Nevada Basketball: The three keys or “B’s” to beating Texas
By Shaun Gordon
2. Don’t Get Beat by Bamba
The Longhorns have one of the most dynamic defensive forces in the country.
His name is Mohammed Bamba, and he’ll make your life miserable if you try to attack the paint.
He may only be 6’11, but his reach and defensive timing are making NBA scouts salivate. He’ll likely be a Top-10 draft pick this year. Maybe even Top-5.
Bamba anchors a stifling defense, allowing them to guard the perimeter aggressively knowing they have very reliable help in the paint.
Just think of the Longhorns as the college basketball version of the Utah Jazz on defense.
If Nevada tries to win this game in the paint offensively, it’s going to be a long night for the Wolf Pack.
Fortunately, they’ve got good balance offensively, both between players and inside-out schematically. Caleb Martin is the go-to scorer for the Wolf Pack, and he’s shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc.
He’s not the only one. Kendall Stephens is hitting nearly 45% of his shots from deep, creating a dangerous one-two perimeter punch.
But Nevada will have to find a way to at least be reasonably productive in the paint. Two of their most relied-on scorers, Jordan Caroline and Cody Martin, make their living inside the arc, and they’ll have to find ways to score either over or around Bamba.
If the Wolf Pack struggle from three and allow the Longhorns to pack the paint defensively, it will be game over for Nevada.