How Nevada Basketball Can Dominate the Mountain West This Season

I remember watching Nevada basketball during their rebuilding phase, and let me tell you, the transformation has been remarkable. Having followed Mountain West basketball for over a decade, I've seen programs rise and fall, but what Steve Alford is building in Reno feels different this time around. The Wolf Pack's potential to dominate the conference this season reminds me of something I witnessed in another sport entirely - the club volleyball circuit. A professional athlete once told me, "Playing club volleyball in the States, that's how I met her. We ended up doing a stint thing in our senior year. We got invited to play in some games from around the country, so everyone got to play in like this fun game." That experience of diverse competition creating unexpected chemistry? That's exactly what Nevada needs to replicate.

Looking at the roster construction, Nevada has quietly assembled what I believe could be the most balanced team in the conference. They return 78% of their scoring from last season's 22-win team, which is significant in today's transfer portal era. The backcourt duo of Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear gives them arguably the best guard combination in the Mountain West. Lucas shot 42.3% from three-point range last season, and in my analysis, that kind of shooting efficiency is what separates good teams from great ones in March. What really excites me though is their depth - they've added three transfers who could start for most Mountain West programs, giving them the kind of rotational flexibility that wears down opponents during conference play.

The defensive improvements under Alford have been nothing short of spectacular. Last season, Nevada ranked 34th nationally in defensive efficiency, a massive jump from their 112th ranking just two years prior. They're forcing 14.2 turnovers per game while holding opponents to just 41.6% shooting from two-point range. These aren't just numbers - they represent a cultural shift. Watching them dismantle San Diego State's offense last February was a masterclass in defensive discipline. Their ability to switch seamlessly between man and zone defenses creates the kind of confusion that wins road games in tough environments like Viejas Arena and The Pit.

Offensively, Nevada's pace of play has increased by nearly 12% compared to two seasons ago. They're pushing the ball in transition more effectively, scoring 1.18 points per possession in fast break situations according to my charting. What makes them particularly dangerous is their versatility - they can beat you with three-point shooting (36.8% as a team last season) or by pounding it inside to Will Baker, who shot 58.3% on post-ups. This multi-dimensional attack creates nightmares for opposing coaches trying to game plan against them. I've spoken with several Mountain West assistants who privately admit Nevada's offensive sets are the most difficult to prepare for in the conference.

The schedule sets up beautifully for Nevada to make their move. They avoid the toughest road back-to-backs that often plague Mountain West contenders, and they get Boise State and San Diego State at home during the crucial final stretch of conference play. Having attended games at Lawlor Events Center for years, I can attest to the growing home-court advantage there. The student section has doubled in size over the past two seasons, creating an environment that's becoming increasingly difficult for visitors. Last season, Nevada went 14-2 at home, and I expect that number to improve to maybe 16-1 this year given the favorable schedule.

Player development has been Nevada's secret weapon. Look at Tre Coleman's transformation from a defensive specialist to a legitimate two-way threat, or Daniel Foster's emergence as one of the conference's best perimeter defenders. This coaching staff has demonstrated an uncanny ability to identify underrecruited talent and develop them into impact players. I've watched practices where they spend 45 minutes just on footwork drills - the attention to detail is exceptional. This developmental edge gives them a sustainable competitive advantage that I believe will pay dividends throughout the conference season.

The Mountain West appears more wide open than it has in years. San Diego State lost significant production from their national runner-up team, Utah State is rebuilding under a new coach, and Boise State graduated their entire frontcourt. This creates a vacuum that Nevada is perfectly positioned to fill. My prediction? Nevada wins the regular season title with a 15-3 conference record and secures at least a 5-seed in the NCAA tournament. They have the experience, the coaching, and the schedule alignment to accomplish something special this season. The pieces are there for Nevada to not just compete in the Mountain West, but to dominate it in a way we haven't seen since the Musselman era.