“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty
College basketball is at a standstill.
The NCAA’s announcement that Aug. 3rd is the new early entry withdrawal date for the 2020 NBA Draft means that we’re going to have to wait just a few more days until we have full clarity for the 20-21 college basketball season.
Not to worry, between now and then we will break down one conference each week from soup to nuts.
Earlier this week, we featured the Pac-12 and now we’ll take a look at the Mountain West.
The rankings below will be altered immediately if there’s any personnel changes.
Check below for a comprehensive list of power rankings, projected lineups, and much more:
1. San Diego State
Projected Starting 5:
G Terrell Gomez
G Trey Pulliam
G Jordan Schakel
G Matt Mitchell
C Nathan Mensah
Key Losses: Malachi Flynn, Yanni Wetzell, KJ Feagin
Key Newcomers: Terrell Gomez (Cal State Northridge), Joshua Tomaic (Maryland), Che Evans, Lamont Butler Jr., Keith Dinwiddie
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Joshua Tomaic, Che Evans, Lamont Butler Jr., Keith Dinwiddie, Keshad Johnson, Aguek Arop
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Matt Mitchell (will go through NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: The Aztecs won’t be expected to win 30 games for the second consecutive season, but they’re still the team to beat in the Mountain West.
2. Boise State
Projected Starting 5:
G Marcus Shaver
G Devonaire Doutrive
G Derrick Alston
F Emmanuel Akot
C Mladen Armus
Key Losses: RJ Williams, Justanian Jessup
Key Newcomers: Burke Smith, Kasean Pryor, Jace Whiting, Emmanuel Akot (Arizona), Devonaire Doutrive (Arizona), Marcus Shaver (Portland), Mladen Armus (East Tennessee State)
Sit Out Transfers: Donovan Ivory (UMass Lowell)
Projected Bench: Burke Smith, Kasean Pryor, Jace Whiting, Robin Jorch, Max Rice, Mladen Armus, RayJ Dennis, Abu Kigab
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Leon Rice has a roster oozing with high-major talent.
3. Utah State
Projected Starting 5:
G Marco Anthony
G Brock Miller
G Alphonso Anderson
F Justin Bean
C Neemias Queta
Key Losses: Sam Merrill, Diogo Brito, Abel Porter
Key Newcomers: Szymon Zapala, Rollie Worster, Max Shulga, Steven Ashworth, Zahar Vedischev
Sit Out Transfers: Marco Anthony (Virginia)
Projected Bench: Szymon Zapala, Rollie Worster, Max Shulga, Sean Bairstow, Trevin Dorius, Liam McChesney, Steven Ashworth, Zahar Vedischev
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The Bean-Queta combination up front will be one of the top power forward-center tandems in the country.
4. UNLV
Projected Starting 5:
G Marvin Coleman
G David Jenkins
G Bryce Hamilton
G Nick Blake
C Cheikh Mbacke Diong
Key Losses: Amauri Hardy, Donnie Tillman, Elijah Mitrou-Long
Key Newcomers: Nick Blake, Jhaylon Martinez, Isaac Lindsey, Donovan Yap, Reece Brown, Devin Tillis, David Jenkins (South Dakota State), Moses Wood (Tulane), Edoardo Del Cadia (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: Caleb Grill (Iowa State)
Projected Bench: Moses Wood, Jhaylon Martinez, Isaac Lindsey, Donovan Yap, Reece Brown, Devin Tillis, Edoardo Del Cadia
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Bryce Hamilton is on the verge of becoming a national star.
5. Colorado State
Projected Starting 5:
G Isaiah Stevens
G Kendle Moore
F Adam Thistlewood
F David Roddy
F Dischon Thomas
Key Losses: Nico Carvacho, Kris Martin
Key Newcomers: Isaiah Rivera, Ignas Sargiunas (Georgia), P.J. Byrd (VCU)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Isaiah Rivera, Ignas Sargiunas, P.J. Byrd, John Tonje, James Moors
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: There’s more than enough talent in Fort Collins to finish higher than this.
