Tag: fresno state basketball

Fresno State vs. Colorado State: Preview, Odds, How To Watch

Fresno State vs. Colorado State: Preview, Odds, How To Watch Can Bulldogs pull off an upset? Contact/Follow @MWCwire Big game for these two schools. Who: Fresno State Bulldogs( 16-7 6-4 in the MW ) Vs Colorado State Rams (18-3 8-3 in the MW) When: …

Fresno State vs. Colorado State: Preview, Odds, How To Watch

Can Bulldogs pull off an upset?

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Big game for these two schools.

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Who: Fresno State Bulldogs( 16-7 6-4 in the MW ) Vs Colorado State Rams (18-3 8-3 in the MW)

When: Friday, February 11th, 6:30 pm pt

Where: Fort Collins, Colorado 

TV: CBS Sports Network

Stream: FuboTV — Get a free trial

Series Record: Colorado State leads 22-17

In what could be the matchup of the night in the Mountain West, the Bulldogs head to the Moby Arena to take on the Colorado State Rams. The last time these two teams faced off the Rams ended the Bulldogs season in the 2021 Mountain West Tournament. In fact, the Rams swept the Bulldogs 3-0 last season and beat them twice in Fort Collins. 

Now the Bulldogs will look to change that as they have a chance to get their first Quad 1 victory of the season. The Bulldogs are 0-3 against Quad 1 teams. For Colorado State, this game can help them boost their at-large tournament bid. The Rams are 5-0 against Quad 2 teams this season. This matchup is also really important for the conference standings. As we are a month away from the 2022 Mountain West Basketball Tournament, Colorado State currently holds a game and half lead over Fresno State for the third seed in the conference. 

Keys To The Game: Colorado State 

The Colorado State Rams have been nearly perfect this season at the Moby Arena with an 11-1 record at home. The Rams have beaten the Bulldogs six times in a row and if they want to make it seven in a row, the Rams are going to need Junior Forward David Roddy to have a big night. The leading scorer and rebounder for the Rams is performing at 19.2ppg and 7.8rpg. Roddy is fourth in Mountain West in scoring and sixth in rebounding. The Rams also have Junior Guard Isaiah Stevens, who is putting up 15.5ppg and 5.0 apg. Colorado State is the number one scoring offense in the conference and the number one three-point shooting team as well.

Offensively, for Colorado State, the three-point shot will be a vital part for a Rams win. The Bulldogs have the number two scoring defense in the conference and only give up 57.6 ppg. Stretching the floor and making the Bulldogs switch and rotate on defense will be a huge key. Defensively, they can make the Bulldogs beat them without Orlando Robinson. Fresno State is not a great scoring team and most of its offense comes from Robinson. Wyoming did enough to make Robinson struggle and have someone else to beat them. The Rams have to do the same and make the Bulldogs beat them by shooting the ball, which they have struggled to do this season. 

Keys To The Game: Fresno State

The Bulldogs are coming off of a tough loss to the Wyoming Cowboys 61-59. Fresno State hasn’t lost back to back games all season but that could be at jeopardy tonight when they face a really good Colorado State team. For the Dogs – if they want to get themself in the bubble talk or in the conversation for an at-large bid – it starts tonight. Fresno State really needs a Quad 1 win and don’t have many chances left to get one.

We have seen the Mountain West be really unpredictable this year and tonight would be a great opportunity for the Bulldogs to keep that going. For the Dogs, offensively, it’s the Orlando Robinson show who was just named to the Midseason Team for the 2022 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Player of the Year award. Robinson is averaging 18.7ppg and 8.3rpg, which is fifth in the conference in both categories.

A bright spot for the Bulldogs has been Isaiah Hill who is getting hot at the right time, putting up 15ppg and shooting over 53% in the last six games. If the Bulldogs want to snap that six-game losing streak to the Rams, they have to Control the glass and make some threes. The Dogs did not do both of these things against Wyoming which led to the reason of their loss. Defensively, the Rams do a great job of taking care of the ball and making free throws. The Bulldogs have to stay disciplined, create turnovers, and keep Colorado State off the free throw line. 

