Nevada cruises over Arkansas Little Rock, 87-59
Nevada made it look real easy Friday night
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Nevada continues to jell as a team
Nevada had little trouble dispensing of Arkansas Little Rock. In a game that had all the makings of a high scoring affair, it was Nevada’s defense that stole the show. Coming into the season it was assumed that Nevada would be able to score the ball, even if there was a question as to who was going to replace Kendall Stephens shooting from distance. The defense was the question mark that earned an exclamation mark as well when Nevada’s defense was torched by Washington in a preseason exhibition.
The Trojans came into Reno averaging 92 points a game but were held well below that by a tenacious Wolf Pack defense. Nevada held the Trojans to 27% from behind the arc and 35% shooting from the floor. The impressive number to look at is points off the fast break. This had been an area of defensive focus during the past week and it showed. The Trojans, a team that likes to run only score 7 points off the break while Nevada had 15.
It was depth and athleticism that carried the Wolf Pack to 3-0. Bench points were supplied in numbers by Jazz Johnson, 17 points and Jordan Brown 12 points and 11 rebounds in his first double-double of his collegiate career. It was a parade of Nevada players with double-doubles, Jordan Caroline recorded his second of the year with 17 points and a dozen rebounds, Cody Martin also notched his second of the year on 14 points to go with 10 assists. Cody has hit double digits in assists in each of Nevada’s first 3 games.
This was by far Nevada’s most complete game. They did what they were supposed to do; they took control of the game early and never let up. Brown looked much more comfortable than he did the first 2 games and was an efficient 5-7 from the floor. Jazz Johnson continued to establish his role as the spark plug off the bench, bringing hard-nosed defense a sweet shot from deep and a willingness to take it inside.
This is the 4th paragraph and I haven’t even mentioned their preseason first-team All-American, Caleb Martin. Caleb scored in the first half for the first time this year, quieting the critics that were calling for Caleb to be benched the entire first half of games. Tucker Rayjon led all scorers with 21 and Caleb led Nevada with 19.
Next up for the Wolf Pack is Cal Baptist on Monday the 19th of November ending a 4 game home stand to begin the season. The hardest part of Nevada’s OOC schedule is ahead of them and they look as if they are getting well prepared. Trey Porter got into early foul trouble and never got untracked nor could Tre’Shawn Thurman, so we have yet to see this offense clicking on all cylinders.
