Category: MW Tournament

2024 Mountain West Championship: New Mexico Secures First MWC Tournament Title in Over a Decade with 68-61 win over SDSU

Game Recap: No. 6 New Mexico 68, No. 5 San Diego State 61 Jaelen House get’s his moment & secures his first MWC title in his last conference game. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire New Mexico secures first conference tournament title in a …

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 Game Recap: No. 6 New Mexico 68, No. 5 San Diego State 61

Jaelen House get’s his moment & secures his first MWC title in his last conference game.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

New Mexico secures first conference tournament title in a decade, thanks to the play of Jaelen House & JT Toppin.

Las Vegas, NV–If there were any better cherry on top of what has been one of the more competitive & entertaining Mountain West seasons in recent years, it was the championship game slated for Saturday afternoon in sin city. A showdown between longtime conference rivals No. 5 seed San Diego State & No. 6 seed New Mexico.

Two teams that may not have been on everyone’s bracket in the MWC Tournament title game, but two deserving programs nonetheless. New Mexico won three straight games in three straight days to get here. Beating Air Force on Wednesday (82-56), Boise State (76-66) on Thursday & Colorado State (74-61) late Friday night.

While San Diego State got a bye into the quarterfinals on Thursday, where they narrowly squeezed by UNLV 74-71. Then upsetting No. 1 seed & regular season champion Utah State 86-70 on Friday.

It isn’t unfamiliar territory for either program, but it’s been a second home for one & a once in a while destination for the other. San Diego State have become fixtures in the Mountain West Tournament title game the last decade. Making nine appearances in ten years & cutting the nets down four times in that span.

While New Mexico made a Cinderella style run in Paul Weir’s first season in Albuquerque back in 2018. That game was also against the Aztecs & their “first year” Head Coach Brian Dutcher. The Lobos fell 82-75 to their conference rivals that year.

Missing out on the title, one they haven’t brought home to Albuquerque since Craig Neals first year in charge in Albuquerque back in 2014. Noodles inherited a Steve Alford built roster to help lift that trophy. With history & an automatic berth to the big dance on the line, each team needed to cap amazing individual seasons with an amazing win Saturday afternoon.

The Lobos momentum was still in full swing at tip-off. Hitting the floor hard in the opening minutes on a 6-2 run. A Darrion Trimmell three pointer brought the Aztecs to within one. Sparked by Jaelen Houses’ energy, New Mexico found their offensive rhythm, though San Diego State kept things close.

Richard Pitino’s squad enjoyed small runs all throughout the first half. The first thanks to five straight Jamal Mashburn Jr. points, giving New Mexico their biggest lead to that point, 16-8 approaching the ten minute mark. To be followed with four straight three point field goals (3-House & 1-Mashburn Jr.) to extend their lead to double-digits, 30-18.

After a JT Toppin layup gave the Lobos the 34-20 lead approaching the two minute mark, the Aztecs made their stand. Going on a 10-2 run before half-time, with all points coming in the paint from their frontcourt duo of Jay Pal & JaeDon LeDee. As the buzzer sounded, New Mexico went into the locker rooms up 36-30.

Second Half

Even though the Lobos surrendered the closing minutes of the first half to the Aztecs, they wouldn’t let that influence how they emerged from half-time. Earning a quick five points from their backcourt duo before San Diego State decided it was time to put the clamp down.

The Aztecs fell victim to New Mexico’s fast pace style of play most of the game. Leading to their deficit & leadless first half. But Brian Dutcher’s squad wins their games in a much slower & physically charged way. San Diego State made a stand that would turn what was a comfortable Lobo lead most of the game into a one procession dogfight the rest of the way.

The Aztecs would turn to a style of play called, pass the ball to Jaedon. A play that would see LeDee vie for position in the post, receive the ball & eight times out of ten get fouled & head to the line. The other two times out of ten he would make the shot.

Creating quite a conundrum for New Mexico, who became spooked & decided their approach would be fouling the Aztec big to make him earn his points at the free throw line. Well, it sounded nice in theory. But LeDee came into this one shooting 72.4% from the free throw line. LeDee would go to the line multiple times over the next ten minutes, slowing the game down & taking New Mexico out of their offensive rhythm almost immediately.

A Jaelen House technical foul approaching the ten minute mark would trigger a series of plays that ultimately gave San Diego State their first lead of the game at 44-43 thanks to a Reese Waters jumper.

The next ten minutes were an exchange of free throws with a few genuine field goals scattered about. It brought everything down to the final two minutes of the game. Were both squads were tied at fifty-nine a piece, a time where the only way New Mexico would pull the upset would be if someone scored true field goals & rebounded when their opponents didn’t.

In comes MWC Freshman of the Year JT Toppin, Who grabbed four rebounds & scored five points, which became the cushion needed for third year Head Coach Richard Pitino to secure his first conference title.

The Lobos began to celebrate their 68-61 win at the buzzer, as the first No. 6 seed to win the Mountain West Conference Tournament ever. Jamal Mashburn Jr. joined House & Toppin in double-figures 21 points thanks to some very clutch shooting from all three-levels of scoring.

