Did Nevada Basketball's Season Get Robbed?

It's been a tumultuous few years for Nevada basketball. After reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and 2019, the Wolf Pack missed the Big Dance in 2020 and 2021. This past season, Nevada was poised to make a run at the tournament again, but a late-season collapse cost them a chance to play in March Madness.
So, what went wrong?
There are a number of factors that contributed to Nevada's disappointing season. Injuries played a big role, as the Wolf Pack lost several key players to season-ending injuries. They also struggled to shoot the ball consistently, and their defense was not as good as it had been in previous years.
One of the biggest issues for Nevada was their lack of depth. When injuries hit, the Wolf Pack didn't have the players to step up and fill the void. This was especially evident in the frontcourt, where Nevada was thin after losing starting center Jordan Brown to a season-ending injury.
Another issue for Nevada was their poor shooting. The Wolf Pack shot just 42.9% from the field this season, which was 11th in the Mountain West Conference. They also struggled from three-point range, shooting just 33.9% from beyond the arc.
Finally, Nevada's defense was not as good as it had been in previous years. The Wolf Pack allowed opponents to shoot 45.7% from the field this season, which was eighth in the Mountain West Conference. They also allowed opponents to average 73.9 points per game, which was seventh in the conference.
Despite all of these issues, Nevada still had a chance to make the NCAA Tournament. They were 17-10 overall and 9-6 in the Mountain West Conference entering their final three games of the regular season. However, they lost all three of those games, including a heartbreaking overtime loss to San Diego State in their regular season finale.
The loss to San Diego State was a tough one to swallow for Nevada. They had led by 10 points with just over four minutes remaining in regulation, but they couldn't hold on. The loss dropped Nevada to 17-13 overall and 9-9 in the Mountain West Conference, and it cost them a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.
It's hard to say what would have happened if Nevada had made the NCAA Tournament. They had a talented team, but they also had a lot of injuries. It's possible that they could have made a run in the tournament, but it's also possible that they would have been bounced early.
One thing is for sure: Nevada basketball had a disappointing season. They had high hopes entering the year, but they couldn't live up to those expectations. Injuries, poor shooting, and a lack of depth all played a role in their downfall.
Despite their disappointing season, Nevada basketball has a bright future. They have a young team with a lot of potential. If they can stay healthy and improve their shooting, they could be a contender in the Mountain West Conference next season.