Category: San Diego State

Three SDSU Keys: San Diego State vs. Hawaii

Three SDSU Keys: San Diego State vs. Hawaii How the Aztecs can win the West Divison. Contact/Follow @MWCwire Big game on the Islands Week 13: Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors(7-4,4-3 MW) vs. San Diego State Aztecs(8-2,5-2 MW) When: Saturday, November 23rd …

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Three SDSU Keys: San Diego State vs. Hawaii

How the Aztecs can win the West Divison.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Big game on the Islands

Week 13: Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors(7-4,4-3 MW) vs. San Diego State Aztecs(8-2,5-2 MW)

When: Saturday, November 23rd 2019 @ 6:00pm HST 8pm PST

Where: Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, HI

TV: Spectrum PPV

Stream: Facebook(Mainland only)

Radio: ESPN Honolulu

Odds: Hawai’i by -3

Series Record: SDSU leads 21-10-2 overall, Also leads 11-6-2 in Honolulu

Saturday’s match-up has a lot on the line. The winner of this San Diego State vs Hawaii game will go to the MWC  championship game on December 7th.  Here are some keys if San Diego State can accomplish their keys/goals, they will be in the MWC championship game.

Ryan Agnew

Ryan Agnew isn’t always consistent. However, when he’s accurate and passing the football, Agnew can look like a really good quarterback. Hawaii focus on defense is going to stop the run because they believe they will  be able to stop him if the Aztecs are throwing the ball 40 times.  This a pretty risky sentiment, and really, more often than not  Agnew can really pull through.  If Agnew doesn’t turn the ball over it will be a great sign for the Aztecs.

Keep the ball

Just as San Diego State defense is phenomenal against the run, the offense controls the clock by slowing things down to a very snail- speed pace, and that  formula will keep on working.  When the Aztecs offense on the field it will keep Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald and the rest of the offense on the sidelines. If the Aztecs have the ball more then Hawaii, it will be a great sign.

Stopping Cole Mcdonald

Senior quarterback Cole Mcdonald has been really astounding this year. The senior has thrown for 3,007 yards for 25 touchdowns and 12 touchdowns on 246 completions on 381 attempts.  If the Aztecs stop this gun-slinger from throwing it around it will be great news for the Aztecs.

Prediction

I expect both teams to score points but I think the Aztecs defense will stop Hawaii’s stellar offense more times than not.

 San Diego State 24, Hawaii 21

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Nevada Football: Three Keys And A Prediction For Nevada Vs Fresno State

Nevada Football: Three Keys And A Prediction For Nevada Vs Fresno State The Wolf Pack return to action Saturday night as they travel to Fresno to take on the Bulldogs. Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire Can The Wolf Pack Get Win Number Seven …

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Nevada Football: Three Keys And A Prediction For Nevada Vs Fresno State

The Wolf Pack return to action Saturday night as they travel to Fresno to take on the Bulldogs.

Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire

Can The Wolf Pack Get Win Number Seven On The Road Against Fresno State?

The Nevada Wolf Pack return to the gridiron this Saturday night as they take on the Fresno State Bulldogs. The contest between the Wolf Pack and the Bulldogs will be played at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno,California with a 7:30pm kickoff on ESPN2.

The last time the Nevada was in action was two weeks ago when they defeated #24 ranked San Diego State 17-13  The win over the Aztecs made Nevada bowl eligible for the second straight season and was the first win over an AP top 25 team on the road in school history.

This week, Nevada must look to improve on that win and strengthen their chances of making a bowl game. Even though the Wolf Pack are bowl eligible, due to the lack of bowl spots available for the Mountain West, Nevada could be in a position similar to Wyoming last year when the Cowboys went 6-6 and did not go bowling. 

Nevada is taking on a Fresno State team that is 4-6 and coming off a loss to the Aztecs in San Diego last Friday night. The Bulldogs need to win the last two games of the season (against Nevada and next week against San Jose State) to become bowl eligible.