Player Spotlights

New Mexico–JT Toppin & Jaelen House

Stat line: House-28 points, 5 rebounds & 3 steals on 10-22 (45.4%) from the floor & 3-7 (42.8%) from deep in 36 minutes of action Toppin-13 points & 11 rebounds on 6-8 (75%) from the floor in 35 minutes of action

The performance House had in the first half is the reason the Lobos were able to stay competitive as the Aztecs began chipping away at their grip on the lead. But it was also his level head in the second half as his team struggled, continuing to give effort & not letting it get to his head. His game high 28 points help attribute to an amazing final MWC game ever. And to go out cutting down the nets in the Pit West, there is no better feeling.

JT Toppin stepped up with his double-double as frontcourt mate Nelly Junior-Joseph was mainly tasked with keeping Aztec x-factor LeDee unimpactful until he absolutely couldn’t. So Toppin contributed in all the best ways down low, blocking & altering shots, securing boards of both variety & making shots when no one else could. I couldn’t give the spotlight to just one players as the game was won with the performances of both.

San Diego State F-Jaedon LeDee

Stat line: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists on 7-12 shooting (58.3%) from the floor & a whopping 11-11 (100%) from the free throw line in 37 minutes of play

LeDee went scoreless in the first fifteen minutes of the game. Which is something no one realized until he began scoring every single minutes of the game going forward. The Aztec big man found his confidence late in the first half & found his role going forward, wrecking ball who can shoot free throws, exactly to his liking. LeDee can score at all three levels but is his most consistent battling for space in the paint.

No other Aztec scored in double-figures & his 100% performance from the charity stripe is the a huge piece of why the momentum of the game was laid gently in their hands most of the second-half. It was an All-Tournament level performance for the ages, a great way to cap a great career in the Mountain West.

Next Up:

With the final buzzer in Las Vegas on Saturday night, the conference postseason comes to a close with an incredible performance from all teams involved. The only thing left to do is tune in tomorrow Sunday March 17th for this year’s production of the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.

You can watch Selection Sunday on CBS at 4:00 PM MT & 3:00 PM PT. A streamed version of the show can be viewed on NCAA.com during their March Madness Live Special.

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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2024 Mountain West Basketball Tournament, Bracket, Schedule

2024 Mountain West Basketball Tournament, Bracket, Schedule Epic conference tournament is starting. Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Mountain West men’s basketball bracket, schedule The Moutnain West tournament tips off in Las Vegas this week and it …

2024 Mountain West Basketball Tournament, Bracket, Schedule

Epic conference tournament is starting. 

Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Mountain West men’s basketball bracket, schedule

The Moutnain West tournament tips off in Las Vegas this week and it should be amazing.

The conference is trying to earn six NCAA Tournament bids. If that is the case, there will be a team in the opening round games which by seeding is New Mexico.

This season the Mountain West has been possibly the best ever and this tournament, hopefully, follow suit this week.

The tournament start this Wednesday with the opening round games with late morning to early evening games.

These opening round games could have NCAA Tournament implications, but the quarterfinals and beyond definitely will.

FIRST ROUND, MARCH 13

All first round games streamed on Mountain West Network

  • (9) Fresno State vs. (8) Wyoming, 11 a.m. PT/noon MT
  • (10) San Jose State vs. (7) Colorado State, 1:30 p.m. PT/2:30 p.m. MT
  • (11) Air Force vs. (6) New Mexico, 4 p.m. PT/5 p.m. MT

QUARTERFINALS, MARCH 14

All quarterfinal games are all on CBS Sports Network or stream on FuboTV with a free trial.

  • (1) Utah State vs. Wyoming/Fresno State winner, noon PT/1 p.m. MT
  • (5) San Diego State vs. (4) UNLV, 2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT
  • (2) Nevada vs. Colorado State/San Jose State winner, 6 p.m. PT/7 p.m. MT
  • (3) Boise State vs. New Mexico/Air Force winner, 8:30 p.m. PT/9:30 p.m. MT

SEMIFINALS, MARCH 15

All semifinal games are all on CBS Sports Network or stream on FuboTV with a free trial


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NCAA Tournament Round of 64: No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 10 Utah State First Look At The Tigers

NCAA Tournament Round of 64: No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 10 Utah State First Look At The Tigers Who are the Tigers? Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Utah State receives an at-large bid and No. 10 seed after run to MWC title game. There they find …

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NCAA Tournament Round of 64: No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 10 Utah State First Look At The Tigers

Who are the Tigers?

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Utah State receives an at-large bid and No. 10 seed after run to MWC title game. There they find SEC for Missouri.

After a stunning run to the Mountain West Tournament Championship game last Saturday. The Utah State Aggies, who fell short against the regular season & tournament champion San Diego State, are still going dancing.

Having the conference rated so highly since very early on in the season certainly helped the Aggies Case on selection Sunday. After successfully navigating a non-conference slate with quality wins over San Francisco & Oral Roberts. The only blemish Utah State had to overcome was a 75-72 loss to Weber State at home in mid-December.

