Chris Murray

cmurray@rgj.com

Reno Gazette-Journal sports writer Chris Murray breaks down Nevada’s game against Vermont.

Vermont (23-13, 11-5 American East) at Nevada (21-13, 10-8 MW)

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Lawlor Events Center (capacity 11,536)

Radio/TV: 94.5 FM/None

Online: NevadaWolfPack.TV

Betting line: Nevada favored by 3.5

Ice, ice baby: Pack faces quick turnaround in CBI semi

Three keys for Nevada to win

1. Second-half ‘D’ the entire game: The Pack has been playing with fire in the CBI by playing lethargic first-half defense before locking down in the second half. Nevada has drawn some good offensive teams in this tournament and Vermont fits that mold. The Catamounts rank 13th in the nation in field-goal shooting at 48.6 percent, including 38.2 percent from three, on a modest 17.9 attempts per game. Nevada has been able to rally out of first-half holes in the CBI, but needs strong defense from the start.

2. Keep running ‘O’ through Oliver, Criswell: Cameron Oliver and Tyron Criswell combined to post 60 points and 22 rebounds on 23-of-36 shooting against Eastern Washington (the Eagles’ defense is admittedly terrible). But Oliver and Criswell are Nevada’s two most efficient players. The Pack has shot the ball better the last two games, but has to keep riding these two, who have averaged 41.5 points and 17.5 rebounds on 53.6 percent shooting in four postseason games, including the MW Tournament.

3. Retain the energy: Both teams have quick turnarounds after playing on Monday and returning to action Wednesday (Vermont also had to fly from Seattle to Reno). The Wolf Pack doesn’t have the depth Vermont boasts (no Catamount player logs 30 minutes per game). Nevada’s D.J. Fenner (40 minutes) and Cameron Oliver (39 minutes) essentially went wire-to-wire Monday. Fenner, Oliver and Criswell have all put in heavy minutes over the last month. How much juice do those three have left?

Prediction

Chris Murray: Nevada 78, Vermont 73: Vermont has had one of the best mid-major programs in the country for a long time. The team has reached 20 wins and played in the postseason in eight straight seasons and has a veteran team that is used to playing in these kinds of atmospheres. Vermont has won 23 games this season but is just 3-11 against top-160 RPI teams (Nevada is 6-11). The Catamounts are going to test the Wolf Pack defense. Vermont rarely takes bad shots and is an excellent shooting team. The Catamounts are more vulnerable on defense, where it’s middle of the pack in the nation, and could be without their top post player, Eathan O’Day (11.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg), who has missed the last two games with a knee injury. Like I have in each of the first two CBI game, I’ll side with the home-court advantage and give the nod to the Wolf Pack. Season record: 27-7