Nevada vs Hawaii Odds
| Nevada Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | -142 |
| Hawaii Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | +118 |
Here's a little preview before some of the next week's Diamond Head Classic activities in Hawaii. Nevada is playing a true road game in the Stan Sheriff Center against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
So, who should we bet? Here's my pick for Nevada vs. Hawaii.
Nevada Wolf Pack
Nevada is great defensively, ranking 40th in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. The Wolf Pack have a ton of length, starting four players 6-foot-6 or taller, which helps cause defensive havoc.
The Wolf Pack lost to Drake handily last week, but Nevada posted a brutal 0.77 points per possession in that contest. That won't get the job done against any respectable program. Drake took Nevada out of everything it wanted to do on offense by putting pressure on star guard Kenan Blackshear, who turned the ball over five times and only scored eight points. That's uncommon for one of the most unique point guards on the West Coast.
I'm expecting more from Blackshear and sharpshooter Jarod Lucas in this matchup. Lucas is the only player on Nevada's team who defenses have to keep a close eye on from beyond the arc. None of the other starters shoot above 26% percent from deep.
Additionally, Nevada's best offensive asset is ball control as it turns the ball over on just 14% of its possessions. Blackshear can get into the paint and make plays when his team isn't turning the ball over. I'm not which of Hawaii's defenders has the size and strength to stay in front of Blackshear as this game feels like a complete mismatch in Blackshear's favor.
Hawaii Warriors
The Rainbow Warriors enter the contest with an impressive 7-1 record, with the lone loss coming against Utah. That's a solid resume, but it's come against pretty weak competition. Regardless, Hawaii has beat all of its opponents by nine or more points, so it's worth noting that the Rainbow Warriors aren't just eking past the competition.
The key for Hawaii comes in the shooting department as coach Eran Ganot's team shoots 3s on 41% of its possessions and connects 39% of the time. Three of Hawaii's top-four scorers shoot 42% or better from deep. The offense is led by superstar guard Noel Coleman, who is one of the top performers in the Big West and averaging over 16 points per contest.
Nevada has a clear perimeter size advantage, but Hawaii is skilled enough to overcome those issues. Hawaii's backcourt trio of Coleman, Juan Munoz and JoVon McClanahan have the skill to dominate opposing teams.
Hawaii also needs to stay competitive on the defensive glass. Justin McKoy and Bernardo da Silva have enough size and athleticism to stay steady on the glass. On the season, Hawaii ranks 70th in defensive rebounding percentage.
Nevada vs. Hawaii
Betting Pick & Prediction
Neither team tries for offensive rebounds as both ranking outside the top 275 in offensive rebounding percentage. So, something has to give since both teams display similar rebounding tendencies.
If you're a true college hoops diehard, you know how rowdy the Stan Sheriff Center gets in late-night Big West games. I don't expect anything different in this one. The home-court advantage and major contrast in offensive philosophy is why I'll snag Hawaii plus the points.
Pick: Hawaii +2
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