College basketball season is almost here!
Between now and Nov. 4th, we’ll take an in-depth look at different conferences around the country.
Today’s focus is on the Mountain West:
1. How many teams from the Mountain West will play in the 2025 NCAA Tournament?
TBD. This conference had a record six bids during March Madness a year ago and had four reach the bracket in 2023. Like usual, what the Mountain West does in November and December during the non-conference portion of the schedule will determine what it’s capable of in March. With NIL at the forefront of everything in college sports, it’s getting harder and harder for this league to retain its best players and not lose them to the transfer portal. It will be interesting to see how much of an impact that has on how many bids the Mountain West receives in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
2. Is San Diego State entering a rebuilding year?
It certainly feels that way. Brian Dutcher has led the Aztecs to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances headlined by an appearance in the 2023 national title game, but he may be on the verge of his greatest challenge since taking over for Steve Fisher as San Diego State’s head coach in 2017. The Aztecs lost six of their top seven scorers — Jaedon LeDee, Lamont Butler, Micah Parrish, Darrion Trammell, Elijah Saunders, and Jay Pal — from last season’s team that lost to UConn in the Sweet 16 and do not return a single starter or double-figure scorer. It’s going to be an interesting winter at Viejas Arena.
3. Which player from the Mountain West is on the verge of becoming a national star?
New Mexico’s Donovan Dent. With Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr. no longer fixtures in the Lobos’ backcourt, Dent is ready to take centerstage. In five games last November when House was out of the lineup due to injury, the 6-2 Dent averaged 19.8 points and seven assists. This guy will be firmly in the mix for Mountain West Player of the Year honors in 2024-25.
4. Can Leon Rice lead Boise State to another appearance in March Madness?
Without question. Rice has quietly led the Broncos to 73 wins and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances over the last three seasons and a fourth should be within reach. Boise State brings back two starters up front in Tyson Degenhart (16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds) and O’Mar Stanley (12.7 points, 6.6 rebounds) from a team that nearly beat Colorado in the First Four and adds a troika of transfers — Alvaro Cardenas (San Jose State), Javan Buchanan (NAIA), and Dylan Anderson (Arizona) — who should make an immediate impact. The Broncos will have an opportunity to make an early statement when they host Clemson on Nov. 17th.
5. Who is the sleeper?
Utah State. This program has served as a springboard for its last three head coaches — Danny Sprinkle, Ryan Odom, and Craig Smith — to achieve higher profile jobs. Is Jerrod Calhoun next? Don’t rule it out of the realm of possibility. The 42-year old head coach posted back-to-back 20-win seasons in his last two years at Youngstown State and now arrives in Logan with hopes of keeping the Aggies relevant in the Mountain West. Calhoun added a power conference transfer in Dexter Akanno (Oregon State) and retained three rotation players — Ian Martinez (13.3 points, 3.6 rebounds), Mason Falslev (11.3 points, 4.4 rebounds), and Isaac Johnson (6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds) — from last season’s team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Expect Utah State to again be an awfully tough out in 2024-25.