A battle between the number one scoring offense and the number two scoring defense takes place tonight.  Two candidates for the Mountain West Player of the Year will face off – Orlando Robinson vs. David Roddy. The Mountain West has shown some thrilling finishes and this one is poised to be an exciting one.  


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Mountain West Power Rankings: Wyoming rises to number one; Utah State jumps into top five

Week 12 Mountain West rankings Contact/Follow @MWCwire Wyoming takes the top spot We’re looking at the power rankings post Week 12 of the College Basketball season. 1. Wyoming – 73 points Last week, the Cowboys faced a daunting season-defining …

Week 12 Mountain West rankings

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Wyoming takes the top spot

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We’re looking at the power rankings post Week 12 of the College Basketball season. 

1. Wyoming – 73 points

Last week, the Cowboys faced a daunting season-defining three-game stretch, facing Boise State, Colorado State, and Fresno State. If they lost all three games, they would’ve seen their at-large resume hopes dissipate right in front of their eyes. Instead, they swept the week, starting with an overtime thriller over Colorado State, thanks to Hunter Maldonado’s 35-point outing. A few evenings later, Ike exploded with 33 points and 14 rebounds, leading to the win over the extremely hot Boise State Broncos. Just to finish the week off right, Maldonado scored 21 in the 61-59 victory in the Save Mart Center. 

Jeff Linder’s squad came in just eight points behind No. 25 Xavier in this week’s AP Poll, making them the 26th ranked team. Barring a loss to Utah State or San Jose State, expect Wyoming to find their name in next week’s AP rankings. 

2. Boise State – 71 points

The Broncos dropped their first game since the calendar flipped to 2022. The loss to Wyoming ended a 14-game winning streak, which put the Broncos firmly in the NCAA Tournament field. Abu Kigab shined with 26 points in the narrow loss, but defending Wyoming’s Ike proved difficult in the game’s final minutes. Boise State had no issues with San Jose State in the following game, winning a 76-60 contest. Emmanuel Akot was absent from the contest, putting Max Rice in the starting lineup, and Marcus Shaver pivoted to lead guard duties. Freshman sensation Tyson Degenhart tallied a career-high 23 points on 6-9 shooting in 34 minutes.

The Broncos host Bryce Hamilton & UNLV on Wednesday, before meeting Colorado State on Super Bowl Sunday, in a rescheduled game from last month. 

3. Colorado State – 65 points

After dropping the overtime thriller in Laramie, the Rams were quickly in the midst of a two-game losing streak. They had to get some revenge on San Diego State to avoid losing three consecutive — the Aztecs blasted CSU by 30 points in the first matchup. 

Colorado State led by 14 points with less than six minutes remaining. It looked like the Rams would coast to victory as time elapsed off the clock to get the train back on the tracks. SDSU sparked an 11-0 run in the final two minutes, taking the lead with less than 10 seconds left, thanks to Lamont Butler’s three-pointer. Directly after the bucket, David Roddy drilled a mid-range jumper, giving CSU the advantage right back, ending up being the game-deciding shot. Roddy scored a team-best 22 points in the contest.

Colorado State faces a tough three-game stretch — starting in Reno on Tuesday, then returning home for a Friday game against Fresno before hitting the road for Boise on Sunday. 

4. San Diego State – 51 points

Matt Bradley spearheaded the Aztecs comeback attempt in Fort Collins, scoring 29 points on 7-19 shooting, but made 9-10 free throws. Aside from Bradley, nobody scored more than eight points. Once again, on Sunday, Bradley decided to do everything scoring-wise, leading the team with 26 points and was the only player in double-figures in the narrow win over Nevada. 

The lack of offense outside of Bradley remains an issue — San Diego State ranks 233rd in KenPom’s offensive efficiency. Sure, the team ranks 1st in defensive efficiency, but you have to be flawless on defense when the offense struggles to that degree. 

SDSU faces Air Force and San Jose State this week in must-win games to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. 

5. Utah State – 49 points

Don’t look now: Utah State has won five consecutive games after starting 1-5 in Mountain West play. Even more encouraging — each of those games got decided by double-digit margins. Justin Bean regained conference player of the year form, scoring 32 points against UNLV.

