| | ESPN.com
|
HOW THEY'LL STACK UP
|
|
UTAH: 52-game home winning streak longest in nation.
|
|
WYOMING: Versatile Josh Davis and healthy Ugo make Cowboys go.
|
|
UNLV: Bill Bayno needs some high-profile wins, not just 20.
|
|
BYU: Cougars are respected, if not feared just yet.
|
|
NEW MEXICO: Fran wondering,"Who'll go down next?"
|
|
S.D. STATE: It'll seem more like D-I this year for Steve Fisher
|
|
COLORADO STATE: Coaching carousel catches up to Rams this season.
|
|
AIR FORCE: Watch the backdoor! Falcons slowing things down.
|
|
 |
|
|
Tuesday, Nov. 7
The Mountain West got two teams into the field of 64 even without an automatic bid. This year the winner of the conference will automatically receive a bid, but the conference still figures to send two teams to the NCAA Tournament.
The conference is as balanced as any in the nation. There used to be a few automatic wins in this conference, but both San Diego State and Air Force have improved. There won't be any gimmes this year. It's a balanced league, without a clear cut favorite.
That being said, until someone knocks Utah off their perch, they will be viewed as the team to beat. UNLV, coming off a 23-win season and a NCAA Tournament appearance, returns four starters. Kaspars Kambala is one of the top 10 centers in the country, and worked very hard to improve in the off-season. He'll join Dalron Johnson to make up a quality interior.
After those two players, though, the ranks get thin for the Rebels. Young players will have to get it done in order for UNLV to get back to the NCAA Tournament, while its defense and half-court offense will have to improve.
BYU gets all five starters back. The Cougars lost in the quarters of the NIT to Notre Dame, but should show improvement this year. Steve Cleveland has recruited well and instilled the pride back into the Cougar program. |
|
|
ESPN.com All-Conference Team
Guard: Terrell Lyday
Senior, 6-3, BYU
Forward: Mekeli Wesley
Senior, 6-9, BYU
Forward: Ugo Udezue
Junior, 6-8, Wyoming
Forward: Josh Davis
Junior, 6-8, Wyoming
Center: Kaspars Kambala
Senior, 6-9, UNLV
Player of Year ...
Josh Davis, Wyoming
Davis is one of the most versatile players in the country and, along with Ugo Udezue, will carry the Cowboys into contention for the postseason.
Introducing ...
Travis Spivey, G, Utah
If the Utes are going to get it done this year Spivey will have to direct the attack.
Best backcourt ...
BYU: Terrell Lyday, Michael Vranes and Matt Montague bring a world of experience to the guard position and will have the Cougars competing for the postseason.
Best frontcourt ...
Utah: Nate Althoff, Phil Cullen and Chris Burgess (among others): Hands down, the Utes are by far the best up front. They have five guys 6-foot-9 or taller. You may remember Burgess from his days at Duke, while Althoff is a 6-11 force to build around.
Team on way up ...
Wyoming: The Cowboys haven't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1988, but Josh Davis and a healthy Udezue will scrap for a bid this year.
Team on way down ...
Colorado State: Over the last four years the Rams have averaged around 18 wins a year. Yet another coaching change is going to catch up with the Rams.
Tournament tough ...
NCAA: Utah, UNLV.
NIT: BYU, Wyoming and New Mexico. | |
ALSO SEE
ESPN.com Preseason Top 25
Keeping up with Utah won't be as easy this season
Rebels or not, talent will keep UNLV out of trouble on court
Provo will have fun watching BYU run
Bilas Breakdown: Utah
|