It was never a guarantee for Ryan Odom’s group but hearing the Aggies name called as a No. 10 seed Sunday was just the right amount of reassurance for this great Utah State team. They drew SEC opponent Missouri in their first round matchup, here is a little about the Tigers.

Who Are The Tigers

Coach

The Tigers are led by first year head coach Dennis Gates. A former California guard who got his first head coaching gig in the Midwest at Cleveland State.

There he led the Vikings to back to back Horizon League regular season titles. Also winning two Coach of the Year awards and making a trip to the big dance (the programs 3rd ever) and NIT. It was impressive enough to make the jump to the SEC last offseason.

Prior to his arrival, his predecessor had taken the Tigers to two NCAA Tournaments and has Missouri ranked in the top-10 just a season prior before stumbling to a 12-21 (5-13) finish. Back in the big dance in just year one has fans in Columbia jumping with excitement for the future.

Star Players

Sr. G-Kobe Brown (6-8, 250)

Stats: 15.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG & 44.7% from three

Gr. G-D’Moi Hodges (6-4, 188)

Stats: 14.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.6 SPG, 1.6 APG & 40.1% from free

Gr. G-DeAndre Gholston (6-5, 215)

Stats: 10.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG & 1.8 APG

How Did They Get Here

The Tigers secured an at-large bid by giving a very convincing non-conference performance. This as well as battling it out in the ever demanding SEC. Their resume began to truly take shape in late December. During the Holiday Break, Missouri managed to secure back to back wins over two top-25 ranked opponents.

Routing the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini in a neutral site cross border rivalry game in St. Louis. While then kicking off conference play against No. 19 ranked Kentucky squad, with a double digit win in Columbia.

Coach Gate’s squad then navigated their way throughout uber-competitive SEC. With wins over Arkansas, securing the sweep of a top-5 Tennessee Vols team and adding another top-25 win over Iowa State. Who themselves competed in the highest rated league in the nation in the Big 12.

The Tigers resume was stamped with a loss to eventual SEC Tournament champions Alabama last week. But the committee looked at an exciting Missouri team who could hang with the best of them and awarded them a No. 7 seed.

Biggest Wins

Neutral Site-No. 16 Illinois 93-71

Home Against-No. 19 Kentucky 89-75

@-No. 5 Tennessee 86-85

NET: 42nd

KenPom: 51st

RPI: 34th

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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Aztecs Overpower Aggies 62-57 Winning 2023 Mountain West Championship

Aztecs Overpower Aggies 62-57 Winning 2023 Mountain West Championship Despite trailing 26-15 in the first half, the Aztecs clawed back to take the lead and keep it while the Aggies fought to the very last second. Contact/Follow @tedmcgovern & …

Aztecs Overpower Aggies 62-57 Winning 2023 Mountain West Championship

Despite trailing 26-15 in the first half, the Aztecs clawed back to take the lead and keep it while the Aggies fought to the very last second.

Contact/Follow @tedmcgovern & @MWCwire

The Aztecs manage to sweep the 22-23 Mountain West regular season title and the 2023 Tournament Championship.

Las Vegas, NV –  San Diego State defeated Utah State 62-57 during Saturday’s 2023 Mountain West Tournament championship game. The Aztecs (27-6) claimed their seventh tournament title, and the second in three years. This was a record 15th appearance in the finals.

San Diego State takes the conference’s auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament, even though they are already secure as No. 6 seed.  After winning the championship, don’t be surprised to see the Aztecs as a No. 5 seed or better.

Utah State (26-8) are probable to make the NCAA Tournament when the selections are announced Sunday, but they are on the edge.

In the last five years the Aztecs and Aggies have played one another in the Mountain West championship game. Utah State won the 2019 and 2020 title games, and San Diego State won the 2021 title. Boise State disrupted the exchange last season when they defeated the Aztecs 53-52.

Stifling defense made it difficult for both teams to score on Saturday. The Aztecs managed a mere 33% versus 37% for the Aggies. It would not be fair to blame this on sloppy play- but intensity.

Jaedon LeDee led the Aztecs with 15 points and Matt Bradley added 14 in the victory. For Utah State, Steven Ashworth scored 13 points and Trevin Dorius chipped in 12.

The Aggies went on a 12-2 run early in the first half to take a 26-15 lead with 6:57 left.  Then, they cooled off and failed to make another field goal until nearly two minutes into the second half. Despite that glaring fact, the Aggies still led by one at the half, and didn’t trail until even later.

The Aztecs closed the gap as they went back and forth with the Aggies in the second half. San Diego State nearly locked up the game by going up 53-46 with 3 minutes left, but the Aggies rallied back to within three points at 48 seconds- and then just two points with 30 seconds to go.  The Aggies then demanded referees place .3 seconds back on the clock, and they fought the Aztecs to the very last second.

San Diego State closed out the game at the charity stripe by making 9 of 10 free throws in the final 43 seconds, while the Aggies fouled them over and over on every inbound.  With 1.8 seconds left, the Aggies even committed a technical foul by grabbing Adam Seiko behind the line on an inbound pass.  Utah State was tenacious to the bitter end, even after the game was over.

The Aggies made just 4 of 24 3-point attempts against stifling Aztec defense.