On Tuesday, the Aggies could strengthen their NCAA Tournament, facing Wyoming in Laramie. That won’t be an easy game, but they enter the game on that winning streak. 

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Mountain West Alumni In NBA Bubble

Ten Mountain West basketball alumni are inside the Disney World NBA bubble as the 22 teams are getting ready for the 2019-20 season to resume.

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Mountain West alumni in the NBA bubble

Five Mountain West schools will be represented as the NBA resumes

Contact/Follow @cisabelg & @MWCwire

The NBA is getting ready for a restart at the end of this month with the 22 teams that made it into the bubble in Florida. Among the players who made the trip are 10 Mountain West alumni representing five schools in eight NBA teams.

JaVale McGee – Los Angeles Lakers 
Nevada Wolf Pack (2006–2008)

Before the season was paused, McGee was proving to be a valuable asset for the Lakers, the team that currently sits at the top of the Western Conference with a 49-14 record. 

He’s played in 61 games this season. In the 16.8 minutes he is averaging, the 7’0 center is getting 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Before the pause, he was shooting at 64.0% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc.

McGee has asthma, and was even hospitalized with pneumonia for three days in 2018. However, he has made it known that he feels the organization will take the necessary precautions to keep him and others safe in the bubble.

 

Kawhi Leonard – Los Angeles Clippers
San Diego State Aztecs (2009–2011)

Leonard delayed his trip to Orlando due to family matters but he has arrived and participated in his first practice on July 13. 

He is eight overall in the league in scoring this season with an average of 26.9 points per game. He is also contributing 7.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game to his team. His talent is obvious, the main question is his health. Leonard is known for load management, and was struggling with an old knee injury when the NBA was suspended.

During media availability on July 13 head coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t expect limits on Leonard because “Kawhi is healthy, for the most part” but that they were still going to be smart about how they maintained him and the rest of the players to get to the playoffs with a healthy team.

Paul George – Los Angeles Clippers
Fresno State Bulldogs (2008–2010)

Like Leonard, George wasn’t fully healthy when the world of sports stopped turning. He was recovering from offseason surgery on both shoulders but the last four months have given that recovery some extra time.

George is the Clippers’ second highest scorer, contributing 21.0 points. 5.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

The Clippers are No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, just below the Lakers, a team the Clippers have already beat twice this season. The two LA teams will face off on the first day of reopening. 

Brandon Clarke – Memphis Grizzlies
SJSU Spartans (2015–2017)

This is Clarke’s first season in the NBA. He has appeared in 50 games, averaging 12.0 points 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The 6’8 power forward suffered a quadriceps injury late February, but the four-month break gave him time to recover so he can finish his rookie season on the court.

Memphis will reopen the season with a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 31. When the Grizzlies beat Portland on Feb. 12, Clarke tied his season-high 27 points by going 12-of-14 from the field. That wasn’t completely out of character because he has been shooting at 62.3% this season.

 

Zylan Cheatham New Orleans Pelicans
San Diego State Aztecs (2015–2017)

Cheatham went undrafted in 2019 but his participation with the Pelicans during Summer League that year helped him sign a two-way contract with the team.

The rookie has only appeared in three games for the Pelicans so far, but he’s had good experience with Erie, the Pelican’s G-League affiliate. In 34 appearances there he averaged 16.2 points and 11.6 rebounds. 

Patrick McCaw – Toronto Raptors 
UNLV Rebels (2014–2016)

McCaw has won three championship rings in his first three seasons in the NBA. He’ll continue chasing a fourth one alongside the Raptors, the team that has surprised the league by reaching second place in the Eastern Conference even without Kawhi Leonard.

McCaw has seen the court in 37 games this season, with an average of 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The Raptors had all 17 roster members go into the bubble. The players and other members of the organization have been in Florida since June 22.

Paul Watson – Toronto Raptors
Fresno State Bulldogs (2013–2017)

Watson started the season with Raptors 905, Toronto’s G-League affiliate, averaging 18.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 13 games. It took almost three years after graduating from Fresno State, but Watson finally made his NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks early January thanks to a 10-day contract.

