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The Nevada Wolf Pack will conclude their play in the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic as they face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at 1 am PST on ESPN2 as part of ESPN's 24-hour tip off marathon.
The Wolf Pack are 2-0 after dominating wins over Coastal Carolina and Montana State and are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2006-2007 and have found success early in this season by balanced scoring. In Nevada's first game of the season, four Wolf Pack players scored in double figures and in game two, five Wolf Pack players reached double figures in scoring. One of the key characteristics of a good basketball team is balanced scoring and so far this season, the Wolf Pack are displaying that balanced scoring attack.
Nevada faces a Hawaii team that is also 2-0 and like the Wolf Pack, present a balanced scoring attack as they have five players who are currently averaging double figures in points. Their top two players are Roderick Bobitt and Aaron Vales. Bobitt, a senior guard from Oakland, California, averages 16 points per game this season and nine assists while Valdes, a junior guard from Whitter, California, averages 15 points per game and averages seven rebounds a game. The key for Nevada is to contain these two talented guards and that task will be difficult if Lindsey Drew cannot play due to a sprained ankle he suffered against Montana State and with Juwan Anderson out with a hyperextended knee, it will take a team effort to stop Hawaii's guards.
For Nevada to win, they must continue to play great defense as they have in the first two games in Honolulu and protect the ball. Hawaii averaged close to nine steals a game last year and they thrive on taking advantage of other team's mistakes. So far this year, Nevada has protected the ball as they have only turned the ball over a total on 19 times in two games. I think the combination of the Wolf Pack's great team defense and improved offense should be enough to defeat a very solid Hawaii team and propel the Wolf Pack to a 3-0 start.