Nevada is eliminated from winning the West division but can strengthen their bowl outlook while Fresno State needs to win to keep their bowl hopes alive. 

Can the Wolf Pack go into Fresno and defeat the Bulldogs for the first time since 2016? Here are my keys and a prediction for Nevada vs Fresno State.

Continue to get good play from the Wolf Pack defense

Nevada’s defense for most of this season has been much maligned due to its porous play. However, the defense turned in a good performance in the win against San Diego State two weeks ago. 

The Wolf Pack limited the Aztecs offense, a run-oriented unit, to only 2.9 yards per rush and held them to 13 points. The Wolf Pack defensive line led by Dom Peterson, Hausia Sekona and Sam Hammond, pressured Aztecs quarterback Ryan Agnew all night and forced him into throwing an interception.

Nevada is going to need the defense to continue to play well this week on the road against Fresno State. If Nevada’s defense can turn in another good performance this week against Fresno State, then they have a strong chance of leaving central California with a win.

 

Continued improvement from Carson Strong

The redshirt freshman from Vacaville, California had a solid night in the win against San Diego State. Strong completed 19 of 26 passes for 147 yards and threw one touchdown pass and one interception that went off the hands of the intended receiver. 

Outside of that interception, Strong played well and made few mistakes as he lead the Wolf Pack offense to the upset victory over the Aztecs two weeks ago. The Wolf Pack will need Strong to continue to improve his play and make the Wolf Pack offense more explosive. 

Strong has the  weapons on offense in Romeo Doubs and Elijah Cooks to go along with running backs Toa Taua and Devonate Lee. The offensive line is still not good so it is up to that offensive line and Strong especially to improve their play in order for Nevada to win on Saturday.

Stopping Jorge Reyna and Ronnie Rivers

Fresno State’s offense has two standouts in quarterback Jorge Reyna and running back Ronnie Rivers. This season Reyna has thrown for over 2,200 yards and has thrown 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Reyna has also ran for over 400 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns.

Ronnie Rivers has ran for over 700 yards this season while scoring a Mountain West leading 12 rushing touchdowns. The combination of Reyna and Rivers is one of the reasons why Fresno State is averaging over 31 points per game and in a position to be bowl eligible with two games left in the season.

Nevada’s defense is going to have to find a way to stop Reyna and Rivers from having a good night. When Fresno State played the Aztecs last Friday, San Diego State’s defense limited the Bulldogs offense to one touchdown and 206 yards total offense.

San Diego State’s defense was able to stop Fresno State’s offense last week. Now it is up to an improving Wolf Pack defense to contain the Bulldogs offense and its top two players in Reyna and Rivers.

 

Prediction and Score 

Nevada got a big time win two weeks ago against San Diego State to become bowl eligible. Now coming off a bye week,  the Wolf Pack hit the road again to take on a Fresno State team that is needing to win out to be bowl eligible. 

This game for the Wolf Pack will be another challenge as they face a talented Fresno State offense led by quarterback Jorge Reyna and running back Ronnie Rivers. The Bulldogs have been inconsistent this season which explains their 4-6 record. But offensively they are capable of putting up points and attacking Nevada’s still vulnerable secondary.

But I think Nevada’s defensive line can be the difference maker as they are capable of putting  pressure on Reyna and force him into making mistakes. Also with Nevada head coach Jay Norvell calling plays on offense, I think he can put Strong in a position to get the ball to playmakers like Doubs to move the Wolf Pack offense and score points. 

It  is going to be a close contest but I like the Wolf Pack defensive line and an improving Carson Strong to be the difference when they play Fresno State on Saturday night.

 

Score:   Nevada 23   Fresno State 17

 

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Week 13 Mountain West Football Expert Picks

Week 13 Mountain West Football Expert Picks Find out who our staff likes this week. Contact/Follow @MWCwire All 12 teams in action this weekend. Colorado State at Wyoming (-6.5) Jeremy: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming | Score: Wyoming 28, Colorado State …

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Week 13 Mountain West Football Expert Picks

Find out who our staff likes this week.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

All 12 teams in action this weekend.

