Top 10 home games to see in 2008
1) Basketball: North Carolina Dec. 31
The Tar Heels will roll into Lawlor Events center New Years Eve with Roy Williams, Tyler Hansbrough and a whole lot of basketball tradition. A favorite to be preseason No. 1, North Carolina may give Nevada the most media attention it’s received for a regular season home game in program history.
2) Football: Boise State Nov. 22
The rematch of last years quadruple overtime should give fans a reason to endure a possibly very cold game at Mackay Stadium. Nevada and Boise State battled in a 69-67 shootout at Boise last season. Nevada fans can feel safer knowing this year the turf will be green instead of blue.
3) Football: Texas Tech Sept. 6
The Red Raiders high-powered offense will be a tough test for Nevada’s new defensive coordinator Nigel Burton. The Wolf Pack changed to a four-man front this off-season and has looked reenergized in scrimmage games this season, but if Texas Tech’s offense plays anything like it usually plays it could be a long game for Nevada.
4) Basketball: UNLV Dec. 6
The Wolf Pack has had recent trouble with the Rebels, losing two games in a row. UNLV has also created a role-reversal from past years, performing better head-to-head and representing the state of Nevada in the NCAA tournament. This had been the job of Nevada since the beginning of the Mark Fox era.
5) Soccer: WAC Tournament Nov. 6-9
The Wolf Pack won the Western Athletic Conference tournament in 2006 by beating Fresno State 4-2 in penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie. Nevada struggled last season in the midst of controversy with its coach, but new coach Jaime Frias has Nevada competing harder in practice and looking to take back its WAC crown.
6) Volleyball: Hawaii Oct. 18
Nevada coach Devin Scruggs is looking to refine a team that lost its three most consistent players last year in Teal Ericson, Karly Sipherd and Ashley Miller. Scruggs will have to adjust quickly before she plays the one of the best volleyball schools in the country in the Rainbow Wahine. Hawaii finished 2007 ranked 16 and is ranked 18 in 2008 preseason polls.
7) Basketball: Southern Illinois Dec. 6
This rematch with its mid-major foe the Salukis will give Nevada a chance to redeem itself from last years 74-49 beat down. Similar to its game with North Carolina, the Wolf Pack will hope to improve in a rematch that is at home this season.
8) Women’s Basketball: Eastern Washington Nov. 14
Wolf Pack fans should be interested in Jane Albright’s debut as head coach at Nevada.
Albright has coached 24 seasons in college basketball and ranks top-50 in all-time collegiate women’s basketball wins. This is her first season at Nevada, though, as she replaces five-year Nevada coach Kim Gervasoni.
9) Volleyball: UCLA Sept. 5
UCLA will bring its No. 7 preseason ranking to the Virginia Street Gym for an early season match-up with the young Wolf Pack. Nevada defender Allison Hernandez and the rest of the Wolf Pack will have their hands full with high-jumping kills artist Kaitlin Sather.
10) Soccer: Hawaii Oct. 10
Hawaii won the WAC crown last season with a 12-1 overall record and perfect 8-0 in conference record. The Rainbow Wahine is favored to win the WAC again this season in the preseason coach’s poll. Hawaii received seven of eight votes with Fresno State taking the only other first place vote.
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