Category: Mountain West Basketball

UNM Lobos head to Fresno State

Lobos Look to Stay Hot as They Visit Bulldogs in MWC Showdown Follow @MWCwire Bulldogs will try to defend the home court. Game: Fresno State Bulldogs vs New Mexico Lobos When: December 31 st, 2024 8 pm EST, 6 pm MT Where: Save Mart Center Fresno, …

Lobos Look to Stay Hot as They Visit Bulldogs in MWC Showdown

 

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Bulldogs will try to defend the home court.

Game: Fresno State Bulldogs  vs New Mexico Lobos

When: December 31st, 2024 8 pm EST, 6 pm MT

Where: Save Mart Center Fresno, California

TV: Mountain West Network

Lobos Wrap Up Road Trip with New Year’s Eve Matchup at Fresno State

The New Mexico men’s basketball team (10-3, 2-0 MW) concludes its two-game road swing on Tuesday with a New Year’s Eve clash against Fresno State (4-9, 0-2 MW) at the Save Mart Center.

Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT (5 p.m. PT), with coverage on the Mountain West Network and the Lobo Radio Network.

The stage is set in Fresno, California, as the high-flying New Mexico Lobos (10-3, 2-0 MWC) take on the struggling Fresno State Bulldogs (4-9, 0-2 MWC) in a Mountain West Conference clash Tuesday night at 8 p.m. EST.

The Lobos are riding high after a 76-68 win at Colorado State on Saturday afternoon. Donovan Dent and Mustapha Amzil led the charge with 14 points apiece as UNM secured its first road victory of the season.

Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics

The team is looking to open Mountain West play with three straight wins for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.

After Tuesday, New Mexico returns home on Jan. 3 to host Nevada in the 1,000th game at The Pit. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. MT, with the game airing on FS1.

Fresno State enters the game following an 87-77 loss at UNLV. The Bulldogs are led by Amar Augillard, who averages 13.3 points per game. Both teams rank among the nation’s top 10 in tempo, according to KenPom, with nearly 74 possessions per game, promising a fast-paced showdown.

Historically, Fresno State holds a 21-19 edge in the all-time series, including a dominant 16-4 record in Fresno and 9-3 at the Save Mart Center. While New Mexico has won the last two matchups at The Pit, the Lobos haven’t claimed a victory in Fresno since 2015-16, losing eight straight road games to the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are 3-2 at home. Fresno State is 1-7 against opponents over .500, while New Mexico is 2-0 against Mountain West Conference Opponents.

Richard Pitinos Lobos, New Mexico, leads the MWC, scoring 18.2 fast-break points per game.

Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics

Fast-Paced Lobos Seek Momentum

The Lobos are off to a strong start in conference play, riding a 2-0 record and showcasing their trademark fast-break offense, which leads the MWC with an impressive 18.2 points per game.

Anchored by dynamic guard Donovan Dent, averaging 19.2 points per game on 49.2% shooting, New Mexico has been a nightmare for opponents in transition.

Coming off a 7-3 stretch in their last 10 games, the Lobos are thriving on both ends of the floor. They average 85.7 points per game while holding opponents to 74.4. Their balanced attack includes 17.2 assists, 9.7 steals, and 4.7 blocks per game.

Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics

Lobos Dominate Early to Secure First Road Win of the Season against CSU

The New Mexico men’s basketball team notched its first road victory of the season with a commanding 76-68 win over Colorado State on Saturday afternoon at Moby Arena.

The Lobos (10-3, 2-0 MW) seized control with a blistering 21-0 run in the first half, setting the tone and delivering the Rams (7-6, 1-1 MW) their first conference loss.

Donovan Dent led the charge with 14 points and six assists, while Mustapha Amzil matched him with 14 points. CJ Noland provided a spark off the bench with 11 points, Filip Borovicanin added 10, and Nelly Junior Joseph came close to a double-double, contributing nine points and 11 rebounds.

The win showcased the Lobos’ depth and defensive intensity as they continued their unbeaten start to Mountain West play.

It’s becoming increasingly evident that the bench players Richard Pitino brought in to fill the gaps left by last year’s star departures are starting to gel and build strong chemistry on the court.

Photo CourtesyBrian Losness-USA TODAY Sports© USA Today Sportsbookwire

 

Bulldogs Defend Home Court

Fresno State, meanwhile, has struggled to find its rhythm this season. The Bulldogs sit at 4-9 overall and 0-2 in MWC play but have shown resilience at home with a 3-2 record.

Forward Elijah Price has been a bright spot, averaging 9.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

However, the Bulldogs have found it challenging against strong teams, going 1-7 against opponents with winning records.

Shooting just 40.0% from the field, they’ll need a sharp offensive performance to compete with a Lobos defense allowing 44.8% shooting.

 

Key Stats and Matchup Highlights

  • New Mexico Efficiency: The Lobos are shooting 46.2% from the field this season, a mark that mirrors what Fresno State’s defense typically concedes.
  • Fresno’s Challenge: The Bulldogs are allowing 82.0 points per game over their last 10 contests while averaging 73.4 themselves.