Nine Aztecs played at least 16 minutes. All scored and rebounded.

WHAT’S NEXT

With a NET ranking of No. 18, the Aggies will probably be chosen to play in the NCAA Tournament.

San Diego State should be appointed to a No. 5 seed on Selection Sunday- if not better.

The Aztec Nation congratulates coach Brian Dutcher and the San Diego State Aztecs on winning both the 22-23 Mountain West Regular Season Title and the 2023 Mountain West Championship!

San Diego State vs. Utah State MWC Championship: Keys to an Aggie Win

Mountain West Championship: Keys to a Utah State Aggies Win Ryan Odom looking for first tournament title at Utah State. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The Utah State Aggies are primed to cut down the nets in Las Vegas Saturday afternoon. …

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Mountain West Championship: Keys to a Utah State Aggies Win

Ryan Odom looking for first tournament title at Utah State.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The Utah State Aggies are primed to cut down the nets in Las Vegas Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Odom has managed to harness the same magic in Mountain West that his predecessor Craig Smith found before him. Utah State is enjoying a March Madness run everyone dreams of.

After downing New Mexico in the quarter finals. And taking care of a more troublesome Boise State last night to advance to their first championship game since 2021. Utah State has to take down one of the Mountain West’s best in order to cut to down the nets inside the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday.

But no need to steady any nerves. As the Aggies have been here before, against the same opponent. Both now seeking their third tournament championship in six years.

San Diego State and Utah State have been two of the more dominant programs in the Mountain West in recent years. This is the Aztec’s fifth straight championship game appearance. Securing two conference titles during that span, one of which came against Utah State back in 2021.

While the Aggies have enjoyed similar success, with three straight title game appearances from 2018-2021. All meetings with the Brian Dutcher’s Aztecs, securing back to back titles during the first two years of coach Smith’s tenure at Utah State.

Now coach Odom gets a chance to make his mark on the Mountain West and bring some hardware back to Logan in the process. The only thing standing in the way is an Aztecs team that swept the Aggies en route to a regular season championship.

Utah state’s strengths

The Aggies have rallied behind leading scorer and floor general Steven Ashworth this season. As the junior guard has enjoyed a breakout season, earning all-Mountain West 1st-team honors this week from the conference’s coaches. After being snubbed by in the media’s selections days prior.

Ashworth’s 16.5 PPG, 4.7 APG & 1.2 SPG (all team highs) in 32.9 MPG this season leads the way for what may be the best offense in the entire conference.

The Aggies boast a league leading 17.1 APG, thanks to an overwhelming amount of depth. With five different players averaging 10.4 PPG or higher. Including the unanimous Mountain West 6th Man of the Year Dan Akin coming off of the bench to average 12.3 PPG & 6.8 RPG (team high) in just 27.1 MPG.

The addition of Akin this offseason from the transfer portal (California Baptist) speaks to the depth in scoring and size coach Odom utilizes every game. With players who can score inside (54.6 2P%, top-50 in the nation), at the line (15.1 made FTs a game, top-50 in the nation) or from beyond the arc (40.4%, 2nd in the nation).

This combination of size, depth and scoring ability sets the Aggies apart. Not to mention a team chemistry likely only rivaled by San Diego State. Utah State is primed to earn their first conference tournament championship of the Ryan Odom era.

To do this they’ll need to do three things:

Take and make the three-As mentioned the Aggies do this better than anyone in the Mountain West. Including Ashworth who knocks them down at a rate of 45.4%, 5th in the entire country. But the Aztecs hold their opponents to just 29.7% from three, including Utah State. Who were kept to just 29.7% from deep in both of their regular season losses to San Diego State this season.

Handle the ball efficiently-The Aztecs hold their opponents to a league leading and top-50 in the nation scoring average of just 63.8 PPG. They do so with above average and extremely efficient defensive metrics at all three levels of scoring.

Forcing teams to take contested shots and forcing turnovers to create wasted possessions. For a team of Utah State’s caliber handling the ball, they’ll need a near perfect performance to not fall victim to that defense.

Play both sides of the ball-We know the Aggies can score it, but they aren’t necessarily defensive slouches either. While the Aztecs are known for their defense, they have 4-5 players of their own that can take over a game offensively themselves.

Just ask Adam Seiko, San Diego State’s 8th leading scorer, but who enjoyed a season high 25-points with 7-9 made threes against Utah State on January 25th. It’s going to take everything Utah State has left in the tank, but if there was ever a time to run down to empty, it’s Saturday afternoon.

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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2023 Mountain West Conference Tourney: New Mexico vs. Utah State

Game Preview: New Mexico vs. Utah State Utah State look to put away New Mexico for second time this season and advance. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire New Mexico and Utah State meet for only the second time this season. But with so much on …

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 Game Preview: New Mexico vs. Utah State

Utah State look to put away New Mexico for second time this season and advance. 

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

New Mexico and Utah State meet for only the second time this season. But with so much on the line. 