Colorado State at Wyoming (-6.5)

Jeremy: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming | Score: Wyoming 28, Colorado State 17

Brad: SU: WYO | ATS: CSU | WYO 33 CSU 30

Raja: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Wyoming

Ted: ATS Wyoming | SU Wyoming| Score Wyoming 31 Colorado State 24

Brandon B: ATS Wyoming | SU Wyoming| Score Wyoming 34 Colorado State 32 

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Wyoming 28 CSU 21

Sean: ATS CSU | SU CSU| Score Wyoming 17 Colorado State 23 

Jesse: ATS: CSU | SU: Wyoming

Matt: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Colorado State | Score: Wyoming 21, Colorado State 17

Air Force (-22) at New Mexico

Jeremy: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 45, New Mexico 13

Brad: SU: AFA | ATS: AFA | Score: AFA 45 UNM 10

Raja: SU: Air Force | ATS: New Mexico

Ted: ATS: Air Force  | SU: Air Force| Score: Air Force 37 New Mexico 10

Brandon B: ATS: Air Force  | SU: Air Force| Score: Air Force 38 New Mexico 9

BrandonT: SU/ATS: Air Force 49 New Mexico 10

Sean: ATS: Air Force  | SU: Air Force| Score: Air Force 38 New Mexico 13

Jesse: ATS: Air Force | SU: Air Force

Matt: SU: Air Force | ATS: New Mexico | Score:  Air Force 38, New Mexico 20

San Jose State (-5.5) at UNLV 

Jeremy: SU: San Jose State | ATS: San Jose State | Score: San Jose State 40, UNLV 20

Brad: SU: SJSU | ATS: SJSU | SJSU 37 UNLV 24

Raja: SU/ATS: UNLV (Upset Alert!)

Ted: ATS SJSU | SU: SJSU | Score SJSU 38, UNLV 17

Brandon B: ATS UNLV | SU: UNLV | Score UNLV 28 SJSU 14

Brandon T: SU/ATS: SJSU 38 UNLV 21

Sean: ATS: SJSU | SU: SJSU | Score UNLV 17 SJSU 24

Jesse: ATS: San Jose State | SU: San Jose State

Matt: SU: San Jose State | ATS: San Jose State | Score: San Jose State 34, UNLV 17

Boise State (-8) at Utah State 

Jeremy: SU: | ATS: | Score: Boise State 28, Utah State 17

Raja: SU/ATS: Boise State, 31-28

Ted: SU: BSU |  ATS: USU | BSU 34  – USU 27

Brad: SU: BSU | ATS: USU  | BSU 26 USU 17

Brandon B: ATS: USU| SU Boise State | Score: Boise State 24 Utah State 21

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Utah St 31 Boise St 28

Sean: SU: USU |  ATS: USU | USU 27 –  Boise St 24

Jesse: SU: Utah State | ATS: Utah State

Matt: SU: | ATS: Utah State | Score: Boise State 31, Utah State 24

Nevada at Fresno State (-13.5)

Jeremy: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Nevada | Score: Fresno State 30, Nevada 20

Raja: SU/ATS: Nevada (Upset Alert!)

Ted: ATS: FSU | SU: Nevada| Score: Nevada 28, FSU 17

Brad: SU: UNR | ATS: FSU | UNR 33 FSU 24

Brandon B: ATS: Nevada | SU: Nevada| Score” Nevada 23 Fresno 16

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Nevada 35 Fresno St 28

Sean: ATS: Nevada | SU: Fresno | Score: Nevada 23 –  Fresno 24

Jesse: ATS Nevada | SU: Fresno State

Matt: SU: Nevada | ATS: Fresno State | Score: Nevada 24, Fresno State 21

San Diego State at Hawaii (-3)

Jeremy: SU: | ATS: | Score: Hawaii 28, San Diego State 24

Raja: SU/ATS: Hawaii

Ted: ATS SDSU | SU: SDSU| Score: SDSU 27, Hawaii 24

Brad: SU: SDSU | ATS: SDSU | SDSU 28 HW 20

Brandon B: ATS Hawaii | SU: Hawaii| Score Hawaii 35 SDSU 21

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Hawaii 31 SDSU 21

Sean: ATS: SDSU | SU: SDSU| Score Hawaii 24 – SDSU 28

Jesse: ATS: Hawaii | SU: Hawaii

Matt: SU: | ATS: | Score: Hawaii 24, San Diego State 28

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PODCAST: 2019 Week 13 Mountain West Football Preview

Get ready for Week 13 of Mountain West football.

