NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cody Martin came to Nevada with a chip on his shoulder, and with good reason.
He was recruited twice, once out of high school, and once after deciding to leave NC State, and each time he felt that he was only being offered a scholarship because teams felt that was the only way to get his twin brother Caleb. The duo made it known from the outset that they were a package deal.
Caleb has always been the scorer, and Cody has been everything else. He has consistently filled up the box score with rebounds, assists and steals. Cody has shown he can score, too, as evidenced by his 30-point game in a win at Utah State.
“It bothered me,” Cody Martin said Saturday afternoon before the Wolf Pack went through a closed practice prior to today’s game against second-seeded Cincinnati. “I understood the scoring part. I can score, too.
“I’ve always been a facilitator. I like playing defense. I like doing the dirty work.”
Cody Martin was named the MW Defensive Player of the Year. What makes him so valuable is that he can and has guarded every position on the floor. He has found himself matched up against high-scoring guards as well as 7-footers like Brandon McCoy or 6-11 Nico Carvacho.
Caleb said that his brother deserved more recognition in high school, and he said that scouts and coaches missed the boat.
Musselman said earlier this week that he recruited the Martins a bit differently.
“On their recruiting trip, we recruited Cody really hard,” Musselman said. “We knew that all the other programs that were recruiting both Cody and Caleb, that they were going after Caleb harder because of his stats at NC State.
“So when I got with our staff, we decided to go a different route and really go after Cody, because I knew that Caleb already had the love from everybody. We recruited Cody harder than Caleb, and I think his mom appreciated that.”
The duo were a big key in Nevada’s run to a second consecutive Mountain West regular-season championship.
ALWAYS SMALL SIPS
Musselman is always taking a swig of soda during games, and a reporter from the Cincinnati area asked him if he ever had to use the restroom during the game, and if he considered leaving the floor with the game in progress.
“Yes and yes,” Musselman said, a smile on his face. “They’re small sips that I’m taking. As you get older, you’ve got to use the bathroom a little bit more. And so I do worry, especially when the timeouts are longer in this tournament. It’s been a great concern of mine. Our staff’s well prepared in case I have to leave. So far, so good, though. “
MARIAH A MEDIA DARLING
Musselman’s daughter, Mariah, was interviewed by CBS sideline reporter during the first media timeout, and she was a hit.
She also took the time to conduct an interview with her dad.
“I just hope my daughter can make as much money as my wife did at broadcasting,” Musselman said. “That would be awesome. Really, really would be great for our family if she could start on her broadcasting career as soon as possible.
“Last night (Friday) was a great start. It was a great interview process for her. We have tape now that we can roll and send to people. It was a big moment for her. Big moment for our family.”
ONE HAPPY COACH
Sometimes Gus Argenal, Nevada assistant coach, wants to pinch himself.
The former Cal State East Bay head coach and former De La Salle High head coach, was signed as an assistant back in August to complete Musselman’s staff. Argenal was going into fifth season as head coach when he got an offer he couldn’t refuse.
As he was watching some tape on Cincinnati, he took time to reflect on his first season at Nevada.
“It’s been great,” he said. “To get to the tournament and then beat Texas, it’s a great feeling.
“I played D-2 (at UC Davis) and coached at D-2 (Cal State East Bay), and this is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Argenal did have two assistant stints at UC Davis, once when they were D-2 and later one season when they were D-1.
“Coach gives the assistants a lot of responsibility, and the freedom to voice opinions; ideas,” Argenal said. “I jumped at the opportunity. I’m excited to be part of as staff that prides itself on player development.”
Argenal said that he signed a one-year contract, and that he would like noting more than to return next season.
SAY IT RIGHT
Mick Cronin made some friends in the Silver State just after opening his portion of Saturday’s press conference.
“Obviously we’re happy to still be playing,” Cronin said. “But focused on Nevada. I hope my guys get the name right. I tried to tell them it’s Nev-AD-uh.”
Midway through the press conference, a reporter asked Cronin a question, and referred to the Pack as Ne-vah-duh.
“It’s Nev-AD-uh,” Cronin said.
Nevada coach Eric Musselman was asked if he knew the proper pronunciation.
“I always knew because I took a (recruiting) visit, and coach (Sonny) Allen made sure the day I got of the plane that I knew how to pronounce it.”
