This will be a fairly unique event in LR history: playing a Top 10 team that is not from a power conference. Nevada is really good, and even making it a close game will get us some attention and build confidence. They are currently ranked #6 by AP.

Their starting lineup should run 6-7, 6-7, 6-7, 6-8, 6-11, and can bring 6-11, 6-10, 6-8 off the bench. No shorties here. That will present the interesting match-up of Markquis going against someone 11 inches taller than he is.

For a team as big as they are, they shoot the 3 a lot: over 48% of their attempts are from the arc. Their perimeter height allows them to shoot over the Markquises of the world without too much trouble. And it allows them to defend the perimeter, as opponents shoot only 22% from the arc against them. (They appear to have learned the lesson that in today's game, only the 3-point shot matters, on both sides of the ball.) As a team they have an astounding 2.66 A/TO ratio. They turned the ball over only 15 times in two games. Not many weak spots with this team.

I don't mean to be too negative, but this could be ugly.

If both teams start the same lineup as they did the last game, here is the comparison:

6-7 vs. 5-8 (minus 11)
6-7 vs. 6-1 (minus 6)
6-7 vs 6-5 (minus 2)
6-8 vs 6-8 (even)
6-11 vs 6-10 (minus 1)

OK up front, but way down on the perimeter.

(11-14-2018 09:50 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  If both teams start the same lineup as they did the last game, here is the comparison:

6-7 vs. 5-8 (minus 11)
6-7 vs. 6-1 (minus 6)
6-7 vs 6-5 (minus 2)
6-8 vs 6-8 (even)
6-11 vs 6-10 (minus 1)

OK up front, but way down on the perimeter.

I haven't stood next to Markquis, but I really doubt he is 5'8". 5'6" seems more accurate, but I don't know for sure.

Thanks for the previews. Much appreciated. Here's hoping they leave some gas in the tank for their trip to Tulsa on Monday.

(11-14-2018 12:19 PM)mjs Wrote:  I haven't stood next to Markquis, but I really doubt he is 5'8". 5'6" seems more accurate, but I don't know for sure.

I agree with you. His mother may think he is 5-8, but I don't.

(11-14-2018 09:50 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  6-7 vs. 5-8 (minus 11)
6-7 vs. 6-1 (minus 6)
6-7 vs 6-5 (minus 2)

When your three perimeter players average giving up over 6" per player, that is a definite Cause For Concern.

Sagarin has Nevada by 11. That sounds a little low to me.

(11-14-2018 02:11 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Sagarin has Nevada by 11. That sounds a little low to me.

RealtimeRPI has Nevada by 31. That sounds a little more like it.

(11-14-2018 05:05 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 02:11 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Sagarin has Nevada by 11. That sounds a little low to me.

RealtimeRPI has Nevada by 31. That sounds a little more like it.

Split the difference: 21 That's about what I would expect. Let's see if they can keep it close.

(11-15-2018 11:06 AM)Robert C Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 05:05 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 02:11 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Sagarin has Nevada by 11. That sounds a little low to me.

RealtimeRPI has Nevada by 31. That sounds a little more like it.

Split the difference: 21 That's about what I would expect. Let's see if they can keep it close.

Hopefully, it's not 21 at the half and the Nevada just coasts to a victory. If it's closer to 10, at the half, and Nevada pulls away late, I'd feel pretty good about it. But for a "no-name" team to be ranked #6 to start the season, they must be awfully good. I'm afraid that "31" point spread might be quite realistic.

The problem you always get into with such teams is that if you play their game, they are likely to blow you out, because they will play their game a lot better than you do. Last season 40% of their attempts were from the arc, and after two games even more than that this season. And they shot 39% from the arc as a team last season. So we get to guard a team that lives by the 3, and we are giving up 6" per player on the perimeter. Tough! And if they get rolling, they will be hard to slow down. And last season they averaged drawing 9000 per game at home.

Last season Loyola beat them by playing their own game and NOT getting into a game of HORSE with Nevada. Loyola shot only 13 three pointers. The Wolfpack shot 27 threes, but made only 7 of them. Porter played Porterball, and won.

(11-14-2018 09:50 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  If both teams start the same lineup as they did the last game, here is the comparison:

6-7 vs. 5-8 (minus 11)
6-7 vs. 6-1 (minus 6)
6-7 vs 6-5 (minus 2)
6-8 vs 6-8 (even)
6-11 vs 6-10 (minus 1)

OK up front, but way down on the perimeter.

Scoring offense
LR tied for 35th with 92 ppg
Nevada 90th at 84.5

Scoring defense
LR 293-79.5 pig
Nevada 98-65.5

Rebounding
LR 146th at 39 rpg
Nevada 42nd at 44.5

Fewest turnovers
LR 111th with 29
Nevada 14th with 15

Assist to turnover ratio
LR 114th at 1.21
Nevade is No. 1 at 2.67

FG percentage
LR 9th at 56.3 percent
Nevada 280 at 41 percent

3FG defense
LR ranked 261 at 36.6
Nevada 17 at 21.6