5. Nevada Wolf Pack
Record: 13-0 (0-0 MWC)
Last Week: No. 5
I love Nevada this season. One of the few undefeated teams left in the nation, Nevada just continues to play at an extremely high level in every single contest. In my opinion, one mark of an elite team is that they have a “switch” that they can flip when necessary. At least through non-conference play, it is clear the Wolf Pack have that switch. That much was evident in their most recent game as well, when Nevada barely led Utah at halftime before flipping the switch to run away with the 15-point road victory.
And while Nevada’s strength of schedule might not be tremendous, they deserve to be commended for playing seven of their first 13 games away from home. Not many top-10 teams would do that but the Wolf Pack did and it sets them up well for competing for a No. 1 seed later down the road. They already hold wins over five KenPom top-100 teams in BYU, Loyola-Chicago, USC, Arizona State, and South Dakota State.
Looking ahead, Mountain West play should provide a few challenges for Nevada but the team should stay in the top-10 throughout the rest of the season. The Wolf Pack, who were already an elite offensive team, are improving on the defensive end and they could be one of the most dangerous teams in March. Buy stock.