University of Nevada head men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman continues to fill in the Wolf Pack’s difficult non-conference schedule with the addition of Utah for the 2018-19 season. Nevada will play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 29. The Utes join Arizona State and USC as the third Pac-12 opponent the Pack will play this season. Utah will return the game in 2019-20 playing in Reno.
The Pack has already announced non-conference games at USC and a home game with Akron. Neutral site games with Arizona State in Los Angeles and against Grand Canyon in Phoenix are also on the 2018-19 schedule.
“Our series versus Utah is something we had been planning since the day we took the job,” Musselman said. “To set up a home-and-home with a strong Pac-12 opponent in Utah is great for our program and community. Coach Krystkowiak has done a tremendous job building the program. To finish in the top four in the Pac-12 the last four seasons, making a Sweet 16 in 2015, and being the NIT runner up last season is truly special. Playing on the road at Utah will be a great test for our program as we know it is one of the best venues in college basketball.”
Utah posted a 23-12 record last season and went 11-7 in conference play to finish in a tie for third place in the Pac-12. The Utes have won all 10 meetings in the series with Nevada. The last game was an 83-75 Utah victory on Dec. 22, 1987 in Salt Lake. Each school has hosted five of the games in the series.
The Utes reached the championship of the NIT falling to Penn State in the title game last season. Utah posted a 4-1 postseason record to advance to the NIT championship.
Stephens to play for Orlando summer league team
Kendall Stephens has signed to play for the Orlando Magic’s summer league team. The 6-7 sharp shooter earned third-team All-Mountain West honors this past season. Stephens helped the Wolf Pack win the MW regular season title and advance to the NCAA Tournaments Sweet 16 after comeback wins over Texas and Cincinnati.
“I’m excited for Kendall to land with the Orlando Magic summer league team,” Nevada head coach Eric Musselman said. “I will miss coaching Kendall as he is one of the best shooters I have worked with as a coach. He was well liked by his teammates and we will all be rooting for him.”
Stephens set Nevada and MW records making 126 made 3-pointers in his senior year that also ranked fifth in NCAA I. Jimmer Fredette had held the MW record of 124 made 3-pointers set during the 2010-11 season. In MW play his 73 made 3-pointers also established a new mark. His five made 3-pointers in the Pack’s NCAA Tournament win over Texas is a Nevada record and his eight made in the NCAA Tournament tied the school record.
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