The Mountain West Conference conducted its annual media poll earlier this week. I don’t have an official vote, so I’ll cast my ballot right here. Quick comments included with each team.
1. San Diego State… The pre-season top pick in the annual media poll has frequently failed to get there, but it’s tough to see the Aztecs not winning the league this season. SDSU loses a couple of key guys, particularly Xavier Thames. But it’s a loaded roster. Winston Shepard should be a contender for Conference POY, expect Dwayne Polee to improve and by the time league play rolls around, freshman Trey Kell will be likely to contribute. I’m not sure this is another Sweet 16 team, but San Diego State is the clear favorite in this league.
2. UNLV… Okay, maybe there’s a little bias here. Maybe not. Zero returning starters might mean some early struggles, but I really feel as though it’s addition by subtraction. The Runnin’ Rebels have a roster that’s pretty well suited to what Dave Rice wants to run, as for once this is a lineup with some really good outside shooters. Big season for this coaching staff, as the locals have gotten more than restless. Expectations in the media are mixed at best, but I think UNLV gets better and earns a Big Dance invite.
3. Wyoming… Larry Shyatt’s Cowboys were ruined by an epidemic of injuries last season. If they stay healthy this season, watch out. Larry Nance, Jr is the star on what is clearly Shyatt’s best roster in some time. He’s also a master tactician and Laramie can be a real hellhole for visitors when the Cowboys are good. The Adams/Grabau backcourt is very underrated and there are some good role players who fit Shyatt’s style on this roster.
4. Boise State… Most are picking the Broncos higher than this, and on paper they probably ought to be. But I am going to have to be shown that this squad can finish a game. Boise State was definitely not Poise State at crunch time last season. Derrick Marks has loads of talent, Anthony Drmic is a candidate to lead the conference in scoring and I definitely like Mikey Thompson. The Broncos could have some problems with physical opponents, and they have to hope that all the experience on this roster delivers.
5. Fresno State…Rodney Terry clearly has the Bulldogs on the rise. This program was in sorry shape when he arrived, but not anymore. Cezar Guerrero is a really talented guard, Paul Watson was the Freshman of the Year and Terry is recruiting like crazy. I think this team is still maybe one year away from battling for an NCAA invite, but the days of Fresno State being a pushover are finished. If the newcomers contribute quickly, they could exceed even my expectations.
6. New Mexico… The Lobos figure to take a tumble in the MWC standing this season. It’s pretty clearly a transition year, as the powerhouse trio of Williams/ Bairstow/Neal have all moved on. Hugh Greenwood is now the go to guy here, and Cullen Neal will be the long range bomber that his head coach dad will need to perform well. Jordan Goodman is one of the league’s newcomers of note. But this is no longer a star studded Lobos entry and I’m not sold on their depth.
7. Colorado State… Larry Eustachy is a solid coach and he’ll coax what he can out of his Rams. But the roster just isn’t anything special, and the departure of Jon Octeus to UCLA was a crusher. Daniel Bejerano had a very good sophomore season and he could be an All_MWC candidate. But it looks to me like a second straight rebuilding season for Colorado State.
8. Utah State… Not much optimism for this edition of the Aggies. The entire starting lineup from last season has departed, and while they weren’t the most cohesive group around, that’s still a ton of experience no longer on the scene. Jalen Moore figures to lead this team following his impressive freshman campaign, and some of the newcomers appear to be legit MWC talents. But Stew Morrill will have to work some of his magic to keep the Aggies out of the depths in this tear’s conference race.
9. Nevada… I can’t see this being a good year for the Wolf Pack. But perhaps things get better now that they’re not totally reliant on one player. Deonte Burton was amazing for this team, and at times it seemed as if his teammates were spectators than participants as they simply counted on Burton to keep them in games. Marqueze Coleman takes over the point guard duties, and if he can raise his level of play, perhaps the Wolf Pack can hang in. But matching last year’s 10-8 league record seems like a pipe dream to me.
10. Air Force… The Falcons have lots of experience, and I think Dave Pilipovich is a good coach, so maybe I’m a little low here. But with Tre’ Coggins having wrapped up his career, the only known scoring quantity on hand are Max Yon and Kamryn Williams. I think it’s just a case where Air Force doesn’t have enough MWC-level talent and as usual, depth and a profound lack of size will be an issue.
11. San Jose State… The Spartans have been awful and while there’s no place to go but up, there’s no ladder on hand right now. San Jose obviously needs to upgrade the talent, but they also need to show a little more discipline. They have no chance of success playing the tempo utilized last season and I’m not seeing anything to indicate that will change this year. SJSU figures at the bottom of the heap, and will again be an albatross around the MWC’s RPI neck.
Which team do you disagree with me the most on?
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