NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Duke, Michigan vie for the top spot

RENO, NV - DECEMBER 15: Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and brother Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talk to head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Lawlor Events Center on December 15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Beverly #10 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack is defended. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

22. NC State Wolfpack

Record: 11-1 (0-0 ACC)

Last Week: Not Ranked

My main critique of NC State last week was that the team had not landed the signature win that just about every other ranked team had. They had, to that point, blew their only major opportunity at an elite win (at Wisconsin) and their best performance to date was a neutral-site victory over Vanderbilt. Those statements, though, no longer apply as the Wolfpack took advantage of a huge matchup this past week and knocked off Auburn, a top-10 team, at home.

With that victory and a win over South Carolina Upstate just a few days later, there is no excuse to leave NC State out of the top-25 at this point in time. Head coach Kevin Keatts not only has this team playing at an elite level but he is also making excellent in-game adjustments to stay one step ahead of his opposition. With ACC play approaching, NC State has made it abundantly clear that they will compete near the top of the conference.

Conference play, though, will not start out very easy as the Wolfpack will play four of their first six games away from home. If they are able to make it through that opening stretch with a strong record (such as 4-2), then it will be time to take this team extremely seriously. With Torin Dorn and Markell Johnson leading the way, this is an offense that can score on anyone.

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