Discover Dan Reinhart's Soccer Journey and Impact on Bay Village Youth Soccer
How Nevada Basketball Can Dominate the Mountain West This Season
I remember watching a club volleyball tournament in Las Vegas a few years back, where I first understood what true team chemistry looks like. The way those players moved together, anticipating each other's plays before they even happened - that's the kind of seamless coordination Nevada Basketball needs to dominate the Mountain West this season. When I spoke with BVS about their experience playing club sports, they mentioned something that stuck with me: "Playing club volleyball in the States, that's how I met her. We ended up doing a stint thing in our senior year. We got invited to play in some games from around the country, so everyone got to play in like this fun game." That casual comment reveals something crucial about team building - it's those unofficial, pressure-free environments where real bonds form, where players learn to trust each other instinctively rather than just following set plays.
Looking at Nevada's current roster, I'm genuinely excited about their potential. They return 78% of their scoring from last season, which is remarkable continuity in today's transfer portal era. Coach Steve Alford has been quietly building something special here, and I believe this could be their breakthrough year. The key will be translating that individual talent into collective dominance, much like those club volleyball teams where players develop an almost telepathic understanding. I've watched enough Mountain West basketball to know that raw talent alone won't cut it - you need that extra layer of connection that turns good teams into conference champions.
What really impresses me about this Nevada squad is their defensive cohesion. They held opponents to just 65.3 points per game last season, and with their entire starting lineup returning, that number should drop even further. I've always been a defense-first kind of analyst, and Nevada's ability to switch seamlessly between man and zone defenses reminds me of those club teams BVS described - players who've developed such familiarity that they can adapt to any situation without missing a beat. Their communication on defense is already at an elite level, but I'd love to see them take it to that next level where they're anticipating plays two or three passes ahead.
Offensively, there's work to be done, but the foundation is absolutely there. Their ball movement has improved dramatically, with assist numbers climbing from 12.8 per game to 15.2 last season. Still, they need to reduce those 14.1 turnovers per game if they want to control the tempo against teams like San Diego State and Boise State. I'm particularly excited about their three-point shooting development - they shot 36.4% from beyond the arc last year, but I've heard through the grapevine that several players have been putting up 500 shots daily during the offseason. That kind of dedication reminds me of those club athletes who play for the love of the game rather than just the competition.
The Mountain West conference has become increasingly competitive, with at least three teams making the NCAA tournament in each of the last four seasons. Nevada finished 12-6 in conference play last year, good for third place, but I'm predicting they'll push that to 15-3 this season. Their non-conference schedule includes some tough matchups that should prepare them well, including games against potential tournament teams from power conferences. What I love about this team is their resilience - they won four games by three points or less last season, showing they can handle pressure situations.
Player development has been Nevada's secret weapon, and I've been particularly impressed with how they've grown their big men. In today's positionless basketball era, having forwards who can handle the ball and shoot from outside is invaluable. Their starting power forward added 12 pounds of muscle while maintaining his mobility, and I've seen footage of him comfortably hitting threes in practice. That kind of versatility is exactly what separates conference contenders from champions. I remember watching those club volleyball players BVS mentioned - how they adapted to different roles and situations - and that's precisely the mindset Nevada needs.
The coaching staff deserves tremendous credit for creating an environment where players want to stay and develop. In an era where 1,800 players entered the transfer portal last offseason, Nevada retained their core while adding strategic pieces that fit their system perfectly. Their new point guard from the junior college ranks might not have the star power of some recruits, but he fits their system perfectly - unselfish, defensive-minded, and capable of making everyone around him better. Sometimes the best additions aren't the most heralded ones, but the ones who understand their role and embrace it completely.
As we approach the season opener, I'm more bullish on Nevada than most analysts. They have the experience, the coaching, and most importantly, the chemistry to make this a special season. The Mountain West title won't come easily - San Diego State returns plenty of talent, and Utah State always plays tough - but something feels different about this Nevada team. They play with a connectivity that you can't teach, the kind that develops through shared experiences and genuine relationships. Much like those club volleyball teams that form bonds beyond the court, Nevada's players seem to genuinely enjoy playing together, and that intangible quality might just be their secret weapon in the pursuit of conference dominance.
