After posting an 8-4 record in non-conference action, Nevada opens Mountain West play at New Mexico today.
The game will be carried on the Wolf Pack Radio Network, 94.5 FM, and 630 AM.
The Pack enter the game winners of four of its last six while the Lobos (7-6) have dropped four in a row. Nevada had its three-game win streak snapped at Wichita State.
Nevada is off to its best start after 12 games since the 2012-13 team also started 8-4. UNM was picked to finish sixth in the preseason MW media poll and the Wolf Pack ninth.
Nevada’s eight wins is one short of equalling the nine the team totaled all last season.
Senior guard Marqueze Coleman played his 100th game in a Nevada uniform at Wichita State and made his 40th start in the Shockers game. Coleman’s 17 points per game this season is more than double his career average of 7.9.
Freshman Cameron Oliver leads the MW and ranks 23rd nationally averaging 2.42 blocks per game. Oliver recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the victory over Santa Clara. n the last three games Oliver has scored all 37 of his points in the second half.
Nevada has five players averaging double figures led by senior guard Marqueze Coleman’s 17 points per game. D.J. Fenner (13.3 ppg), Tyron Criswell (10.8 ppg), Eric Cooper, Jr. (10.4 ppg) and Cameron Oliver (10.4 ppg) are also averaging double figures. They combine to score 76.8 percent of the Pack’s points (743-of-967) an average of 61.9 points per game.
The Pack’s eight wins this season is nearing the nine it totaled all last season. Nevada’s three wins away from Reno this season is one more than the team totaled all last season going 2-11 in true road games and 0-3 at neutral sites.
Nevada has won the rebounding battle in 11-of-12 games this season. Wichita State was the first team to outrebound the Pack, 38-33.
The Wolf Pack has had four or more players in doubles-figures eight times this season against Coastal Carolina, Montana State, at Pacific PSU, HNU, Fresno Pacific, Drake and Santa Clara. A season-best seven players scored in double figures against Fresno Pacific.
Eight times this season the Pack’s bench has outscored the opponent. Against Holy Names the bench scored 73 points and the Hawks totaled just 57. Nevada’s bench totaled 62 points in the Fresno Pacific victory.
Nevada head coach Eric Musselman coached New Mexico head coach Craig Neal with the Rapid City Thrillers in 1993. Another member of the 1993 Rapid City Thrillers team iss current Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle who Musselman coached against on Dec. 5. The Beavers won 66-62.