I haven't posted a play since 3/4, but I am 13-7 on posted plays year to date. I've had less time to do full write-ups since I changed jobs recently, but have been still making unposted plays. I had some extra time today and this game jumped off of the page to me.

Play:

Nevada team total over 73.5

First, Nevada comes into tonight's game 14th in the country in ppg averaging 79.5 --- but there is much more to this game than this.

Nevada's pace and offensive efficiency fits a profile that has thrived playing vs URI this year. URI has played 12 games vs 9 opponents ranked in the top 100 in the country with respect to pace (teams averaging 68.6 possessions per game or more). In eight of those games, the teams exceeded scoring 73.5 pts.

But the key to tonight is more correlated to offensive efficiency in my opinion. Six teams in the Atlantic 10 play at the 68.6 poss / game pace or above. Of these six, five of them (St Joes, Fordham, Duquesne, Lasalle, and UMass) all rank in the bottom half of the A10 with respect to offensive efficiency. Nevada however, comes into the game ranked 42nd nationally in the country averaging 1.114 pts per possession.

The mix of pace and offensive efficiency should rival that of any opponent that URI has yet to see this year and all signs point to a shootout. Coach Baron for URI was quoted in today's Providence Journal:

“They can really score the ball, they have a legitimate pro prospect in Luke Babbitt. They have big guards that can score. They run the floor. They’re a very good team."

It also spring break for URI students so the environment should not be that hostile for Nevada to come into.

Best of luck to everyone tonight