Over a third of the way through conference play, the Mountain West standings have yet to get any less interesting.
San Diego State is back in first place at 6-1 after nearly losing in overtime to Colorado State in Fort Collins, while Nevada sits at 6-2 following a huge double overtime win against New Mexico in Reno Monday night. Utah State and Boise State aren’t far behind, sitting at 5-2 in conference play. Wyoming, picked in the preseason to finished second in the conference, took down Colorado State in the Border War and gave the Cowboys their first conference win of the season.
Potentially the biggest conference game of the week already came Monday night in what was a matchup of two second place teams, with #25 New Mexico falling to Nevada in a double overtime thriller in Reno. The Wolf Pack took down the Lobos 97-94, in a game that was essentially decided by a flagrant one call on Morris Udeze. The center flared his elbows in the air and made contact with the face of a Nevada player, giving the Wolf Pack two free throws and the ball in a tie game and 14 seconds to play. Coming off a 15-point loss to Boise State, the Wolf Pack bounced back in big fashion against the Lobos.
Other notable games throughout the week:
Wednesday Jan. 25 Utah State @ San Diego State (CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 Colorado State @ Boise State (CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 Nevada @ UNLV (CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m. MT)
San Diego State (15-4 | 6-1 MW | #26 NET | #27 KenPom)
The Aztecs went 2-0 last week in their Colorado road trip, sliding by Colorado State in overtime and beating Air Force with no issues. After once opening the door for the rest of the conference, Brian Dutcher’s team is back in full control atop the Mountain West. San Diego State has won eight out of its last nine games as Matt Bradley has led the charge with Darrion Tramell and Lamont Butler also averaging over 10 points per game. The Aztecs will host Utah State (#34 NET) and San Jose State this week with a chance to become ranked heading into next week after receiving 57 votes in Monday’s AP poll.
Schedule this week:
Wednesday Jan. 25 vs. Utah State (CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 vs. San Jose State (FS1, 7 p.m. MT)
Nevada (16-5 | 6-2 MW | #33 NET | #48 KenPom)
With Nevada only playing one game last week, a 15-point loss to Boise State, the Wolf Pack have no easy schedule moving forward. They host a red hot New Mexico squad tonight before traveling to UNLV on Saturday in a rivalry game at the Thomas & Mack Center. Nevada still holds a share of second place in the Mountain West, but this week will prove if Wolf Pack truly belong near the top of the conference. No matter if Nevada wins or loses its games this week, the stage will be set for a massive home game against San Diego State next week.
Schedule this week:
Monday Jan. 23 vs. New Mexico (CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 @ UNLV (CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m. MT)
Utah State (16-4 | 5-2 MW | #34 NET | #46 KenPom)
Utah State has been quiet these last couple weeks in terms of national attention, but still holds strong at 5-2 in conference play after going 2-0 last week. With home wins against UNLV and San Jose State by a combined five points, the Aggies got away by the skin of their teeth in what could have been disastrous losses come March. Steven Ashworth continues to be a menace for opponents, averaging 16 points and six assists over his last three games. Utah State now has a chance for a monumental win at San Diego State on Wednesday in what could bolster them over some other teams that may currently be on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Schedule this week:
Wednesday Jan. 25 @ San Diego State (CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 @ Fresno State (Mountain West Network, 5 p.m. MT)
Boise State (15-5 | 5-2 MW | #21 NET | #25 KenPom)
Following a huge 77-62 win over Nevada, the Broncos lost their share of first place in a heartbreaking overtime loss to New Mexico at The Pit Friday night. Tyson Degenhart hit a game-tying shot from behind the arc to force overtime, but the Lobos pulled it out in the end. Boise State shouldn’t be discouraged, with bounce-back game opportunities against Fresno State and Colorado State this week. It should be mentioned that these games ahead are still very important for the Broncos. A loss against either team would be a Quadrant 3 loss at a minimum in the NET, with the Bulldogs being in Quadrant 4.
Schedule this week:
Tuesday Jan. 24 vs. Fresno State (FS1, 7 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 vs. Colorado State (CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m. MT)
#25 New Mexico (18-3 | 5-3 MW | #28 NET | #43 KenPom)
The Lobos have put two early conference losses in their rearview mirror. New Mexico picked up a huge overtime win against Boise State on Friday and moved into the AP’s top 25 rankings because of it. Jamal Mashburn Jr. continues to be a force for the Lobos with Jaelen House being his wingman at the guard position. With the weekend ending, there isn’t any more time to celebrate. The Lobos have a tough test to start the week tonight against Nevada in a premiere Mountain West matchup.