6. New Mexico
Projected Starting 5:
G Keith McGee
G Zane Martin
G Saquon Singleton
G Makuach Maluach
C Bayron Matos-Garcia
Key Losses: Vance Jackson, Vante Hendrix, JJ Caldwell, JaQuan Lyle, Carlton Bragg
Key Newcomers: Bayron Matos-Garcia, Nolan Dorsey, Saquon Singleton, Javonte Johnson, Assane Ndiaye, Rodgerick Brown
Sit Out Transfers: Jeremiah Francis (North Carolina)
Projected Bench: Nolan Dorsey, Saquon Singleton, Javonte Johnson, Assane Ndiaye, Rodgerick Brown, Kurt Wegscheider, Emmanuel Kuac
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The 6-6 Singleton is expected to have a major impact.
7. Nevada
Projected Starting 5:
G Kane Milling
G Desmond Cambridge
G Robby Robinson
F Zane Meeks
C Warren Washington
Key Losses: Jalen Harris, Jazz Johnson, Lindsey Drew, Nisre Zouzoua
Key Newcomers: Desmond Cambridge (Brown), Warren Washington (Oregon State), Tre Coleman, DeAndre Henry, Je’lani Clark, Alem Husneinovic, Daniel Foster
Sit Out Transfers: Grant Sherfield (Wichita State)
Projected Bench: Tre Coleman, DeAndre Henry, Robby Robinson, Je’lani Clark, Alem Husneinovic, Khristion Courseault, Daniel Foster , K.J. Hymes
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Steve Alford does not return a double-figure scorer.
8. Fresno State
Projected Starting 5:
G Devin Gage
G Anthony Holland
G Leonardo Calimerio
G Destin Whitaker
C Orlando Robinson
Key Losses: Jared Hyder, New Williams, Nate Grimes, Noah Blackwell, Niven Hart, Aguir Agau
Key Newcomers: Devin Gage (DePaul), Braxton Meah, Destin Whitaker
Sit Out Transfers: Isaiah Hill (Tulsa), Deon Stroud (UTEP)
Projected Bench: Assane Diouf, Braxton Meah, Jordan Campbell
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Losing Niven Hart after just one season was an unexpected blow.
9. Wyoming
Projected Starting 5:
G Kwane Marble
G Kenny Foster
G Hunter Maldonado
F Austin Mueller
F Hunter Thompson
Key Losses: TJ Taylor
Key Newcomers: Javier Turner, Drew LaMont (JUCO), Xavier DuSell, John Grigsby, Graham Ike, Drake Jeffries (JUCO), Eoin Nelson (JUCO), Jeremiah Oden, Marcus Williams
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Javier Turner, Drew LaMont, Xavier DuSell, John Grigsby, Graham Ike, Drake Jeffries, Eoin Nelson, Jeremiah Oden, Marcus Williams
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Many coaches in the Mountain West believe that the Cowboys are a potential sleeper.
10. San Jose State
Projected Starting 5:
G Seneca Knight
G Omari Moore
G Richard Washington
F Ralph Agee
C Samuel Japhet-Mathias
Key Losses: Brae Ivy, Craig Lecesne, Christian Anigwe, Zach Chappell
Key Newcomers: Sebastian Mendoza, Hugo Clarkin, Michael Ofoegbu Jr.
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Sebastian Mendoza, Hugo Clarkin, Michael Ofoegbu Jr., Trey Smith, Harminder Dhaliwal, Kaison Hammonds, Eduardo Lane, Caleb Simmons
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Remember the name Seneca Knight.
11. Air Force
Projected Starting 5:
G A.J. Walker
G Chris Joyce
G Ameka Akaya
G Keaton Van Soelen
C Anthony Charles
Key Losses: Lavelle Scottie, Ryan Swan, Caleb Morris, Sid Tomes
Key Newcomers: Carlos Miller Jr.
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Mason Taylor. Simon Banks, CJ Haut, Carlos Miller Jr., Camden Vander Zwaag, Deven Nelson, Nikc Jackson, Nick Rene, Abe Kinrade, Isaac Monson
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: It’s a full fledged rebuild in Year One for Joe Scott.
