Category: MW Tournament

2020 Mountain West Conference Tournament: San Diego State vs. Boise State Game Preview, TV Schedule, Streaming

San Diego State is looking to win another tournament game.

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Broncos cost SDSU their revenge game against UNLV

Contact/Follow @aztecbreakdown.

On Friday at 6 p.m. Pacific Time the San Diego State Aztecs will face off against Boise State in the Semi-Finals of the Mountain West tournament on CBS Sports Network.

San Diego State got here by beating Air Force in the quarterfinals by a score of 73-60. Boise State arrives at the Semi-finals fresh off of a win against host UNLV. Boise State was able to avenge their loss on the same floor from a mere eight days earlier and came out victorious by a score of 67-61.

The Aztecs won both of the regular season meetings between these teams, by an average margin of 17.5 points. After avenging its loss to UNLV, Boise State hopes to continue its revenge tour and defeat SDSU.

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A Boise State victory may require another slow start by San Diego St. The Aztecs have allowed their last 4 opponents to shoot better than 50% from the floor in the first half. However, the last team they defended well for a full 40 minutes was Boise State. So he question is which trend will hold up? Do the Aztecs break their first half slump, or does Boise get to ride the wave of poor first half defense, possibly to a victory.

On the line for Boise State is a chance to play for an automatic birth into the NCAA tournament, as well as vengeance for the previous losses. San Diego State is already guaranteed an at large birth in the tournament, but they are playing for a potential 1 seed, the easier path to the Final Four that comes with it.

Where: Thomas & Mack; Las Vegas, Nevada
When: 6 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Streaming: FuboTV – Get a seven-day free trial
Radio: SDSU| Boise State | Mountain West Feed
KenPom Odds: Aztecs -10

Key to a Boise State win: Come out hot early, and build a big enough lead in the first half that SDSU can’t overcome it. That is what happened in the only game SDSU lost all season. Keep the pressure on and the Aztec players will all want to make the play, and the foundation of team basketball starts to crumble.

Key to a San Diego State win: Defend well for the entire game. The trend of falling behind in the first half can not be sustained against better competition, and Boise State is playing at a high level right now. This team needs to return to the defensive mindset that the program was built on. We know they’re capable of it, since they’ve done it all year and in the second half of the last 4 games, but they need to sustain it for a full 40 minutes.

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Mountain West Tournament: Day 2 Results and Highlights

Wyoming’s dream run continues, as the Cowboys pulled off another upset in the MW Tournament. Earlier in the day, the hosts were ousted.

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Mountain West Tournament: Day 2 Results and Highlights

Cowboys’ dream run continues; Broncos send hosts home

Contact/Follow @andrewdieckhoff & @MWCwire

Wyoming’s late night upset highlights an exciting Day 2

It was nearly midnight in Laramie by the time the quarterfinal round of the Mountain West Tournament drew to a close. But Wyoming fans had plenty of reasons to stay up past their bedtime. Here’s a quick recap of how eight became four, as we roll into the semis.

(#1) San Diego State 73, (#9) Air Force 60

Full Recap: Aztecs eliminate Falcons

The Aztecs got off to a slow start against Air Force, as has become their custom of late. But just as customary was the second-half surge that saw SDSU through to the semifinals. Jordan Schakel led the Aztecs with 17 points, while the Falcons’ AJ Walker poured in a game-high 18.

(#5) Boise State 67, (#4) UNLV 61

Full Recap: Broncos headed to semifinals

On paper, this was always supposed to be a close matchup. This game didn’t disappoint in that respect, although the home crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center won’t be happy to see their team ousted so early – especially after a five-game winning streak to get here. Boise State’s RJ Williams exploded for 23 points and 15 rebounds as the Broncos move on to face San Diego State tomorrow.

