Nevada Basketball: Tides turning for Wolf Pack under Eric Musselman

Nevada basketball could reach the NCAA Tournament soon under Eric Musselman.

Last offseason, the Nevada Wolf Pack were searching for a coach that could turn back the clock and launch the program into the level of success they had from 2004-2007.

During that time period, the school made four straight NCAA Tournaments, reached one Sweet 16 and won four tournament games under Trent Johnson and current Georgia head coach Mark Fox.

The Wolf Pack have made just six appearances in the Big Dance in school history, so their next hire was critical and had to be a home run.

And that it is was. In late March (2015), Nevada hired an experienced head man in Eric Musselman. The 51-year old has coached for over 20 years, including stints as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, and assistant positions with the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, Arizona State Sun Devils and LSU Tigers.

Musselman was the perfect fit for the Wolf Pack and in year one, the program took a step in the right direction, winning 24 games. Nevada finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference standings, had an impressive freshman in Cameron Oliver, and won the CBI Tournament over Morehead State (three game series).

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Obviously, the Wolf Pack are shooting for the NCAA Tournament and not a CBI title, but this was a positive step in the right direction that showed Musselman was pushing the correct buttons.

Even though the team will lose leading scorer Marqueze Coleman, Nevada should take an even bigger step in year two.

Oliver, who averaged 13.4 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game and 2.6 blocks per game, declared for the NBA Draft but will likely return for his sophomore season. The team’s second leading scorer, D.J. Fenner, is a soon-to-be senior, former Southern Illinois forward Jordan Caroline will be eligible, and Lindsey Drew is ready to make a jump in year two.

Musselman also adds Brown transfer Leland King, who sat out last season, and Marcus Marshall (19.5 points per game at Missouri State in 2014-15).

On top of the returnees and additions, the Mountain West Conference is down and that too could help a team like Nevada break through.

San Diego State is always the class of league play, but they had a down season (under their terms) last year. UNLV is in upheaval, James Webb III dashed from Boise State for the NBA and Fresno State is losing one of the best players in the conference Marvelle Harris.

Feb 9, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Kendall Stephens (21) takes a shot against Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

But when the Wolf Pack hired Musselman it wasn’t about the immediate impact, it was about consistency. Would he be able to keep the program relevant for year’s to come? Can he consistently be in the mix for the NCAA Tournament, at the very least?

Musselman made a terrific addition to his coaching staff this offseason, as he hired former UNLV head coach Dave Rice. Rice is well respected in college basketball circles and has had excellent recruiting success on the West Coast (just look at all the talent UNLV has reeled in recently).

The Nevada staff also snagged two high quality transfers, Purdue’s Kendall Stephens and Iowa State’s Hallice Cooke, in a matter of one day.

Stephens will have to sit out a season before having one year of eligibility, but he offers experience, shooting touch from the perimeter and length. While the Illinois native had a down year last season, he shot 38 percent from long range during his sophomore stint and grabbed a career high 2.3 rebounds.

Cooke also has to sit a season before having what will likely be one more season of eligibility (he redshirted so it could be two depending on a waiver). He too brings experience after playing in a power conference, along with his ability to shoot the ball and distribute the basketball.

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Nevada isn’t just set for this season, they are set for the future. And this is all because they knocked the ball out of the park with the hiring of an excellent coach in Musselman.