 

As the New Mexico Lobos prepare to face the Fresno State Bulldogs on December 30, 2024, several key players are poised to make significant impacts:

New Mexico Lobos:

  • Donovan Dent: A dynamic guard leading the Lobos with an average of 19.2 points per game on 49.2% shooting. Dent’s playmaking abilities and scoring prowess make him a central figure in New Mexico’s offense.
  • Nelly Junior Joseph: A dominant presence in the paint, contributing significantly to the Lobos’ rebounding and interior defense. Joseph’s ability to control the boards and protect the rim is crucial for New Mexico’s success.

Fresno State Bulldogs:

  • Mykell Robinson: A key player for the Bulldogs, expected to play a significant role in the matchup against the Lobos.

 

  • Elijah Price: A forward averaging 9.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, Price’s contributions on both ends of the floor are vital for Fresno State’s competitiveness.

 

This matchup will showcase the talents of these players as they strive to lead their teams to victory in this Mountain West Conference showdown.

Mountain West Conference Teams Aim for NCAA

This game marks the first meeting between the teams in MWC play this season. While the Lobos aim to extend their winning streak, the Bulldogs will lean on home-court advantage and standout performances from Mykell Robinson and Elijah Price to pull off an upset.

Expect an electrifying matchup as these two conference foes collide in Fresno!

I predict the Lobos will come away with the win, powered by the dynamic duo of Donovan Dent and Nelly Junior Joseph and the rest of their talented squad that seems to be hitting its stride this season.

Richard Pitino’s strategy of utilizing a deeper bench is paying off, as the numbers clearly show.

Expect the Lobos to send a strong message to the Mountain West Conference that last year’s championship run was no fluke—it’s just the beginning of their dominance.

Basketball Preseason Series 24-25: Best Shooters

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown Over the weeks leading up to the season Mountain West Wire will be looking at the best players at different aspects of the game. As basketball has become more and more positionless it’s more about being the best at …

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Over the weeks leading up to the season Mountain West Wire will be looking at the best players at different aspects of the game. As basketball has become more and more positionless it’s more about being the best at specific skills than it is being the best at a certain position.

For previous articles, look here:

Best Scorers

Best Rebounders

Best Passers

Three point shooting has never been more important in basketball than it is in the current day. The way modern basketball is played, any team that has two players considered non-shooters on the floor at the same time is seriously hampering their offensive capabilities. A recent saying is “any player who isn’t a shooter, is a center.” Their lack of outside shooting ability limits them to playing close to the basket, which hurts the spacing of the team and often forces teammates to settle for inefficient midrange shots.

Given how important shooting is, having the best shooters can be important. Lots of different factors determine what a good shooter is. It is not simply a question of who has the best percentage. That being said, as a general rule a player shooting between 32%-34% is a roughly average shooter. A player who shoots 40%+ is considered elite. Other important factors include being able to hit contested shots, being able to shoot on the move, shooting after coming off of a screen, shooting off the dribble, and more.

Honorable Mention – Reese Waters, SDSU. 

Before getting hurt last season Waters was shooting 45% from deep. He was hitting shots standing still, and on the move, and off the dribble. Then he got hurt in the conference opener and never regained his form. If he is back and healthy he can show that those numbers weren’t a fluke. 

  1. David Douglas Jr, Fresno State –

Douglas doesn’t have as flashy of percentages as some other players, but he is probably the best at getting open looks. His ability to find holes in the defense and get uncontested shots off is elite. When a defender is close by he struggles with accuracy, but when he successfully loses his defender he connects on roughly 40% of his shots. 

  1. Tucker Anderson, Utah State –

Standing at 6’9, Anderson has an advantage of being able to shoot over most defenders. Regardless of whether there is a defender in front of him Anderson shot about 40% in catch and shoot situations last season. Anderson excels at hitting shots off of kick outs, he is also great playing in pick and pop situations, and can hit shots coming off of screens as well, albeit less efficiently.

  1. Xavier Dusell, Nevada –

Dusell has made a whole career off of being able to shoot the ball. He took 216 three’s last season and connected on 84 of them, good for 39%. Dusell also seems unaffected by the defense, as he connected on 40.5% of his shots when guarded. He excels at shooting both in spot up as well as transition situations. His one weakness is shooting on the move or coming off screens. Shooting off the dribble and coming off of screens were both sub 30% shots for Dusell last season. Alowing him to shoot off the catch optimizes his abilities.

  1. Beau Becker, Air Force –

Do not leave this man open behind the arc. Becker hit 52.5% of his open jump shots last season. When Becker is given time to shoot he treats the ball like a laser guided missile. Playing tough defense can disrupt his shot, so defenses have to choose whether or not to help and leave Becker open, or not help and give up something else. Given how good Becker is, sticking to him like glue is the best bet.

  1. Dontaie Allen, Wyoming –

What makes Dontaie Allen stick out as a shooter is his ability to hit shots on the move. Most players who shoot high percentages do so solely in stand still, catch and shoot situations. Allen didn’t get many chances to show his movement shooting ability at Western Kentucky, but Allen is great at hitting shots even when he doesn’t have his feet set. He can come off screens or relocate behind help and hit the shot, which is how shooters can truly break a defense.

