percent last season to 39.5 percent this season, the third-large improvement in the nation (behind Washington and Creighton). If the Wolf Pack keeps hitting at a 40 percent rate, it?s going to be hard to stop in Mountain West play. San Jose State has the third-worst rate in the MW of 3-point defense, so Nevada should have some open looks. The Spartans also have improved its 3-point shooting, improving by 6.6 percent this season.
2. One shot per possession: Coach Eric Musselman has stressed defensive rebounding to his team in advance of the game against the Spartans. San Jose State leads the MW in offensive rebounds at 12.4 per game. The Spartans have cut down its 3-point attempts this year and focused on doing damage inside the arc. Sophomore forward Brandon Clarke is third in the MW in offensive rebounds, so Nevada has to keep him off the glass and make sure San Jose State is only getting one shot per possession.
3. Total focus: The Wolf Pack is coming off a game in which it nearly lost to a Santa Barbara team that entered the game 1-8 (and that win wasn?t over a Division I opponent). Nevada pulled out the one-point victory but it will have to be more focused and more inspired against San Jose State, which is another team that would be easy to overlook considering the Spartans are 5-49 in MW play in its three seasons in the league. The only way Nevada loses this game is if it doesn?t take the Spartans seriously.
San Jose State is improved, but this is not a game in which the Wolf Pack should be challenged. Some of Nevada?s players called the one-point win over Santa Barbara a ?wake-up call? heading into MW play, and we?ll see if the Wolf Pack treats it as such and comes out with a strong performance in its conference opener. I believe that?s exactly what will happen and Nevada will take a comfortable victory as long as its free throw woes from the last outing ? Nevada was 14-of-31 from the line against the Gauchos ? was a one-game blip and not the beginning of a trend. Nevada is a perfect 5-0 at home this season (and 7-0 in games played in the Silver State) and should secure a victory in its MW opener before heading to Fresno State on Saturday.
-- chtis murray/ reno journal
