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

Taking a Look At Week Four’s Mountain West Opponent’s Performances in Week Three Each Mountain West Teams Opponents for Week 4 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 Four’s Mountain West Opponent’s Performances in Week Three


Each Mountain West Teams Opponents for Week 4


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

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

Future Foes Week Three Recap:

Air Force Falcons 

Sun, Dec. 1st

Jackson State Tigers:

The Tigers of Jackson State are 1-5 so far, but that lone win comes against New Orleans-Southern and their losses to division one opponents haven’t been close. They do have SWAC preseason defensive player of the year Jayveous Mckinnis back and averaging 11.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 1.8 BPG. He and leading scorer junior guard Tristan Jarrett (16.7 PPG) need some help from from the rest of their team if they hope to get their first win against a division one opponent some time this week.

Boise State

Fri, Nov. 29th

UNC-Wilmington Seahawks:

The Seahawks are heading to Boise on Friday and they come in with a 4-3 record. North Carolina-Wilmington has played some North Carolina power house programs in UNC and Davidson and two of their wins come against non-division programs, but they will likely be riding a two game winning streak come friday and look out for sophomore guard Jaylen Sims (15.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 1.0 APG) who needs to be impactful if they want to leave Boise with a win.

Colorado State Rams 

Mon, Nov. 25th-Cayman Islands Classic 

New Mexico State Aggies:

Chris Jan’s squad played just one game this past week, and that was a one point loss at home to in-state rival New Mexico. The Aggies have been dominant in the WAC every year and should figure things out by conference play when they bring back senior guards A.J. Harris and Clayton Henry who have both watched from the bench this season with hand and wrist injuries. The Aggies are a very well balanced team but are led by senior wing Trevelin Queen who is averaging 18.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 3.0 APG. New Mexico State is 2-3 through five games, but don’t underestimate this team who has consistently punched tickets to the NCAA tournament this past decade.

Possible Opponents: Loyola Chicago Ramblers, South Florida Bulls, Washington State Cougars, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Old Dominion Monarchs, George Mason Patriots

Sun, Dec. 1st

Utah Valley Wolverines:

The Wolverines are 4-3 on the season and look to be a solid contender in the WAC against the aforementioned Aggies of New Mexico State. A team led by senior guard T.J. Washington who is averaging 17.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 2.8 APG has two solid wins agains UAB and North Dakota State. But a near upset against the Kentucky Wildcats in Rupp Arena this past week is probably the highlight of the season for Wolverine fans this so far. Also watch out for former Oklahoma State guard Brandon Averette who compliments Washington in the backcourt and averages 14.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG and 1.9 APG while doing it.

Fresno State Bulldogs 

Sat, Nov. 30th

Cal-St. Northridge Matadors:

In Mark Gottfried’s second season in Northridge the Matadors are currently 0-6 in a tough start to the season. The team is without star forward Lamine Diane who is sitting out after being ruled academically ineligible, and junior guard Terrell Gomez is leading the team in scoring (20.8 PPG) but hasn’t received much help from his team mates. The Matadors aren’t a very tall team either. That statement seams misleading when there are multiple seven footers on the roster but they haven’t logged any minutes so far this season.

Nevada Wolf Pack 

Mon, Nov. 25th-Paradise Jam

Bowling Green Falcons:

The Falcons are 5-1 on the year and are coming off of an impressive 91-84 OT win against Cincinnati on Sunday night. Bowling green’s lone loss comes against a top-25 ranked LSU squad, but that game was closer than the 9 point deficit they lost by. The Falcons are good, and junior guard Justin Turner is leading them in points, assists and scoring. He is averaging over twenty points a game and has four teammates averaging over eight points a game behind him. The Wolf Pack need to bring their A game on Monday night to leave with a trophy and some momentum returning to Reno.

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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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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Nov. 13 Mountain West Basketball Picks, TV Schedule, Odds

Nov. 13 Mountain West Basketball Picks, TV Schedule, Odds A handful of hoops games on this Wednesday. Contact/Follow @MWCwire Get ready for a day of hoops. Cal State Fullerton at Wyoming, 9 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network KenPom: Cowboys -1 Final …

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Nov. 13 Mountain West Basketball Picks, TV Schedule, Odds


A handful of hoops games on this Wednesday.


Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Get ready for a day of hoops.