 

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Basketball Preseason Series: Best Passers

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown Over the weeks leading up to the season Mountain West Wire will be looking at the best players at different aspects of the game. As basketball has become more and more positionless it’s more about being the best at …

 

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown

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Over the weeks leading up to the season Mountain West Wire will be looking at the best players at different aspects of the game. As basketball has become more and more positionless it’s more about being the best at specific skills than it is being the best at a certain position.

For previous articles, look here:

Best Scorers

Best Rebounders

One of the best attributes any player can have is to make their teammates better. Usually that is accomplished through passing the ball. Getting a teammate the ball in the right spot, at the right time, helps the teammate be more efficient. It’s easier to hit a three point shot off the catch than it is to hit one off the dribble. It’s easier for a big man to score when rolling to the basket and receiving a pocket pass than it is for a big man to score when posting up. Great passers also have cumulative teamwide effects of helping all players feel involved in the offense, making them try harder both offensively as well as defensively. Big men are more likely to run to rim run in transition if they believe they’ll get rewarded for their efforts by getting the ball. Cutters are more likely to cut hard off the ball if they believe that there’s a chance they’ll get the ball for an easy layup or open jump shot. And when players are engaged offensively, it often results in better defensive engagement as well. So a great passer can really elevate the ceiling of a team to be higher than the sum of its parts. 

One lesser known metric that will be used to evaluate the players is called Box Creation. It takes box score stats and estimates the number of shots a player creates for their teammates on a per 100 possession basis. So a score of seven means that for every 100 possessions a player played, they created seven shots for their teammates. It is similar to potential assists, although it includes more factors, such as the gravity a player generates to help them create for others.

With the importance of good passers established, here are the best passers in the Mountain West this season.

Jordan Nesbitt, Wyoming – Jordan Nesbitt is a type of player that is becoming more rare in basketball. Nesbitt is a great passer despite his relative inability to score efficiently. Most players have a certain bar of scoring that they can use to help draw defensive attention and open up passing lanes. Nesbitt doesn’t have that. Given the lack of scoring acumen, Nesbitt’s passing becomes more impressive, and slightly nudges him ahead of a few other candidates for this list. It helps that he is 6’6” tall and can see over most defenders placed in front of him. His assist rate of 28.7 finished in the top-100 against D1 competition. He averaged 4.3 assists per game on an assist to turnover ratio of 1.7:1. How new coach Sundance Wicks deploys Nesbitt will be a storyline early on for Wyoming fans.

Alvaro Cardenas, Boise State – Cardenas 5.5 assists per game was the 4th best mark in the conference last season. His 2.7:1 assist to turnover ratio made it even better. His Box Creation score of 7.72 was the fifth best in the conference last season, and three of the four players above him have left the conference. Playing for Boise State may result in his counting stats going down as he won’t be necessary for him to generate as much offense, but his passing efficiency should go up as he plays with higher level teammates. 

Donovan Dent, New Mexico – Donovan Dent is probably the best point guard in the conference. His combination of skills make him an elite player, but his passing is next level. Dent averaged 5.4 assists per game last season, and had a season high of 14 assists against Utah State. Add to that a 2.4:1 assist to turnover ratio, and an assist rate that ranked 51st nationally, and it’s hard to argue that Dent isn’t an elite passer. Dent also finished second in the conference in Box Creation with a score of 8.75. Given the potential increase in shooting threats on the Lobos roster, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Dent to average 6+ assists per game next season. 

Dedan Thomas, UNLV – As far as raising the level of his teammates, Thomas may be the best of the bunch. He is arguably the best tough shot maker in the conference. In the true fashion of a modern day point guard, he uses that scoring ability to accentuate his passing. He’s so good with it that coach Kruger is building the entire UNLV offense around Thomas’ skill set. As a freshman Thomas averaged over 5 assists per game, and had an assist to turnover ratio of 2.3:1. His Box Creation score of 7.58 wasn’t as elite as players like Isaiah Stevens or Donovan Dent last season, but it was still 6th best in the conference as a freshman. His ability should inly improve as his game continues to develop.

Drake Allen, Utah State – Drake Allen has impressive passing numbers. He averaged 4.3 assists per game, his assist rate was the 40th best assist rate in the nation, and he had a better than 2:1 assist to turnover ratio. What is even more impressive is that he accomplished those feats playing for a Utah Valley team that runs a terrible offensive system. He got no help from the system, and little help from his teammates. The team had no shooters, and few threats around the rim. Posting those numbers, given the situation he was in, takes a borderline herculean effort. This season Allen should be even better having players like Ian Martinez and Aubin Gateretse around.

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Basketball Preseason Series: Best Rebounders

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown Over the weeks leading up to the season Mountain West Wire will be looking at the best players at different aspects of the game. As basketball has become more and more positionless it’s more about being the best at …

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown

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Over the weeks leading up to the season Mountain West Wire will be looking at the best players at different aspects of the game. As basketball has become more and more positionless it’s more about being the best at specific skills than it is being the best at a certain position.

