Nevada - Creighton Preview

Nevada (7) Vs. Creighton (10)
Friday, 3/16 @ 2:50
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Nevada -1.5

The #15 Nevada Wolf Pack (28- 4, 14- 2 WAC) were tops in their regular season standings but lost a close one in the conference tournament (77- 79) to fourth-place Utah State. The Creighton Bluejays (22- 10, 13- 5 MVC) finished second in the MVC and then won the tournament title by beating #15 Southern Illinois 67- 61.

The Wolf Pack must play better defense and they have to get the ball to senior forward Nick Fazekas (20.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 1.8 APG). The athletic, 6-foot, 11-inch Fazekas is a major force on the court. Point guard Ramon Sessions (12.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.7 APG) will be instrumental in setting up plays and transitioning into defense. Marcelus Kemp (18.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.3 APG) offers balance and another reliable scoring option. The team has four starters who hit threes at a 40% or better rate. But they can’t fall into the downtown trap.

For Creighton, if senior guard Nate Funk (17.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.0 APG) is involved in the game, they can win. Funk doesn’t have to score to be effective, because he can do so may other things, including setting up plays and hanging tough around the boards. Senior center Anthony Tolliver (13.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG) is the other leader on the court. Both Funk and Tolliver are sound defensively. Guard Nick Porter and forward Dane Watts balance the attack outside and inside.

Fifteenth ranked Nevada has not been playing its best ball and Creighton has been lately. Plus, Creighton has no respect for nationally ranked teams, just ask Southern Illinois.

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