After he was released by the Hawks, Watson signed a two-way deal with Toronto on Jan. 15. 

Derrick Jones Jr.– Miami Heat
UNLV Rebels (2015–2016)

Jones tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after the NBA began mandatory testing in preparation for the resumption of the season. The 23-year-old never reported any symptoms and he was cleared in time to travel to Florida with the rest of his team.

Jones has played in 51 games this season, averaging 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Tyler Johnson Brooklyn Nets
Fresno State  (2010–2014)

Johnson is new to the Nets. The 6’4 guard signed with the team late June, but he brought plenty of experience with him. He appeared in 31 games with the Phoenix Suns earlier this season, averaging 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game.

He has registered a combined 301 career games with the Suns and the Miami Heat.

Khem Birch – Orlando Magic
UNLV (2012–2014)

Birch was re-signed by the Magic in 2019, a two-year deal. The 6’9 center is not a scorer, but he is a valuable role player. Head coach Steve Clifford asked the 27-year-old to go way outside his comfort zone this season. Injuries were affecting the team and as a result, Birch was asked to play as starting power forward. 

The NBA is beginning scrimmages on July 22, and the Magic will get a good look at where they are at by having their first game be against the Clippers.

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Fresno State Basketball: Bulldogs Take A Big Hit As Niven Hart Opts To Go Pro

Fresno State Basketball: Bulldogs Take A Big Hit As Niven Hart Opts To Go Pro An expected Bulldogs breakout candidate won’t return next season. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Roster turnover continues in the Central Valley as key sophomore …

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Fresno State Basketball: Bulldogs Take A Big Hit As Niven Hart Opts To Go Pro

An expected Bulldogs breakout candidate won’t return next season.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Roster turnover continues in the Central Valley as key sophomore decides to go pro. 

After the success coach Hutson enjoyed in his first season in charge of the Bulldog program, last season certainly had the rebuilding year label slapped all over it. But that was okay, because there certainly seemed to be exciting players on the roster to rebuild with.

As Fresno State boasted perhaps the most underrated recruiting class in the entire conference last year, with all four freshmen playing key roles in their first year playing college basketball. This enabled the Bulldogs to mature quickly over the course of the season and steer clear of the Mountain West’s cellar at season’s end.

Securing their tie for seventh place with New Mexico and finishing ahead of Air force, San Jose State & Wyoming. With plenty of now experienced players returning the future seemed bright.

Now fast forward three months into our unorthodox offseason and many of those players that had fans hopeful for the future in Fresno aren’t on the team anymore. We now find the Bulldogs ravaged by outgoing transfers since the end of the season, losing six total players including heralded freshman Jarred Hyder (9.1 PPG & 3.1 APG) to the CAL Golden Bears of the PAC-12.

This coupled with sophomore guard Niven Hart’s recent decision to pursue professional opportunities instead of returning next season, makes year three of the Hutson era in Fresno once again heavily reliant on the college readiness of this years incoming freshmen class come opening night.

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Hart like his fellow freshmen, showed great potential over the course of the 2019-2020 season, averaging 8.7 PPG 2.5 RPG & 0.3 APG in just 17.7 MPG. His departure cannot be seen as anything else but another blow to the Bulldog’s depth chart next season, as he was already primed for a larger role with the graduations of seniors Noah Blackwell, New Williams & Nate Grimes.

Next year’s backcourt will still feature some veteran players such as JUCO transfer Alec Hickman who sat-out last season along with graduate transfer Devin Gage heading to the Mountain West from the Big East (Depaul). As well as returning sophomore guards Anthony Holland & Jordan Campbell who should now receive larger roles potentially in the starting lineup.

Though Hart’s destination should be something to keep an eye on, given the current complexities of travel globally at the moment. But you got to wish this young man all the luck in the world, as he certainly has the potential to play professional basketball for years to come given the right opportunities.

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2020-21 Mountain West Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Tracker

Stay up to date with the Mountain West basketball non-conference schedule.

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2020-21 Mountain West Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Tracker

Schedules are taking shape for Mountain West hoops.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Non-conference games.

