Nevada vs. San Diego State: Preview & Score Prediction

#21 Nevada (26-5, 15-2) vs. San Diego State (18-10, 10-7) Game Preview

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GAME INFO

Date: Saturday, March 3rd
Tip-off: 7:00pm PST / 10:00pm EST
Venue: Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
Radio: XTRA 1360
TV/stream: CBS Sports Network

PROJECTED NEVADA LINEUP

G Hallice Cooke
G Kendall Stephens
G Jordan Caroline
F Cody Martin
F Caleb Martin

PROJECTED SDSU LINEUP

G Devin Watson
G Trey Kell
G Matt Mitchell
F Jalen McDaniels
F Malik Pope

WHY NEVADA WILL WIN

Nevada destroyed UNLV on Wednesday on the road. The Wolf Pack have an excellent record, and have clinched the Mountain West regular season title.

The real reason, though, is more personal.  Last year Eric Musselman, who grew up in San Diego, had a hometown visit to Viejas.  There, the Aztecs dealt the Wolfpack an embarrassing shellacking that Musselman took very badly- and he apparently took the loss out on his team.  Musselman has an axe to grind.

If Nevada wins at Viejas, they will tie the Mountain West 16-2 regular season record, currently held by the Aztecs.  The Wolfpack crave that distinction.

WHY THE AZTECS WILL WIN

San Diego State has found its rhythm.   There is so much talent on the Aztecs, that most have marveled at how inconsistent their wins and losses have been.  SDSU beat Gonzaga earlier this season, after all.  The veterans, the super-talented freshmen and transfers are finally playing great basketball together.  New head coach Brian Dutcher seems to have found his stride as well.  The Aztecs have won five straight, including a decisive win against #2 Boise State on Wednesday.

Viejas Arena is a very difficult venue for visiting teams to secure a win, and the Aztecs are playing superbly at home.  Expect THE SHOW to be tonight’s decisive “six man.”

Oh- and there’s this: the Aztecs are suddenly playing elite San Diego State defense again.

SCORE PREDICTION

Nevada- 81, San Diego State 84