How Nevada Basketball Became a Top Contender in the Mountain West

I still remember the first time I watched Nevada basketball during their rebuilding phase back in 2018. The transformation this program has undergone isn't just remarkable—it's practically a masterclass in collegiate sports development. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've seen countless programs rise and fall, but Nevada's ascent feels different. There's something special happening in Reno that reminds me of what BVS described about their volleyball experience—that magical combination of talent discovery and team chemistry that transforms good teams into contenders.

When I think about how Nevada built their program, it brings to mind that quote from BVS about playing club volleyball: "We ended up doing a stint thing in our senior year. We got invited to play in some games from around the country." That's exactly the kind of exposure and competitive experience Nevada's coaching staff has been creating for their players. They've developed this incredible pipeline that brings in athletes who've competed at various levels across the country, much like those club volleyball tournaments that BVS mentioned. I've tracked their recruitment strategy closely, and what stands out to me is how they've identified players who might have been overlooked by bigger programs but had that competitive fire from playing in various showcase events.

The Mountain West Conference has always been competitive, but Nevada's rise to become a top contender didn't happen overnight. From my perspective, their success stems from three key factors that I've observed developing over the past six seasons. First, their player development program is arguably the best in the conference. They've turned three-star recruits into all-conference players through what I consider the most sophisticated training regimen in the West. Second, their offensive system creates mismatches that remind me of how those club volleyball teams BVS described would bring together diverse talents for "fun games" that turned into serious competition. Third, their home court advantage at Lawlor Events Center has become absolutely formidable—they've won 87% of their home games since 2019, which is just incredible.

What really impresses me about Nevada's approach is how they've created this culture of continuous improvement. I've spoken with several players over the years, and they all mention the same thing—the coaching staff treats every game as an opportunity to grow, much like how BVS described being invited to play games around the country. That exposure to different styles and competition levels has been crucial for Nevada's development. They're not just playing Mountain West teams—they're scheduling tough non-conference opponents that prepare them for March. Last season alone, they faced three top-25 teams in their non-conference schedule, winning two of those matchups.

The statistical transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. When Steve Alford took over in 2019, Nevada was coming off a 19-win season. Fast forward to today, and they've averaged 24 wins per season over the past four years. Their offensive efficiency rating has jumped from 98.7 to 115.2 during that span, which is one of the most significant improvements I've seen in college basketball. Defensively, they've reduced their points allowed per game from 72.8 to 65.4. These aren't just incremental improvements—they're program-defining changes.

I've always believed that championship teams are built on defense and rebounding, and Nevada has embraced this philosophy completely. Their defensive rebounding percentage has increased from 68% to 76% over the past three seasons, which shows their commitment to controlling the boards. What's more impressive is how they've adapted their defensive schemes to counter the various offensive styles in the Mountain West. They can switch between man-to-man and zone defenses seamlessly, something I've rarely seen at the collegiate level.

The player development stories coming out of Nevada are what really capture my imagination. Take Kenan Blackshear, for example—he transformed from a role player into the Mountain West Player of the Year candidate through what coaches describe as "the most dedicated offseason improvement program" they've ever seen. Then there's Jarod Lucas, whose three-point shooting improved from 36% to 42% in just one season. These individual improvements collectively elevate the entire program, creating that synergistic effect where the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

What Nevada has accomplished reminds me of the organic growth BVS described in their volleyball experience. It's not just about assembling talent—it's about creating an environment where players can develop chemistry through shared experiences and competitive opportunities. Nevada's coaching staff has mastered this art, scheduling tournaments and showcase events that build team cohesion while testing their abilities against diverse competition. They've created their own version of those "fun games" that BVS mentioned, but with the strategic purpose of building toward conference championships.

Looking ahead, I'm genuinely excited about Nevada's prospects. They return four starters from last year's 26-win team and have what I consider the strongest recruiting class in the Mountain West coming in. Their non-conference schedule includes matchups against two potential top-15 teams, which will provide the exact kind of national exposure that BVS described as being so valuable. If they can maintain their current trajectory, I wouldn't be surprised to see them make a deep NCAA tournament run within the next two seasons. The foundation they've built isn't just sustainable—it's designed for growth, and as someone who's followed this program's journey closely, I can confidently say the best is yet to come for Nevada basketball.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-06 09:00