WHO: No. 3 seed Utah  (24-7, 13-5 T-2nd place in the MWC) vs. No. 6 seed New Mexico (22-10, 9-10 6th in the MWC)

WHEN: February 9th, 2023-9:30 PM MT/8:30 PM PT

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV

Stream:  CBS Sports or get a free trial on FuboTV

Odds:  Aggies are favored by 2 points, per KenPom

The Mountain West Conference has experienced a resurgence on the national stage this past season. Ranked ahead of of the ACC in the KenPom conference rankings and on the heels of the Pac-12. Competition in the conference is at an all time high.

Thursday’s late night matchup between the No. 3 seed Utah State Aggies and a revenge seeking No. 6 seed New Mexico Lobos squad should be a prime example of that.

2023 Mountain West Basketball Tournament: Bracket Set, TV Schedule, Live Stream

Last Time Out

These programs only met on the hardwood once this season. That being a 84-73 Aggie win over a red hot Lobo team in Logan back on February 1st.

Utah State had four players reach double figures in that one. As Richard Pitino’s group learned just how hard the Aggies are to beat inside the Dee Smith Spectrum (a record of 14-2 at home this season).

Utah State was led by a player with a familiar last name for Lobo fans, Sean Bairstow. Yes, the little brother of former Lobo great Cameron Bairstow in the early 2010s. The 6-8 guard and mismatch nightmare dropped 20 points and grabbed five rebounds to help his team secure the win over a quality Lobo squad at home.

New Mexico 

Now the Lobos are out for revenge. Or maybe more of a convincing win to show onlookers of the conference, they are as dangerous as ever. With wins over some of the conference’s best and maybe the best non-conference performance this season, New Mexico is the dark horse candidate everyone doesn’t want to see on their side of the bracket this week.

After a come from behind 87-76 win over a pesky Wyoming squad in the first round on Wednesday afternoon. The Lobos are riding high on their winning momentum and when hot, can beat any team in the Mountain West.

They play their best basketball when their three-headed attack of Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn Jr. & Morris Udeze catch fire. While playing at a high tempo full of fast breaks and points in the paint.

Utah State

The Aggies haven’t missed a beat in the post Craig Smith era in Logan. Ryan Odom came over from UMBC after success in the big dance. And in just year two, has Utah State back in the title race conversation. They do so, with arguably the best offense in the Mountain West.

They have five players averaging double figures, the unanimous Mountain West 6th Man of the Year in Dan Akin and shoot the three ball at a high rate.

The Lobos also have one of the best offenses in the conference, but the Aggies themselves have the depth and know how to get the ball to whichever hand is the hottest every night. A program this bought into playing team basketball can beat anybody any given night.

Players to Watch

New Mexico: Sr. G Jaelen House

Jaelen House showed last night just how much he can impact the floor for New Mexico. The 6-0 floor general is usually sparking fast breaks off turnovers, disrupting ball movement at the top of the arc all while putting points on the board to the tune of 28 points, 7 rebounds & 6 assists in Wednesdays win over Wyoming.

When House is hot, the Lobos are hot and his 17.1 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.0 RPG & 2.6 SPG show the damage he can do when healthy and hungry for his team to succeed. Four games in four days is a lot to ask of a player like House, who makes folks watching him at home tired from his style of play. But he is also mentally driven to win. Which can be the x-factor for an upset Thursday night.

Utah State: Jr. G Steven Ashworth

The Alpine, UT native has taken charge of leading this surging Aggies program. Like several local high scoring guards before him, Ashworth, who was named to the all-conference first team yesterday. Is the offensive catalyst on the conference’s best offensive team.

The 6-1 floor general is averaging 16.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.4 RPG & 1.1 SPG while shooting 46.7% from the floor, a whopping 45.0% from deep and a marvelous 88.9% from the charity stripe.

Not to mention a mere 1.5 turnovers a game as the team’s leading scorer and facilitator.

If the rest from the Aggies’ first round bye has done Ashworth well and he brought his A game to Vegas, I see him in the title game with San Diego State on Saturday.

Prediction: Utah State 80, New Mexico 75

I would love to see the Lobos make the Thomas and Mack Center the “Pit West” again by cutting down the nets on Saturday. But with such a reliance on their three leading scorers and such a short bench. It would take a poor performance from several of Utah State’s players and a perfect defensive effort by New Mexico to secure the upset.

I think the fight and energy the Lobos displayed in the first round keeps it close. But with rest and so much fire power on Coach Odom’s squad, I see them advancing for a showdown with the team they tied for second in the regular season with.

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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2023 MWC Tournament: Lobos Push Past Wyoming To Advance To Quarterfinals

Game Recap: New Mexico 87, Wyoming 76 House helps Lobos bring “The Pit West” label back to Vegas. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire New Mexico’s three-man offensive attack shows out against Wyoming, advances to quarterfinals. Las Vegas, …

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 Game Recap: New Mexico 87, Wyoming 76

House helps Lobos bring “The Pit West” label back to Vegas.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

New Mexico’s three-man offensive attack shows out against Wyoming, advances to quarterfinals. 

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Las Vegas, NV–Rounding out Mountain West Conference action on the men’s side was a doozy. New Mexico versus Wyoming, both squads hitting the hardwood on day one of the festivities inside the Thomas and Mack Center. When both likely thought their respective seasons would have had very different endings with much higher seeds.

