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Nevada Gets Reality Check From Washington Huskies

The Wolf Pack struggled in its scrimmage vs. the Huskies.

Musselman is not a happy camper.

RENO, Nevada – “It’s the first time I haven’t raised my voice in a locker room since I’ve been here. It’s not worth raising your voice and showing displeasure because the performance was completely unacceptable.” – Nevada head coach, Eric Musselman.

Nevada suited up for the first time this season when they hosted the Washington Huskies in a charity exhibition game at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada, and were run out of their own building in the second half.

Things stayed close for the first 20 minutes and Nevada went into the locker room with a 40-39 lead. That lead didn’t last long in the second half and if Nevada’s Jordan Caroline didn’t get to the free throw line 15 times, things may have been much uglier. The Wolf Pack were outscored by 19 in the second half and fell victim to an 91-73 pummeling.

Nevada simply had a difficult time finding open shots. Nearly every shot they took, especially in the second half, was tightly contested. Possibly due to too much dribbling, not swinging the ball fast enough against Washington’s zone, and Washington’s recovery out to the perimeter after dribble drives when Nevada looked to kick the ball back out. Their denial of kick out passes wasn’t good, it was great. Washington wanted this game and they showed it.

When a team takes seven more shots from the field, 15 more free throw attempts, and outrebounds it’s opponent, the last thing you would ever expect is an 18 point loss. Bad shot selection and terrible rotation on defense would be Nevada’s demise in their first exhibition game of the season. 39% from the field and 24% from three was atrocious.

Musselman said, “we have one of the worst defensive teams in the country.” That may be a bit over the top, but it should get the guys fired up and ready to improve. Nevada could have easily still won this game, even allowing 91 (clearly not ideal), if they knocked down some shots.