Season 36 in Phelan is about to begin and its time to put the Mountain West Conference on your map. In case you struggle with mapmaking, just take a map of the USA and a crayon and then draw a big circle with the edges in Southern California, Wyoming, and Texas.
Why should the MWC be on your map you ask yourself?
During Season 35, the MWC had top 6 RPI (surpassing the supposed “Big 6” SEC conference) and sent three teams to the National Tournament. Utah lucked out with a Sweet Sixteen appearance before they crumbled like a bunch of pansies under the heat of southern Utah’s desert. Their coach won’t be so easy on them this year. Utah and Wyoming are coming off back2back NT appearances, with Wyoming having gone dancing 3 times in the last 4 seasons, with its own impressive Sweet 16 appearance thrown in there. UNLV had an off year last year, but looks to be back in the NT this season with a strong returning team.
Recruiting just finished and the MWC brought in some pretty good classes for a mid-major confrence. Good enough to be ranked sixth as a conference overall, ahead of the Big East. Despite rumors of shenanigans, alleged photographs from recruiting BBQs, and a dumb a** coach, R.Oliver picked the University of Utah. Utah’s going to need him because they lost their big 3 including Travis Cunningham (1st pick in the draft, National Player of the Year, 10th in the Nation in All Time Scoring). BYU and CSU brought in stellar classes that will ensure that the Mountain West stays relevant for seasons to come.
Talent, great coaches, and hot cheerleaders what more could you want. Now, without further ado here is some random stuff:
Conference Power Ratings:
East
(1) New Mexico (620)
(2) Utah (608)
(3) TCU (593)
(4) BYU (584)
(5) Tex. Southern (583)
(6) Denver (548)
West
(1) UNLV (629)
(2) Wyoming (629)
(3) CSU (603)
(4) Air Force (561)
(5) SDSU (543)
(6) N.Texas (518)
Expect to see New Mexico, UNLV, and Wyoming in the National Tournament. Utah and CSU look to be headed to the PI, but have a shot at crashing the dance. BYU and TCU can make the NT, but they will need absolutely superior coaching and a few balls to bounce their way. They both have a pretty good shot at the PI. If Air Force’s coach manages to pull one hell of a season out of S.Eppler (SF), he could surprise and make it in the post-season as well. I think the MWC will send no less than 3 to the NT, and no less than 5 in the postseason.
Players to Watch
Utah-R.Oliver-the most talented freshman in the MWC. If he can figure out how to play M2M defense and Motion offense in time, he could deliver the MWC championship to Utah.
BYU-D.McMorrow-Not much of a scorer, but he does everything else right. If he can mentor BYU’s huge freshman class and keep them focused, BYU will be a threat to any team on their schedule.
Denver-E.Nichols=I had to pick him, because there wasn’t anyone else. Denver’s entire offense and defense runs on Nichols shoulders.
TCU-D.Swigart/E.Schwartz-Swigart has shown outstanding defense and he knows how to handle the rock. TCU is going to need Schwartz to score like a machine if they are going to keep up with the other teams.
Texas Southern-T.Francis-Francis is a quiet leader on an experienced team. He needs to improve his defense, but he’s always made those around him better in the past.
New Mexico-Adolph Moore-He’ll spend much of the year double teamed and triple teamed, but he’ll still find ways to score. Because of New Mexico’s depth and Moore’s talent, New Mexico is favored to win the East and make it to the NT for the first time in twenty years.
N.Texas-It’s going to be ugly. I’d suggest not watching unless you have a really strong stomach. Maybe E.Moore can salvage the season. I can guarantee they’ll be looking for a new coach next season.
Wyoming-Bell/Jackson/Wood-The best backcourt in the Mountain West. Wyoming is resting their hopes on these three seniors to take the Cowboys not only to the NT, but on a deep run.
UNLV-Gates/Holland/Rogers-The best frontline in the Mountain West. UNLV is prepared to pound the rock all the way to the NT.
Air Force-S.Eppler-He lacks an inside presence on offense, but other than that he is an impressive all around player. Should easily be the most important player to an up and coming Air Force squad.
SDSU-A.Meyers-He’s probably the only thing to watch on SDSU. Rumor is that SDSU’s AD has already started the coach search for next season. They’re hoping to have several applicants take over what has traditionally been one of the MWC’s power teams.
CSU-J.Penwell/H.Cowgill-Penwell is athletic, can defend, and can shoot the outside shot. Cowgill is the heart and soul of the CSU offensive machine. He can post up with the best of them, and is still one of the best shooters in the conference.