FanPost

2019-20 Nevada Basketball Season Preview

By: Matt Hanifan

Roster Breakdown

Projected Starting 5:

  • G: Lindsey Drew (Sr.)
  • G: Jalen Harris (Jr.)
  • G: Jazz Johnson (Sr.)
  • F: KJ Hymes (Fr.)
  • F: Johncarlos Reyes (Sr.)

This starting five is nowhere near where it was last season with the Martin Twins, Jordan Caroline, Trey Porter and Tre'Shawn Thurman, but it is not as some may think. Lindsey Drew, who missed all of last season due to an achilles injury, makes a return to the starting five.

The 6-foot-3 guard has started in 93 of his 99 career games with the Wolf Pack, averaging 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 30.1 minutes of action over that span.

Drew, the son of Larry Drew, was a strong two-way presence under Eric Musselman, and he looks to do so under new head coach Steve Alford too.

Johnson and Harris join him in the backcourt. Harris, a Louisiana Tech transfer that sat out last season due to the NCAA Transfer rules, is an athletic guard who still features multi-dimensional scoring ability. In his 38 career collegiate games, Harris has averaged 12.2 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting, including 35.4 shooting from the floor.

Johnson blossomed in his first year with the Pack last season, earning Mountain West Sixth man of the Year. He helped contribute to a third consecutive Mountain West regular season title and a third straight NCAA tournament appearance. The 5-foot-10 sharpshooter averaged 11.0 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting from deep, finishing eighth in the Mountain West conference in total three-pointers made (71).

Hymes and Reyes both haven't played a regular season game with the Pack yet, but are looking to set the tone down low. Hymes, who redshirted last season, was nominated for preseason Mountain West freshman of the year. Reyes, on the other hand, provides experience in the frontcourt. The Boston College graduate transfer has logged 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in 8.0 minutes in his collegiate career.

Bench:

  • Nisre Zouzoua (Sr.)
  • Zane Meeks (Fr.)
  • Kane Milling (Fr.)
  • Robby Robinson (So.)
  • Gabe Bansuelo (Fr.)
  • Zachary Williams (Jr.)

Nevada has only one returning player from last year's team on the bench: Nisre Zouzoua. Zouzoua looks to breakout this season after a disappointing 2018-19 season, scoring only 1.2 points in 6.0 minutes per game -- after averaging 16.5 points per game in his first two seasons at Bryant.

The 6-foot-2 guard looked much more confident in his shot, scoring a combined 28 points on 50 percent shooting in the first two scrimmage games.

Meeks, Robinson and Williams all look to provide quality frontcourt depth off the bench. Meeks is a superb on the glass, while being able to stretch the floor. He recorded ten points and 14 rebounds in Nevada's second scrimmage game versus Colorado Christian.

Robinson scored one point and hauled in six boards in his only scrimmage game. He demonstrated a great motor on both sides of the floor. The 6-foot-8 forward tallied 15.3 points and 10 rebounds per game in his only season at San Diego City Community college. Williams, a Reno, Nev. native, averaged 9.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 24 minutes per contest in his final season at South Mountain Community College.

Milling has experience overseas, and will likely serve as the backup point guard off the bench for Nevada. He averaged 14.4 points, 5.8 rebounds with 2.2 steals in his senior year for CSP Limoges in France.

Season Prediction:

Nevada (18-15, 11-7):

The Wolf Pack may not be the powerhouse that they have been the last few seasons under Musselman, averaging 27.5 wins and having four consecutive postseason appearances (one CBI, three NCAA tournament), but this is still a solid team. It might take time under Alford to gain steam with the difficult non-conference schedule that includes Utah, USC, Loyola Marymount among others, but I still believe that this team can gel and make some noise in the Mountain West conference throughout the season.