NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early mid-major top-25 for 2019-20 season

NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early preseason mid-major top-25 for 2019-20 season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: The Utah State Aggies celebrate their victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Head coach Eric Musselman speaks with Jazz Johnson #22 of the Nevada Wolf Pack against the Florida Gators in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

6. Nevada Wolf Pack

2018-19 season record: 29-5 (15-3 in Mountain West)

It was a disappointing Round of 64 exit for Nevada despite having arguably the most roster talent in program history. And with head coach Eric Musselman now moving to Arkansas, the program will move on to a new chapter. It’ll be without five of the team’s top six scorers, including the Martin twins and Jordan Caroline.

Even though there’s a combined 18.1 ppg from the remaining Wolf Pack players, don’t underestimate what Musselman left on the roster, including a few more transfers ready for 2019-20. Three-point sharpshooter Jazz Johnson will be back, along with former five-star recruit Jordan Brown, who was buried in Nevada’s frontcourt this past season. Nisre Zouzoua, who averaged 20 ppg at his previous stop at Bryant should also get more playing time. And the Wolf Pack also will benefit from the return of point guard Lindsey Drew, who was a medical redshirt this year.

Potential replacemens for Musselman at Nevada. light. Related Story

As for the new transfers, Jalen Harris looks most likely to be the star of the team. The 6’5 guard averaged 15.3 ppg in 11 games at Louisiana Tech before transferring. Mike Lewis is a former leading scorer at Duquesne before leaving. Shamiel Stevenson is a 6’6 forward who put up numbers as a freshman at Pittsburgh.

There will be a new head coach at Nevada but look for more transfers to come, as the program has already been linked with many who’ve announced in March/April. As long as Brown plays to him projected potential out of high school, the Wolf Pack will contend for another Mountain West title.

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