For previous articles, look here:

Best Scorers

A great former Mountain West basketball player once exclaimed that “The board man gets paid.” For what it’s worth, that player will be earning over 49 million dollars in the NBA this season, so he may have had a point. Scoring gets all the highlights, but elite players and coaches constantly talk about how defense and rebounding are key to winning championships. Every fan knows a game that their team would’ve won if they had simply grabbed a rebound at a key moment. The players listed below understand how important rebounding is to winning games.

5. Jared Coleman Jones, San Diego State –

Last year’s Aztecs team had the worst defensive rebounding rate of any Aztecs team since 2019. The Aztecs lost a couple games due to being unable to end a good defensive possession with a rebound. Jared Coleman Jones should help correct that weakness this season. His defensive rebounding rate of 24% ranked 70th nationally. He really knows how to get after the ball. He didn’t do much offensive rebounding at Middle Tennessee, and he may not be asked to at San Diego State, although it’s not out of the question and there’s reason to believe he could be better on that end if he wanted to. 

4. O’Mar Stanley, Boise State –

O’Mar Stanley is better overall, but is also somewhat the opposite of Jared Coleman Jones. Defensively, Stanley’s rate of 17.5% is really good, but the offensive end is where he truly impacts games. His offensive rate of 12.3% ranked 76th nationally last season. Almost 18% of Stanley’s total points came off of putbacks. His aggression on the offensive end will continue to lead to easy points for the Broncos. 

3. Aubin Gateretse, Utah State –

Gateretse has shown to be an elite rebounder on both ends of the floor. His offensive rebounding is a central part of his offense, which bodes well because his offensive rebounding rate ranked 40th nationally last season. His defensive rebounding rate ranked 219th nationally. There is no question he knows how to get after it on the glass. His numbers may take a dip this season though. Partly because he will spend a lot of time playing next to a true 7-footer in Isaac Johnson, who is a great rebounder himself. Secondly, the Atlantic Sun conference doesn’t have the same level of competition as the Mountain West. His numbers last season took hits against top-100 teams, so it is not out of the question that he may not be quite as elite.

2. Nelly Junior Joseph, New Mexico –

NJJ had great rebounding numbers his first year at New Mexico. He collected 8.2 rebounds per game and had double digits rebound rates on both ends of the floor. Nationally, his offensive rebounding rate of 11.3% ranked 128th, and defensively his rebounding rate of 21.2% ranked 154th. What is even more impressive is he could’ve gotten more rebounds if he didn’t have J.T. Toppin playing next to him. This season he will be asked to get even more rebounds, and he should be able to do it. No one should be surprised if Nelly Junior Joseph averages a double-double this season.

1. Robert Vaihola, San Jose State – 

It is pretty hard to argue that Robert Vaihola isn’t the best rebounder in the conference. The 6’8 Big man plays bigger than his size would suggest and gets after it on the glass. He plays as if rebounding is the most important aspect of playing the game. He sat out last season after having season ending foot surgery, but is expected to be ready to go this season. His defensive rebounding rate of 20.1% is great, but he really excels on the offensive end. In 2023, his last healthy season, he led the conference with an offensive rebounding rate of 17.7%. Nationally he had the 5th best rate. He is elite on that end of the floor, which leads to second chance points for the Spartans. Defensively Vaihola should be able to collect a lot of rebounds after Diongue forces misses at the rim.

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All Decade Basketball team at the Halfway Point

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown There are five more years until the decade closes and we all as fans get the fun task of debating who the best players of the last decade were, but at the halfway mark it is nice to see a progress report. The following …

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There are five more years until the decade closes and we all as fans get the fun task of debating who the best players of the last decade were, but at the halfway mark it is nice to see a progress report. The following is one man’s opinion of who belongs on the all-decade team at the halfway point.

To be considered, players needed to meet one of the following criteria: win a major postseason award (conference POY or DPOY), be named to an all american team, be named to an all conference 1st team, or have a combination of lesser awards (2nd or 3rd team all conference, all defensive team, etc). The players also needed to have a minimum of five win shares over the course of the decade. 

The stats and awards pulled for consideration only go so far back as the 2019-20 season. Any stats accumulated before then were removed. Apologies to players like Sam Merrill (but in fairness, he made the all decade team the decade before).

It’s safe to assume about half of these players won’t make the final cut at the end of the decade. One interesting thing to note will be how the transfer portal changes fans opinions. Should a player who had one great year and then left be included over someone who stayed loyal and had three good years but never reached the same ceiling? Time will tell.

Coach of the Decade:

Brian Dutcher, San Diego State: 134 Wins, 79.8% win percentage, five conference titles, two sweet 16’s, one Final 4.

No other Mountain West coaches resume has come close to what Coach Dutcher has accomplished. Leon Rice probably comes the closest with his two conference titles, but has had no March Madness success to date. The conference has had eight teams reach the Sweet 16 in its history, and Dutcher was the head coach for 2 of them, not to mention he’s the only Mountain West coach so far to make it to a Final 4.

Dutcher may not have the best X’s and O’s, and he can sometimes be bested in terms of in game adjustments, but his ability to find players that fit his system, and then develop them into better players, is among the best in the nation, let alone the conference. 

