2022 Record: 22-11 (12-6)
Head Coach: Steve Alford (Career Record 657-349) (Nevada Record 70-51)
Projected Rotation:
PG: Kenan Blackshear (14.1 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 4.6 Ast)
SG: Jarod Lucas (17.0 Pts, 2.6 Reb, 1.4 Ast)
SF: Tre Coleman (6.3 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 2.6 Ast)
PF: Tylan Pope (Tulane 6.5 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 0.3 Ast)
C: Nick Davidson (6.9 Pts, 4.1 Reb, 0.4 Ast)
6: C Jazz Gardner
7: SG Hunter McIntosh (2.3 Pts, 0.8 Reb, 1.7 Ast)
8: PG Tyler Rolison
9: C Jeriah Coleman (Clarendon CC 9.1 Pts, 8.3 Reb, 0.3 Ast)
10: PF KJ Hymes (2021-22 3.1 Pts, 2.3 Reb, 0.2 Ast)
11: SF Daniel Foster (1.5 Pts, 1.9 Reb, 1.0 Ast)
12: SF Tyler Powell (2.2 Pts, 1.0 Reb, 0.3 Ast)
13: SG Amire Robinson
Nevada brought back the core nucleus of a team that found a way to make the tournament. They also made some solid additions in the portal and high school with the hopes of filling the few pieces that left this past offseason. Nevada returns their backcourt duo of Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear. Both of them bring a tremendous amount of talent and experience going into their 5th seasons of CBB. Lucas is a high volume scorer who can get a bucket from just about anywhere on the court. He is a real threat to average 20PPG this season. He has improvements to make on the defensive end, but his offensive game is top notch. Blackshear is a player who has grown tremendously over the course of his career. He started off at FAU where he spent 2 seasons. He really struggled to find his footing with the Owls, once he transferred to Nevada he really took off. Blackshear plays with a new level of confidence now. He improved his shooting and has turned into a high level passer and defender as well now.
Other returners expected to be in the starting lineup next season are Nick Davidson and Tre Coleman. Davidson needs to fill the void of Will Baker. In an expanded role, Davidson will really have the opportunity to showcase what he can be. Davidson is an undersized 5 man, but he has the talent and tools necessary to thrive in Reno. He can shoot like Baker could and really has the chance to average double figures this upcoming season. Tre Coleman started every game for the Wolfpack last season. He is also one of the better defenders on the team. He has improved each season over the course of his career and could be in for another big improvement this upcoming season. KJ Hymes is another returner for the Wolfpack. He only played in 4 games last season after suffering an injury. The 6-10 big averaged just over 3PPG in the 2021-22 season. He could possibly have an expanded role with Will Baker’s departure.
The remaining returning players for the Wolfpack this upcoming season are: Hunter McIntosh, Daniel Foster, and Tyler Powell. McIntosh is a player that could have a huge bounceback season this year. McIntosh only played 6 games this past season due to injury and averaged just over 2PPG. McIntosh was a very good player at Elon averaging 13PPG and 15PPG the last 2 seasons shooting just over 37% from 3. If he gets healthy and picks up where he left off, he can be a big piece off the bench for the Wolfpack this season. Foster is a player that is a good passer and finisher at the rim. The Australian native should have a bit of an expanded role next season. Tyler Powell is a player that can get a couple buckets off the bench when necessary. The former Seton Hall guard should also see a bit of an increase in play time this season.
Nevada’s lone addition from the transfer portal this offseason was Tulane forward Tylan Pope. He’s a very good defender and also drives to the basket well. He has 2 years of eligibility remaining. Nevada also made a JUCO addition this offseason adding big man Jeriah Coleman to the fold. Coleman played sparingly in 2 seasons with St. Francis (PA). He took the JUCO route and found great success at Clarendon JC. The 7-1 center averaged 9PPG and 8RPG this past season. He adds much needed size that the Wolfpack lack this season. Coleman was highly recruited out of JUCO committing to the Wolfpack over 15 other D1 offers. Nevada also signed a trio of freshman this year. Jazz Gardner is a 4 star center that ranks #138 in the 247 sports rankings. He is a player that could see immediate action as a freshman. Another player who could potentially be a key rotational piece is PG Tyler Rolison a 3 star ranked #163 in the country. The Wolfpack also added unranked SG Amire Robinson.
Nevada had a great season last year which led them to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They brought back the majority of that team only losing 3 players this offseason. Nevada will be a very competitive team once again. The Mountain West will be a very good conference next season and Nevada should be around the 4th-6th range in the conference. Another NCAA Tournament appearance is possible, but this team would be NIT bound at the minimum.