Bracketology 2023: Complete Bubble Watch before final weekend of regular season
By Joey Loose
Nevada: 22-8 (12-5 in MWC) NET: 32
San Diego State is the only MWC team that’s safely in the field; luckily Nevada beat them just over a month ago to help boost their own resume. The Wolf Pack are actually 4-5 against Quad 1 foes and have done a decent job building this resume. They haven’t lost a game at home, are right there in the MWC race, and have a great shot to sneak into the NCAA Tournament for the first time under coach Steve Alford.
Earlier losses to teams like Kansas State and Loyola Marymount have drastically improved as the season’s gone along and the Wolf Pack really don’t have a terrible loss; well at least they didn’t before this week. Dropping that game at Wyoming on Monday night was the last thing they needed and has put themselves squarely on the bubble as a result. Fortunately, it was their first Quad 3 loss and it better be their last bad performance if they want to be in the Big Dance.
Nevada’s season finale is against UNLV and they can avenge an earlier loss with a nice performance on senior night. If they get that victory, they might get themselves into a more comfortable position, but the work isn’t finished. There’s a top echelon of teams in the MWC, and beating at least one of those teams in the conference tournament might just help them punch that ticket.