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PODCAST: 2019 Week 13 Mountain West Football Preview

Division titles can be clinched.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Tiebreaker or championship weekend

Jeremy and Matt are back to preview the 13th week of Mountain West football. There are rivalries and championships on the line. The Bronze Boot gets things started on Friday night with Colorado State taking on Wyoming. The Rams are wanting to remain in the discussion for a bowl game.

The Saturday games have two big ones that could determine the championship game attendees. A Boise State win over Utah State puts them in the title game and hosting, a loss means tiebreakers come into play. San Diego State vs. Hawaii is a winner-take-all in the West Division and is a late-night Facebook game.

Nevada takes on Fresno State and the Bulldogs are wanting to get to a bowl game and need to get this win to have at least five and then win next week as well. The other game is San Jose State who is also looking to stay on track for a bowl game and they are on the road at UNLV.

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You can find the Mountain West Wire podcast below or subscribe to the show via Anchor, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, iTunes, and more. Listen in, subscribe and rate it and let us know what you think!

Here is our list of complete sponsors.

Or just help us out directly through our Patreon page through this link.

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Mountain West Basketball Recruiting Round Up: Early Signing Period Edition

A Look At Recruiting Classes From Around The Mountain West Plenty of prospects signed early this year. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The Runnin’ Rebels have the highest ranked recruiting class in the Mountain West. We have created this …

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A Look At Recruiting Classes From Around The Mountain West

Plenty of prospects signed early this year.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The Runnin’ Rebels have the highest ranked recruiting class in the Mountain West.  

We have created this list of players signed by coaching staffs in the early signing period so far for next season. Below is a list of each team and their signed players so far, with some info on that player and excerpts from head coaches on that signee.

Coaches aren’t allowed to comment on players who commit to a program throughout the year until they have received a signed National Letter of Intent from that prospect. Prospects can commit at anytime they want during the year and have two periods in which they can sign a letter of intent to play for that school.

The “early” signing period is a week long and started Nov. 13th and extended out to Nov. 20th. Most guys signed within the first two days of the week with only UNLV getting commitments and letters of intent signed after. The second signing period of the 2019-2020 season begins April 15th, 2020 and ends on May 20th, 2020.

Things To Note:

  • UNLV and first year head coach TJ Otzelberger have the largest signed group in the conference and the highest ranked. Otzelberger was able to keep a promise when it came to recruiting by getting local guys to sign with the Runnin’ Rebels. Half of his recruiting class is either from Nevada or have played high school basketball in Nevada.
  • Several teams have signed more prospects than they have seniors scheduled to leave, that means some current players will be expected to transfer.
  • Wyoming was the lone team without a commit or signee in the early signing period.
  • Air Force has 12 commits for the 2020 class per Verbal Commits. But with a complex system that includes possibly enrolling at Prep School and no confirmation of these commitments on the team’s website, they were excluded.

