As noted in my WAC preview, the originator may be the better of the two conferences that used to be one. As a side note, did you know that the inception of the Mountain West led to the play-in game in the NCAA tournament? It’s true (and one of the few facts I learned from listening to John Feinstein’s A March to Madness). The MWC was one of the more competitive conferences last year with three teams (BYU, Utah, and New Mexico) sharing the regular season title and Utah winning the conference tournament. There is plenty of returning talent and a nice share of intriguing prospects in the conference, so it may an underrated to look for some players to stock your fantasy roster.
Air Force Falcons What can be said about a team that went winless in conference and lost its three double-digit scorers? Perhaps they should consider themselves lucky to have won ten non-conference games as well as an opening round conference tournament game against Colorado State. The most accomplished returning players are G Evan Washington and F/C Grant Parker. Washington, a 6-foot-4 guard, provided 6.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 28.5 mpg. He scored 18 points in the tournament win over the Rams, but only scored in double digits in nine other games. Parker plays the pivot despite standing 6-foot-7. He had 12 points in the tournament and scored a season high 16 in a Valentine’s Day loss to Utah.
BYU Cougars Two of the Cougars top three scorers return to the team that appeared in the NCAA tournament via an at-large bid. While Lee Cummard ran out of eligibility, sophomore G Jimmer Fredette and Brazilian swingman Jonathan Tavernari return. As a freshman, Fredette offered 16.2 ppg and 4.1 apg. His outside shot was streaky and he slumped badly in the final portion of the schedule (just nine-for-27 in his last six games). The 6-foot-6 Tavernari improved his numbers for the third straight year as a junior. He averaged 15.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, and 2.7 3pg. Tavernari has seven double-doubles and five against MWC competition. Freshman G Tyler Haws should get a nice amount of playing time. Like most Cougars, he is a threat from three-point range. C Nate Austin could provide some inside bulk.
Colorado State Rams The Rams have not had a lot of success on the hardwood lately. They have only appeared in one NCAA tournament since the creation of the Mountain West, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing fantasy talent, especially intriguing big men such as Jason Smith and Matt Nelson. The latest in this line could be freshman C Trevor Williams from Denver. His offensive game is unfinished, but Williams could be a decent shot blocker from the start of the season. F Andy Ogide was the leading rebounder (5.8 rpg) and is the top returning scorer (10.2 ppg). He had four double-doubles, including 20 points and 14 boards on opening night against Montana. Juco PG Devin McDonald could start in the backcourt and be a difference maker in assists.
New Mexico Lobos Since coming to New Mexico from Iowa, coach Steve Alford has had the Lobos on an ascent. Despite being shut out of the NCAA tournament, the team had a solid 2008-09 campaign but did take some offseason losses. Junior G Dairese Gary has been an Alford man throughout his career (he was originally recruited to Iowa) and he could be on the edge of a breakthrough. Gary contributed 8.1 ppg and 4.1 apg in 23.9 mpg last year. F Ramon Martinez is the team’s lone senior and he will lead the frontcourt. He provided 10.6 ppg and 6.4 rpg including three double-doubles last season. Freshman F Matt Staff could see minutes because of his diversified offensive game.
San Diego State Aztecs If there is one team I am excited to see in the Mountain West, it is coach Steve Fisher’s Aztecs. Last year, they had a bevy of forwards, but the ranks of big men have been restocked. Former MWC Freshman of the Year F Billy White put up modest numbers in the crowded frontcourt last year with 8.6 ppg and 3.7 rpg. White isn’t the main reason I am excited about this team, however. I was crazy about Pepperdine a couple of years ago when then-coach Vance Walberg tried to recreate the Loyola Marymount style offense. It didn’t take and Walberg was fired, but two of his prospects have landed in San Diego. PF Malcolm Thomas and SF Tyrone Shelley put up huge numbers in the Waves offense and may bring similar production to the MWC. Shelley averaged 15.1 ppg at Pepperdine, while Thomas went for 12.5 ppg and 8.8 rpg. Freshman SF Kawhi Leonard should not be overlooked. The 6-foot-6 small forward is the highest rated prospect in the conference, according to Scouts Inc.
TCU Horned Frogs If you are looking for a center in the Mountain West, then Zvonko Buljan is your best bet. The 6-foot-9 Croatian enjoyed his first year with Jim Christian’s team and provided 12.3 ppg on 50.0% shooting with 7.8 rpg. He had nine double-doubles, seven of which were in conference play. Buljan scored 20 points three times, including in the season ending loss against Utah in the MWC tournament. Freshman SF Garlon Green is the brother of Gerald Green, who skipped college for the NBA (when that was still allowed). Green has similar athleticism to his brother and could be an impact freshman. Sophomore G Ronnie Moss averaged 10.2 ppg and saw his minutes increase as the season continued. He’ll likely be the main scoring threat from the backcourt.
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels UNLV missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006, and the Rebels lost their top scorer in PG Wink Adams. The team has gone the transfer route in garnering talent of late. Their top returning scorer is G Tre’von Willis, who started his career at Memphis. He provided 11.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 3.3 apg in his first year in the desert. G Derrick Jasper comes from Kentucky where he missed the 2007-08 season because of knee surgery. G/F Chace Stanback played a season at UCLA. The Rebels get a low post scoring option with freshman C Carlos Lopez, and SG Anthony Marshall could see some playing time as a first year player in the backcourt.
Utah Utes Like UNLV, Utah loses its top and signature player, C Luke Nevill. That may cause the Utes to slip some in the MWC rankings, but coach Jim Boylen has consistently kept the team in contention. His top returning scorer is G Carlon Brown, a 6-foot-5 wing who also helped out in assists (3.3 apg). Brown will likely be in the starting lineup alongside G Luke Drca who averaged 7.7 ppg and 3.5 apg. If the center tradition in Utah is to continue, redshirt freshman Jason Washburn will need to step up. Washburn was highly touted last year, mainly because he is a seven-footer, who missed the majority of last season because of a knee injury. The Utes roster also boasts 7-foot-3 C David Foster who returns from his LDS mission this year.
Wyoming Cowboys It may be tough for G/F Afam Muojeke to top what he did in his freshman season. The conference’s reigning Freshman of the Year set the freshman scoring record with 454 points (13.8 ppg). The 6-foot-7 swingman opened the season with a season high 31 points, but he sputtered a bit down the stretch. He is the only returning double-digit scorer (the Cowboys had three others), so he may get even more shots in his sophomore year. The team is also excited about new PG JayDee Luster who transferred in from New Mexico State and was named team captain. Luster played sparingly in his freshman season, which prompted his transfer. Another big to keep an eye on is 7-foot-2 C Boubacar Sylla. The former Auburn Tiger did not play much as a freshman, got hurt, and transferred to Wyoming.