(#2) Utah State 75, (#7) New Mexico 70

The Lobos might have scored a win at The Pit on Senior Day, but they weren’t able to repeat the task against Utah State on Thursday. Sam Merrill’s 29 points were simply too much for New Mexico, despite the game remaining close throughout. Perhaps it was an act of grace, as the Lobos’ tumultuous likely draws to close. New Mexico’s record is likely good enough to earn an invite to the CBI or CIT, but it is unclear whether the team would accept one.

(#11) Wyoming 74, (#3) Nevada 71

Allen Edwards’ team had to wait a long time to start their game, but they decisively answered any questions about whether they could carry the momentum of their upset over Colorado State into Thursday’s game against Nevada. Perhaps owing to the late tip, the Wolf Pack were outlasted by a Wyoming team that became the first-ever double-digit seed to reach the Mountain West semifinals. They will face Utah State on Friday for a trip to the championship game.

Check back tomorrow for updates from Day 3 of the Mountain West Tournament. In the meantime, head over to our MW Tournament Hub to keep up on all the hoops coverage here at Mountain West Wire.

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Boise State Heading To Semifinals After 67-61 Win Over UNLV

Game Recap: Boise State 67, UNLV 61 Bronco’s big three show up in first game in Las Vegas to help secure win. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire A big night from RJ Williams lifts Boise State past UNLV. Las Vegas, NV-The tournament’s host UNLV …

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Game Recap: Boise State 67, UNLV 61

Bronco’s big three show up in first game in Las Vegas to help secure win.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

A big night from RJ Williams lifts Boise State past UNLV.

Las Vegas, NV–The tournament’s host UNLV took on Boise State in a mid-afternoon bout in day two of the Mountain West Conference tournament. This was game number one for both teams and the fresh legs were apparent in a game that was neck and neck most of the way.

This was the third meeting between the two teams this season and while their regular season series was split with each team securing a win on the road on the other team’s home court, this is March and anything could happen.

Both teams had a hard time shooting from the field with Boise State finishing with 21-57 made field goals on the night (36.9%) and UNLV in worse shape with 18-57 field goals made (31.6%). The three point field goal numbers are even worse as UNLV finished with 9/27 made threes (33%) while Boise State knocked down just 3-15 of their attempts.

Ultimately the Broncos had the hottest hand of the night in senior forward RJ Williams who finished the game with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 3 assists on 7-12 made field goals but 9-13 of his free throw attempts. He received help from fellow senior Justinian Jessup (19 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal) and junior guard Derrick Alston Jr. (14 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists).

The Runnin’ Rebels were without junior forward Cheikh Mbacke Diong who only saw nine minutes of play off of the bench. His presence was missed on the defense end as UNLV didn’t seem to have an answer to RJ Williams down low. Sophomore guard Bryce Hamilton led UNLV with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist while junior Amauri Hardy chipped in 14 points, 3 assists and 4 rebounds.

Senior guard Elijah Mitrou-Long was also missing in action after suffering a deep knee bruise over the weekend. It was obvious this UNLV team wasn’t at 100% without two of their impact players on the bench, but still gave Boise State a run for the chance to advance on to Friday night.

Up Next:

Boise State: The Broncos advance to face San Diego State in tomorrow’s semifinal action at 9:00 PM EST on CBS Sports Network. The Aztecs narrowly escaped the upset Thursday afternoon with a 73-60 win over Air Force.

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2020 Mountain West Tournament Day 2 Picks

2020 Mountain West Tournament Day 2 Picks Who are we picking for Day 2 of Mountain West Madness Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Quarterfinals are underway Quarterfinal 1: No. 1 San Diego State vs. Air Force, 2:30 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports …

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2020 Mountain West Tournament Day 2 Picks

Who are we picking for Day 2 of Mountain West Madness

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Quarterfinals are underway

Quarterfinal 1: No. 1 San Diego State vs. Air Force, 2:30 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network

Tron: SDSU

Andrew: SDSU

Eric: SDSU

Ted: San Diego State

Jeremy: San Diego State

Quarterfinal 2: No. 4 UNLV vs. No. 5 Boise State, 5 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network