Still, the stage was set. The Lobos having not won a game inside “The Pit West” in three years. Nor have they advanced past the first round of the tournament since the 2019-2020 season. While Wyoming faithful thought their season would have turned out much different, but hoping for some underdog luck. All involved know this is March and anything is possible.

Things began as expected, Wyoming came out swinging. With a short bench but showing no fatigue from a grueling and long season. Ball movement and assists were in short supply (only 3 assists to 2 turnovers). Instead solid defense and 20 points on 5-10 shooting (including 3-4 from deep) and 7-9 from the free throw line from Hunter Maldonado led the way.

His first-half performance put the Cowboys ahead of New Mexico 38-35 going into the halftime break. But, even with a solid game plan that exploited the few weaknesses of their opponents. An offensive outburst by a dangerous Lobo squad out of the gate was too much to overcome.

The Lobos fixed a problem that had plagued them all season long. Slow starts out of half-time and lapses in defense. That wasn’t an issue for coach Pitino’s side as they were firing on all cylinders against the Cowboys. Outscoring Wyoming 52-38 in the second-half, including 40 points from their big 3. While making defensive stops on every other Cowboy on the floor without the last name Maldonado.

A 32-16 run with eight minutes left in the game gave Richard Pitino’s squad the spark they needed. While it also gave Wyoming’s hot hand some motivation of his own, not letting up en route to a career high. Though nearing the four minute mark, the Lobos took their biggest lead of the game, 76-61 and with very little going wrong for a surging New Mexico.

Hunter Maldonado fouled out with about a minute left, after a career high 36 points. Emotions ran high, as the redshirt senior was understandably upset as he was doing everything he could to help his team win on Wednesday night.

After that others like Xavier DuSell and Jeremiah Oden did their best to continue chasing the Lobos in hopes of a March Madness miracle, but Lobos held out.

With a high scoring trio of Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn Jr. and Morris Udeze being responsible for 74.7% (65/87) of the team’s final tally. Playing with energy and conviction missing during the month of February.

Securing the 87-76 win over, what New Mexico Head coach described as an extremely tough eleven seed. Another testament to just how strong of a conference the Mountain West has been this season.

Player Spotlights

New Mexico:  Sr. G Jaelen House

New Mexico’s three-headed attack makes player of the game/player spotlight selections so difficult. All year long, three Lobos usually score 15+ points a game or make the game winning shot. But all year long, Jaelen House has been the Lobo catalyst, on both sides of the ball.

Wednesday afternoon was no different for the senior floor general. His team high 28 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and three steals were just what the doctor ordered. Shooting 53.3% (8-15) from the floor and a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line, House led his team out of the desert and further towards the promise land.

“I don’t want to go home. I want to get to the tournament, and all we got to do is win. So that’s what we’re going to do.” said House in the postgame

Wyoming:  R-Sr. G Hunter Maldonado

Maldonado will go down as a Mountain West great after a storied career in Laramie. After putting his name in the conference record books this season as the Mountain West’s all-time leader in assists. His last trip to Las Vegas was surely going to be a show.

Even though his team didn’t come out with the win, Maldonado’s last hurrah was still a great cherry on top of a great collegiate career.

Contributing a career high 36 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists on 57.8% (11-19) from the floor, 66.6% (4-6) and 83.3% (10-12) from the free throw line. To say he left everything on the floor is an understatement.

Four Takeaways

  • Both teams quite frankly did not disappoint. New Mexico is a dark horse favorite for media and fans of the conference nationwide. They have the offensive fire power to make a run to the championship game. And a playing style made to build endurance, even if four wins in four games is a lot to ask.
  • While Wyoming honestly gave it all they had left in the tank. You couldn’t ask more of a team who has been decimated by injuries the way the Cowboys have. They never let up and their leaders led this team all the way to the final second of their season, that’s impressive. Definitely giving fans in Laramie all of the hope for years to come that they have the right man in charge of their program.
  • New Mexico has given fans in Albuquerque an emotional rollercoaster of a season this year. A massive turnaround of the program has helped fans pour into The Pit in droves this year. But multiple buzzer beater losses and unexpected losing skids have rattled the Lobo faithful. Who themselves have several past coaching tenures they’d love to get out of their mind sooner rather than later. Wednesday’s win over Wyoming really reignites a supportive fanbase during the best month of the year for college basketball fans, The Pit West is back.
  • Hunter Maldonado leaves the floor as one of the all-time great Cowboys and Mountain West players after his six year career in Laramie. Fans around the country may rejoice that the 6-7 swiss army knife floor general will no longer be suiting up for Wyoming going forward. But loves of the game will surely miss him. Maldonado had the ability to facilitate offense like a conductor of a symphony when he had targets like Drake Jefferies & Graham Ike last season to pass to. As well as take over a game as fans were reminded inside the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday against the Lobos. His potential as a future professional is high, something for everyone around the program to rejoice in after a hard fought loss.

