Mapping the competition
Editor’s note: Records updated as of games played through March 4.
Men’s
At first glance, the Mountain West Men’s Basketball Tournament appears to be a two-team race. San Diego State and New Mexico are both 14-2 in conference and nationally ranked. However, nothing in March is that easy.
The No.10 Aztecs and No. 25 Lobos are the favorites going in to Las Vegas next week. San Diego State averages the least points against in the conference. They are averaging 60.4 points against in Mountain West play. Their full court press and stout defense is one of the reasons they are a nationally respected team.
However, San Diego State’s lack of size has been their downfall. This was a large reason why the Aztecs lost to New Mexico on Feb. 22. In that game, 6-foot-9, 250-pound senior forward Cameron Bairstow scored 26 points for the Lobos. Bairstow is the leading scorer in the Mountain West, averaging 20.3 points per game. Senior guard and defending Mountain West Player of the Year Kendall Williams averages 16.9 points per game. The Lobos also feature a 7-foot senior center in Alex Kirk, who averages 13.8 points per game and creates matchup problems on both sides of the court.
Despite how heavily favored those two teams are, this is March, and this is a deep conference.
UNLV gets to play the whole tournament on their home court in the Thomas & Mack Center. The Rebels, though talented, have been inconsistent this season. If the team that beat New Mexico in the Pit shows up, they may take the tournament. However, if the team that lost by 20 at home to UC Santa Barbara shows up, they may be ousted first round.
Boise State has the experience, featuring a starting five of all juniors and seniors. The Broncos have the rebounding – leading the conference in rebounding margin in Mountain West play – to make a run at the title.
Don’t leave out Nevada. The Wolf Pack was 7-2 in conference before a five-game skid. Keep Wyoming in mind, which leads the conference in field goal percentage.
Colorado State can make a run; they did go to the NCAA Tournament and win a game in it last season.
Fresno State can score with anybody, with the Bulldogs averaging 71.8 points per game against in-conference opponents.
Of course, USU could catch fire from behind the arc; they lead the conference in 3-point percentage with .405.
Women’s
Fresno State came into the Mountain West Women’s Basketball Tournament last season as the No. 2 seed and beat No. 1-seed San Diego State in the championship game. This season, the Bulldogs will likely go in as the No. 2 seed again, looking to take down No. 1-seed Colorado State; that is, if the rest of the conference doesn’t get in the way.
CSU is leading the conference for a reason. They are the best defensive team in the conference, allowing just 61 points per game. They are 14-3 in conference, and all three of their conference losses have come on the road, including a loss to the Bulldogs in Fresno.
Fresno State is also riding a four-game winning streak and have won five of their last six games, which included a win over Nevada, their main competition for the No. 2 seed, and a loss in Fort Collins to CSU.
Nevada can’t be forgotten in the mix of Mountain West championship contenders. They are currently tied for No. 2 with Fresno State, and they are No. 3 in the conference in field goal percentage against with .386. They lead the conference in rebounds per game with 44.2.
San Diego State, last year’s regular season champion, could cause trouble for the favorites by way of rebounding. They lead the conference in rebounding margin with a positive 7.7 span. The Aztecs will look to ride that and the stellar play of Cierra Warren, who is averaging 15.6 points per game, back to the conference title game.
Boise State will come in to the tournament as the likely No. 4-seed with a chance to sneak past into the tournament. They took Fresno State to overtime just more than a week ago.
Wyoming features the No. 3 scorer in the conference with junior Kayla Woodward, who averages 17.4 points per game. The Cowgirls also defeated CSU on Feb. 22 by 16 points.
USU may have a deceiving record and seed; they will go into the tournament as the No. 8 seed with an 8-10 record. However, they lead the conference in scoring with 77.9 points per game, blocked shots with 4.1 per game and steals with 9.9 per game. There is also Aggie senior Jennifer Schlott, who set the conference record in scoring this season.
As with any Mountain West Tournament, UNLV can’t be left out of the contenders list. The event is being held in the Thomas & Mack Center, the Rebel’s home stadium.
—dahdahjm@gmail.com
Twitter: @dahdahusu