This is the 11th article in a series previewing each team and position rankings in the Mountain West leading up to the 2024-2025 basketball season
MW Rankings:
1. Nevada
2. Boise State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #2 Boise State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
3. Utah State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #3 Utah State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
4. San Diego State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #4 San Diego State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
5. New Mexico (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #5 New Mexico | Big Blue USU Aggie News
6. UNLV (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #6 UNLV | Big Blue USU Aggie News
7. Colorado State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #7 Colorado State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
8. San Jose State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #8 San Jose State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
9. Wyoming (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #9 Wyoming | Big Blue USU Aggie News
10. Air Force (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #10 Air Force | Big Blue USU Aggie News
11. Fresno State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #11 Fresno State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
Prior Season Results and Predictions:
- Record: 26-8 overall, 13-5 conference
- My Prediction: Between 4th and 7th in the conference
- Summary: Nevada tied for 2nd in the conference last year and made the NCAA tournament. Nevada lost their first-round game after Dayton made a huge comeback in the 2nd half.
- All Conference Players/Other Awards: Tre Coleman (All MW Defense), Kenan Blackshear (2nd team MW), Jarod Lucas (2nd Team MW), Nick Davidson (3rd Team MW)
Metrics for the last 5 Seasons:
- Conference Regular Season Winning %: 59.6% (ranked 5th in conference)
- Conference Regular Season Champion: 0 (Tied for 4th in the conference)
- Conference Tournament Champion: 0 (Tied for 5th in the conference)
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 (Tied for 4th in the conference)
- NCAA Tournament Wins: 0 (Tied for 4th in the conference)
2024-2025 Season Review:
Conference Prediction: #1 in the Mountain West
Overview: Nevada lost two all-conference guards to graduation but return one of the best big men in the conference in Nick Davidson, and an elite wing defender in Tre Coleman. They also dipped into the transfer portal and brought in high level talent as they signed Kobe Sanders who has elite size and scoring skills as a guard, Fresno State/Wyoming transfer Xavier Dusell whose elite shooting will open the floor and then brought in multiple big men which will makes Nevada one of the most experienced front courts in the conference. On paper they can go two deep at every position and have elite size and shooters.
Production Returning: Scoring 46% (returning), Rebounding 65%, Assists 50%, Blocks 79%, Minutes 56%
Key losses: Kenan Blackshear (Graduation), Jarod Lucas (Graduation), Hunter McIntosh (Graduation)
Key Returners: Nick Davidson (3rd team MW), KJ Hymes (Center starter), Tre Coleman (Wing starter), Daniel Foster (key utility player), Tyler Rolison (played back-up point guard as true freshman, bright future)
Newcomers:
- Xavier Dusell: Transfer from Fresno State who started his career at Wyoming. He averaged 12 ppg last year and is a elite shooter
- Justin McBride: Sophomore forward transfer from Oklahoma State, where he played 1 year. Was a 4-star recruit
- Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams: Junior forward/center transfer from Portland where he averaged 8 ppg and 5 rebounds
- Kobe Sanders: 6’9″ transfer from Cal Poly where he averaged 20 ppg. He can play either guard position as well as wing
- Brandon Love: Forward/Center transfer from Texas State where he averaged 10 ppg and 5 rebounds
- Chuck Bailey: Sophomore guard transfer from Evansville where he averaged 8 ppg as a freshman
Strongest Position: Kobe Sanders and Tyler Rolison both could be quality starters at PG. I expect Kobe to start and be a potential all-conference guy (maybe start at the shooting guard/wing position) with Rolison pushing for time through the year.
Biggest Question Mark(s): Who starts at center? Nevada has multiple guys who could start at this position. Will be interesting to see if KJ Hymes can keep his starting position.
Projected Starters: Kobe Sanders (Guard), Xavier Dusell (Guard), Tre Coleman (Wing), Nick Davidson (Forward), Brandon Love (Center)
Bench: Tyler Rolison (Guard), Chuck Bailey (Guard), Daniel Foster (Wing), Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams (Forward), KJ Hymes (Center)
Potential All Conference Guys: Kobe Sanders, Tre Coleman (defense), Nick Davidson, Xavier Dusell
Key Non-Conference Games: Washington (Home), Santa Clara (Home), Vanderbilt (Neutral), Washington State (Home)