The last time Nevada met Air Force overtime was needed for the Wolf Pack to secure a 69-56 win.
That game was during a Nevada hot streak where they had won eight of their last eleven games. Now Nevada is on a five game losing streak and looking to end a skid.
The Falcons enter this contest with the same goal as Nevada: ending a skid. Air Force has lost seven of their last eight games.
Here are three keys to the second matchup of year for the Falcons and Wolf Pack.
Key #1: Tre' Coggins
In the last game against the Wolf Pack the Falcon's leading scorer Coggins was suspended for the game. If you're an Air Force fan you have to question whether or not he could have been the difference in the first game. Coggins averages 16.4 points a game. Jerry Evans Jr., the Nevada senior, will likely start the game guarding Coggins. If Evans can win the defensive matchup and limit Coggins to less than his season average, Nevada and its fans should be content. Coggins has been in a slump as of late, scoring only twelve total points in his last two games on 3-26 shooting. Something has to give.
Key #2: Nevada Offensive Rebounding
As with almost all teams, when Nevada wins the battle on the boards they are hard to beat. But if they want to avoid a loss, offensive rebounding will be key. In the last matchup center AJ West played the best game of his college career with 10 points and 12 rebounds. He dominated the matchup against the smaller Falcons line up and will need to again. The Falcons essentially play a four-guard lineup with big men who cannot matchup against the Wolf Pack centers. Usually Nevada does not have the advantage down low but this is one of the few instances on the season in which they do. They must take advantage on the offensive glass with West and back up big man Ronnie Stevens.
Key #3: Defend the Three Point Line
Air Force and Nevada are two teams that rely heavily upon three point shooting. In the first meeting between the two teams neither could find their stroke. Air Force shot 6-35 from three (17%) and Nevada was only slightly better 7-32 (21%). You can expect both teams not to repeat that performance. For Air Force the players to watch from behind the line are Marek Olesinski and Max Yon. Cole Huff and Michael Perez are the players to watch for Nevada.