The Wolfpack of UNR continue to run roughshod over their competition this basketball season.
At 17 and 1, they're the 10th ranked team in the country.
That one loss against New Mexico could haunt them, Mitch Moss, the host of Follow the Money on VSIN, the Vegas Stats and Information Network, told State of Nevada.
"They clearly took a big dip after that," he said. "I don't have a problem with a team losing a game or two, even if the conference they play in is much weaker than it has been in previous years […] But when you lose like that and it's not a close loss […] I don't blame national pundits for knocking a school to lose like that."
He said it is likely that UNR will get a 2 or 3 seed for the NCAA March Madness tournament, but that loss will be mentioned.
"People are not going to forget about this in March when they're talking about tournament teams," he said.
As for UNLV's Runnin' Rebels, they're bumping along with a 9 and 7 record.
Moss said that UNLV had some good wins in non-conference play but also some bad losses, including against Air Force.
"They really could have gotten off to a really, really good start but then they just have that -- I don't even know what to call it, road block, massive bump -- bad loss against Air Force. They're a really tricky team to figure out," he said.
In hockey, the Vegas Golden Knights are 3rd in the Pacific Division, which means they're on track for another playoff bid.
"The top of their division and the top of the Western Conference [… are] all relatively close, meaning all the teams have basically between 60 and 65 points," Moss said.
After the first five teams, there is a big drop off. So, if nothing unforeseeable ahead like injuries or a serious losing streak the Knights will be back in the playoffs.
With the unbelievable success of last year's team, fans may be disappointed if the Knights go out in the first round of the playoffs, which Moss believes is a crazy expectation to have.
"I find it hilarious that people would actually be disappointed with that because we're still talking about a team that is in year two," he said.
NFC championship game
New Orleans Saints vs. L.A. Rams
"The edge has to be with the Saints -- simply because they're playing at home at the Superdome and that place is going to be rocking."
"Let's just say that the Saints are going to score touchdowns in this game and if the Rams can't run the ball, I don't think [L.A. quarterback Jared] Goff can match [New Orleans quarterback Drew] Brees and that offense touchdown for touchdown."
AFC
New England Patriots vs. Kansas City Chiefs
"I absolutely hate going against [Patriots coach Bill] Belichick and [New England quarterback Tom] Brady. I cannot believe how many people liked, predicted or bet on the [Los Angeles] Chargers last week."
"Going into this game against KC on Sunday, they are 3 and 5 on the road. [...] I hate going against Brady and Belichick, but it is on the road. If you go back and look at the history of the NFC and AFC championship games, it has been five consecutive years -- 10 games -- where the home teams have won […] so I have to go KC at home."
Mitch Moss, VSIN
