Even if you happen to have an early start tomorrow, it might be worth your while to stay up for tonight’s college basketball matchup between Nevada and Washington (10:00 pm ET, Pac-12 Network), which is the last but most interesting game on today’s college hoops slate.
After making the First Four of last season’s NCAA Tournament, the Wolf Pack will be eyeing another March Madness trip this season.
Jarrod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear, the team’s top two scorers last year, leading a group that was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West behind San Diego State, Boise State, and New Mexico.
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Washington hasn’t been a part of March Madness since 2019, and that drought is expected to continue this season, as the Huskies were picked to finish ninth in the Pac-12.
But they are off to a 2-0 start this season, and with point guard Sahvir Wheeler joining forces with former Kentucky teammate Keion Brooks Jr. in Seattle, the potential is there for Washington to far exceed those low expectations.
A win tonight over a potential tournament team in Nevada could serve as a major confidence boost ahead of next week’s Continental Tire Main Event, which will offer resume-building opportunities against Xavier and either Saint Mary’s or San Diego State.
Nevada vs Washington Odds
Odds are courtesy of Bovada.
Spread
- Nevada +5.5 (-110)
- Washington -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under
- Over 152.5 (-115)
- Under 152.5 (-105)
Moneyline
- Nevada +180
- Washington -220
Nevada vs Washington Prediction and Picks
Prediction: Washington to win
Pick: Nevada/Washington over 152.5 (-115 at Bovada)
In Mike Hopkins’ tenure as Washington coach, scoring has not been a strength, even with some talented players coming through the program during that time.
That includes last season, as the Huskies were tied for 245th in Division I in scoring at a mere 69.2 points per game.
It looks like times could be changing, with some promising early returns this season.
Wheeler averaged 10.3 PPG and 6.1 assists per game in four seasons at Georgia and Kentucky before making the move out west, and his skills were on display in Thursday’s debut against Northern Kentucky, in which he scored 18 points and dished out seven assists.
With Wheeler, Rutgers transfer Paul Mulcahy, Brooks (who scored 32 points against NKU), and mid-major transfer additions Moses Wood (Portland) and Nate Calmese (Lamar) joining promising sophomore guard Koren Johnson (25 points in the season opener against Bellarmine), I like Washington’s potential to put points on the board this season.
I have the same sentiment about Nevada, who lost a couple of key pieces in the portal (Will Baker to LSU and Darrion Williams to Texas Tech) but has a solid returning core led by Lucas and Blackshear.
As much as I have talked up Washington here, I’m not quite sold enough just yet to back the spread here, but an impressive performance will have me eagerly anticipating the odds for Friday’s matchup with Xavier. But in this particular spot, the over is the move for me, as both teams should have a good night on the offensive end.