As the college basketball season heats up, Nevada finds itself on the NCAA Tournament bubble, with a 15-6 record and a 7-3 mark in the Mountain West conference. The Wolf Pack's NET ranking of 66 has them squarely in the conversation, but they need to keep winning to stay ahead of the curve. A matchup against San José State, who boasts a less-than-stellar 6-15 record, may seem like a straightforward affair, but the Spartans are desperate for quality wins to build their own tournament resume.
The CHD Scout prediction favors Nevada by 13.3 points, with an 88% win probability, and it's easy to see why - the Wolf Pack's quad record of 0-3 in Q1, 3-2 in Q2, 8-0 in Q3, and 3-1 in Q4 suggests they can take care of business against lesser opponents. San José State, on the other hand, has struggled mightily in Q1 and Q2, going 0-6 and 0-4, respectively. This game represents a Quad 1 opportunity for the Spartans, but they'll need to pull off a significant upset to capitalize on it.
CHD Scout Prediction
San José State
66
Nevada
80
With neither team boasting notable player momentum, this one may come down to coaching and overall team cohesion. Nevada's recent form, which includes a win-loss-win stretch, suggests they're finding their footing. I predict Nevada will emerge victorious, 80-66, as they look to strengthen their bubble resume and keep pace in the Mountain West. The Wolf Pack's ability to dominate in Quad 3 and 4 games, combined with their favorable matchup against the struggling Spartans, makes them a safe bet to come out on top.