All-Time Mountain West Basketball: 2014 SDSU vs. 2018 Nevada

We continue figuring out who the best Mountain West basketball team is in Mountian West history.

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All-Time Mountain West Basketball: 2014 SDSU vs. 2018 Nevada

No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 12 Nevada

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Classic matchup between Aztecs and Wolf Pack

Here we have a true battle of philosophies in this matchup between 2014 San Diego State and the 2018 Nevada team. The slow, grit and grind defense that wears you down over the course of the game, versus the faster, offensive juggernaut that was the Wolf Pack that year. Nevada’s 2018 offense is the best offense the Mountain West has seen according to KenPom, going back to 2002.

San Diego State’s offense wasn’t great in 2014, coming in at 86th in the nation that year. At the same time, SDSU is one of a few teams that have a greater average height than 2018 Nevada, so Nevada won’t be able to outsize their opponent. It’s very possible that the first team to score 60 points will win the game, and the series.

Keys for Nevada: Move the ball to create gaps in the defense; Pack the paint and make SDSU beat you from outside.

Keys for SDSU: Unleash Thames, put the ball in the hands of your second-team All-American and let him go to work; use your size and physicality to knock Nevada off their spots, they’re not used to being outsized.

Now, onto the series.

Game 1: Viejas Arena, Series tied 0-0.

Xavier Thames did what he could, but the Aztecs had no answer for Caleb Martin in game 1 as Nevada takes home court advantage.

 

 

Game 2: Viejas Arena, Nevada leads 1-0.

Game 3: Lawlor Events Center, Nevada leads 2-0.

Thames has a poor night from the field and without him the Aztecs offense can’t put up enough points to keep up. Can Nevada pull off the sweep?

Game 4: Lawlor Events Center, Nevada leads series 3-0.

Nevada completes the sweep, in a fashion that I’m sure will cause many fans, including myself, to question the validity of WhatIfSports.com.

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