Schedule this week:
Monday Jan. 23 @ Nevada (CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m. MT)
Friday Jan. 27 vs. Air Force (CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m. MT)
Air Force (12-8 | 3-4 MW | #141 NET | #141 KenPom)
The Falcons have reached somewhat of a cruising altitude in conference play, beating Wyoming 82-74 last week and winning three of their last four games. Air Force star guard Jake Heidbreder has been a beast on the offensive end all season, including a 17-point performance in a loss to San Diego State. Although when looking at the Falcons schedule I don’t see too many wins ahead, Air Force is never a team to take lightly especially with the way they have impressed this season.
Schedule this week:
Tuesday Jan. 24 @ San Jose State (Mountain West Network, 8 p.m. MT)
Friday Jan. 27 @ New Mexico (CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m. MT)
San Jose State (12-8 | 3-4 MW | #122 NET | #132 KenPom)
Oh so close, Spartan fans. San Jose State nearly upset Utah State at the Spectrum Saturday afternoon in a game that could have shaken up the middle of the Mountain West standings. Even with two losses last week, the Spartans have continued to impress more and more as the season rolls along. The conference knows about Omari Moore, but a name to look out for moving forward is Alvaro Cardenas. The guard has been red hot, averaging 15 points and over six assists in the past three games for San Jose State. By this point in the season the Spartans are not a team that any school will overlook on the schedule. San Jose State is a legit competitor in the Mountain West.
Schedule this week:
Tuesday Jan. 24 vs. Air Force (Mountain West Network, 8 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 @ San Diego State (FS1, 7 p.m. MT)
Fresno State (7-11 | 3-4 MW | #182 NET | #150 KenPom)
Having won two of their last six games, the Bulldogs have been a pretty confusing team in this conference. Fresno State has proven that they cannot only lose to any team in the Mountain West, but at times have also shown they can beat any team. Isaiah Hill scored 28 points in a win over UNLV last week and has been dominant all of January besides a missed game against Air Force. The Bulldogs are a team that squads will fear moving forward, especially when you throw into the mix that when teams host Fresno State, a loss would have a large chance to be a Quadrant 4 loss at the end of the season.
Schedule this week:
Tuesday Jan. 24 @ Boise State (FS1, 7 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 vs. Utah State (Mountain West Network, 5 p.m. MT)
Colorado State (10-11 | 2-6 MW | #118 NET | #111 KenPom)
Even with Colorado State adding two losses this past week, the Rams came within a minute of taking down San Diego State in an overtime thriller at Moby Arena. With Isaiah Stevens leading the charge, when everything is clicking Colorado State can beat anyone in this conference. With the Rams having their fourth game in a row head to overtime, the most recent coming in a loss to Wyoming in the Border War, you would think that Stevens and the Rams will appreciate the slight break before heading to Boise to face 2022’s Mountain West champions on Saturday.
Schedule this week:
Saturday Jan. 28 @ Boise State (CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m. MT)
UNLV (12-7 | 1-6 MW | #82 NET | #88 KenPom)
UNLV continues to be more and more confusing each week. Despite sitting at 1-6 in conference play, the Runnin’ Rebels have shown fight and potential to run with the best in nearly every conference game this season. For a team that started the season 11-1, it’s been very disappointing to see how UNLV has been unable to close out a game time and time again in conference play. The Runnin’ Rebels have a good opportunity to improve their numbers this week, hosting a depleted Wyoming team before the Wolf Pack come to town for a Saturday night showdown at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Schedule this week:
Tuesday Jan. 24 vs. Wyoming (CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m. MT)
Saturday Jan. 28 vs. Nevada (CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m. MT)
Wyoming (6-13 | 1-6 MW | #199 NET | #161 KenPom)
Over the weekend Wyoming beat rival Colorado State in the Border War, giving the Cowboys their first conference win of the season. Worthy of a court storm? Maybe not, but they did it anyway. Nonetheless, the Cowboys have started to gain traction despite the plethora of injuries Jeff Linder’s squad has had to endure. With Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year Graham Ike being out well past his expected return date from a lower leg injury, speculation is starting to rise that he may not return at all this season. Wyoming, similar to Fresno State and Air Force, is a team that nobody wants to face on the road.
Schedule this week:
Tuesday Jan. 24 @ UNLV (CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m. MT)
