PHOTO BY NICOLAS PENA
Well, it’s March. Yes, it seems like just yesterday we were watching Mountain West teams play against (insert two cardinal directions here) (insert state name here) (insert religious denomination here) College. Now, it’s almost time to go dancing. And teams around the conference aren’t letting up.
This last week was once again filled with upsets and overtime thrillers. As we’ve become accustom to, the February stretch on the conference schedule can be brutal. Unless you happen to be Colorado State.
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…
#1 Utah State Aggies (24-5, 14-4 MWC) | 36 points
Previous Rank: #1
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at San Diego State (89-72); Won, vs Grand Canyon (74-69)
Why: The Aggies retain the top spot, likely because of their sole possession of first place. Losing on the road hurts, but when it’s at Viejas Arena against a top 3 team like the Aztecs, there’s some wiggle room metrics wise. Beating Grand Canyon at home to split the season series was very important, and the student section did their part to make the atmosphere one to remember.
#2 New Mexico Lobos (22-7, 13-5 MWC) | 32 points
Previous Rank: #3
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at Nevada (67-60); Won, vs San Diego State (81-76)
Why: New Mexico’s performance last week shows just how tough it is to play in the Mountain West this season. Dropping a quad 1 opportunity against the Wolf Pack in Reno on Tuesday, thanks to some very poor play. Then heading home and handing your rival a loss in front of a sold-out crowd. That’s just the way it’s been this season. But Saturday’s win was enough to propel the Lobos forward in the rankings. Led by strong performances from Jake Hall and a dominant one from Tomislav Buljan against San Diego State, this team is in position to possibly earn a share of the Mountain West title. If not winning it outright with the right set of circumstances and upsets.
#3 San Diego State Aztecs (19-9, 13-5 MWC) | 31 points
Previous Rank: #2
Weekly Snapshot: Won, vs. Utah State (89-72); Lost, at New Mexico (81-76)
Why: Behind an efficient night from Reese Dixon-Waters (20 points in 32 minutes), the Aztecs managed to split the season series with Utah State inside Viejas Arena last Wednesday. After a very solid double-digit win over the league leaders, San Diego State traveled East and met a determined Lobo squad inside the Pit. They couldn’t pull off the sweep and may have hurt their at-large hopes with that Saturday loss. But Coach Dutcher’s team remains dangerous and a matchup no one wants to see in the tournament bracket in a few weeks.
#4 Grand Canyon ‘Lopes (18-11, 11-7 MWC) | 27 points
Previous Rank: #4
Weekly Snapshot: Won, vs UNLV (80-67); Lost, at Utah State (74-69)
Why: Grand Canyon continues to put in strong performances. Beating a pesky Runnin’ Rebels squad in the middle of the week at home. Which was key to remaining in contention for the now coveted No. 4 seed in Las Vegas. While also giving the Aggies all they had in one of the more hostile environments in the Mountain West. Jaden Henley is a serious contender for Player of the Year this season. Finding an elevated form in Phoenix compare to what we saw of him in Scarlet and Silver last season.
#5 Nevada Wolf Pack (19-10, 11-7 MWC) | 25 points
Previous Rank: #5
Weekly Snapshot: Won, vs New Mexico (67-60); Lost, at UNLV (85-83, OT)
#6 (Tie) Colorado State Rams (19-10, 10-8 MWC) | 19 points
Previous Rank: #6
Weekly Snapshot: Won, vs Fresno State (74-70); Won, at San Jose State (85-73)
#6 (Tie) Boise State Broncos (18-11, 10-8 MWC) | 19 points
Previous Rank: T-#7
Weekly Snapshot: Won, vs. Wyoming (72-62); Won, at Fresno State (69-53)
#7 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (15-14, 10-8 MWC) | 16 points
Previous Rank: T-#7
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at Grand Canyon (80-67); Won, vs. Nevada (85-83, OT)
Why: Nevada continues to push for a top four finish next week. As evident by their home win over New Mexico on Tuesday night. An overtime loss to in-state rival UNLV in Las Vegas does sting, but what can you really do against a 42-point outing from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn? Sit back and watch, I guess. Colorado State had an undefeated February, wins over a pair of conference cellar dwellers keeps them behind the Wolfpack in this week’s rankings. Boise State’s week reflects the same sentiment. With a pair of solid wins but not a ton of momentum to crack the top 5.
#8 Wyoming Cowboys (16-13, 7-11 MWC) | 12 points
Previous Rank: #9
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at Boise State (72-62); Won, vs. Air Force (66-62)
#9 Fresno State Bulldogs (12-17, 6-12 MWC) | 9 points
Previous Rank: #8
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, at Colorado State (74-70); Lost, vs. Boise State (69-53)
#10 San José State Spartans (8-21, 3-15 MWC) | 6 points
Previous Rank: #11
Weekly Snapshot: Won, at Air Force (86-80); Lost, vs Colorado State (85-73)
#11 Air Force Falcons (3-26, 0-18 MWC) | 3 points
Previous Rank: #12
Weekly Snapshot: Lost, vs San Jose State (86-80); Lost, at Wyoming (66-62)
Why: Wyoming still has the potential to solidify themselves as a middle of the pack team in the last week of play. While Air Force, Fresno State and San Jose State continue to pick up wins amongst each other. Adrian Myers has been a fun watch the last five games, averaging 20.2 PPG while breaking the Spartan’s losing streak and gaining some wins. Fresno State remains pesky, nearly breaking the Rams’ winning streak in Fort Collins, only falling by four points.
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. New Mexico | 2. New Mexico | 2. San Diego State | 11 points |
| 3. San Diego State | 3. San Diego State | 3. New Mexico | 10 points |
| 4. Nevada | 4. Grand Canyon | 4. Grand Canyon | 9 points |
| 5. Grand Canyon | 5. Nevada | 5. Nevada | 8 points |
| 6. Colorado State | 6. Colorado State | 6. Boise State | 7 points |
| 7. Boise State | 7. Boise State | 7. UNLV | 6 points |
| 8. UNLV | 8. UNLV | 8. Colorado State | 5 points |
| 9. Wyoming | 9. Wyoming | 9. Wyoming | 4 points |
| 10. Fresno State | 10. Fresno State | 10. Fresno State | 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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