Nevada Basetball: 2018-19 keys for the Wolf Pack at Fresno State

RENO, NEVADA - JANUARY 02: Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talks to teammate Jordan Brown #21 of the Nevada Wolf Pack near the end of the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Utah State Aggies at Lawlor Events Center on January 02, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

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RENO, NV – JANUARY 09: Jordan Caroline #24 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and teammate Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack smile after beating the San Jose State Spartans 92-53 at Lawlor Events Center on January 9, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

Nevada Basketball faces possibly the team’s toughest task on Saturday with the Fresno State Bulldogs. Here are the keys to the Wolf Pack getting the win.

After going unbeaten in the non-conference, Nevada Basketball was being pegged as the most likely team to finish the regular season without a loss. That was said even louder after the team’s dominating effort against Utah State to start conference play.

But just a few days later, the Wolf Pack ran into the ultimate pit stop, getting blown out at New Mexico. It was another game where the team struggled early on. And this time – the Lobos made them pay for it. The final score was 85-58, a setback for Coach Musselman’s squad.

Nevada rebounded in the last game against San Jose State, 92-53. It was close early on but the Wolf Pack exploded with a 60-point second half on the backs of some new faces that haven’t played too much this season.

The Wolf Pack hopes to continue the momentum against Fresno State 12-3 (3-0), a team who has won 10 of its last 11 games. The Bulldogs are one of three unbeatens in Mountain West play are and now have their full arsenal of players back and mostly healthy.

Last season, Nevada swept both matchups against Fresno State, including a 102-92 victory. The Wolf Pack are still fine in terms of being an at-large team for the NCAA Tournament but can’t afford many more losses if they wish to get a protected seed (top four in the west region) and advantageous road to the Final Four.

Based on the last game against the Spartans, the Wolf Pack may be looking to try some new things. Here will be the keys to the team surviving this road test.