Jeremy: Boise State

Tron: UNLV

Larry: UNLV

Andrew: Boise State

Eric: UNLV

Ted: Boise State

Quarterfinal 3: No. 2 Utah State vs. No. 7 New Mexico, 9 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network

Jeremy: Utah State

Andrew: Utah State

Ted: Utah State

Tron: Utah State

Quarterfinal 4: No. 3 Nevada vs. No. 11 Wyoming, 11:30 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network

Andrew: Nevada

Ted: Nevada

Tron: Nevada

Jeremy: Nevada

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2020 Mountain West Basketball Tournament: Day 2 Schedule, Bracket, Live Stream & Odds

2020 Mountain West Basketball Tournament: Day 2 Schedule, Bracket, Live Stream & Odds Day two’s games are set and provide some exciting and familiar match ups. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Will day one’s winners bring the same energy to …

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2020 Mountain West Basketball Tournament: Day 2 Schedule, Bracket, Live Stream & Odds

Day two’s games are set and provide some exciting and familiar match ups. 

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Will day one’s winners bring the same energy to their quarterfinal match ups?

For those streaming the first round of games in this year’s Mountain West Conference tournament, day one was exciting.

The first round of games saw two lower seeded teams get the win on Wednesday, including No. 11 Wyoming’s 80-74 victory over No.6 Colorado State, which was the first time a #11 seed won a Mountain West Tournament game. The first victory of the tournament went to No. 9 Air Force who defeated No. 8 Fresno State 77-70, followed by No. 7 New Mexico’s 79-66 victory of the No. 10 San Jose State, avoiding a possible third “upset” of the day.

All of this to reset the bracket for an exciting round of games on a Thursday afternoon.

Right off the bat we get a look at top seed San Diego State who takes on No. 9 Air Force to start the day off. Air Force received two solid performances from senior forward Lavelle Scottie (21 points) and sophomore A.J. Walker (24 points) who combined, shot 17-32 from the field including five made three-pointers on seven attempts from Walker. The Falcons will need similar performances if they hope to take eliminate the tournament’s favorites Thursday afternoon.

Next up is the host team No. 4 UNLV taking on No.5 Boise State. These two squads split the regular-season series, but the Runnin’ Rebels handed the Broncos their last loss of the season last Wednesday in ExtraMile Arena. This game may be a bit of a toss up but influential on the entire bracket as UNLV was the only team to beat the Aztecs during the regular season and the winner of this No. 4 vs. No. 5 match up goes on to face San Diego State on Friday.

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Game number three has been set up as a rematch of No. 7 New Mexico’s 66-64 upset win over Utah State this past Saturday in the Pit. The Lobos looked good in their 79-66 win of the Spartans on day one but had majority of their offense go through three individuals; Vance Jackson (26 points), Makuach Maluach (22 points) and Corey Manigault (18 points).

The trio combined for sixty-six of the team’s seventy-nine points while netting twenty-four of the team’s 29 made field goals. Paul Weir needs those guys and some others to step up if they hope to take a 2-1 season lead over the Aggies and advance in Las Vegas. Vance Jackson has always played some of his best Mountain West basketball in the conference tournament and will need to keep his level of play high to have a chance at cutting down the nets come Saturday.

Ending the night is No. 11 Wyoming taking on No. 3 Nevada in the latest game of the day. Wyoming may need the extra rest after a 80-74 upset victory over Colorado State on Wednesday night. The Cowboys received double-digit scoring from all five starters while combining for 12-26 made shots from deep. Nevada is looking at a run to the championship game and don’t plan on being featured in Wyoming’s Cinderella story this time around.