Second Team:

Hunter Maldonado, Wyoming:120 games, 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, 46/28/72, 14.3 Win Shares –

Hunter Maldonado is probably the most versatile player of the decade. He was named first team all conference in 21-22, and for his career finished 6th in the Mountain West in points, 7th in rebounds, 2nd in assists, and 9th in steals. No one else has career marks in that many categories. His only weakness was shooting the ball. He dominated scoring inside, but never dialed in his outside shot. He managed to lead a traditionally poor Wyoming program to the tournament in 2022, only the third time this millennium the Cowboys have made the tournament.

Matt Mitchell, SDSU: 57 games, 13.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks, 45/37/84, 8.6 Win Shares-

Mitchell only had two seasons in the decade, but made the most of both of them. He was named a first team all conference player each season, and won player of the year in 20-21. Mitchell was the best player on the conference champion Aztecs team in ‘21, as he played offensive option 1A, and guarded the opponents best player in crunch time. His combination of strength and skill made him a problem for opponents.

Tyson Degenhart, Boise State: 101 games, 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks, 52/36/76, 16.1 Win Shares-

Tyson Degenhart is the only player on this list who can add to their resume. The two time 1st team all conference player currently ranks 16th for his career in win shares in conference history. If he duplicates what he did last season he’ll finish third in that category, and it’s not unrealistic to think he could finish number one overall. Throughout his career Degenhart has combined efficient scoring with elite defense and rebounding.

Neemias Queta, Utah State: 51 games, 14.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 2.7 blocks, 58/33/69, 8.6 Win Shares-

Queta was a force down low over the course of his career. In the decade he won Defensive Player of the year, and was both a first team and second team all conference player, along with being an all defensive player twice. In his final season before leaving early to turn pro, Queta led the nation in blocked shots, along with finishing 4th in the nation in total rebounds that year. In addition to his defensive prowess, he was an efficient scorer down low and a sneaky good passer.

Nathan Mensah, SDSU: 112 games, 6.9 Points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.8 blocks, 53/22/60, 11.4 Win Shares-

Mensah has the best defensive resume of the decade thus far. He led the conference in blocked shots twice, and finished third all time in blocked shots. In addition to his rim protection, the 6’10 center was capable of switching on defense and could guard any player on the opposing team. The vaunted San Diego State defense was built around his strengths for most of his career, and it paid off when SDSU rode that dominant defense all the way to the national championship game. Mensah lacked offensive production, but his defensive contributions are deserving of recognition. 

Mensah also contributed to more conference championships in the decade than any other player on this list. He won two regular season titles and two conference tournament titles. (He was also on the 2020 Aztec team that won the regular season, but didn’t play a single minute in conference play due to injury, so that isn’t counted.)

 

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Basketball Preseason Series: Best Scorers

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown Over the weeks leading up to the season Mountain West Wire will be looking at the best players at different aspects of the game. As basketball has become more and more positionless it’s more about being the best at …

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown

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Over the weeks leading up to the season Mountain West Wire will be looking at the best players at different aspects of the game. As basketball has become more and more positionless it’s more about being the best at specific skills than it is being the best at a certain position.

When it all comes down to it, basketball is about scoring more points than your opponent. Having players that can put the ball through the hoop is key to accomplishing that goal. Doing so in high volume isn’t enough though. If a player scores 20 points a game but takes 30 shots to do so, they aren’t helping the team. Players need to score in volume, and do so efficiently. Players can’t be elite scorers if they only possess one of those two qualities.

Honorable Mention: Keyshawn Williams, Colorado State – Before being injured, Williams was averaging almost 18 points per game, on a solid 56% True Shooting percentage. That was two seasons ago, and took place over 13 games, so there’s no telling if those marks would have held over a full season, or if Williams will return to that level post injury. If he is fully recovered though, he will likely deserve a spot on this list.

Donovan Dent, New Mexico – Dent runs the New Mexico offense, and is the first option for the Lobos. Last season he scored 14 points per game. College basketball is a guards game, and Dent is arguably the best in the conference. His play in transition is elite, leading to easy baskets. What helps Dent be a great scorer is his ability to shoot off the dribble. He ranks in the 78th percentile in jump shots off the dribble. His ability to gain separation and lose his defenders helps him get clean looks and keep his efficiency up. His only down side is that he isn’t great from the free throw line, shooting only 68%. It’s not a terrible mark, but it’s below average for a guard.

Deyton Albury, Utah State – Albury played in transition more than most any player in the country while at Queens University. That will likely continue with the Aggies, as it is a key facet in Albury’s game. In the half court he is less efficient, but not enough to hurt the team or his overall efficiency. He maintained a true shooting percentage of 56%, helped by his ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line. He scored 17 points per game last season. That number may go down a bit as he’ll have more offensive talent around him, but the tendency to play in transition should translate.

Ian Martinez, Utah State – Martinez scored 13.3 points per game as a third option behind Great Osobor and Darius Brown. Having two other players draw so much defensive attention allowed Martinez to play extremely efficiently. He had a 62% true shooting percentage, the highest of any player on this list. In overseas play this summer Martinez was the leading scorer on the team, and displayed a versatile scoring skill set. As defenses key in on him his efficiency will likely drop some, but his floor is still higher than most players in the conference. 