The Mountain West non-conference basketball schedule is taking shape and we will update when more games are announced. We are getting a lot of help from the invaluable help from @D1Docket on Twitter who rounds up a lot of these schedules.

This list will be updated when more games are confirmed.

Air Force

  • Nov. 19-21 Puerto Rico Event. Teams involved are Florida Atlantic, Hofstra, and Southern Illinois
  • Dec. 5 at St. Joseph’s

Boise State

  • vs. Tulsa (TBD)
  • at BYU (TBD)
  • Santa Clara (TBD)
  • at Cal State Northridge (TBD)
  • Nov. 26 – 29: Orlando Invitational (Press Release)
  • Dec. 5 at Rhode Island

Colorado State

  • MGM Main Event: Nov. 20 vs. Louisville
  • MGM Main Event: Nov. 22 vs. Arkansas or San Francisco
  • Dec. 5 vs. Richmond

Fresno State

  • at San Francisco (TBD)
  • vs. Cal State Northridge (TBD)
  • Nov. 20 vs. San Diego
  • Dec. 5 vs. George Mason
  • Dec. 12 vs. Cal Poly

Nevada

  • at UT-Arlington (TBD)
  • Pacific (TBD)
  • Nov. 23-25 Cayman Islands Classic
  • Dec. 2 vs. Pacific
  • Dec. 6 vs. Dayton
  • Dec. 18 at Santa Clara
  • Dec. 21 at San Diego

New Mexico

  • vs. UTEP (TBD)
  • Abilene Christian (TBD)
  • @ Grandy Canyon (TBD)
  • Nov. 21 vs. New Mexico State
  • Nov. 26-27 Las Vegas Exempt Event
  • Dec. 2 St. Bonaventure
  • Dec. 5 at New Mexico State

San Diego State

San Jose State

  •  Nov. 12 vs. Cal Poly
  • Nov. 16 at Maryland
  • Nov. 18 at Duquesne
  • Nov. 21 vs. Cal Baptist
  • Nov. 25 vs. Hofstra
  • Dec. 21 vs. Santa Clara

UNLV

  • Nov. 23-25 Maui Invite
  • Nov. 28 Whittier College
  • Dec. 2 at VCU
  • Dec. 5 at Kansas State
  • Dec. 16 vs. Florida A&M
  • Dec. 20 vs. Omaha
  • Dec. 22 at SMU

Utah State

  • At Weber State (TBD)
  • vs. UC Irvine (TBD)
  • Nov. 18 – 21 Myrtle Beach Invitational
  • Dec. 1 at Davidson
  • Dec. 5 vs. BYU
  • Dec. 12 vs. Saint Mary’s
  • Dec. 15 vs. Dixie State
  • Dec. 21 vs. Mississippi State (at Panama City Beach, Florida)

Wyoming

  • South Dakota State (TBD)
  • Arkansas-Pine Bluff (TBD)
  • Dec. 5. vs. Duquesne
  • Dec. 12 at Utah Valley

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Badger moments: Jon Bryant dazzles in 2000 NCAAT win over Fresno State

Jon Bryant went wild

The Wisconsin Badgers’ journey to the 2000 Final Four — 20 years ago — ended with a regional final win over Purdue, but it began with a first-round victory over Fresno State in Salt Lake City. Wisconsin scored its more memorable wins in the 2000 NCAA Tournament against other opponents, but the road had to start against Fresno State in an 8-9 game which did not receive huge national attention. The Badgers would earn that attention later, but they first had to make their way past their opponent from the Western Athletic Conference.

This victory for Wisconsin was built on the strength of tenacious defense and supreme effort. Wisconsin forced 17 turnovers from Fresno State and committed only eight. The Badgers collected 16 offensive rebounds and conceded only three. Wisconsin was therefore plus-22 in these two categories. The Badgers essentially gained 22 additional possessions with their defense and their work on the offensive glass.