Boise State: 3 Signed

Bukre Smith 6-11 215 C Trinity Episcopal School-Glen Allen, VA

“Burke is extremely skilled for his size and his age,” Rice said. “Our program has always looked for skilled bigs to play our style and he does three things at a really advanced level that fit that mold: he shoots with range; he puts the ball on the floor, and he’s a very good passer. With his love for the game and outstanding work ethic he has a bright future at Boise State.” – Coach Rice

Kasean Pryor 6-9 179 SG Link Year Prep-Branson, MO

“Kasean is a long, athletic wing with huge upside,” Rice said. “He has a great combination of skill and feels not often seen in players his size. His game and body type is in the mold of James Webb and Derrick Alston, and he will be a tremendous fit in our system.” – Coach Rice

Jace Whiting 6-1 165 PG Burley HS-Burley ID 

“Jace has a great feel for the game and brings a tremendous amount of skill to the combo guard position,” Rice said. “It’s always important to keep the best players in the state at home and we’re excited to have Jace in our program.” – Coach Rice

Colorado State: 2 Signed

Isaiah Rivera 6-5 190 SF Geneseo High School-Geneseo, IL 

Jacob Jenniseen 6-1 205 C Sauk Centre Secondary-Sauk Centre, MN

Fresno State: 3 Signed

Braxton Meah 7-0 230 C San Joaquin Memorial HS-Fresno,CA

“Braxton is a 7-foot athlete, who can protect the rim and finish above the rim with the best of them,” Hutson said of Meah.  “He’s a local product and has been very well coached and developed. We are glad to be able to keep him home and our community will really enjoy watching him play.” -Coach Hutson

Leonardo Colimerio 6-7 180 SF Wasatch Academy-Mount Pleasant,UT

“Leo is a versatile, positionless basketball player,” Hutson said of Colimerio.  “Incoming from Brazil, he has an international feel for the game with great athleticism.  We look forward to him playing all over the floor.” – Coach Hutson

Destin Whitaker 6-5 185 SG Romeroville HS-Romeoville, IL

“Destin can really shoot it,” Hutson said.  “He comes from a basketball family and has been coached really well.  Destin has a high basketball IQ, and while his strength is shooting, he is very versatile.” -Coach Hutson

Nevada: 4 Signed

Tre Coleman 6-7 185 SF Jeffersonville HS-Jeffersonville, IN

“Tre is a big athletic wing who can defend all over the court.  He gives us a ton of versatility. A high-level athlete who will bring energy on both sides of the ball.” – Coach Alford 

Alem Huseinovic 6-3 180 SG PHHoenix Prep-Scottsdale, AZ

“Alem is a tough, heady shooting guard.  He really knows how to create and make shots.  A fierce competitor who really knows how to play.” – Coach Alford 

DeAndre Henry 6-7 225 PF PHHoenix Prep-Phoenix, AZ 

“Dre has a tremendous ceiling as a basketball player.  He is a strong and athletic player who loves to compete at both ends of the floor.  He will improve daily due to how hard he works.” – Coach Alford 

Jelani Clark 6-2 180 SG Archbishop Riordan HS-San Francisco, CA

“Je’Lani is a high energy, high motor player.  He has a very high basketball IQ and is committed to being a great player.  He has the ability to lead a team and program.” – Coach Alford 

Daniel Foster 6-6 185 PG Golden State Preparatory School (CA)-Melbourne, AUS

“Daniel is a versatile guard who can play a variety of positions.  A tough-minded competitor who knows how to play the game. We’ve had tremendous success with Australian born players.” – Coach Alford 

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San Diego State Recap: Aztecs hammer San Diego Toreros, 64-49

Yanni Wetzell secures the City Championship for the Aztecs.

San Diego State Aztecs hammer San Diego, 64-49

Yanni Wetzell secures the City Championship for the Aztecs.

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– Contact/Follow @ErwinSports and @MWCwire.

On the west side of Mission Valley, the Aztecs conquered.

In what could be the last edition of the City Championship for the foreseeable future, San Diego State hammers University of San Diego, 66-49.

On a night where Jordan Schakel accumulated 4 fouls and only 7 points, the Aztecs didn’t look far for a breakout performance.

Enter Yanni Wetzell, the kiwi graduate transfer from Vanderbilt who goes along with the running Wetzel’s Pretzels gag.

As heard on the broadcast from former NBA player Cuttino Mobley, “Wetzell’s showing out tonight. Are there NBA scouts here?”