Kobe Sanders, Nevada – In the past five years only 3 Mountain West players have scored 20+ points per game (Jaedon LeDee, Bryce Hamilton, Jalen Harris). Sanders scored 19.7 last season in the Big West. The leave of competition is tougher in the Mountain West, but Sanders has shown he can put up points. His combination of size and ball handling ability makes him tough to guard, similar to Kenan Blackshear last season, but Sanders is even taller. Most guards can’t contest a 6’8 shooter.Thanks in part to his size, Sanders scored 1.123 points per possession in isolation last season, ranking in the 91st percentile in that category. He also finished in the 75th percentile in pick and roll scoring per possession. With the departures of Blackshear and Lucas, the Wolfpack will be looking to Sanders to put up points in bunches. 

Tyson Degenhart, Boise State – What makes Degenhart such a good scorer is his versatility. At 6’8, 235 lbs he is big and strong enough to play around the rim, and also skilled enough to play around the perimeter. His outside shot isn’t great, but it’s good enough to keep opponents honest, helping him rack up 1.093 points per possession when spotting up around the outside, good for 82nd percentile nationally. He also scored 1.112 points per possession when posting up last season, which finished 13th in the nation among players with at least 100 post up possessions. For context, all american Jaedon LeDee finished 16th in the same metric, and player of the year Zach Edey finished 27th. Degenhart’s versatility lets him truly attack big players off the dribble, and small players in the post.

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4 standout players who have emerged from the Mountain West Conference

The Mountain West Conference is regularly tipped as one of the best college basketball leagues in the US, responsible for producing some truly standout players over the past several decades. While the NBA is naturally the most popular basketball …

The Mountain West Conference is regularly tipped as one of the best college basketball leagues in the US, responsible for producing some truly standout players over the past several decades. While the NBA is naturally the most popular basketball competition for spectators, the excitement surrounding college basketball has been steadily growing. 

 

And is this surprising? Knowing what’s going on at college level is a great way for fans to understand who the next best talents to emerge on the stage may be. Not only is this useful for franchise fans, but it can also make all the difference for sports bettors.

 

For example, betting on the NBA Draft is a popular option nowadays, with fans hoping to guess the pick order correctly. But this is just the start – savvy bettors who track players from the Mountain West Conference up to the NBA will already know specific player traits, such as whether they’re accurate at 3-pointers. Basketball is one of the most-loved sports for betting, and the abundance of precise propositional wagers is a clear reason why. 

 

Consequently, following college basketball can be simultaneously fun and productive. The Mountain West Conference is regularly touted as the best option. If you don’t believe us, keep reading for some examples of the standout players to make a name for themselves. 

Who competes in the Mountain West Conference? 

Before we get into the nitty-gritty regarding the standout players to emerge from the Mountain West Conference, let’s take a moment to summarize the teams competing. San Diego State is arguably the most popular, but it’s far from the only option. Here are the others: 

 

  • Utah State
  • Nevada 
  • Boise State 
  • UNLV 
  • New Mexico 
  • Colorado State 
  • Wyoming 
  • Fresno State 
  • Air Force 
  • San José State 

Mountain West Conference: vital history 

Learning the history of the Mountain West Conference can also give vital insight into this exciting college league, so let’s run through a quick summary. The league was founded in 1998, after the 1996 NCAA conference realignment. Eight universities were left seeking a new home, with Colorado State taking a leading role in creating a new Division 1 athletic conference. 

 

The league quickly became one of the standout college programs for basketball, especially with San Diego State proving itself with six tournament titles. Although the Mountain West Conference has never won a NCAA Championship, San Diego State came close in 2023, losing to UConn in the final. 

Four standout players to come from the Mountain West Conference 

Despite the lack of ultimate success for Mountain West State teams, a number of players from the league have tasted success in the NBA and beyond. Here are the top five since the league’s inception in 1998: 

Kawhi Leonard 

Kawhi Leonard was a swashbuckling San Diego State player who won All-American status and led his team to fourth in the national rankings – one of the highest positions for a Mountain West Conference team. Leonard made good use of his potential in the NBA, becoming only the third player to hold the NBA Finals MVP tag for two different franchises (San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors). It’s difficult to argue against Leonard being a part of the all-time pantheon of NBA greats, and there’s no denying he’s the best player so far to come from the Mountain West Conference. 

Andrew Bogut 

Andrew Bogut had an outstanding college career at Utah, picking up All-American honors and winning the 2004-2005 Wooden Award – no wonder he was #1 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. And this was just the start, as the Australian was included in the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2006. In fact, Bogut was so good in the Mountain West Conference that Utah retired his No. 4 shirt. 

Danny Granger 

Danny Granger started his college career at Bradley before moving to New Mexico and the Mountain West Conference. Good job he did, as the small forward became one of the best players to compete in the NCAA Division I college league. He was an NBA All-Star in 2009 for the Indiana Pacers before moving to the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat. 

Jimmer Fredette 

Jimmer Fredette was arguably the best Mountain West Conference player of all time during his time at college level, winning the Wooden Award and ending his college career as a three-time, All-MW First Team pick. He was selected at #10 overall pick for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2011 NBA Draft, but struggled to replicate his devastating form in the NBA. 

