The Wolf Pack have been brewing something great up here in Reno. I know this year has been a little bit of a down note (18-10). But we've won 4 straight WAC titles and we're still in the race for 5th. Nevada's former coach is the head coach at Stanford who is in the top 10. Nevada's current coach is 100-28 and the fastest WAC coach to ever get 100 wins. Not to mention, we have the best Mid-Major recruiting class coming in next year and a respectable 23rd overall in the nation. Look out for the Wolf Pack. They're here to stay.
On another note, Nevada is 2-0 vs Gonzaga since they've become a "powerhouse".
Nevada Wolf Pack basketball is definitely on the rise, this year notwithstanding. This was looking like a rebuilding year from the beginning, with some nice recruits coming in this year and next. The WAC is no powerhouse of a conference, and the Pack may still win the tournament if they can go on the right run. Other schools on the rise include Butler, Xavier, Southern Illinois and Drake. The separation between the majors and mid-majors is relatively small in comparison to the separation in college football. Any of the top mid-majors can match up with the Top 10 schools in the country on any given night in college basketball. Usually, Western Michigan or Ball State vs. the football Top 10 is a one-sided affair.
It is getting to be that special time of year for college hoops!!!
Other schools on the rise include Butler, Xavier, Southern Illinois and Drake
Drake? There is a difference between having a good year and being on the rise. Lets look at Drake over the last couple of years.
07-08: 25-4
06-07: 17-15
05-06: 12-19
04-05: 13-16
03-04: 12-16
Teams like Gonzaga, Nevada, Butler, and Xavier have been top programs in their conferences for the better part of the decade, Drake has not. The MVC has shown that it is a strong midmajor conference, Creighton and Southern Illinois have made a lot of noise since the turn of the century, Drake will just be a fad, like Bradley.
Getting back to Nevada.... Let's talk about NMSU! I'm really excited because We sort of embarked on Gary's plan when we got Reggie Theus to come last year. The first tangible thing we got was a decent recruiting class and steal some players away from BCS schools. Nevada won the league last year, but we won the tourney - because we paid the league to let us host it and won on our home court. No I look forward to a growing rivalry with Nevada that will hopefully raise both our teams and our league a little higher in everyone's eyes. So yes, I would have to say Mr. Parrish's comments are right on. Kee an eye on the WAC!