Wisconsin hardly shot the cover off the ball. The Badgers finished this game just under 40 percent from the field. They made only one more field goal attempt than Fresno State, 25-24. What mattered was that Wisconsin earned 15 more field goal attempts, 63-48. That increased volume of field goal attempts enabled UW to load up on 3-point attempts, with 29 to just 14 for Fresno State. Wisconsin used that disparity in 3-point attempts (17 more) to hit six more threes, 12 to 6.

That was the difference in a 66-56 triumph… and within that collection of 12 threes, one Badger brought his shooting touch: Jon Bryant.

Of the 12 threes Wisconsin hit, Bryant went nuts at just the right time. He picked the NCAA Tournament as the occasion to hit 7 of 11 3-pointers, en route to 21 points, leading all scorers. It has to be said that Andy Kowske hit 7 of 9 2-point field goals to finish with 14 points, but if Bryant had not hit so many threes, it would not have been as easy for Kowske to operate closer to the basket. Bryant gave Dick Bennett’s team the shot in the arm it needed to begin its path to a Cinderella Final Four.

More will be written on the 2000 Badgers as the month of March continues, but we will present the subsequent rounds when this month arrives at their respective dates on the calendar. A look at UW’s second-round game from the 2000 NCAA Tournament will be posted on Saturday, when the 2020 NCAA Tournament would have arrived at its second-round games.

Mountain West Basketball: Off Season Transfer Tracker 2019-2020

Departures around the conference and possible destinations. It is that time again, maybe a little earlier than normal but the off season is here and so the transfers begin. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Keep track of all basketball …

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Departures around the conference and possible destinations.

It is that time again, maybe a little earlier than normal but the off season is here and so the transfers begin.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Keep track of all basketball movement in and out of the conference.

College basketball’s end this past week is still a bit surreal, but as many players are already doing across the country we must plan for the future and continue coverage of the Mountain West with the current situation at hand.

So, with any tournament action or updates at a bit of a standstill, we look towards the players in this vacuum of basketball. And for those with eligibility left, this is the time to evaluate their current situations and make decisions.

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Still a point of conversation among the NCAA and player advocates, players themselves aren’t waiting around for any kind of new legislation or changes regarding their rights to transfer. As players around the country are already entering their names in the transfer portal as the 2019-2020 season comes to an end.

So we will have an ongoing transfer tracker of players leaving and entering the Mountain West going forward. So make sure to revisit this page all off season for updates as they happen.

Air Force

In: Kind of rare actually

Out: N/A

Boise State

In: N/A

Out: N/A

Colorado State

In: N/A

Out: N/A

Fresno State

In: N/A

Out:

Lozaro Rojas, Redshirt Junior Forward-Porto Seguro, Brazil

Years of Eligibility: 1

19-20 Stats: 1.0 PPG 1.2 RPG & 0.1 BPG in 10 games (0 starts)

Best Performance: 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist against Cal-State San Bernadino on Nov. 17th

Possible Destinations: No rumored interest at the time of this publication.

Rojas was buried behind a mountain of frontcourt depth this season after playing in twenty-seven games (2 starts) last season as one of only three players standing 6-7 or above on the roster. This season was a different story as there were three players standing 6-10 or above, not to mention three others at 6-7 or above. Stuck on the bench and only seeing action in ten games (5.1 MPG), it was time for a switch. As only senior Nate Grimes‘ graduation was guaranteed to free up minutes and local seven-footer Braxton Meah is set to arrive soon for next season, eating up more minutes.

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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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2020 Mountain West Tournament Day 1 Picks

Our staff has picks for the first day of the Mountain West tournament.

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2020 Mountain West Tournament Day 1 Picks

Who is advancing to Day 2?

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Mountain West tournament is here and we have picks.

Throughout the Mountain West tournament, we will have picks every day from our staff to see who they feel will advance.

