7. Adam Thistlewood, Colorado State. Averaged Z-Score: 1.594.
Adam Thistlewood is our lowest PIPM player so far, checking in at 18. He ranks 8th in Wins added however, meaning he sees the floor enough to help win games. He also ranks 8th in the Mountain West in POE. He is slightly above average defensively, but the offensive side is where he truly shines. I’m sure being a stretch 4 on a team with Nico Carvacho helps his efficiency greatly.
6. Justin Bean, Utah State. Averaged Z-Score: 1.786.
Justin Bean ranks 5th in both PIPM and Wins added. So he is impacting the game in a number of ways and playing enough minutes to help his team win. He is also efficient on both sides of the ball. His overall POE ranks 11th, being above average on both offense and defense, although his defense carries almost two thirds of the overall score.
5. Lindsey Drew, Nevada. Averaged Z-Score: 1.836.
Lindsey Drew has been killing it since coming back from injury. His PIPM checks in at 16th, while his WIns Added checks in at 6th. It’s his efficiency that carries him this high, as his POE ranks 3rd in the conference. He scores efficiently, and has been even better at preventing his man from scoring to start the season.
4. Jordan Schakel, San Diego State. Averaged Z-Score: 1.936.
Jordan Schakel checks in at 10th in PIPM and 11th in Wins Added. Those are both great numbers, but where Jordan earns his scholarship is with his efficient scoring. Jordan Schakel is #1 overall in POE for the Mountain West. His defensive efficiency has been above average, while his scoring efficiency is second only to Jarred Hyder of Fresno State. His shooting has put him on this list and as long as he keeps it up he should stay high on it.
3. Sam Merrill, Utah State. Averaged Z-Score: 2.010.
The Reigning player of the year comes in at 3rd so far. His PIPM ranks 8th in the conference, while his Wins Added checks in at 3rd. His POE comes in at 5th overall, where his offense has been stellar, he’s only been slightly above average at preventing points so far. Still, it’s been amazing watching him lead his team without Neemias Queta, and Utah State only stands to get better once Neemias is back from Injury.
2. Roderick Williams, Boise State. Averaged Z-Score: 2.033.
This one was a bit of a surprise to me, but to be fair I haven’t watched Boise play yet. Roderick has the best PIPM score in the mountain west. He has a positive impact of 10.86 points per 100 possessions for his team. He also comes in at second in POE, being hyper efficient on offense and above average on the defensive side. What holds him back is just his playing time. He is 5th on his team in minutes played, which results in him having the 12 best WIns Added score in the conference. These numbers suggest he should be playing more.
1. Malachi Flynn, San Diego State. Averaged Z-Score: 2.339.
Malachi Flynn has emerged as the best challenger so far to Sam Merrill’s throne. It is of course still early, but his early season performances put him at the top of this list. He ranks 2nd in PIPM and 1st in Wins added. He also comes in at 6th in POE, with his offense carrying the way and his defense stopping just enough points to be above average. The Las Vegas Invitational MCP has a chance to become the Mountain West Player of the Year if he keeps up his stellar play, and according to the math, he’s been the best player in the conference so far.
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