Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc.

RENO, Nev. (AP) New Nevada coach Steve Alford said he's hungry for the chance to take the Wolf Pack to the next level despite the loss of so many stars from this year's NCAA Tournament team.

About 300 supporters joined cheerleaders and a pep band at the Lawlor Events Center on Friday as Nevada formally introduced Alford as the successor to Eric Musselman, who left for Arkansas this week. He takes over a team that is undergoing massive roster turnover, with seven seniors leaving, including Jordan Caroline and the Martin twins, Caleb and Cody.

"I think most of the country would say you graduated the oldest team in the country - there's no other team that had more experience in age than what Nevada had a year ago and now that's gone so the perception would be a dip," Alford said. "That's what should be exciting for this group of men right here and others we'll bring in. They have that opportunity. They've been part of something that been pretty special and now, can you keep it at that level and move it forward? That's the challenge we all have."