Busting Brackets
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Nevada Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Wolf Pack

By Jacob Shames

RENO, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Jalen Harris #1 of the Nevada Wolf Pack comes off the court during the game against the California Baptist Lancers at Lawlor Events Center on November 19, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Jalen Harris #1 of the Nevada Wolf Pack comes off the court during the game against the California Baptist Lancers at Lawlor Events Center on November 19, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Jazz Johnson #22 and Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack hold up the championship trophy after they defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen 110-87 to win the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Jazz Johnson #22 and Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack hold up the championship trophy after they defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen 110-87 to win the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Non-conference slate

Nov. 5 (H) Utah

Nov. 6 (H) Loyola Marymount

Nov. 12 (H) Texas-Arlington

Nov. 16 (H) USC

Nov. 19 (A) Davidson

Nov. 22 (N) Fordham (Paradise Jam)

Nov. 23/24 (N) Valparaiso or Grand Canyon (Paradise Jam)

Nov. 25 (N) Illinois State, Cincinnati, Bowling Green, or Western Kentucky (Paradise Jam)

Dec. 4 (A) Santa Clara

Dec. 10 (A) BYU

Dec. 18 (H) Texas Southern

Dec. 21 (N) Saint Mary’s (Air Force Reserve Al Attles Classic)

Even in a rebuilding year, Nevada has decided to challenge itself with its non-conference schedule.

Utah is a middle-of-the-pack Pac-12 team, but UT-Arlington returns everybody, Loyola Marymount returns the bulk of a 22-win squad and USC adds five-stars Onyeka Okongwu and Isaiah Mobley to its two leading scorers from last year, Jonah Matthews and Nick Rakocevic. Davidson, meanwhile, should be among the favorites to win the Atlantic 10.

The Pack shouldn’t have much trouble in paradise, at least at first. Their toughest opponent in the Virgin Islands will likely be either Cincinnati or Western Kentucky, both of whom are NCAA Tournament hopefuls. After that, road trips to Santa Clara and a veteran BYU team await. Texas Southern is always among the best teams in the SWAC, and Saint Mary’s, led by star guards Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts, might be the nation’s best mid-major (sorry, Gonzaga doesn’t count).

On paper, Nevada doesn’t have the experience or talent to take down USC, Davidson, Cincinnati/Western Kentucky, BYU or Saint Mary’s, but it’s more than possible that the Pack could steal a couple as they continue to gel and embrace a new identity. Eight wins would be plenty acceptable in Alford’s first year.