MOUNTAIN
WEST
CONFERENCE
Thomas & MACk Center
March 7-10
NEVADA
Record: 26-5, 15-2
Looking at records, Nevada should have no problem with this Tournament, but as seen in the regular season finale, that won’t be the case. Without Lindsey Drew, the Wolf Pack aren’t the same team and that came to light in the loss at San Diego State. Cody Martin and Caleb Martin can do a lot of things, but Drew was the final piece to the starting five and averaged just over 29 minutes per Game. They shouldn’t have any trouble in the quarterfinals, but a rematch with SDSU could be on the way in the semis. That could be a difficult Game followed by a possible third Game against Boise State in the championship. Beating a team three times in one season is never easy.
BOISE STATE
Record: 22-7, 12-5
The Broncos probably get the more favorable side of the bracket with New Mexico as the 3-seed. The Lobos have won their last five, but haven’t threated the best teams in the MWC this season, already getting swept and losing at Boise by 28 points. The Broncos slipped up at the end of the season and that leaves them needing to make the title Game in this Tournament if they want to make the NCAA Tourney. Their hope is to not get Nevada in the final and then anything can happen. Boise may not be the favorite, but betting on senior Chandler Hutchinson may be a good route to take.
FRESNO STATE
Record: 21-9, 11-6
The Aztecs will likely be favored in the quarterfinal matchup, which leaves Fresno State a difficult team to back. The Bulldogs haven’t been the same without Jaron Hopkins, losing two of their last three. With Hopkins out for the season, there’s little reason to expect this team can make a run in the Tournament. Fresno has been a difficult team to beat, but Hopkins did a little bit of everything for them and his absence is notable.
SAN DIEGO STATE
Record: 18-10, 10-7
On the other side of Fresno, San Diego State is hungry to make a Tourney run. The Aztecs already got swept by Fresno State, but will probably be favored in the opener and come in having won six straight. The Aztecs are playing their best basketball with Malik Pope and Trey Kell ready to go. After they just beat Nevada, SDSU will be a popular underdog to back and go all the way. To compete in March Madness, the Aztecs have to win this Tournament and that’s more than possible.
As said above, New Mexico is the 3-seed, but there’s little reason to suggest it can make a run and steal the title. The Lobos were already swept by Boise and the Game against Wyoming in the quarters won’t be a freebie.
OUtside of the top teams, no one else really has a chance. Nevada is set for a battle with San Diego State, which makes Boise State the easier bet to reach the Championship Game. Winning that Game may be difficult for the Broncos, but their route to get there is easier than the top of the bracket. The Wolf Pack are the favorite, but the Aztecs are probably the better bet with longer odds