Mountain West Conference Basketball Mid-Season Resumes

We are a little past the halfway point in the conference season. Resumes are being built to go to the NCAA tournament.

In the Mountain West Conference, the jockeying will really come down to four teams – San Diego State, Utah, UNLV and BYU. Of those four, two or three will have legitimate arguments to make The Dance. All four likely won’t go. So let’s examine each of their resumes.

UTAH (16-7, 7-2)

Good wins – Gonzaga (66-65), LSU (91-61), BYU (94-88 OT), San Diego State (67-55)

Good losses – at Oklahoma (70-52), at Utah State (66-64), at San Diego State (72-63), at UNLV (75-65)

Bad losses – SW Baptist (80-79), at Idaho State (72-68)

Analysis – The more you look at Utah’s schedule, the more you can tell that the season got better as it went on. The Utes really put themselves in an awkward position with losses to SW Baptist, a Division II school, and Idaho State. But there are good wins over Gonzaga and LSU. The loss to California is going to have to look better if the Bears can have a strong finish in the PAC 10. Like San Diego State, the Utes probably have to win or share the conference championship to increase their chances. Don’t forget their high RPI of 13 according to realtime RPI.

SAN DIEGO STATE (17-6, 7-3)

Good wins – Utah (72-63), at UNLV (68-66 OT).

Good losses – Arizona State (59-52); at Arizona (69-56), BYU (77-71), Utah (67-55)

Bad losses – at Wyoming (83-59).

Analysis – The Aztecs are going to have a 20-win season. The non-conference schedule was respectable but not overwhelming. One thing that can help their case is if St. Mary’s (Ca.) can bounce back to get into the NCAA tournament discussion. Plus, they are going to have to win or share the conference championship. Had the Aztecs defeated Arizona or Arizona St., it definitely would have strengthened their case. It’s just not strong enough for them. The margin for error is very thin

BYU (18-5, 6-3)

Good wins – Utah State (68-63), San Diego State (77-71)

Good losses – Wake Forest (94-87), Arizona State (76-75), UNLV (76-70), Utah (94-88 OT),

Bad losses – The Cougars probably can make a very good case to earn an at-large berth because you look at their losses and nod your head in agreement. They played really good teams. They did what good teams did. They beat the teams they should have beaten had a pretty respectable non-conference schedule. Had they pocketed a win over the Demon Deacons or Sun Devils, it would look better. A strong finish a winning a game in the conference tournament probably gets them in.

UNLV (18-6, 6-4)

Good wins – Arizona (79-64), at Louisville (56-55), at BYU (76-70), Utah (75-65)

Good losses – San Diego State (68-66 OT)

Bad losses – at TCU (80-73), at Colorado State (71-69)

Analysis – The Runnin’ Rebels’ case will look a lot better if California and surprising Cincinnati can make a run toward the end of their respective seasons. The win over No. 9 Louisville really looks good. Coach Lon Kruger has to hope a 20-win season and run in the tournament will overcome those tough losses to the Horned Frogs and Rams.

Power Rankings

1. Utah
2. San Diego State
3. New Mexico
4. BYU
5. UNLV
6. TCU
7. Wyoming
8. Colorado State
9. Air Force