Prediction Record: 62-28
Nevada at Kansas- This is a rematch of last season's game between the two teams in which the Jayhawks won by 33. However, the team that played longer into March was the Wolfpack. This season, Nevada is the better of the two teams, and are the squad getting more recognition nationally, and rightfully so. The Wolfpack are 3-0, with wins on the road at UNLV and Vermont, as well as a home W against Sacramento State. They have not played to their potential yet, though. Nevada has one of the premier big men in the country in Nick Fazekas, who can dominate a game. It is just not just Fazekas and a bunch of role players, however. Marcellus Kemp and Mo Charlo are two very good players on the wings. Kemp is putting up 21 points per game, while Charlo is going for 14 and 8 boards a contest. Chad Bell is a solid big men that can rebound and play defense. Guards Kyle Shiloh, Ramon Sessions, and Lyndale Burleson are producing on the perimeter. Kansas is 2-2, with blowout wins over Idaho State and Chaminade, and losses to Arizona and Arkansas in the Maui Invitational. The Jayhawks finished seventh in the eight-team tournament. They are a very young team that utilizes a lot of palyers. The strength is the inside game. Sophomore big men CJ Giles and Sasha Kaun are combining for 25 points and 17 rebounds per game, with Kaun averaging nearly a double-double. On the wing, freshman Brandon Rush has been the leading scorer for the Jayhawks. He is efficient shooting the ball, both from inside and outside the arc. Fellow freshmen Micah Downs and Julian Wright have produced decent numbers. Guards Russell Robinson, Jeff Hawkins, and freshman Mario Chalmers have handled the point duties. Hawkins has distributed the ball well, while Robinson and Chalmers are good scorers that have turned the ball over too much. In this game, even though Kansas is the home team, Nevada is just the better squad. Fazekas is going to be a test for Giles and Kaun down low, while the freshmen on the perimeter are going to have to step up for the Jayhawks. The difference is going to be Nevada's experience, as well as the trio of Fazekas, Kemp, and Charlo. Kansas does not have the personnel to stop them all. Don't expect a repeat of last year. Prediction: Nevada by 7
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