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NCAA Basketball: Virginia, Michigan lead top one-loss teams in 2018-19

By Drew Dinnhaupt

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 09: Kyle Guy #5 and Ty Jerome #11 hug beside Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers at the end of a game against the VCU Rams at John Paul Jones Arena on December 9, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 09: Kyle Guy #5 and Ty Jerome #11 hug beside Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers at the end of a game against the VCU Rams at John Paul Jones Arena on December 9, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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RENO, NEVADA – JANUARY 02: Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talks to teammate Jordan Brown #21 of the Nevada Wolf Pack near the end of the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Utah State Aggies at Lawlor Events Center on January 02, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NEVADA – JANUARY 02: Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talks to teammate Jordan Brown #21 of the Nevada Wolf Pack near the end of the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Utah State Aggies at Lawlor Events Center on January 02, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

6. Nevada (18-1)

It wasn’t easy putting the top-10 Wolf Pack at last in this article. However, recent struggles and a rather weak overall resume give them No. 6 spot.

Nevada’s one loss is by far the worst loss of any team on this list. Despite having true road wins over Loyola-Chicago, USC, Utah, and Fresno State, a considerable amount of the Wolf Pack’s success is written off because of an 85-58 loss they suffered against New Mexico, who is now 9-9.

No one expected Nevada to lose to the Lobos, let alone is such dramatic fashion. Yet, nothing went right for the Wolf Pack in Albuquerque. Nevada shot 33 percent from the floor and 4-of-22 from beyond the arc while getting out-rebounded by 10. The Martin twins shot 4-of-21 from the field; Jordan Caroline was the only player to post double figures in the scoring column. The Wolf Pack entered that contest as a 14-point favorite, and I probably would’ve bet the over.

Luckily, Eric Musselman’s group earned a top-25 win over then-No. 20 Arizona State in early December, helping them maintain a top-10 ranking in the AP poll throughout the season even with the loss.

Beyond its one ranked win, Nevada has failed to impress, especially as of late. Cody Martin’s go-ahead three with 4.5 seconds left helped lift the Wolf Pack over Boise State, who is now 8-10, on Tuesday. Had the shot not fallen, the Wolf Pack would’ve likely suffered their second conference loss in ten days.

The struggles continued for Nevada on Saturday, when the Wolf Pack posted a mere 20 points in the first half against the 7-10 Air Force Falcons. Nevada used a strong second half to win by 15; the Wolf Pack were 21-point favorites.

Nevada needs to–and can–piece things together quickly before March, or else it could be a first-round exit in the Big Dance. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Wolf Pack have three or more conference losses come championship week.

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