Next Up:

The Lobos (22-10, 9-10) get the job done and advance, out of the first round for the first time in two years. A performance reminiscent of a Lobo squad nearly a decade earlier, momentum for tomorrow’s quarterfinal showdown with No. 3 seed Utah State is high.

“We were offensively phenomenal in the second half. When we are clicking like that, we are really hard to stop.” coach Pitino

New Mexico is looking for a revenge win over an Aggie team that sparked a four game losing streak for coach Pitino’s squad back in February. Tip-off is schedule for 9:30 PM MT/8:30 PM PT and can be viewed on CBS Sports Network.

While the Cowboys (9-22, 4-15) are heading home early. After an amazing effort during a really challenging season to persevere through. Fans can continue to wonder, what would have happened in one last season of Ike and  Maldonado healthy and on the floor could have been.

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.

2023 Mountain West Women’s Basketball Championship: Game Preview, How To Watch

UNLV looks to cap a historic run through the Mountain West while Wyoming hopes to play spoiler. Here’s how to watch and what to watch for.

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2023 Mountain West Women’s Basketball Championship: Game Preview, How To Watch

UNLV looks to finish a historic run through the Mountain West while Wyoming hopes to play spoiler. Here’s how to watch and what to watch for.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Who will come out on top?

2023 MOUNTAIN WEST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 UNLV Lady Rebels (30-2, 18-0 Mountain West) vs. #2 Wyoming Cowgirls (22-9, 13-5 Mountain West)

WHEN: Wednesday, March 8 — 7:00 PM PT/8:00 PM MT

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center; Las Vegas, NV

TV: CBS Sports Network

STREAMING: Fans can sign up to receive a free one-week trial of Fubo, which includes CBSSN, by following this link.

TOURNAMENT TO DATE: UNLV defeated #8 Nevada 84-47 on Monday and then defeated #5 San Diego State 71-68 on Tuesday, while Wyoming defeated #10 San Jose State 72-57 on Monday and #3 Colorado State 65-56 on Tuesday.

WEBSITES: UNLVRebels.com, the official UNLV athletics website | GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): UNLV | Wyoming

The opening round of the Mountain West men’s basketball tournament is set to begin in Las Vegas this morning, but hoops fanatics will want to stick around Thomas & Mack until the night to potentially witness history.

UNLV’s Lady Rebels, led by head coach Lindy La Rocque and the trio of Desi-Rae Young, Essence Booker, and Justice Etheridge, hope to cap an undefeated run through the Mountain West, the first since 2015-16, and claim their second straight bid in the NCAA tournament. They dispatched rival Nevada and survived a serious upset bid from San Diego State to reach the title game, but they won’t have it easy against their championship opponent.

That’s because Wyoming comes into the evening having won eight of ten since the start of February and can boast of having one of the conference’s most efficient shooters and rebounders in sophomore center Allyson Fertig. Though UNLV won both regular season matchups, the Cowgirls won’t back down after having taken care of business against San Jose State and rival CSU. In a matchup of the last two tournament champions, only one will get an opportunity at this year’s big dance.

Players to Watch

She wasn’t selected as the conference player of the year again, but Desi-Rae Young is still UNLV’s most important player. Young was an all-conference selection for the second straight year after making the all-freshman team back in 2021 and has been no less dominant on the court as a junior, leading the Mountain West with ten rebounds per game while finishing second with 17.8 points per game.

Young has a wealth of help on the floor, though, from senior guard Essence Booker (19.0 PPG, 89.4% on free throws in two tournament games) to sophomore Justice Etheridge (15.5 PPG in the tourney) to sixth player of the year Kiara Jackson. Sophomore forward Alyssa Brown has also been clutch in the tournament, averaging seven rebounds in the first two games while contributing 9.5 PPG, as well.

For Wyoming, Allyson Fertig is the top player to watch. After being tabbed as the Mountain West’s freshman of the year in 2021-22, the sophomore center from Glendo was one of two Cowgirls named to the all-conference team after finishing third overall with 13.4 points per game and second behind Young with 9.2 rebounds per contest. Unlike Young, however, Fertig was one of two Mountain West players to average two blocks per game, as well, meaning that play under the basket at both ends is likely to dictate a lot of how the game shakes out.

Additionally, don’t overlook Malene Petersen, who succeeded Fertig as the conference’s top freshman this season. She and guard Quinn Weidemann averaged 11.1 and 11.4 PPG, respectively, which made the Cowgirls the only team in the Mountain West to have three players finish in the top 15 within that category.

Lastly, junior forward Grace Ellis has raised her game in the tournament and may be an X-factor to keep an eye on. She’s averaged 8.9 PPG and 4.6 RPG in the season to date, but she put up a double-double in the team’s victory over CSU on Tuesday night and could do a lot of heavy lifting to take pressure off of Fertig near the basket.

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2023 Mountain West Conference Tournament: #8 Colorado State vs #9 Fresno State

Colorado State faces Fresno State in the opening contest of the MW tournament. Can CSU overcome a down season or will the Bulldogs go over?

2023 Mountain West Conference Tournament: #8 Colorado State vs #9 Fresno State

The Rams host their in-state foe

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

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Can the Rams play their game?

