The Salukis will take a break from Missouri Valley Conference action this Saturday when the Nevada Wolfpack come to town as part of the O'Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters. This will be the first meeting between these two perennially successful mid-major programs since 1965, but regardless of the outcome, their will be a rematch in Reno next season.
The Wolfpack return just one starter from a school record 29-win 2006-07 lineup that won the WAC and went to the Big Dance for the 4th consecutive season. Over that four year span, Nevada topped 25 wins each season and went undefeated in BracketBusters contests with victories over Toledo, Vermont, Akron and Northern Iowa.
Saturday's trip to the SIU Arena will be the first time the Wolfpack have traveled for this event and they have compiled a 6-7 mark away from the Lawler Events Center in Reno this season. Overall... Nevada (17-9 , 9-4) is currently 3rd in the WAC, but just a single game behind Boise State and New Mexico State in the loss column. With an RPI of 72 and a woeful 1-7 record against the top 100, the Wolfpack are in dire need of a quality victory.
With four players averaging in double figures, this lineup can be dangerous. Marcellus Kemp is a 6th year swingman that is averaging over 20 ppg and looks to be headed to the NBA next year. JaVale McGee is a 7'0" sophomore forward that has notched six double-doubles this season and hit 4 of 5 from beyond the arc in the last two games. In the backcourt, a pair of underclassmen, Brandon Fields and Armon Johnson, combine for just under 25 ppg and Johnson has tallied four 20-point performances, including 23 against then #1 North Carolina. Off the bench, David Ellis is a 7'1" freshman center that averages 15 mpg, but only 3 ppg. Collectively, the Wolfpack average 75 ppg and their size has led to a +3 margin on the glass, but it doesn't limit opportunities for decent looks on the offensive end; opponents are averaging 70 ppg on the season.
The Salukis are playing their best basketball of the year right now and a win on Saturday would keep the momentum rolling into the final two Valley contests next week. Tip-off is at 3:30 and tickets are still available.
