The conclusion of Reno’s home stand and the following eight road games will dictate if Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate will contend for a playoff spot or bow out. Eleven losses in 18 games paired with Fresno’s six game winning streak, not far removed from a 12-game winning streak, has melted the division lead to just two games – the smallest it’s been since June 4. And now … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Houston, this is not a problem, Pacquiao-Horn debacle
The argument whether Cam Oliver should have stayed at Nevada for his junior season, or declared for the NBA Draft, is now null and void. Oliver declared. He did not get drafted. He signed with Houston as a free agent. Last week, I pointed out the numerous positives for Oliver in Houston. The roster is flexible. The forward position is relatively weak. The style of play is … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Should Oliver have stayed?
He needs another year to develop. Why doesn’t he wait for a weaker draft? If he stays another year, he’ll get more exposure. He needs to prove that he has an undying love for the game. Those who disapproved of Cam Oliver’s decision to hire an agent and forfeit is NCAA eligibility to pursue a career in the NBA had no shortage of validations for their opinion over … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Nevada conference schedule, Muss adds big man, McCusker drafted by Brewers
Nevada, and the rest of the Mountain West, put eyes on its 2017-18 conference schedule for the first time last Tuesday. Due to the 18-game non-balanced schedule, the Wolf Pack will play a home-and-home series with everyone except for New Mexico and Air Force. Nevada is scheduled to host New Mexico on December 30 and play in Colorado Springs on January 6. That means no … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Nevada bolsters schedule, Mountain West presidents tired of low NCAA payouts
Nevada was not going to make the NCAA Tournament last year without beating Colorado State in the Mountain West Tournament title game at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. While the RPI was good enough, the strength of schedule was not. Eric Musselman’s bunch played one team in the KenPom top-100 in non-conference play. And that was on the road at St. Mary’s in the … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: King transferring, Tailgating plans coming to focus, Opportunity awaits Reno 1868 FC
Nevada was at the maximum number of allotted scholarships (13) last month when Muss completed the 2017 recruiting class that featured four additional transfers. So, heads were scratched when CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein tweeted last Wednesday that St. John’s grad transfer Darien Williams intends to visit Reno on Friday. St. John's grad transfer Darien Williams tells me he … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Was this Nevada baseball season a success? Two minutes cost Reno 1868 FC six spots in standings
The e-brake was pulled on Nevada’s season on Friday afternoon as Fresno routed the Wolf Pack 15-5 in a Mountain West Tournament elimination game. So, was the season a success? In short, no. Nevada lost far more games than it won, finishing 19-36 and, ultimately, the success of any season will be determined by wins, losses and trophies. However, not all seasons are … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: With realignment on the horizon, Vegas dominance continues to force NIAA’s hand
The book of the 2016-17 prep athletic calendar closed over the weekend with several state tournaments held in Las Vegas. Of all the possible adjectives to describe the outcomes, surprising would not make the cut. Status quo, ordinary, typical are far more appropriate. Seven 4A team state titles were decided over the past week (boys golf state tournament was last Monday … [Read more...]