Red-hot Tigers look to extend win streak to 11 tonight at Cassville

After dropping five of their first nine contests to open the season, the Nevada Tiger varsity basketball team has since corrected course, reeling off 10 consecutive victories. Nevada’s average margin of victory during the win-streak is 15.4 points per game.

Nevada (14-5, 4-0 Big 8 West) will look to extend its’ win streak to 11 games tonight, as the red-hot Tigers hit the road for a Big 8 West clash with Cassville.

The Daily Mail recently sat down with Nevada head coach Shaun Gray to discuss the 10-game win streak.

Daily Mail: What have been the major keys to the win streak?

Shaun Gray: “Our guys playing for one another, and being great teammates, has been key. Commitment to all-out energy and effort on the defensive end. Sharing the ball, and playing together on the offensive end. Much better shot selection. Grit in the face of adversity, and in the midst of tough situations.”

DM: You were under .500, sitting 4-5 overall, and coming off a close-shave against a mediocre Pleasant Hill team in mid-December. What was your overall level of concern with the team, and can you pinpoint a turning point, as 10 games later you are now nine games over .500.

SG: “The turning point was our pre-practice shoot-around before the Jefferson City game (Jan. 5) at the Kaminsky Classic. We re-dedicated ourselves to bringing the energy and focus we expect to our pre-game practices, our scouting reports, our pre-game warmup, and especially the four quarters — from tip-off to the final buzzer. The improvement was obvious in that Jeff City game (54-46 victory), and has fueled us ever since.”

DM: Your club seems to turn it up a notch in the second half, and more specifically, the fourth quarter. What would you attribute that to? Depth, ability to wear teams down?

SG: “Our group is quick to learn and adjust in the midst of the game. Our guys make great suggestions, and bring good insight in timeouts and at halftime. We have done a good job of executing quarter and halftime adjustments. We have also gotten in better physical shape coming off of Christmas break. Our ability to play eight to nine guys, who can all bring offensive and defensive strengths to the games, is a plus as well.”

DM: How impressed are you with what your squad has been able to accomplish this season, after losing a First Team All-State player to graduation?

SG: “We knew this group could be really tough, and while it took us a while to hit our stride and find ourselves, we have always had high expectations. Even though we are young, we feel like we can compete with anyone when we are defending hard and playing together.”

DM: After making the jump from the West Central Conference to the Big 8 this season, can you discuss the differences between the two conferences, as far as style of play? How do you feel your team has adapted?

SG: “The (now-defunct) WCC was a tough conference, and was full of explosive athletes. Playing everyone home and away brought a familiarity to each opponent that made beating a team twice very difficult. The WCC (slate) spanned the entire season, which was tough. The Big 8 also has good players, and is a very well-coached league, with coaches who put a lot of scout-time and preparation into each conference game. Playing each team once makes every game hugely significant in the conference title race. We look at every game against every team as a chance for us to get better, and to be a better version of ourselves.”

DM: What areas do you need to continue to improve in to keep the streak going?

SG: “Ball security, containing the dribble, and limiting post entry. These are all areas we must continue to work on.”

DM: Discuss tonight’s match-up with Cassville.

SG: “Cassville is 2-1 in Big 8-play (11-8 overall), and have two of the best players in the conference in D.J. White and Ethan Hoppes. Hoppes was all-conference a year ago, and is one of the quicker guards in the area. (White) received honorable mention (accolades) last year, and is a very strong athlete who can slash to the rim with strength and quick jumping ability. They both have had multiple 20-plus point outings this season. We must contain those two guys to have a chance.”