Can Nevada cut down CBI nets at home?
Precious few squads get to end the college basketball campaign with a win. Nevada could well capture the CBI title – on its own floor, no less.
Morehead State, of course, has a mind to celebrate right in the heart of the Wolf Pack’s campus. Only one school will ultimately snare postseason hardware, though, and oddsmakers are leaning toward Reno’s finest. Online sports book Bovada.lv likes Eric Musselman’s troops as 3-point favorites in the decisive Game 3 of the tourney’s championship series.
The Eagles (23-13) actually prevailed in the initial contest between the two mid-major titans, 86-83, behind senior Lyonell Gaines’ spectacular double-double. Wednesday brought a much different tenor to the proceedings. D.J. Fenner exploded for 26 points, and Nevada attempted a whopping 42 free throws in a 77-68 victory.
Fenner and Marqueze Coleman represent known commodities in the Wolf Pack’s backcourt, but tonight’s X-factor may be the young forward who stands to lead the program into the future. Freshman Cameron Oliver victimized Morehead State for 14 points and 11 boards roughly 48 hours ago. Will Sean Woods have devised a way to limit the post threat’s effectiveness?
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One thing’s a certainty: Nevada (23-14) can’t afford another 21-turnover performance. If Oliver rises to the occasion just one more time, his star teammates along the perimeter – not to mention the adoring crowd at the Lawlor Events Center – should handle the rest. Briskness beats out brute strength in this case.
FRIDAY NCAA FREE PICK: NEVADA -3
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