Wetzell in his first and only edition of the City Championship pulled off a 20-point, 12 rebound stat line. Wetzell was the better big man in the paint, grabbing 5 offensive boards and getting easy put backs against the length of USD. The Toreros’ length in Alex Floresca was called for 2 quick fouls in the first half limiting his minutes the rest of the game.

With this blowout victory for the Aztecs, the City Championship is back to being in favor of San Diego State. San Diego State never trailed and pulled away when the Toreros got within 2-points 19-17.

San Diego State shot lights out at 47.5% from the field. It’s also easy when the Wetzell gets easy putbacks and layups, and Mensah is catching alley-oops again.

The downside to this game is that Jordan Schakel shot at a clip of 2/5 from the field and got into foul trouble. The work is there, but the ball didn’t find the bottom of the net against the Toreros.

The Aztecs are playing throwback San Diego State ball with strong defenders and selfless ball. Having the game for Wetzell makes the Aztecs look loaded for a hopeful deep NCAA Tournament run.

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SDSU vs. USD City Championship: Game Preview, TV, Radio, Streaming, Odds, More

The City Championship has in recent years been electric for USD and frustrating for SDSU. This year the Aztecs have the edge.

SDSU vs. USD City Championship: Game Preview, TV, Radio, Streaming, Odds, More

SDSU leads USD 31-19 in the City Championship series, but a pair of recent losses have cost the Aztecs dearly in the post season.

Contact/Follow @tedmcgovern & @MWCwire

Two things Aztecs fans know: 1) don’t ever play basketball in a baseball stadium; 2) do not take USD for granted.

WHO: SDSU (3-0, 0-0 MWC) at USD (2-3, 0-0 WCC)

WHEN: Wednesday, November 20th — 11:00 P.M. EST / 8:00 P.M. PST

WHERE: Jenny Craig Pavilion- San Diego, CA (5,100)

TV: FOX Sports West

STREAM:  FOX Sports West

RADIO: 101.5 KGB / XTRA 1360 / Fox Sports
Inland Empire (IE) 1350 (pregame starts at 7:30 p.m. PT on XTRA)

SERIES RECORD: Aztecs are 31-19 against the Toreros

CURRENT STREAK: Toreros (W1)

ODDS: SDSU -6

San Diego, CA-   The University of San Diego Toreros are making strides in the WCC.  In recent years they have contended well against the Aztecs.  As the WCC is becoming more competitive- it is still lopsided.  On the one hand the conference houses heavyweights Gonzaga and St. Mary’s; while on the other hand it has lightweights like the Pepperdine Waves, the Portland Pilots. If USD keeps improving they may eventually be another heavyweight.

The San Diego City Championship, exciting as it has been during the past several years, presents a conundrum for SDSU. Aztecs fans will agree that when playing the Toreros, the Aztecs have nothing to gain and so very much to lose.  It has been a huge factor in a few recent NCAA Tourney misses.

This has been a very bitter pill for the Aztecs to swallow.

The Toreros have imported a lot of talent (and some height) featuring players from Germany, Norway, Brazil, Canada, Belarus and Belgium, and they can nearly match the Aztecs height-wise in their starting lineup if they choose.

Also notable: former Toreros coach Lamont Smith was replaced by new Head Coach Sam Scholl.  Four starting seniors from last year are also gone, so the program is going through a transition.

The current scoring leader is a talented 6’3″ sophomore shooting guard from Novato, CA, named Joey Calcaterra who averages 16.8 ppg.  6’10” forward Yauhen Massalski from Belarus is sidelined with a foot injury.  6’11” center Vladimir Pinchuk from Schwelm, Germany, appears healthy for Wednesday’s game.

The Toreros have been plagued with low rebounding and turnovers.

The Aztecs are starting this season off very strong with three consecutive wins, including a hard-fought victory against BYU in Provo, followed up by a win against Dan Majerle’s GCU Lopes who have plagued the Aztecs in past years.

