You know how some college basketball seasons just feel different from the jump? That’s exactly where we are with the Pack right now. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the university of nevada basketball schedule, you already know the vibe in Reno is electric, even if the road has been a little bumpy lately. Steve Alford’s squad is currently sitting at 12-5 overall and 4-2 in the Mountain West. Honestly, in a conference this deep, that’s actually a pretty solid spot to be in as we hit the mid-January grind.
But let’s talk about that loss at Utah State on Wednesday. A 62-71 finish in Logan isn't the end of the world, but shooting 34 percent from the floor? That’s tough. You can’t win many games in the Spectrum when the buckets just aren't falling. The good news is that the schedule doesn't wait for you to feel sorry for yourself.
Breaking Down the Remaining Home Games at Lawlor
Lawlor Events Center is basically a fortress when the students are loud and the energy is right. We’ve got some massive matchups coming up that will likely decide if this team is heading to the Big Dance or just playing for a seed in the NIT.
The next big home stand starts soon, and you'll want these dates on your calendar. On January 20th, San Jose State comes to town. It’s a 7:00 PM tip-off, and it's the kind of game Nevada has to win to keep pace with the top of the conference. Then things get spicy. Grand Canyon—a non-conference addition that has everyone talking—visits on January 27th at 7:30 PM.
And then, the big one.
January 30th vs. UNLV. If you live in Northern Nevada, this is the one you circle in red. It’s a Friday night, 7:00 PM, and it’s on CBS Sports Network. The rivalry is real, and the atmosphere is going to be insane. After that, February brings Fresno State (Feb 7), Utah State (Feb 21), and New Mexico (Feb 24) to Reno.
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Why the New Mexico Game is Key
The Lobos are currently 14-3 and playing like a top-25 team. When they come to Lawlor on February 24th, it’s going to be a battle of styles. Nevada needs to protect the paint against their speed. If the Pack can split the season series with the Lobos and the Aggies, they are in a great position for the conference tournament.
Survival on the Road: The Upcoming Travel Grind
Playing away in the Mountain West is a nightmare. Period. Between the elevation in Laramie and the noise in Albuquerque, it's a gauntlet.
The university of nevada basketball schedule takes the team to Air Force this Saturday, January 17th. It’s a 1:00 PM start. It might seem like a "trap game," but Alford knows better than to overlook the Falcons’ disciplined Princeton offense.
Check out these key road tests coming up:
- Jan 24 @ New Mexico: The Pit is never friendly. Expect a 5:00 PM battle.
- Feb 3 @ Boise State: The Broncos have struggled a bit (9-8), but they always play Nevada tough at ExtraMile Arena.
- Feb 14 @ San Diego State: Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" like 12,000 screaming fans at Viejas Arena. This is a 7:00 PM national TV game.
- Feb 28 @ UNLV: The return leg of the Silver State Series. This one is at the Thomas & Mack.
Winning on the road is what separates the contenders from the pretenders. So far, the Pack is 3-2 on the road, which is actually better than most teams in this league.
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The Players Making It Happen
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about who is actually putting the ball in the hoop. Corey Camper Jr. has been the engine for this team, averaging around 15.5 points. He’s been the steady hand when things get chaotic.
Then there's Elijah Price. The sophomore forward from Fresno State has been a revelation. He’s nearly averaging a double-double (12.6 pts, 8.8 rebs). His energy on the glass is basically why Nevada stayed in that Wyoming game last Saturday.
Tayshawn Comer has also been huge. He’s the floor general, and when he’s dishing out 10 assists like he did against Wyoming, the offense looks unstoppable. If these three stay healthy, the February schedule looks a lot less intimidating.
A Quick Look at the Stats That Matter
Right now, the team is scoring about 76 points a game while giving up roughly 71. That five-point margin is thin. They really need to improve their defensive rotation, especially against teams like San Diego State that can grind you down.
What to Watch For in the Final Month
The final home game is March 7th against Air Force. It’s senior night. It’s usually emotional, but it's also the final tune-up before the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas (March 11-14).
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Most bracketologists currently have Nevada as a "Last Four In" or "First Four Out" type of team. That means every single game on the university of nevada basketball schedule from here on out has the weight of the postseason attached to it. There is no room for a "bad" loss to a team like San Jose State or Air Force.
How to Get Tickets and Watch
Most home games are still tipping off at 7:00 PM PT. If it’s not on CBS Sports Network or FS1, you can usually find it on the Mountain West Network or Silver State Sports.
For the big games—especially the UNLV and San Diego State matchups—Lawlor is likely to sell out. You should probably check the ticket office sooner rather than later because the walk-up line is going to be long.
Practical Steps for Pack Fans
If you're planning to follow the team through the end of the season, here’s what you should actually do:
- Sync your calendar: The UNLV game was moved up to January 30th for TV. Make sure you don't show up on the 31st to an empty arena.
- Watch the NET rankings: The NCAA selection committee loves the NET. As of mid-January, Nevada is hovering in a spot where they need a couple of "Quad 1" wins. The road games at New Mexico and SDSU are those opportunities.
- Check the local broadcasts: For games not on national TV, the Mountain West App is your best friend. It’s free and usually pretty reliable for streaming.
- Get to Lawlor early: For the 7:00 PM starts, the parking situation around the university can be a mess. Aim for 6:15 PM if you want to see the intros and avoid the traffic.
The path to the NCAA Tournament is right there for the taking. It’s going to be a wild ride through February, but that’s exactly why we love Mountain West basketball.