Thursday, March 5

Game 1: No. 1 San Diego State vs. No. 9 Air Force, 2:30 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network OR (FuboTV Free Trial ), KenPom: Aztecs

Game 2: No. 4 UNLV vs. No. 5 Boise State, 5:00 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports NetworkCBS Sports Network OR (FuboTV Free Trial ), KenPom: Rebels

Game 3: No. 7 New Mexico vs. No. 2 Utah State, 9 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network OR (FuboTV Free Trial ), KenPom: Aggies

Game 4: No. 3 Nevada vs. No. 11 Wyoming, 11:30 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network OR (FuboTV Free Trial ), KenPom: Wolf Pack

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2020 Mountain West Tournament: No. 5 Boise State vs. No. 4 UNLV, Preview, Odds, Livestream

Both UNLV and Boise State take to the court in their first Mountain West tournament game.

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2020 Mountain West Tournament: No. 5 Boise State vs. No. 4 UNLV, Preview, Odds, Livestream

Rebels and Broncos begin tournament play.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Winner likely gets SDSU

Fourth-seed UNLV (17-14,12-6 MW) takes on Fifth-seed Boise State (19-11, 11-7 MW) in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West tournament.

This will be the third meeting for these two teams as they split the season series. Back in January Boise State won the first game 73-66. 

When the two teams met last week inside the Thomas & Mack Arena UNLV won the game 76-66.

In this matchup, Elijah Mitrou-Long will be a game-time decision for the Rebels. He has been the catalyst for UNLV’s five-game win streak. The four-guard lineup had success against Boise in their last meeting.

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Look for Bryce Hamilton to be the Rebels go-to guy in this game. He has averaged 20 points in the two games against Boise. 

Where: Thomas & Mack; Las Vegas, Nevada
When: 6 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Streaming: FuboTV – Get a seven-day free trial
Radio: UNLV | Boise State | Mountain West Feed
KenPom Odds: UNLV -2

Amauri Hardy and Hamilton each put up over 20 points against Boise State in their last outing if UNLV can replicate those performances they will advance to the semifinals.

For Boise State their last game was against UNLV. The Broncos have had a week to prepare for this game. For Leon Rice’s team forcing UNLV to shoot threes may be the key to the success for them on the defensive end. The combined made 3’s for UNLV in both games against Boise is only 12. 

Derrick Alston and Justinian Jessup will lead the Broncos on the court. The two sharp-shooting wings will be the key to defeating UNLV.

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Mountain West Conference Tournament: San Diego State vs Air Force Game Preview, TV, Radio, & More

There’s a reason why the Thomas & Mack is the March home for Aztecs basketball.

MW Conference Tournament: San Diego State vs Air Force Game Preview, TV, Radio, & More

San Diego State returns home to Vegas.

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– Contact/Follow @ErwinSports and @MWCwire.

There’s a reason why the Thomas & Mack is the March home for Aztecs basketball.

San Diego State enters this tournament as one of the most successful programs in the Mountain West Conference Tournament. No other team has won the conference tournament than them (5 times).

But if it’s a single-elimination we’re talking about Thursday’s then opponent knows something about showing up.

The Air Force Falcons are coming off a day-time victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs. The same Bulldogs who swept the regular-season matchup lost by 7 in Vegas. Air Force came motivated and played their basketball,  shooting over 53% from the field and turning the Bulldogs over 15 times.

Not to mention Falcon players Lavelle Scottie and A.J. Walker teamed up to each drop 20+ points.

The Falcons want to keep their hot streak going and get through San Diego State.

Unfortunately for them, San Diego State has the Mountain West Player of the Year, Malachi Flynn.

Flynn has puts the team on his back, including last Saturday’s 36 point performance in 40 minutes of hoops. You know it, we know it, and they know it. Flynn will cape again Thursday morning, but it’ll depend on who else shows up.

KJ Feagin, Mountain West First-Team All-Defense, can lock up on anybody west of the Plains, but can he help ease the load on the other side of the court?

Yanni Wetzell went winless in the SEC last year and now has parlayed his hand into a deep run in March, but will he be able to put up 10+ points in the paint?