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Game 1: No. 8 Fresno State vs. No. 9 Air Force, 3 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

Jeremy: Fresno State

Tron: Fresno State

Larry: Fresno State

Josh F: Fresno State

Andrew: Air Force

Eric: Fresno State

Game 2: No. 7 New Mexico vs. No. 10 San Jose State, 5 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

Jeremy: New Mexico

Tron: New Mexico

Larry: New Mexico

Josh F: New Mexico 

Andrew: New Mexico

Eric: New Mexico

Game 3: No. 6 Colorado State vs. No. 11 Wyoming, 8 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

Jeremy: Colorado State

Tron: Colorado State

Larry: Colorado State

Josh F: Colorado State

Andrew: Colorado State

Eric: Colorado State

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MWWire’s 2020 Mountain West Basketball All-Conference Awards

MWWire’s 2020 Mountain West Basketball All-Conference Awards Aztecs run away with the awards. Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Time to hand out some hardware. The Mountain West media handed out its awards but we have our own and two sets …

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MWWire’s 2020 Mountain West Basketball All-Conference Awards

Aztecs run away with the awards.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Time to hand out some hardware.

The Mountain West media handed out its awards but we have our own and two sets really. We did a weekly horse race by ranking the best players of the week first to fifth with the best player getting five points down to one point for the fifth player of the week. Those can be found here.

Coach of the Year

Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

Player of the Year

Malachi Flynn, San Diego State

Newcomer of the Year

Malachi Flynn, San Diego State and Jalen Harris, Nevada

This was sort of a surprise and goes along the lines of giving each Harris and Flynn and an award to recognize the two best players in the conference. Unless you are San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher who said, “Everybody gets a ribbon?” That is a bit harsh. It can come down to that Flynn was Player of the Year due to the Aztecs having an amazing year and then newcomer to Harris’ whose Nevada team while good not as good.

Defensive player of the Year

Cheikh Mbacke Diong, UNLV

First-Team All-Conference

Malachi Flynn, San Diego State
Jalen Harris, Nevada
Derrick Alston Jr, Boise State
Sam Merrill, Utah State
Nico Carvacho, Colorado State

Second-Team All-Conference

Bryce Hamilton, UNLV
Justin Bean, Utah State
Neemias Queta, Utah State
Matt Mitchell, San Diego State
Yanni Wetzel, Wyoming (Tied for 5th)
Seneca Knight, San Jose State (Tied for 5th)

Those first and second teams are not all that different with the one big exception is New Mexico’s JaQuan Lyle making the all-conference team that was awarded on a weekly basis missed the cut. Then there is players like Matt Mitchell who earned only a single vote in the weekly poll but he was second-team for the season-long awards.

The weekly awards benefited those who had great weeks where Mitchell was consistent but not overwhelming which is why for the weekly votes he got so few.

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Coaches Awards

First Team
Malachi Flynn, Jr., G, San Diego State
Jalen Harris, Jr., G, Nevada
Sam Merrill, Sr., G, Utah State
Matt Mitchell, Jr., F, San Diego State
Bryce Hamilton, So., F, UNLV

Second Team
Yanni Wetzell, Sr., F, San Diego State
Neemias Queta, So., C, Utah State
Nico Carvacho, Sr., C, Colorado State
Justinian Jessup, Sr., G, Boise State
Derrick Alston, Jr., F, Boise State
Jazz Johnson, Sr., G, Nevada

Third Team
Justin Bean, So., F, Utah State
Lavell Scottie, Sr., F, Air Force
Seneca Knight, So., G, San José State
Isaiah Stevens, Fr., G, Colorado State
Amauri Hardy, Jr., G, UNLV

Defensive Team
Malachi Flynn, Jr., G, San Diego State
KJ Feagin, Sr., G, San Diego State
Neemias Queta, So., C, Utah State
Lindsey Drew, Sr., G, Nevada
Justin Bean, So., F, Utah State

Honorable Mention
KJ Feagin, Sr., G, San Diego State
Hunter Maldonado, So., G, Wyoming
Lindsey Drew, Sr., G, Nevada
Nate Grimes, Sr., F, Fresno State
Orlando Robinson, Fr., F, Fresno State

Player of the Year:  Malachi Flynn, Jr., G, San Diego State
Defensive Player of the Year: Malachi Flynn, Jr., G, San Diego State
Freshman of the Year: Isaiah Stevens, Fr., G, Colorado State
Newcomer of the Year: Jalen Harris, Nevada
Sixth Man of the Year: Nisré Zouzoua, Nevada
Coach of the Year: Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

Media Awards

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