Cal State Fullerton at Wyoming, 9 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

KenPom: Cowboys -1

Final Score: Fullerton 60, Wyoming 53

Jeremy: Wyoming

Josh F: Cal State Fullerton

Dmon: Wyoming

Larry: Wyoming

Jesse: Wyoming

Logan: Wyoming

Andrew: Cal State Fullerton

Eric: Cal State Fullerton

Green Bay at New Mexico, 9 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

KenPom: Lobos -12

Final Score: New Mexico 93, Green Bay 78

Jeremy: New Mexico

Josh F: New Mexico

Dmon: New Mexico

Larry: New Mexico

Jesse: New Mexico

Logan: New Mexico

Andrew: New Mexico

Eric: New Mexico

Omaha at Colorado State, 9 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

KenPom: Rams -3

Final Score: Colorado State 80, Omaha 65

Jeremy: Colorado State

Josh F: Colorado State

Dmon: Colorado State

Larry: Colorado State

Jesse: Colorado State

Logan: Omaha

Andrew: Colorado State

Eric: Colorado State

Grand Canyon at San Diego State, 10 P.M. ET, TV: Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/MWCWire/posts/767675593678764?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBAtbebQrP4orPCBmKeDYajHwMCxG_W7GmDWAAaRgdm3De5NQTUj8LcjLYZLp97wB2NCTSU6-Gym9r2G_ToctoCh5Y4-_scUe8BXLMiAxteehoG0ngVSDbev9NMhKMw3uQ7jY0vJAf2j5XWFaTohajkMPo_oMUC0hvfT0XWTuUIPdWTqXLxzrIkxAgmYFHIngD9WEdGCZWByqHfgNYbFkDGYSie9213bT70Ydo-HWn9jZWWcu92GM3CivHEtAPf5GDhxCSlrOAP69vTWysWBLlQpQH75X9fk_lnd9Ehyd5UKlP8PyoLQwmy8e-5UAHwS6DcmEmeiFinN4DfeqjFWYyTqjUda_FEP_OxvyPAO5lZLS4FhgPU_nBxGoKlFumIiF0aVueKtq3e5b7muNK0DmzfkFqcfe7rNxGDdG1lUNbqsGZO2OBeNvhJGbEHqCfjQhNcRcR4BwKDUTjZC2Axq89dt-QTyKnAZCd3KLpYuR_7WKKhkY7RpmvPrPCaqVx-rYJfgQ&__tn__=-R

KenPom: Aztecs -8

Final Score: San Diego State 86, GCU 61

Jeremy: San Diego State

Josh F: San Diego State

Dmon: San Diego State

Larry: San Diego State

Jesse: San Diego State

Logan: SDSU

Andrew: San Diego State

Eric: San Diego State

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

We are tracking each Mountain West performance of this week to determine the player of the year.

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


Take A Look At Who Played Well for Mountain West Teams In Week One.


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 first week is as follows:

1. Lindsey Drew, senior guard Nevada (5 points):

30 Points 8 Assists 6 Rebounds against Utah 

24 Points 9 Rebounds 7 Assists against Loyola Marymount 

2. Derrick Alston Jr, junior guard BSU (4 points):

25 Points 5 Rebounds 4 Assists against Life-Pacific 

28 Points 2 Rebounds against Oregon 

3. Amauri Hardy, junior guard UNLV (3 points):

15 Points 6 Assists 5 Rebounds against Purdue Fort-Wayne 

27 Points 4 Rebounds 3 Assists against Kansas State 

4. Jordan Schakel, junior guard SDSU (2 points):

15 Points 4 Rebounds 2 Assists against Texas Southern 

19 Points 5 Rebounds against Brigham Young 

5. Sam Merrill, senior guard USU (1 point):

28 Points 5 Rebounds 3 Assists against Montana State 

14 Points 6 Rebounds 6 Assists against Weber State 

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

Get a quick preview of each team this week on the schedule.

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Taking a Look Mountain West Opponents in Week Two and how they Performed in Week One.


Each Mountain West Team’s Opponents for Week Two


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

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

We seek to take a look at each team’s opponents for the next week while also taking a look at their performance the previous week. These should be coming out on Sunday nights or Monday mornings going forward until the end of non-conference play depending on possible late night games on Sunday or not. And then traditional previews will take over since with conference play comes more familiarity with opponents.

Air Force Falcons 

Tues, Nov. 12th 

Army Black Knights:

Coach K’s alma mater is 1-1 on the season but that lone win comes against the US Merchant Marine Academy. That lone loss came at the hands of 10th ranked Villanova by 43 points. They are led by senior guard Tommy Funk who is averaging 13.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 4.5 APG. These military academy games mean a lot to these schools and I look forward to the Falcons taking the Black Knights on at home. 

Boise State Broncos

Fri, Nov. 15th 

California-Irvine Anteaters:

The Anteaters will face a familar face to Boise State fans in Life-Pacific on Tuesday. But after that they take on Boise State in The Taco Bell Arena on Friday. Irvine is 1-1 so far downing San Diego on opening night and losing to Pepperdine on Saturday by 3 points in Malibu. UC-Irvine is led by senior guard Evan Leonard who is averaging 19.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 2.0 APG through two games. 

