NCAA Basketball: Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2021-22 season

7. Nevada Wolf Pack

Just a few players in NCAA Basketball averaged at least 18.0 ppg and 6.0 apg last season, with many of them being on the national radar. But because of how the Mountain West was with the top-tier, Grant Sherfield managed to fly under the radar. The Wichita State transfer became a star for the Wolf Pack, leading them in scoring and passing and having many big individual performances.

Not only was Sherfield an impact transfer, so was Desmond Cambridge, who put up big numbers previously at Brown in the Ivy League and did so as well in the Mountain West. The starting guard duo combined to produce 34.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, and 8.5 apg in the backcourt. They’re back, along with key forwards Warren Washington and KJ Hymes.

This core alone would have the Wolf Pack in the mix at the top of the league but the addition of three new transfers could propel them to the top. Center Will Baker is a former top-50 recruit that transferred from Texas in the middle of last season. And Kenan Blackshear is a 6’6 wing athlete that averaged 9.4 ppg at Florida Atlantic and gives them a true small forward with size on the roster.

The biggest pickup though came late in AJ Bramah, who originally picked Arizona State this offseason before roster movement there proved to be Nevada’s benefit. In 11 games for Robert Morris, the senior averaged 21.0 ppg and 10.3 rpg and gives the team an offensive weapon in the frontcourt. He’s not going to average that many points at Nevada but by just being another double-digit contributor, opens things up even more for the talented backup.

From a talent perspective, the Wolf Pack has a case to make that they should be the team to beat in the Mountain West. They’ll have the chance to prove that but will have a target on their backs this time as well. But with arguably the best player in the conference (Sherfield) around, this team looks capable of handling it.