Or will it be the program guys like Matt Mitchell and Jordan Schakel who are the only guys who have NCAA tournament experience on this 1-loss Aztec team?

The Aztecs have the talent to support Flynn because a 2-3 zone will disrupt their flow. It takes a full team effort to get through the Falcons. After UNLV’s upset, San Diego State is starting to coalesce and become the terror they’ve been this season.

The team wearing blue on Thursday is going to give them their best shot regardless of who else shows up.

It just happens that the team wearing red has had enough skill and talent to overcome everyone’s best shot so far.

GAME DETAILS

WHO: #5 SDSU (28-1) vs Air Force (12-19)
WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
WHEN: 2:30 PM ET / 11 AM PT
TV: CBSSN
STREAMING: FuboTV – Get a free trial
LISTEN: 1360-AM, 101.5-FM
ALL-TIME RECORD: SDSU leads the series 58-24 all-time. SDSU won their previous meeting 89-74.

Prediction

San Diego State 77, Air Force 61

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2020 Mountain West Tournament: #3 Nevada Vs #11 Wyoming

2020 Mountain West Tournament: #3 Nevada Vs #11 Wyoming The Nevada Wolf Pack begin Mountain West tournament play on Thursday as they take on the Wyoming Cowboys. Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire WHO: #3 Nevada (19-11, 12-6 Mountain West) vs. …

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2020 Mountain West Tournament: #3 Nevada Vs #11 Wyoming

The Nevada Wolf Pack begin Mountain West tournament play on Thursday as they take on the Wyoming Cowboys.

Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire

WHO:  #3 Nevada (19-11, 12-6 Mountain West) vs. #11 Wyoming (8-23, 2-16 Mountain West)

WHEN: Thursday, March 5th — 8:30 PM PT/9:30 MT

WHERE:  Thomas & Mack Center–Las Vegas, Nevada

TV:  CBS Sports Network

STREAM: Get a one-week trial of FuboTV.

RADIO: Radio link for Nevada | Radio link for Wyoming

SERIES RECORD: Series Tied 8-8

ODDS: Unavailable at this time.

In the quarterfinal round of the Mountain West tournament, the #3 seed Nevada Wolf Pack will take on  the #11 seed Wyoming Cowboys. The contest between the Wolf Pack and the Cowboys is on Thursday night on CBS Sports Network.

The Wolf Pack enjoyed a first round bye while the Cowboys played on Wednesday night as they upset the # 6 seed Colorado State Rams 80-74. Wyoming had all five of their starters score in double figures in their win over the Rams. Wyoming guard Kwane Marble II was the lead scorer for the team with 20 points and he also went 4 of 7 from the three point line as well. 

The Cowboys shot 45 percent from the field and 46 percent from the three while limiting the Rams to under 40 percent shooting from the field. With the win over Colorado State, Wyoming became the first ever #11 seed to win a game in the Mountain West tournament.

With the Cowboys upset win over the Rams,the Wolf Pack should not overlook Wyoming as they prepare for their Mountain West tournament run. 

Nevada is an excellent offensive team that can shoot the three ball well and have a trio of players in Jazz Johnson, Nisre Zouzoua and Jalen Harris who can score. Harris, the 2020 Mountain West Newcomer of the Year, is averaging almost 24 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 41 percent from the three point line. 

Harris, Jazz Johnson and Zouzoua lead an explosive Nevada offense as they look to beat an upset-minded Wyoming team. Can the Wolf Pack defeat the Cowboys for a third straight time this season and advance to the semifinals?  We shall see on Thursday night in Las Vegas. 

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Mountain West Tournament: “Vegas Vance” Returns in New Mexico’s 79-66 Defeat of San Jose State

The New Mexico Lobos defeated the San Jose State Spartans 79-66 on Wednesday in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament.

