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

1. Don’t fall in love with the three-point shot

There’s no question that this Nevada team likes to shoot the three-point shot, taking around 25 attempts per game. But they also can be aggressive in terms of driving and getting fouled, causing them to also make trips to the free throw line. The Wolf Pack are in the top-20 nationally in that category.

There are times though that the team will shoot more threes than necessary, which creates problems when they aren’t falling at a proficient rate. They shot 4/22 in the loss to New Mexico and are 22/76 (29%) in the first three Mountain West games. Ironically, the Wolf Pack are tops in the league in both two-point percentage and field goal shooting overall. It makes sense, with Nevada having the deepest frontcourt in the conference, combined with guards Cody and Caleb Martin having the capability to slash inside and draw fouls.

This will be very important for the team to do this game, especially to possibly to out a key Fresno State player. Nate Grimes is having a great junior campaign for the Bulldogs, averaging 11.7 ppg and 8.6 rpg. He’s been even better early on in conference play, going for 15 ppg and 10 rpg.

But one issue the 6’8 forward has dealt with is foul trouble. He hasn’t played in more than 26 minutes in the last three games, while fouling out altogether in one of them. He’s been foul prone and with Fresno State’s lack of overall size, him having to leave the court could be a fatal blow against the big bodies Nevada can rotate in all 40 minutes.

However, that won’t happen if the Wolf Pack gets shot happy on the perimeter. They took just seven free throw attempts in the last game versus San Jose State and doing so against would take Fresno State off the hook. Going inside early and often will set them up for a big advantage.