There has been plenty of discussion over BYU's dismissal of forward Brandon Davies, who may have been the key to their national championship hopes. Some people think that the school is being too harsh, and many people (including a number of BYU graduates) say that a rule is a rule. I believe that blame has not been assigned correctly. I'd blame the movie Superbad for giving the idea to our young people that premarital sex is ok. My guess is that BYU brain trust has banned that movie (and maybe Porky's before it), but I can still blame McLovin for everything that goes wrong, can't I? In any case, the Mountain West Conference tournament should be exciting and could lead to another bushel full of bids going west.
Wednesday, March 9 (All games played in Las Vegas at the Thomas and Mack Center)
G1 - #8 Wyoming vs. #9 TCU 2PM
Thursday, March 10
G2 - #1 BYU vs. Wyoming/TCU winner - Noon
G3 - #4 Colorado State vs. #5 New Mexico - 2:30 PM
G4 - #2 San Diego State vs. #7 Utah - 6PM
G5 - #3 UNLV vs. #6 Air Force - 8:30PM
Friday, March 11
G6 - G2 winner vs. G3 winner - 6PM
G7 - G4 winner vs. G5 winner - 8:30PM
Saturday, March 12
G8 - Mountain West Championship G6 winner vs. G7 winner - 4PM (versus)
Sleeper: New Mexico Lobos
The Lobos have been one of the streakiest teams in the Mountain West, but it only takes a streak of three more games to get a chance to go dancing for the second straight year. The team has won its last three games, including a crushing of BYU in Provo after Davies' dismissal. The Cougars might need payback in the second round and I like the chances of a return engagement. Colorado State, New Mexico's first round opponent, has lost four of their last five games, and the teams split their home-and-home series. Look out for Dairese Gary who has scored at least 16 points in six of his last seven games. He is averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 assists in his fourth year under coach Steve Alford.
Bust: BYU Cougars
This may seem like jumping on the Cougar pile, but I don't think the Cougars are going to win the conference tournament. Therefore, they bust. Although BYU did bounce back from their loss against New Mexico by blowing out Wyoming, the loss of Davies is going to be hard to overcome. He provided low post defense and someone to clean up garbage. The team doesn't have anyone who can step in. Jimmer Fredette will shoot the team past some opponents, but the Mountain West has too much quality at the top to be able to sail through. I am sure San Diego State would love a third shot at the Cougars, but I think New Mexico will knock them off again in the second round. Keep an eye on swingman Charles Abouo who scored 18 or more points in three of his last six games.
Players to Watch
Malcolm Thomas, F, San Diego State
I've written about Kawhi Leonard plenty this season and he is an excellent player who will make NCAA tournament fantasy players happy. Thomas is the second star of the team and the inside presence. The 6-foot-9 senior blocked 2.2 shots this season to go along with 11.5 points and 8.2 rebounds. He had eight double-doubles and will need to make his presence felt after the Aztecs dispatch Utah. Interestingly, in both of the Aztecs' losses, Thomas took double digit shots, so maybe he should concentrate on defense and getting boards. The former Pepperdine transfer will be important in a second round match up with UNLV, against whom he averaged 10.5 points and 11.5 rebounds.
Drew Gordon, F, New Mexico
Gordon left UCLA a little over a year ago in a cloud. He landed in New Mexico and, after a short adjustment period, showed that he could dominate the boards. The 6-foot-9 junior averaged 10.5 rebounds to go along with 12.5 points. He used his strength, size, and athleticism to grab a career-high 23 rebounds in a Feb. 19 loss at Utah. Gordon has accrued plenty of fouls in Mountain West play, so you may want to be a little cautious when drafting him. On the other hand, he had 11 double-doubles in 22 games, including four of his last five.
Andy Ogide, F, Colorado State
Like the first two player, Ogide is a transfer who has found a home in the Mountain West. Colorado State was inside the bubble for a long stretch of the season, but things burst in the second half of February when the schedule became more difficult. The Rams lost at BYU, Air Force, and San Diego State and lost a home tilt against UNLV. Throughout, Ogide continued to produce. He was held to single digit points just once this season, and averaged 17.0 points and 7.6 rebounds. The former-Mississippi transfer scored in the 20's in four of his last six games and scored his average in the Feb. 12 win over New Mexico.
Tre'Von Willis, G, UNLV
Willis' season looked like it was in jeopardy when he was arrested last summer in a domestic dispute. He was suspended for two games and was not quite the focus of the Runnin' Rebels' offense as he was in his junior season when he scored 17.8 points. The former-Memphis transfer provided 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. UNLV won its last five games of the regular season and have the homecourt advantage in the Mountain West tournament. Last year, they lost in the final to San Diego State, who they may face again in the second round. Maybe Willis will break out again in this year's tournament.