PHOTO BY NICOLAS PENA
As we approach the middle of February, you can steadily see the dawn of March Madness slowly creeping up on the horizon. Wow, that was quick. All kidding aside, this conference season has been filled with an enticing battle for first place, another battle for fourth place (and that coveted first game bye in Las Vegas) and plenty of sporadic “upsets” to help give bracketology gurus long nights.
This past week around the Mountain West was a bit slow, with five teams partaking in only one game and what felt like a November MTE matchup in Logan as the Aggies took on Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers. Still, we voted, and things did change. Ever so slightly but teams did rise while others fell.
Below, you’ll find our team’s composite rankings (much in the style of the AP Top-25 poll), as well as an explanation of how many points each team received. Is your team a little too low? Too high? Let us know. And remember, anything can happen in league play…Mountain West Power Rankings
#1 Utah State Aggies (22-3, 12-2 MWC) | 36 points
Previous Rank: #1
Weekly Snapshot: Won, vs. Fresno State (91-78); Won, vs. Memphis (99-75)
Why: The Aggies kept both W’s home last week after routes of both the Bulldogs and non-conference foe Memphis inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. In a time where Utah State and San Diego State are neck and neck for their last possible Mountain West regular season title, with a slightly comfy two game cushion between them and New Mexico, every game counts.
Including their shellacking of Memphis at home that drew criticism across X, which brought up a conversation of the viciousness of today’s metric based at large selection process. One where margin of victory is heavily valued but windmill dunks in the closing seconds mean the same as a possibly more sportsmanlike layup.
#2 San Diego State (18-6, 12-2 MWC) | 33 points
Previous Rank: #2
Weekly Snapshot: Won, vs. Nevada (71-57)
Why: San Diego State was able to welcome a top 5 Nevada into Viejas Arena on Valentine’s Day and secure the fourteen-point win. The Wolf Pack’s second half comeback was impressive, but a little too late. After the Aztecs built a double-digit lead in the first twenty minutes of play, Brian Dutcher’s squad could breathe comfortably and play their defensive brand of basketball. Especially after creating plenty of offense from their stout defense, scoring 23 points off turnovers.
Thanks also in part to a tremendous defensive performance by Magoon Gwath, who had 13 points, 3 rebounds and 5 blocks in just 14 minutes on the floor. The Aztecs have maybe their toughest bit of their conference schedule remaining going forward. With a home matchup against one of only the two teams who have managed to beat them in conference play in Grand Canyon Tuesday night. Followed by a trip west to Moby Arena against a Rams squad who is in bounce back mode with three straight wins after a poor performance in January.
#3 New Mexico (19-6, 10-4 MWC) | 30 points
Previous Rank: #3
Weekly Snapshot: Won, at Grand Canyon (70-64)
Why: Coach Olen’s squad got a bit of rest last week after only one road game. Which resulted in a sweep of first-year conference foes Grand Canyon. The Lobos traveled west to Phoenix to face one of the more dangerous teams in the Mountain West this season, in what can already be considered a top four home court advantage. Led by fantastic freshman Jake Hall, who had 23 points off 57.1% shooting from the floor, including 80% from deep (4-5).
Coach Olen’s group was able to hold off a second-half comeback from the Lopes to escape Phoenix with the sweep. At this point in the season New Mexico has struggled with current league leaders San Diego State and Utah State, oh and the Broncos too. They’ll need a sweep this week to maintain their position as “title contender” in the standings.
#4 Grand Canyon (16-9, 9-5 MWC) | 27 points
Previous Rank: #5
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, vs. New Mexico (70-64); Won, at San Jose State (94-79)
Why: Bryce Drews Lopes continue to challenge for a top 3 conference finish, pushing aside programs like Nevada, Boise State and UNLV and chomping at the heels of the New Mexico Lobos. It’s been an impressive run, though one that has had it’s own setbacks like Wednesday’s home loss to Eric Olen’s squad.
They’ll need to do some fine tuning in the last six games of the season. As they barely held off a Spartans team on Saturday that only played six players, who also forced thirteen Lopes turnovers. Even if it was a nice win that gave Bryce Drew his 300th career win.
Securing a top 4 finish in their first season in the Mountain West seems like a very attainable goal at this point. They can’t let up, with a huge test on the docket Tuesday night on the road against San Diego State, whom they’ve already beat once, lest anyone forget.
