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5 questions entering the Mountain West

College basketball season is almost here!

Between now and Nov. 7th, we’ll take an in-depth look at different conferences around the country.

Today’s focus is on the Mountain West:

1. Can the Mountain West again get four teams in the NCAA Tournament?
That’s TBD. San Diego State and Wyoming are two of the best non power conference teams in the country, but beyond that is a major question. The Mountain West had four teams in the NCAA Tournament last season, but none of them won a game. Colorado State and Boise State — the two other teams that made the NCAA Tournament a year ago in addition to San Diego State and Wyoming — both lost key personnel. This league is a bit of a question after the two teams at the top, who are both ranked in the ROTHSTEIN 45. 

2. How good is San Diego State?
Exceptionally good. Brian Dutcher recently said on the College Hoops Today Podcast that this group of Aztecs could wind up in the same conversation as the San Diego State team that went 30-2 during the 2019-20 season, but never played in the NCAA Tournament due to COVID-19. The biggest reason for optimism? Returning experience. The Aztecs will have seven returning players — headlined by Matt Bradley (16.9 points, 5.4 rebounds) and Nathan Mensah (Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year) — who are at least in their senior season. Don’t be shocked if this team earns a very high seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

3. Is Wyoming being slept on nationally?
It certainly feels like it. Here’s a serious question: How would the Cowboys be viewed if they had San Diego State across their chest and not Wyoming? Jeff Linder returns five of his top six scorers from a 25-win team, headlined by two all-conference players in Hunter Maldonado (18.5 points, 6.3 assists, 5.7 rebounds) and Graham Ike (19.5 points, 9.6 rebounds). The Cowboys also bring in one of the more underrated transfer classes in the country in Ethan Anderson (USC), Max Agbonkpolo (USC), and Jake Kyman (UCLA). After getting a taste of the NCAA Tournament a year ago, Wyoming has an improved roster in place that should have a chance to advance in the bracket next March.

4. Will UNLV make a move?
The Runnin Rebels finished 18-14 and were rock solid last season in their first year under Kevin Kruger. Can they take another step this season? It all depends on how new pieces mesh. Player retention is one of the most difficult aspects of building a program in the immediate eligibility era and UNLV is a perfect example. This program has a strong brand with a great tradition, but will top flight high school players opt to remain in Las Vegas for four full seasons? Kruger will need big years from four power conference transfers — Elijah Harkless (Oklahoma), Eli Parquet (Colorado), Luis Rodriguez (Ole Miss), and Isaiah Cottrell (West Virginia) — if this program is going to make a move towards the top of the Mountain West.

5. Who is the sleeper?
New Mexico. Guard play wins in college basketball and the Lobos have one of the most underrated perimeter tandems in the country in Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr., who combined to average 35.1 points last season. Richard Pitino also solidified the low post with the addition of former Wichita State big man Morris Udeze. There’s also high hopes in Albuquerque for 6-6 junior Javonte Johnson, who averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds last season as a sophomore. New Mexico only won 13 games a year ago in its first season under Pitino, but this program has the returning personnel and most importantly, perimeter play to make a significant jump in 2022-23.

Leftovers