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MOUNTAIN WEST MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL:
- San Diego State
- Boise State
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Colorado State
- UNLV
- San Jose State
- Fresno State
- Utah State
- Wyoming
- Air Force
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL MOUNTAIN WEST:
-Tyson Degenhart – JR, F – Boise State
-Isaiah Stevens – SR, G – Colorado State
-Jaelen House – SR, G – New Mexico
-Jamal Mashburn Jr. – SR, G – New Mexico
-Lamont Butler – SR, G – San Diego State
COMMENTS FROM DAVID:
I have always loved this conference. I have loved it ever since it split off from the old bloated WAC, and I liked a lot of those original Mountain West schools even before then. It is a league that’s rich with passionate fanbases, intense rivalries, and an abundance of exciting games throughout the season. I do not care what our colleague Joby Fortson says: this is a great league!! I wish this league got more national attention/appreciation than what it typically does. The one criticism of this conference, which was totally fair, was its lack of success and deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. Hopefully San Diego State’s run to the championship game a year ago will help change that perspective. Speaking of San Diego State…
-The Azetcs are losing three key starters from last year’s national runner-up team, but they are so balanced and had a decent amount of depth which should help them transition rather smoothly into this year. Predicting another run to the National Title game is a bit of a stretch, but I do think they will be a solid top-25-caliber team throughout the season. Lamont Butler is one of the most talented guards in the conference and he has a very experienced supporting cast around him.
-Boise State returns several key players, including three starters, from a team that made the NCAA Tournament last year and now seems in position to get back for a third straight year. Tyson Degenhart is a solid frontcourt player, and Chibuzo Agbo can really shoot the ball. They have some weapons, they have experience, and I expect to see them dancing again come March.
-New Mexico could be a bit of a dark horse this year, and it is no surprise to see them picked as high as 3rd at Media Day. They did fall apart in the latter part of last season, and were really bad in the month of February after starting off with a very impressive 18-2 record. While they floundered down the stretch, the season was still a huge overall improvement for the program, and with the return of Jamal Mashburn Jr./Jaelen House this team has as much talent as anyone in the conference.
-Nevada was one of the last teams selected for the NCAA Tournament last year, and they ended up losing their First Four game rather decisively to Arizona State, which meant they ended the season with four straight losses and caused people to question whether or not they should have been selected at all. Nevertheless, it was still a good year overall, and three starters are back from that team, including Jarod Lucas/Kenan Blackshear, so this a team with guys who are both experienced/talented. I would not be surprised to see them back inside the bubble this year.
-Colorado State had a rather unimpressive season last year where they were 6-12 in conference play and finished just 8th, so I am a little surprised to see them picked as high as 5th, but they do have three starters back and that experience should result in some improvement. Josiah Strong also returns after missing much of last season with an injury so there are reasons for the Rams to be optimistic.
-Coach Kevin Kruger begins his third season at UNLV, and while they are not getting a lot of love from the media right now, it would not shock me if this is the year where they took a big step forward and were at least in a position to make the NIT. Just two starters are back, but they do have some good looking transfers coming in and I think this is a team that can make some noise if they stay healthy.
-Prior to last season the last time San Jose State won more than ten games was in 2016-2017. Last year they won 21 and finished with a conference record of 10-8, which is an outstanding improvement. Coach Tim Miles is the greatest coach ever: that is indisputable! Despite his greatness, the Spartans do lose three key starters, and while I do not expect them to be as bad as they were prior to last year, I do not expect them to be better either. They were picked to finish 7th in the preseason media poll…and I have to say that feels about right.
-Fresno State did lose four key players from last year’s rotation, but Isaiah Hill is back, and they also add some experience via the transfer portal with Isaiah Pope who was a key player at Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State) a year ago. I think this team is being a little undervalued and could actually finish at or near the middle of the league. I am a little surprised that they are picked to finish as low as they are.
-Utah State had a fantastic season last year: they won 28 games and made it to the NCAA Tournament! The problem is that everyone from that team is now gone, including their coach. It is a complete reset mode for the Aggies as Danny Sprinkle takes over. He brings with him some key players from Montana State and they will likely be key contributors this season, but it is still looking like an uphill climb.
-Wyoming and Air Force!! Two Front Range teams battling it out with teach other for a top ten finish in the league!! We at Hoops HD Love the Front Range!!!! Air Force has four returning starters, and while they only finished 10th a year ago I think with that experience and how hard they can be to play against they will finish higher than last year. As for Wyoming…NO ONE GETS HIGHER!!! But, it will likely be a long year for the Cowboys.