Busting Brackets
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Nevada Basketball: Why Wolf Pack are legit title contenders in 2019

By Bryan Mauro

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 29: Caleb Martin #10 and Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talk on the court during their game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 29, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wolf Pack defeated the Rebels 87-70. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 29: Caleb Martin #10 and Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talk on the court during their game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 29, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wolf Pack defeated the Rebels 87-70. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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RENO, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 02: Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks to fans after easily dunking the ball against the Boise State Broncos at Lawlor Events Center on February 02, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 02: Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks to fans after easily dunking the ball against the Boise State Broncos at Lawlor Events Center on February 02, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

2. Experience

The old mantra in coaching is Get Old and Stay Old. That is what Nevada has done. They have the oldest roster in the entire country. As was mentioned previously the Wolf pack team consists almost entirely of transfers. So while the current roster may have only been playing together for a few years. Every single one of these players has played a ton of basketball in college. Like the mark of many other veteran teams, the Wolf pack know how to win. They don’t make the mistakes that would lose team games.

Knowing how to win is something every team must do, every year. The veteran teams have a leg up on the competition because they know what it takes to beat teams. The stars on this team still shine with the Martin Twins in the backcourt and monster Jordan Caroline patrolling the paint. The rest of the team knows their role and thrives in it. The Wolf Pack have been able to do all of this and still play virtually error-free with their starting point guard, and one of the only non-transfers on the roster shelved all year due to injury. Lindsey Drew was sidelined towards the end of the year last year with a torn Achilles and has not made an appearance this year.

Nevada and their mix of transfers, gained valuable tournament experience last year. The Wolf Pack entered the tournament as an at large after getting bounced in the Mountain West Tournament. The grit and determination that Nevada displayed in their magical Elite Eight run are what the tournament is all about. Coming back from a 20-point deficit at half time to beat Texas in overtime and many other cardiac wins. The Wolf Pack are going to use the valuable tournament appearance this year as they are a virtual lock to make the tournament again. Nevada with their record and metrics should be one of the top 16 protected seeds in the tournament.