NCAA Basketball: Ja Morant and Belmont top mid-major performers of the week

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack gestures to his team during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Invitational basketball tournament against the Massachusetts Minutemen at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada defeated Massachusetts 110-87. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

The “They’re Still Undefeated” Award – Furman Paladins

There are nine unbeatens left. One is the 12-0, 24th-ranked Furman Paladins.

Best Mid-Major Matchup – Nevada 72 South Dakota State 68

As mentioned above Saturday was a great day for college basketball, so this big-time mid-major matchup somewhat fell under the radar.

The Wolfpack extended its unbeaten start to the season to 11 games with their second win over a 2017-18 mid-major darling so far this year (the first being a 79-65 victory over Loyola-Chicago and fourth or fifth-best win overall (Arizona State, BYU, Loyola Chicago, USC, and South Dakota State in some order).

Every quality win matters for Nevada in their quest to earn a top seed once the NCAA Tournament rolls around. They have to pile up as many wins as they can, both quality and not-so-quality, to be able to earn a No. 1 seed.

The Martin twins, Jordan Caroline, and Trey Porter all scored in double-figures for the balanced Wolfpack attack.

Meanwhile, Jackrabbit star Mike Daum went 1-10 from the floor and scored just five points in one of his few chances at a high-profile game.

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His co-star David Jenkins also only scored five points, so it was a miracle that it was this close. Senior Skyler Flatten picked up the slack with 20 points.

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