WHO: #9 Fresno State Bulldogs vs. #8 Colorado State Rams

WHEN: Wednesday, March 8th — 12 p.m. MST / 11 a.m. PST

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center; Las Vegas, NV (18,000)

STREAMING: Mountain West Network

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 45th all time matchup between the two schools. CSU leads the series 25-19

LAST MEETING: Colorado State won 60-57 in Fresno earlier this season.

ODDS: Colorado State -1.5

The Mountain West tournament is here. And that means throw the regular season out of the window. Every team is 0-0 in each game in a do or die matchup. Anything can happen and since it’s in Vegas, something crazy is bound to happen.

The first matchup of this years tournament sees the Fresno State Bulldogs take on the Colorado State Rams. Both teams are coming in off of down years and both teams have a chance to take this game. Colorado State swept the season series, but Fresno State didn’t make it easy.

Players to Watch

G Anthony Holland – Fresno State

Held relatively quiet in their first matchup, Holland stepped up in the second matchup in the abscence of Isaih Moore. He finished with 14 points and five rebounds, while going 60% from deep. CSU has a tendency to let someone get hot from deep. If that guy is Holland, the Bulldogs could take this one.

G John Tonje – Colorado State

As Tonje goes, the Rams go. Isaiah Stevens is the leader of this team, but Tonje is the motor that keeps it running. When Tonje has a down overall game, so do the Rams. When he is all over the court, the Rams can run wild. If the Rams want to advance Tonje has to step up.

Things to Watch

Can the Rams move the ball? Can Colorado State hold the line on defense? Can the Bulldogs slow down the Rams? Can Fresno State gets anything going on offense? These are all questions that will determine the outcome of this game.

The Rams like to score, they haven’t done that well on the defensive end this year. If the Rams can play their game and hold the Bulldogs down they can advance. The Bulldogs slow it down and drag things out. If they can force the Rams into tough shots and make easier shots themselves, Fresno State will come out on top.

Predictions

Neither Colorado State nor Fresno State has been exceptional this year. Fresno State scares San Diego State more, but the Bulldogs haven’t done well against the Rams this season. Expect the Rams to start fast and finish this game strong to salvage something from this season.

Final Score: Colorado State 70, Fresno State 62

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2023 Mountain West Basketball Tournament: Does Fresno State Have A Prayer?

The Bulldogs aren’t expected to do much in Las Vegas, but how could they defy the odds to make some noise?

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2023 Mountain West Basketball Tournament: Does Fresno State Have A Prayer?

The Bulldogs aren’t expected to do much in Las Vegas, but how could they defy the odds to make some noise?

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS, @HardwoodTalk, & @MWCwire

Anything could happen, right?

To say that the Fresno State Bulldogs face long odds at winning the Mountain West tournament is putting it lightly. Only two teams have been given longer odds to win it all, especially considering that heavy favorite San Diego State awaits should the ‘Dogs defeat Colorado State in the opening round.

Crazier things have happened, though. As Ken Pomeroy pointed out, seven different teams have won the conference tournament in the last nine years, so why not this year’s Bulldogs? Though they enter with an overall record of 11-19, Fresno State has gone 4-5 since February 3, including wins over UNLV and San Jose State. They also lost to San Diego State, Colorado State, and Nevada down the stretch by just nine combined points, so here’s what can be done to reverse their fortunes and pull a surprise (and maybe more) at Thomas and Mack.

1. Get Jemarl Baker hot.

Baker was one of two Fresno State players to earn an all-conference honorable mention and he finished the regular season with a singularly dominant performance against Chicago State: 43 points, 10-of-11 three-point shooting, seven assists, six rebounds, and zero turnovers. While setting the bar that high again for the tourney is asking a bit much, there’s no question the team goes as Baker goes.

That’s especially true when considering his efficacy from beyond the arc. In ten wins with Baker on the floor, he’s shot 49.1% from three-point range; in 16 losses, that rate plummets to 24.2%. Finding a happy medium, at least, will give the Bulldogs a fighting chance.

2. Stay strong at the free throw line.

Fresno State has struggled all year long from the field, mustering a 43.1% field goal percentage that’s dead last in the Mountain West headed into the tournament, but only Nevada and Utah State have done more from the charity stripe. The Bulldogs have made 76.8% of their free throws this season, exactly the kind of skill that could pull them through a tight contest late.

3. Get Eduardo Andre some help on the boards.

He hasn’t received as much attention as teammates like Baker and Isaiah Hill, but Andre has pretty quietly been an important part of Fresno State’s defensive prowess. The 6-foot-11 Nebraska transfer led the Mountain West in conference play with 1.72 blocks per game and seventh with 6.67 rebounds per contest, meaning he’s done an admirable job replacing the injured Isaih Moore.

The problem is the Bulldogs haven’t often provided a ton of other assistance in Moore’s absence. Indeed, no other Fresno State player even ranks in the top 25 by rebounds per game in Mountain West play, which stands in stark contrast to the six other teams who have multiple athletes there, and it’s not a coincidence that they pushed San Diego State to the brink back in February on the strength of one of their strongest team rebounding performances.

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