UConn wins back-back NCAA titles despite 37-point showing from Canadian Zach Edey

After over two weeks, 68 teams , and six consecutive elimination rounds, the UConn Huskies (37-3) stand alone as the best College Basketball team in the nation. Connecticut denied the Perdue Boilermakers (34-5) their first NCAA Division I …

After over two weeks, 68 teams, and six consecutive elimination rounds, the UConn Huskies (37-3) stand alone as the best College Basketball team in the nation. Connecticut denied the Perdue Boilermakers (34-5) their first NCAA Division I Championship in program history, defeating them 67-43 and repeating as champions for the first time since the Florida Gators in 2006-07. The win moves the Huskies to third on the all-time list, tying North Carolina at six titles after winning three times over the past decade (2014, 2023, 2024).  

UConn defeated Perdue by a score of 75-60, nearly identical to their 76-59 victory over San Diego State in last season’s final. It was a one man show for the Boilermakers with Canadian Zach Edey putting up over half of his team’s points, scoring 37 to go along with 10 rebounds. This impressive performance was not good enough to get past Connecticut’s four headed monster of Donovan Clingan, Cam Spencer, Stephon Castle, and Tristen Newton who each scored in the double digits. Newton led the charge with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, earning him Most Outstanding Player honours at excellent odds of +650 as the fourth most likely player to win heading into the final. 

With the randomness that March Madness brings, it’s rare to see the two most talented teams still standing at the end, but that was the case this season with UConn opening as the tournament favourites at +400 and Perdue close behind in third at +700 per Fanduel. One of the two teams ranked as number one for more than half of the regular season, and both teams dominated their way to the final, with UConn outscoring opponents by an average of 25 points and Perdue by an average of 19.6 points. 

The Huskies outscored opponents by 140 points and became just the sixth team in tournament history to win all six of their games by double digits. Dating back to last year, they have won 12 straight March Madness games by 13 points or more. They move to 6-0 in Championships games, with all their finals appearances coming since 1999. 

The Boilermakers meanwhile move to 0-2 in finals appearances, reaching their first final since 1969 after becoming just the second No.1 seed to lose in the first round a year prior. Credit the Huskies defence for holding the countries second best three-point shooting team to under 10 attempts for just the second time this season. UConn was happy to allow 37 points on 25 shots to the National Player of the Year with the rest over the team shooting 1/7 behind the arch. 

With the NCAA season concluded, basketball fans can shift their attention back to the NBA. Just four games remain in the regular season, with the Play-In Tournament set to begin on April 16th and the Playoffs on April 20th. Donavan Clingan, Stephan Castle, Zach Edey, and Tristen Newton are all expected to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft, which will take place on June 26th, three days after game 7 of the NBA Finals is scheduled. 

If you are looking to bet on the NBA playoffs, the upcoming NBA draft, or get early futures in for next year’s college basketball season, make sure to check out Ontario sportsbooks for the best betting sites your province has to offer. The Celtics are currently favoured to win the NBA Championship at +185, but the Denver Nuggets are close behind at +325, looking to repeat as champions. The Toronto Raptors have been eliminated from postseason contention, but you can still wager on who they will select in the draft with the 6th overall selection.

Fresno State Basketball: The Bulldogs Hire Vance Walberg as 20th Head Coach

Fresno State Basketball: The Bulldogs Hire Vance Walberg as 20th Head Coach The Bulldogs end their coaching search with an experienced coaching hire. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Fresno State hires a local winning coach in Vance Walberg. …

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Fresno State Basketball: The Bulldogs Hire Vance Walberg as 20th Head Coach

The Bulldogs end their coaching search with an experienced coaching hire.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Fresno State hires a local winning coach in Vance Walberg.

Fresno, CA–The Fresno State Bulldogs have their man, as an announcement from the athletic department named Vance Walberg as the program’s 20th head coach.

The 67-year-old’s head coaching experience at the D-I level was brief & well over a decade ago in a two season stint at Pepperdine. He led the Waves to an overall record of 14-35 during that time.

It’s a different hire than when Justin Hutson was brought in back in 2018. Walberg’s coaching background spans all levels of basketball, especially in the Central Valley.

Walberg spent twenty-one years (two separate stints) at Clovis West High School in Fresno. Winning 11 state titles from 1989-2002 before moving to the college ranks at Fresno City College between 2002-2006. Posting an overall record of 133-11 & a State Championship to cap off an undefeated 2005 season.

After his time in Malibu, Walberg spent 2008 to 2011 as an assistant at UMASS before making the jump to the NBA coaching ranks. Spending 2012 to 2016 with the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers & lastly with the Sacramento Kings.

The job is tougher than it appears from the commonly described “a mid-tier job out in a recruiting hotbed state like California” status it gets from bystanders outside the conference.

Though the Bulldogs have never quite found their footing in the Mountain West since joining in 2012. Enjoying five seasons with above .500 records in conference play, most of which came in the latter portion of Rodney Terry’s tenure before darting off to UTEP & eventually the University of Texas.