Colorado State Rams 

Wed, Nov. 13th 

Omaha Mavericks:

The Mavericks are 1-1 on the season but have not won against a division one team thus far. They are led by junior guard Ayo Akinwole who is averaging 16.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 7.0 APG through two games and has junior forward Matt Pile who is averaging a double-double (14.0 PPG and 12.0 RPG). 

Sat, Nov. 16th

Loyola Marymount Lions:

Loyola Marymount is coming off of a close loss to Nevada in Reno on Saturday which put them at 1-1 on the season. Eli Scott was the guy on Saturday but the Lions are actually led by sophomore forward Ivan Alipiev who is leading the team with 19.0 PPG and 7.5 RPG. 

Fresno State Bulldogs 

Tues, Nov. 12th 

San Diego Torreros:

San Diego is in a bit of a rebuild after losing a talented group of seniors last year. They are 0-2 on the season and are led by sophomore guard Joey Calcaterra, who is averaging 16.0 PPG in both losses. 

Sun, Nov. 17th 

California State University San Bernardino Coyotes:

The Bulldogs take on an undefeated Coyotes team who have two wins against division two opponents. They are led by senior guard Jeremy Smith who is averaging 26 PPG through week one. 

Nevada Wolf Pack 

Tues, Nov. 12th 

Texas-Arlington Mavericks:

The Mavericks are off to a great 2-0 start including a 14 point win against Tulsa on Saturday. Watch out for senior forward Jabari Narcis who is averaging 11.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 2.0 BPG. If he has a big night in the paint, the Wolf Pack don’t have enough front court depth to keep him in check. 

Sat, Nov. 16th

Southern California Trojans:

As Andy Enfield’s seat started to get a bit hot in Los Angeles he went out and got one of the best recruiting classes in the last decade for the Trojans and it’s paying off. His team is being led by his two five star freshman Isaiah Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu, and Big O is showing dominant play while averaging a double-double (20.0 PPG and 11.5 RPG). 

New Mexico Lobos 

Wed, Nov. 13th

Green Bay Phoenix:

The Phoenix are 1-1 on the season after a 51 point win against Wisconsin-Stout and a loss at Purdue. Watch out for freshman guard Amari Davis who averaged 12.5 PPG in last weeks action and junior guard PJ Pipes who is averaging 2.5 SPG. 

Sat, Nov. 16th

Mcneese State Cowboys:

The cowboys are 0-2 on the season and face Wisconsin on Wednesday before taking on the Lobos on Saturday. Look out for junior guard AJ Lawson who averaged 17.5 PPG in two games against Western Michigan and Louisiana Lafayette.

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College Basketball Rankings: Utah State Remains No. 17 In AP Poll

Utah State is a top 20 team while San Diego State is getting votes.

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College Basketball Rankings: Utah State Remains No. 17 In AP Poll


Aggies go 2-0 and are No. 17


Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Utah State remains in top 20

The first week of college basketball is in the books and there were not too many surprises that happened to shake up the rankings. The Champions Classic shuffled the top five since the top four teams played but that is about it.

Utah State is 2-0 after a fairly close win over Montana State and then the Aggies demolished in-state foe Weber State 89-34. Those results kept the Aggies at No. 17 in the latest rankings. The next chance for Utah State to make a move is when they take on No. 23 LSU but that game is not until Nov. 22 in a neutral site game in Jamaica.

San Diego State is getting som consideration by earning two points after wins vs. Texas Southern and a quality win on the road to defeat BYU, 76-71.

The Aztecs have just one game this week against Grand Canyon but they have struggled this year and are 0-2 with losses to Illinois and Davidson. So, a win over GCU may not have that big of an impact in the rankings.

AP Poll – Week 2

Rank Team Points Previous
1 Kentucky (64) 1,622 2
2 Duke 1,538 4
3 Michigan State 1,451 1
4 Louisvile 1,425 (1) 5
5 Kansas 1,354 3
6 North Carolina 1,187 9
7 Maryland 1,166 7
8 Gonzaga 1,136 8
9 Virginia 1,134 11
10 Villanova 1,064 10
11 Texas Tech 888 13
12 Seton Hall 869 12
13 Memphis 828 14
14 Oregon 804 15
15 Florida 616 6
16 Ohio State 544 18
17 Utah State 507 17
18 Saint Mary’s 438 20
19 Arizona 415 21
20 Washington 373 NR
21 Xavier 370 19
22 Auburn 247 24
23 LSU 237 22
24 Baylor 179 16
25 Colorado 151 NR

Others receiving votes:VCU 137, Florida St. 112, Texas 95, Marquette 67, Tennessee 49, Providence 23, Purdue 21, Houston 18, Utah 14, Missouri 13, Arkansas 11, Mississippi St. 9, Georgetown 4, Liberty 3, San Diego St. 2, Creighton 1, Dayton 1, Northeastern 1, Vermont 1.

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