#5 Nevada (17-8, 9-5 MWC) | 24 points
Previous Rank: #4
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at San Diego State (71-57)
#6 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (13-12, 8-6 MWC) | 20 points
Previous Rank: #7
Weekly Snapshot: Won, vs. San Jose State (82-75); Won, at Boise State (86-83, OT)
#7 Boise State Broncos (15-10, 7-7 MWC) | 19 points
Previous Rank: #6
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, vs. UNLV (86-83, OT)
#8 Fresno State Bulldogs (12-13, 6-8 MWC) | 15 points
Previous Rank: #8
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at Utah State (91-78); Won, vs. Air force (93-63)
Why: The Wolf Pack fell slightly after a double-digit loss on the road against league leaders San Diego State on Saturday. Few can walk into Viejas Arena and walk out with that coveted W, so that’s understandable. The Broncos also slightly lost their position in the Power Rankings with a three-point overtime loss to the ever so hot and cold UNLV. Though, a 36-point performance from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn can have that effect on the scoreboard.
Fresno State maintained their position in 8th. With a split between a closer game than the results would appear at Utah State early in the week. And a 30-point dominating win against Air Force at home, without David Douglas Jr. and leading scorer Jake Heidbreder. Douglas Jr. was announced out for the season by Vance Walberg last week, while the Bulldogs are hopeful to get Heidbreder back for this weekend’s clash against New Mexico.
Lastly the Runnin’ Rebels, who find themselves in a race for fourth place after two strong wins against San Jose State and Boise State. The Spartans certainly made things interesting inside the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, but Big Ten transfer Gibbs-Lawhorn appears to be finding his scoring rhythm at just the right time. Enough so to secure our Player of the Week honors this week, after averaging 30.0 PPG in 42.0 MPG in both wins.
#9 Colorado State Rams (15-10, 6-8 MWC) | 11 points
Previous Rank: #10
Weekly Snapshot: Won, at Air Force (91-74); Won vs. Wyoming (79-68)
#10 Wyoming Cowboys (13-12, 4-10 MWC) | 10 points
Previous Rank: #9
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at Colorado State (79-68)
#11 San Jose State Spartans (6-19, 1-13 MWC) | 6 points
Previous Rank: #11
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at UNLV (82-75); Lost, vs. Grand Canyon (94-79)
#12 Air Force Falcons (3-22, 0-14 MWC) | 3 points
Previous Rank: #12
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, vs. Colorado State (91-74); Lost, at Fresno State (93-63)
Why: Colorado State saw a small rise in the rankings after securing wins against regional foes to the South and North last week. Saturday’s revenge win in Fort Collins against Border War foes Wyoming was certainly the cherry on top of a strong week. The credit for those wins is spread throughout the roster, with seven different Rams scoring in double figures last week and bench production becoming a must for Coach Farokhmanesh. With Wyoming’s trip to Fort Collins as their only game of the week, they essentially switched places with Colorado State.
San Jose State made things close in both of their matchups last week. But for a roster that is running on fumes, there’s only so much fight I the tank this late in the season. While Air Force is shaping up to be the first team to go winless in Mountain West Play since the Spartans went 0-18 back in 2014-2015. Yes, the Falcons will always have upset potential. But if Saturday’s loss to a shorthanded Fresno State is any indication of what shape this team is in, I wouldn’t hold my breath for an Air Force win anytime soon.
How Our Team Voted
| Dan’s Rankings | Jay’s Rankings | Larry’s Rankings | Point Value |
| 1. Utah State | 1. Utah State | 1. Utah State | 12 points |
| 2. San Diego State | 2. San Diego State | 2. San Diego State | 11 points |
| 3. New Mexico | 3. New Mexico | 3. New Mexico | 10 points |
| 4. Grand Canyon | 4. Grand Canyon | 4. Grand Canyon | 9 points |
| 5. Nevada | 5. Nevada | 5. Nevada | 8 points |
| 6. Boise State | 6. UNLV | 6. UNLV | 7 points |
| 7. UNLV | 7. Boise State | 7. Boise State | 6 points |
| 8. Fresno State | 8. Fresno State | 8. Fresno State | 5 points |
| 9. Colorado State | 9. Colorado State | 9. Colorado State | 4 points |
| 10. Wyoming | 10. Wyoming | 10. Wyoming | 3 points |
| 11. San Jose State | 11. San Jose State | 11. San Jose State | 2 points |
| 12. Air Force | 12. Air Force | 12. Air Force | 1 point |
Thank you for reading – You can find more content from our writers at the following:
- Couch Potato Sports: https://x.com/CouchPSports
- Dan: https://www.instagram.com/couchpotatosportscoverage/?hl=en
- Jay: https://x.com/LoboSauceJay
- Larry: https://x.com/LarryMunizCBB
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