- Last Season: 29-8, Lost in Sweet 16
- Notable Losses: Kendall Stephens, Josh Hal, Hallice Cooke
- Notable Additions: Jordan Brown, Trey Porter (transfer), Tre’Shawn Thurman (transfer), Corey Henson (transfer), Jazz Johnson (transfer), Nisre’ Zouzoua (transfer)
Looking at the heavy-hitters in regards to the traditional powerhouses of college basketball, the Nevada Wolf Pack coming in as the fifth-ranked team in the country in these rankings may seem wild. However, it’s undeniably the case considering what Eric Musselman has done for this team in Reno. While most of the teams around them have made it happen with prestige recruiting, Musselman has done it with his ability to bring in transfers, a theme again heading into this year.
Caleb Martin, Jordan Carolina and Cody Martin (yes, Caleb’s twin brother) are all returning and all former transfers that have become the three leading scorers for the Wolf Pack. The trio that formerly played for Southern Illinois combined to average 50.6 points and 20.3 rebounds last season. They are a group that can take over games and will be looked to as the leaders, especially with Kendall Stephens and his 13.1 points per game from last season now gone.
However, Musselman now has a huge crop of incoming transfers joining this Nevada team that could all contribute in big ways. Forwards Tre’Shawn Thurman and Trey Porter (a graduate transfer) and guards Corey Henson, Jazz Johnson and Nisre’ Zouzoua are all coming in from previous homes where they averaged 13 points per game or more, which is truly a remarkable incoming class of transfers.
When you then factor in that Nevada is adding a big man in Jordan Brown that is a top-50 recruit in the 2018 class, this team is going to be something to watch. Playing in the Mountain West and with few true non-conference tests, the Wolf Pack are viable threat to go undefeated in the regular season.