Since Jerry Tarkanian left, Fresno State has not been to the NCAA Tournament since winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament in 2016. Fresno State also hasn’t won a conference title since way back in 2003 as members of the WAC.

Walberg will inherit a clean slate roster wise heading into next season. With six players in the portal to potentially re-recruit, a part of a new world in college athletics plenty of coaches with his age & resume find tough to navigate.

But his age & status as the oldest hire in program history shouldn’t put a damper on any potential future winning as one of the more successful coaches currently in the Mountain West is sixty-four & enjoying success down in San Diego. Walberg has also won at every head coaching gig he has been at, & Bulldog fans are ready for some winning on the hardwood again.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

2024 Mountain West Basketball Transfer Tracker

2024 Mountain West Basketball Transfer Tracker Who is in & out of the Mountain West this off-season. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Portal Season is here, we’ll try to keep track for you. Updated as of 04/07/2024 Heading straight into the …

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2024 Mountain West Basketball Transfer Tracker

Who is in & out of the Mountain West this off-season.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Portal Season is here, we’ll try to keep track for you.

Updated as of 04/07/2024

Heading straight into the second week of the NCAA tournament, with all but maybe thirty teams still active in postseason play around the country. The offseason & “Portal Season” has officially arrived for around three hundred programs nationally. The Transfer Portal officially opened on March 18th and the Mountain West has managed to stay out of the spotlight with several teams still playing in postseason tournaments well into this past weekend.

But San Diego State is the only team to make the Sweet 16 & UNLV is still playing in the  NIT, so player movement is picking up in the conference. With several big names already in the portal as of this week.

Air Force

In: N/A

Out: 2

Kellan Boylan, So. G/F-Overland Park, KS

2023-2024 Stats: 7.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.1 APG & 1.3 SPG in 31.9 MPG (30 GMS/ 28 Starts)

Best Performance: 27 points, 3 assists & 2 rebounds on 11-16 (70.5%) shooting from the floor & 9-14 (77.7%) from deep against Wyoming on January 30th, 2024

One Sentence Breakdown: Another big Air Force guard who can rebounds & knocked down 26 three pointers at 41.9%.

Rytis Petraitis, So. F-Arlington, TX

2023-2024 Stats: 15.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.7 APG & 1.6 SPG in 32.9 MPG (24 GMS/20 Starts)

Best Performance: 18 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 blocks & 2 steals against UNLV on January 23rd, 2024

One Sentence Breakdown: Petraitis is a big guard who can play the 1-4 positions on the floor while also being only the second Falcon in program history to record a triple-double.

Boise State

In: N/A

Out: 3

Jace Whiting, So. G-Burley, ID

2023-2024 Stats: 3.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG & 1.1 APG in 14.3 MPG (33 GMS/6 Starts)

Best Performance: 10 points, 2 rebounds & 1 assist against Wyoming on February 24th, 2024

One Sentence Breakdown: Whiting proved to be a reliable option off of the bench when Roddie Anderson III struggled in his first season in Boise.

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Kobe Young, R-So. G-Pasco, WA

2023-2024 Stats: 1.1 PPG, & 1.1 RPG in 4.1 MPG 25 GMs/0 Starts

Best Performance: 6 points, 2 assists & 2 rebounds against Air Force on February 3rd, 2024

One Sentence Breakdown: A wing with plenty of size & athleticism who received little opportunity off of the bench.

Kade Rice, R-Fr. G-Boise, ID

2023-2024 Stats: 0.1 PPG & 0.9 RPG in 3.1 MPG 8 GMs/0 Starts

Best Performance: 1 point & 6 rebounds against Vanguard on November 7th, 2023

One Sentence Breakdown: A walk-on two guard who happens to be related to the head coach.

Colorado State

In: N/A

Out: 5

Cam Lowe, Fr. G-Monument, CO

2023-2024 Stats: N/A

Best Performance: N/A

One Sentence Breakdown: Redshirt freshman walk-on guard

Javonte Johnson, Sr. G-Colorado Springs, CO

2023-2024 Stats: 1.9 PPG & 0.7 RPG in 6.2 MPG (19 GMS/0 Starts)

Best Performance: 10 points, 2 rebounds & 2 steals against Adams State on December 29th, 2023

One Sentence Breakdown: Redshirt freshman walk-on guard

Eligibility Left: 1 year

Taviontae Jackson, So. G-Las Vegas, NV

2023-2024 Stats: 2.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG & 0.7 APG in 8.0 MPG (22 GMS/2 Starts)

Best Performance: 13 points, 5 steals & 4 rebounds against Colorado State-Pueblo on December 17th, 2023

One Sentence Breakdown: A two guard with potential but never really found minutes in two years in Fort Collins.

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Jack Payne, R-Fr.-Boise, ID

2023-2024 Stats: 0.6 PPG & 0.9 RPG in 2.1 MPG (8 GMS/0 Starts)

Best Performance: 2 points & 1 rebounds against Kansas City on November 17th, 2023

One Sentence Breakdown: Large but seldom used two guard

Eligibility Left: 3 years

Next: Fresno State, Nevada & New Mexico

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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