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Mountain West Tournament: #7 New Mexico Beats San Jose State, 79-66

New Mexico’s Vance Jackson scored 26 to go with his 12 rebounds.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Is “Vegas Vance” back?

Vance Jackson (26 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) led all scorers, and the New Mexico Lobos soundly defeated the San Jose State Spartans on Wednesday in the first round of the Mountain West Conference Tournament. Makuach Maluach (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) also played a sound game for New Mexico. Corey Manigault also approached 20 with 18 points in the contest.

For San Jose State, it was a whole lot of Seneca Knight (22 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) and Omari Moore (17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 8 steals) but contributions from the rest of the Spartans players weren’t enough to allow the Spartans to make a charge against the Lobos.

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The win propels New Mexico to a quarterfinal matchup with Utah State, a team which the Lobos played just five days ago in a 66-64 victory.

For San Jose State, which fought hard throughout, it means the end to another challenging season with a young team and a loss for a program that is still trying to find its first win in the Mountain West Tournament since joining the conference in 2013.

Early in the game, it was San Jose State that looked like the better team, with the Spartans going up 8-4 with 18:02 remaining in the first half. But then New Mexico put together a key 21-0 run, fueled by defense, that put the Lobos up 25-8.

The run proved to be too much for the Spartans, as they were never able to come within more than 9 points through the rest of the game.

Key to the game was stingy defense, good ball movement on offense, a plus 9 rebounding differential in favor of New Mexico and a perfect night at the free-throw line, with New Mexico making all 14 attempted free throws.

Then there was the return of “Vegas Vance”. And Jean Prioleau had a brief opinion on the “Vegas Vance” nickname.

Jackson looked the part, once again, of a player who may once more be considered for the All-Mountain West Tournament team as he was a year before, when he averaged 25.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals.

So what is it that makes Jackson transform into his “Vegas Vance” at tournament time?

“I don’t want to lose. I don’t like losing. I feel like at this point our back is against the wall as a team we just want to, just, keep moving forward and we got a big one tomorrow against Utah State. And I do like that name [Vegas Vance].”

New Mexico could well use more of “Vegas Vance” tomorrow, when the Lobos take on the Utah State Aggies at 6 PM CT at the Thomas and Mack Center on CBS Sports.

 

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Mountain West Tournament: Day 1 Results and Highlights

Day 1 of the 2020 Mountain West Tournament provided plenty of drama, with only one favored team advancing to tomorrow’s quarterfinals.

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Mountain West Tournament: Day 1 Results and Highlights

Wyoming makes history; Lobos, Falcons also advance

Contact/Follow @andrewdieckhoff & @MWCwire

Day 1 of the Mountain West Tournament has already provided some good drama.

With the opening round of the Mountain West Tournament in the books, let’s take a quick look at who will stay at the table in Vegas — and who is heading home empty-handed.

(9) Air Force def. (8) Fresno State, 77-70

The Falcons may have flown off course during the season, but they kept their 2019-20 campaign alive on Wednesday, thanks to a 24-point performance from AJ Walker. Fresno State’s season never really got off the ground, and they’ll limp back home with no postseason on the horizon.

(7) New Mexico def. (10) San Jose State,  79-66

Following a sensation Senior Night in which he led the Lobos to an upset of Utah State, Vance Jackson kept it up against the Spartans. The senior put up 26 and 12 for New Mexico. Jean Prioleau saw his team improve from last season, but they still have a long way to go.

(11) Wyoming def. (6) Colorado State, 80-74

Easily the least likely of the three upsets, Wyoming was not ready to be swept in three Border War bouts this season. The Cowboys became the first-ever #11 seed to win a game in the Mountain West Tournament behind 20 points from Kwane Marble. Colorado State will now wait to see if their 20 wins will be enough to earn a bid to one of the lesser postseason tournaments.

Check back tomorrow for updates from Day 2 of the Mountain West Tournament. In the meantime, head over to our MW Tournament Hub to keep up on all the hoops coverage here at Mountain West Wire.

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