Nevada @ San Diego St. preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 9, 2018 ) San Diego St. 90, Nevada 73

Sixth-ranked Nevada has won 10 straight games by an average of 22 points since suffering its lone loss of the season at New Mexico. But the Wolf Pack, who begin the week with a 1 1/2-game lead in their quest to become the first team in Mountain West history to win three consecutive outright conference titles, now must travel to old nemesis San Diego State on Wednesday night.

The Aztecs are not only hot, having won six of their last seven games overall, but they also have won 12 straight conference games at Viejas Arena, arguably the toughest home court in the Mountain West. San Diego State is the only conference school with a winning record against Nevada since Eric Musselman took over four years ago, compiling a 5-2 mark including two in a row at Viejas Arena, and also has defeated the Wolf Pack twice in the last three years in the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas. Toss in the fact the game has also been designated as a "blackout" and it's easy to see why Nevada will have its work cut out for it. "The crowd in San Diego is going to be incredible," Musselman told nevadasportsnet.com. "(San Diego State) is long, athletic and last year they beat Gonzaga, and Gonzaga was (top 10) in the country. ... They're as talented as any team we've played all year, and we know that."

TV: 11 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network

ABOUT NEVADA (24-1, 11-1 MW): The Wolf Pack's 24-1 record after 25 games is tied with the 2010-11 San Diego State team that featured a 6-7 sophomore forward named Kawhi Leonard for the best start in Mountain West history so expect SDSU's rowdy student section, nicknamed "The Show", to be extra motivated for this one. Reigning Mountain West Player of the Year Caleb Martin leads Nevada in scoring (19 points per game) but finished with just 13 points on 5-of-18 shooting, including 0-for-9 from 3-point range, in the last meeting with the Aztecs, a 90-73 loss in the semifinals of last season's Mountain West tourney. Senior forward Jordan Caroline is averaging nearly a double-double, scoring 18.8 points to go with 9.8 rebounds per game, while guard Jazz Johnson (11.3 points) and senior point guard Cody Martin (11.1) also are averaging in double figures with Cody Martin also leading the conference in assists at 5.4 per game.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE (16-9, 8-4): The Aztecs, behind 19 points by guard Devin Watson and 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals from 6-10 sophomore forward Jalen McDaniels come in off a 71-65 home win over Boise State and enter the game in fourth place three games behind the Wolf Pack. McDaniels, a potential first-round NBA pick, leads the team in scoring (17.2), rebounding (8.6) and steals (1.3) with Watson (16.4 points), who is shooting 40 percent from 3-point range, and sophomore forward Matt Mitchell (10.5) also averaging in double figures. "We're excited for our opportunity ... (to play) a team capable of making a run to the Final Four," Aztecs coach Brian Dutcher said. "It will be a great challenge. I'm sure we will get their full attention also, having been fortunate to beat them twice at the end of last year. I know that we have been circled on their schedule for a long time."

TIP-INS

1. Nevada is 0-5 at Viejas Arena since moving to the Mountain West in 2012.

2. Caroline has 15 double-doubles this season and a Mountain West-best 42 in his career. Nevada is 40-2 when he posts a double-double.

3. San Diego State is 79-11 in Mountain West home games over the last 11 seasons.

PREDICTION: Nevada 75, San Diego State 70