Nevada Wolf Pack
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #7
Conference Rank: #1 Mountain West
Nevada returns four starters to a team that beat Texas and Cincinnati in last year’s NCAA Tournament before falling to Loyola in the Sweet Sixteen. Coach Eric Musselman has built a program that is not a typical mid-major. There are some big time recruits coming into the program that have the ability to make a big impact from day one. And the returning talent is obviously impressive as well. This team should dominate the Mountain West and, if all the pieces come together, make an impressive tournament run too.
2017-18 Record: 29-8, 15-3
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Eric Musselman
Coach Record: 81-29 at Nevada, 81-29 overall
Key Departed Players:
Kendall Stephens, Guard, 13.1 ppg
Hallice Cooke, Guard, 4.7 ppg
Josh Hall, Sophomore, Guard, 6.9 ppg
Darien Williams, Senior, Forward, 2.1 ppg
Elijah Foster, Senior, Forward, 1.7 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Caleb Martin, Senior, Forward, 18.9 ppg
Jordan Caroline, Senior, Guard/Forward, 17.7 ppg
Cody Martin, Senior, Forward, 14.0 ppg
Lindsey Drew, Senior, Guard, 8.1 ppg
Key New Players:
Jordan Brown, Freshman, Forward
Corey Henson, Senior, Guard, Transfer from Wagner
K.J. Hymes, Freshman, Forward
Jazz Johnson, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Portland
Vincent Lee, Freshman, Forward
Jalen Townsell, Freshman, Forward
Tre’Shawn Thurman, Senior, Forward, Transfer from Omaha
Nisre Zouzoua, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Bryant
Projection:
Caleb and Cody Martin will again man the frontcourt. Caleb led the team with 18.9 points per game and connected on over 40 percent of his nearly 250 three-point attempts. He is basically a 6-7 shooting guard and that makes him nearly impossible for most teams to defend. Cody added 14.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.5 blocks. He can play just about anywhere on the floor. Jordan Caroline spent much of last season playing the five spot, but the 6-7 wing should be more productive at the small forward position after averaging 17.7 points and a team high 8.6 rebounds last season. With more size coming into the program, the Wolf Pack will be able to play Caroline in his more natural position. All four incoming freshmen are at least 6-7. Jordan Brown, a McDonald’s All-American, is the best of the bunch. He could have played for just about any school and will likely step right into a starting spot for the Wolf Pack. The backcourt needs to do a little reloading around point guard Lindsey Drew. He missed the postseason after an injury, but is now back to lead the backcourt that adds three Division I transfers. Corey Henson spent three years at Wagner, where he averaged 14.6 points per game two years ago. Nisre Zouzoua was also an All-NEC selection two years ago after averaging 20.3 points per game with Bryant. Jazz Johnson comes from Portland where he averaged 15.8 points per game with the Pilots back in 2016-2017. Those transfers are all proven scorers and their experience will provide Nevada with plenty of quality options.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 82.6 (18th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.1 (191, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.9 (60, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.3 (140, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.6 (31, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 39.2 (26, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.3 (66, 2)
Rebound Margin: -0.8 (232, 8)
Assists Per Game: 16.2 (27, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 9.6 (4, 1)
Madness 2019 NBA Draft Rankings:
#52 Caleb Martin
#63 Cody Martin
Madness 2018 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#18 Jordan Brown
