Nevada vs. Grand Canyon: Preview, TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio
The Wolf Pack are road warriors this weekend.
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How will Nevada do on short rest?
Game 10: Nevada Wolf Pack (9-0) vs, Grand Canyon Antelopes (5-3)
When: Sunday, December 9, 2:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m ET
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena (18,422 capacity) in Phoenix
TV: ESPNU
Stream: SlingTV – Get a free seven-day free trial
Radio: 94.5 FM
Websites: The official Nevada Wolf Pack website. The official Grand Canyon Antelopes website.
Odds: Nevada -10.5
Keys to the game:
1) Avoiding the trap: Nevada is playing its 6th consecutive game away from the friendly confines of Lawlor Event Center and is playing with only one days rest. After an emotional come from behind win against talented Pac-12 opponent Arizona State team, the Wolf Pack takes on an opponent that on paper should offer less resistance.
A mental let down is entirely possible and it will be up to Coach Eric Musselman and staff to make sure this does not occur. The Lopes are a solid team that plays hard and fundamentally very sound and capable of pulling off the upset should the Wolf Pack come out flat.
2) Getting to the line: Nevada has been a high free throw rate team due to offensive philosophy and the presence of Jordan Caroline. The Lopes are not a great shot blocking team which should allow Nevada to get to the rim without much to fear other than beating their man. Expect a heavy dose of Trey Porter and Caroline early as Nevada tries to rely on superior athletic ability and physicality to set the tone.
3) The 3: Nevada has shown that they can win even when the 3 point shot is not falling, going an anemic 3-18 from distance against Arizona State. If the 3 is falling for Nevada they look unbeatable but when it isn’t they have to work for the win. The Lopes also like to put the ball up from outside the arc and it will be incumbent on Nevada’s much-improved defense to continue doing a good job defending the 3. For the season the Wolf Pack is holding opponents to 28% shooting from deep and will look to try and lower that number some more.
Fun factoids: 6-10 power forward Michael Finke and 6-7 swing player Jordan Caroline went to elementary school together and played against each other in Junior high and a couple of high school years while growing up in Illinois. When Finke announced he was grad transferring from Illinois it was Caroline on the phone 20 minutes latter touting Nevada as a landing spot for the talented forward. Finke ultimately decided on Grand Canyon and is now getting to play against his elementary school classmate on national TV.
