The Nevada Sagebrush

Senior forward Olek Czyz goes up for a layup against California State University, Bakersfield on Feb. 14. Nevada won the game 61-47. Garrett Valenzuela/Nevada Sagebrush

A ranking in the country’s Top 25 polls would mean a lot to the Nevada men’s basketball team, but after losing on nationwide television 90-84 Saturday to Iona, the team continues to wait for its time to truly shine on a national stage.

“It would be great personally for me as a senior to have the team make that list, but whatever happens, happens,” Nevada forward Olek Czyz said. “Our biggest concern is the (Western Athletic Conference) tournament and moving forward in postseason play.”

Nevada squandered its best chance at breaking into the top 25 before the regular season ends March 3, but the Wolf Pack’s 22-5 record is as good as teams ranked in the top 10.

“Well those teams ranked higher than us might play better competition, and the people that work the rankings out really look into it a lot,” Czyz said. “So whatever call they make is probably right.”

The Wolf Pack has been on the cusp of a spot on the top 25 since week 12 of the regular season, but this week Nevada received only one vote in the  ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.

That one vote may have come from former Nevada head coach Mark Fox. Current Wolf Pack head coach David Carter said he knows Fox has a vote but didn’t indicate whether he voted for Nevada. However, Carter hinted that it’s not a stretch of the imagination.

Czyz is just happy to be part of the conversation.

“We’re hanging around there which is good, and we’ve won a lot of games,” Czyz said. “We grind out tough games on the road so regardless of what happens in the top 25, we still do a good job of converting and winning a lot of games.”

Nevada’s lone vote shines light on the political nature of the the top 25 (especially if it’s true that Mark Fox is the Wolf Pack’s only voter).

“It is probably (political in nature) because coaches will vote for their team, teams they’ve played or teams in their conference that they play against,” Carter said. ”They haven’t played against us so they may not really know about us; they may see our record but they don’t know how good we really are.”

Many basketball fans discovered Nevada’s Polish power forward, Czyz, who scored a game-high and career-high 28 points Saturday against Iona on ESPN2.

Nevada guard Malik Story soars to the hoop for a dunk Tuesday as the Wolf Pack toppled California State University, Bakersfield 61-47. Garrett Valenzuela/Nevada Sagebrush

All Nevada starters scored in double digits (except for sophomore guard Jerry Evans Jr. who had a rough night with five points), and it made a good impression on the 13 NBA scouts in attendance.

Carter indicated that winning the game wouldn’t be as important as keeping it close would.  The Wolf Pack pulled through, as the game came down to the final minutes.

Winning the game, however, would have likely put Nevada in the top 25 of at least the USA Today Poll and would have assuredly earned them a spot on the “others receiving votes” category of the AP Top 25 poll.

It also would have greatly improved the Wolf Pack’s chances at getting an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. It could have given the Wolf Pack entrance into the big dance without winning its conference tournament — which is a feat Nevada hasn’t accomplished in its history— but it was never part of the team’s plan this season.

“You never want to leave something like that in the hands of other people,” senior Nevada center Dario Hunt said. “We control our own destiny so if we can come out and get a win in conference and in the tournament, then there’s no question that we’re in the (NCAA) tournament. That’s how we want it.”

Fans and media rave over rankings and at-large bids, but it’s not something that drives Nevada to succeed.

“I think it’s good for fans and good for the community when you get ranked in the top 25, but (Viginia Commonwealth University) wasn’t in the top 25 last season, and they went to the final four (of the NCAA tournament),” Carter said. “It’s hard because there are a lot of good teams in the country, and I think people realize not everybody can be in the top 25, but there are good teams that are right outside.

“I don’t place a lot of emphasis on it because I emphasize how we play down the stretch.”

The Wolf Pack will maintain its focus on WAC goals at 7 p.m. Saturday on the road, as the team looks to clinch a share of the championship against Fresno State.

Eric Lee Castillo can be reached at ecastillo@nevadasagebrush.com.

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