The Aztecs have been RED HOT from the perimeter, with stellar production by Junior Jordan Schakel.  The Aztecs also feature Malachi Flynn who might just be the best player in the Mountain West. Schakel and Flynn are a combined 17 of 28 (60.7 percent) on 3 pointers through the first three games of this season, and the Aztecs are, as a team 43.7% on 3’s this season.

Nathan Mensah, Matt Mitchell and Aguek Arop have been playing dominantly as well.  In fact, the depth of this year’s team is remarkable.  The Aztecs are also rock solid so far on rebounding with a +14 margin against each of their opponents this season.

In this matchup, this year’s Aztecs will be very tough for the rebuilding Toreros to beat.  Nonetheless, this win will have to be earned, and recent history has scorned the Aztecs for entering the City Championship overconfident.

In the end, it is probable that SDSU will win by ten points due in no small part to their ability to out rebound USD, while consistently making 3’s.

GAME PREDICTION:  Aztecs 74, Toreros 64.

Mountain West Wire’s Player of The Year Watch List: Week Two

Mountain West Wire’s Player of The Year Watch List: Week Two Take A Look At the Best Performances Around the Mountain West In Week Two. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Who is in the running for Player of the Year? The staff at the Mountain …

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Mountain West Wire’s Player of The Year Watch List: Week Two

Take A Look At the Best Performances Around the Mountain West In Week Two.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Who is in the running for Player of the Year?

The staff at the Mountain West Wire wanted to do something a little different this year. We are going to keep track of the top performers from teams around the Mountain West throughout the year and vote on who had the best performances that week.

How It Works: 

Each person will award 15 points in total to five players and should award it as so:

1st place (Player of the week): 5 pts

2nd place: 4 pts

3rd place: 3 pts

4th place: 2 pts

5th place: 1 pt

The player with the most points total will be our player of the week and we will keep track of the point totals every week so that the player who has the most at the end of the year will receive the Mountain West Wire Player of the Year award. Just copy the players below and type your names above it like we do for the pick them docs we get and award your points. 

Now some guys made the list and others didn’t. A big thing to think about was consistency throughout the week. Something that hurt some guys was having a decent game one day and a bad one the other day. Guys who made the list had a great game one day and a good one on other days, or good games both days.

This column will come out on Sunday nights or Monday mornings depending on how late some games finish on Sundays. 

The order for the second week is as follows:

1. JaQuan Lyle, senior guard UNM (5 Points):

     31 Points, 5 Rebounds, and 5 assists against Wisconsin-Green Bay

     18 Points, 5 Rebounds and 2 steals against McNeese St. 

2. Nico Carvacho, senior center CSU (4 Points):

     21 Points, 19 Rebounds, and 5 Assists against Omaha

     17 Points, 7 Rebounds, and 1 Block against Loyola Marymount

3. Jazz Johnson, senior guard Nevada (3 Points):

     16 Points, 2 Rebounds and 1 Assist against UT-Arlington 

     26 Points, 4 Rebounds and 1 Assist against USC

4. Donnie Tillman, junior forward UNLV (2 Points):

     17 Points, 8 Rebounds, and 3 Assists against California 

     18 Points, 7 Rebounds, and 1 Assist against UCLA

5. Alphonso Anderson, junior guard USU (1 Point)

     15 Points, 6 Rebounds and 4 Steals against Denver

     21 Points, 6 Rebounds and 3 Assists against North Carolina A&T

Current Overall Total Point Count:

JaQuan Lyle, senior guard UNM (5 Points)

Lindsey Drew, senior guard Nevada (5 Points)

Derrick Alston Jr, junior guard BSU (4 Points)

Nico Carvacho, senior center CSU (4 Points)

Amauri Hardy, junior guard UNLV (3 Points)

Jazz Johnson, senior guard Nevada (3 Points)

Jordan Schakel, junior guard SDSU (2 Points)

Donnie Tillman, junior forward UNLV (2 Points)

Alphonso Anderson, junior guard USU (1 Point)

Sam Merrill, senior guard USU (1 Point)

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Future Hoops Foes: Week Two Recap of Week Three’s Opponents

Taking a Look At Week Three’s Mountain West Opponent’s Performances in Week Two Each Mountain West Team’s opponents in Week 3 Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Take a look at each team’s opponents for this week and how they did last week. …

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Taking a Look At Week Three’s Mountain West Opponent’s Performances in Week Two
Each Mountain West Team’s opponents in Week 3

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Take a look at each team’s opponents for this week and how they did last week.

