6.) Fresno State – 48 points
The Bulldogs went 2-1 in three games last week, defeating San Jose State, short-handed Nevada, and losing to Wyoming on Sunday. In the victories, the stout Fresno State defensive unit limited the Wolf Pack and Spartans to less than one point per possession. In the matchup between elite big-men Ike and Orlando Robinson, the latter only scored 11 points on 4-17 shooting. Isaiah Hill guided the charge with 25 points in the loss, but they ultimately fell short.
They have a full five days to prepare for Colorado State on Friday evening, as it’s their lone matchup of the week.
7. UNLV – 33 points
The Runnin’ Rebels defeated rivals, Nevada, by double-digits in Vegas in a balanced scoring effort with four players eclipsing 10 points. The following game, Bryce Hamilton tried to win his team, scoring 33 points in a 15-point road loss in Logan.
UNLV is 5-4 in league play and plays Air Force for the second time on Tuesday in Thomas & Mack. They hit the road to play Boise State over the weekend, and they’ll likely need another super-hero performance from Hamilton.
8. Nevada – 25 points
The Wolf Pack had their best defensive performances of the year but didn’t have the same offensive punch without Grant Sherfield, who didn’t play with a foot injury. Nevada made 10 of their first 12 field goals against San Diego State but entered half-time down two points. They stayed competitive throughout the second frame and had an opportunity to tie or take the lead, but Will Baker stepped out of bounds when receiving the inbounds pass. Considering everything, that’s an encouraging week for the Wolf Pack.
We’ll see the status for Sherfield and Warren Washington entering Tuesday’s matchup against Colorado State. Nevada ends the week heading to Logan, facing Utah State for the second time this season.
9. New Mexico – 21 points
The Lobos couldn’t find anything offensive against the nation’s top-ranked defense in the 25-point loss to San Diego State. Later in the week, the Lobos scored 91 points in their 14 point victory over Air Force. Jaelen House scored 42 points on an efficient 15-22 field goal outing.
This week, a non-D1 matchup against Northern New Mexico is the lone game on the schedule.
10. Air Force – 19 points
Air Force lost by a combined 40 points in their two losses last week, and the solid defense took regressed. Ethan Taylor didn’t suit up against UNM, but Jake Heidbreder scored 20 points in the loss.
A tough stretch of road games is next at UNLV and San Diego State.
11. San Jose State – 7 points
San Jose State’s dropped ten consecutive games, dropping to 0-10 in league play following a trio of losses last week. One of the few encouraging takeaways is M.J. Amey, a freshman guard who scored 24 points in the Boise State game continues to look like an excellent future player.
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