Future Foes Week One Recap:

Air Force Falcons 2-1

Mon, Nov. 18th

Texas Christian Horned Frogs:

Jamie Dixon‘s horned frogs didn’t play much this week, and are 2-0 on the season. Their lone division one win was against Louisiana-Lafayette where they outscored the Ragin Cajuns by 33 points to win the game. TCU is still hard to read with only two games under their belt, but they appear to have a dynamic scorer in senior guard Desmond Bane (25.5 PPG) and four other players averaging double digits so far.

Thurs, Nov. 21st

Loyola Marymount Lions: 

Loyola Marymount is 1-2 on the season and have yet to win a game against a division one opponent. Their two losses came at the hands of fellow Mountain West members Nevada and Colorado State. The Lions will be looking for that first win of the season and they may get it Thursday against the Falcons. Look out for junior guard Eli Scott who has had two very solid performances (17 PPG, 5.0 APG and 4.5 RPG against MW teams) on the year so far.

Fri, Nov. 22nd

Duquesne Dukes: 

The Falcon’s will take on a Duke’s team who is currently undefeated at 3-0 with their most impressive win being a 27 point win at home against Princeton. Duquesne who is coached by Lebron James’ high school coach Keith Dambrot is led by sophomore guard Sincere Carry who is averaging 15.0 PPG in three contests. The Dukes haven’t faceed anyone ranked inside the top 200 per Kenpom yet, so Air Force will be their highest rated competition at 178th.

Sun, Nov. 24th

Indiana State Sycamores:

 Larry Bird‘s alma mater is still win less going into week three of the season and could come away with a few wins this week. Their losses have been to pretty solid teams in Louisville and Dayton. And junior guard Tyreke Key is averaging 17.3 PPG and had his best games so far against those big opponents. Watch out for the Sycamores this Sunday Air Force Fans.

Boise State 1-2

Wed, Nov. 20th

Brigham Young Cougars:

The Cougars are 3-1 on the year after a nail biting win against Houston on the road where senior guard TJ Haws shocked the other Cougars (of Houston) on a last second fade away jumper that bounced off of the rim and then dropped in to win the game. With Yoeli Childs still fulfilling that nine game suspension, first year head coach Mark Pope is relying on transfer guards Jake Toolson (15.3 PPG) and Alex Barcello (13.0 PPG) to keep the ship afloat until his return.

Sat, Nov. 23rd

Pacific Tigers:

Damon Stoudamire‘s Tiger squad is 4-2 on the year with two very close losses to South Dakota and Hawaii. They’re not getting it done in a flashy way but playing defense and just outscoring their opponents. Their leading scorer junior guard Justin Moore is averaging just 11.3 PPG. Also watch out for senior guard Jahlil Tripp and big man Amari McCray (6-9 304) who will give Boise State’s front court a challenge.

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PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Recap

Trophy week in the Mountain West provided some fun action and some new bowl-eligible teams.

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PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Recap

More bowl eligible teams this week.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

A lot of changes at QB’s this week.

Jeremy and Matt are back to recap Week 12 of Mountain West football or also known as trophy week. There were some close games and some ugly games. San Diego State vs. Fresno State got things going on Friday night with the Aztecs taking home the Old Oil Can while forcing Bulldogs QB Jorge Reyna to have his worst game of the year with three picks.

The Saturday games started with a shocking low scoring game with Hawaii topping UNLV, 21-7, and the Warriors decided to swap quarterbacks, again. Colorado State had many chances to defeat Air Force but was unable to get things on track. Wyoming with its backup quarterback Tyler Vander Waal was unable to overcome his errors with three interceptions.

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