Mountain West preview: A conference up for grabs

One of the more intriguing conference races last season happened on a television station you probably couldn't find. It was hidden from the masses, kinda like the NHL. But those who stumbled upon it wouldn't change the channel, instead opting to watch a quartet of high-quality teams take turns pounding each other while helping the Mountain West Conference finish eighth among leagues at CollegeRPI.com.

Trent Plaisted returns to guide another BYU run at a conference title. (Getty Images)

Boy, those were the good old days.

Man oh man, here come the bad old days.

Because on paper no league is set to slip as much as the MWC.

BYU shouldn't be as good as it was last season.

Neither should Air Force.

Or San Diego State.

Or UNLV.

But the wild thing is at least three of those four schools that combined last season to win 103 games should finish in the top five of the league, and the other two contenders (Utah and New Mexico) feature rosters that most recently got their coaches fired. Like I said, things aren't good. And that's why the 11th-best league in the nation is ... the Mountain West Conference.

1. BYU

It shouldn't be possible for a program to lose three starters, including the MWC Player of the Year (Keena Young), and still be the obvious choice to repeat as league champion. But that's exactly what the Cougars have done, and the reason is Dave Rose, the third-year coach who has compiled a 45-18 record while recruiting well enough to keep the victories coming. Will BYU go undefeated at home again this season? I doubt it. But the Cougars -- led by Trent Plaisted and Lee Cummard -- should win enough to repeat, though even then an at-large bid would be no guarantee given the lack of strength throughout the league, meaning BYU might have to win the MWC Tournament on UNLV's home court to ensure another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: Even without Keena Young in the post, the frontcourt is in good shape with the return of 6-11 junior Trent Plaisted (12.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg), 6-10 senior Vuk Ivanovic, 6-11 freshman James Anderson and 6-11 sophomore Chris Miles (back from a church mission). Add sophomore forward Jonathan Tavernari, the MWC Freshman of the Year last season, and this is a deep unit that can dominate in the paint.

Weaknesses: The perimeter is a potential problem area outside of 6-6 junior Lee Cummard, an outstanding shooter and one of the league's top defenders. If senior Ben Murdock or junior-college transfer Lamont Morgan emerges as a capable playmaker, Cummard and senior Sam Burgess will have plenty of opportunities to score points.

The newcomers: A starting candidate at point guard is 5-10 transfer Lamont Morgan, a junior who averaged 4.4 assists last season at Saddleback (Calif.) CC. Bahamas native Archie Rose is a 6-5 junior guard/forward with plenty of experience at the JUCO level. Freshmen to keep an eye on include prolific shooting guard Jimmer Fredette (2,404 career points) and 6-9 forward Chris Collinsworth, the Gatorade Player of the Year in Utah.

2. UNLV

Remember that team you watched beat Georgia Tech and Wisconsin to advance to the Sweet 16 last March? It's gone. Wendell White. Kevin Kruger. All of the starters, except Wink Adams. So this is a bit of a rebuilding year for the Rebels, one that could've been better had heralded recruit Beas Hamga been cleared by the NCAA (he's in school but ineligible this season). That said, the Rebels can still compete for the MWC title because most programs in the league are also down or in transition. But nobody should count on that 17-game home winning streak to last too long. Louisville visits the Thomas & Mack Center on Nov. 21, and that's when the streak will likely end.

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: Second-team All-Mountain West selection Wink Adams, a 6-0 junior guard, has the ability to dominate a game from baseline to baseline. He started all 37 games, led the team in steals (55) and was second in 3-pointers (67) and assists (85). Versatile senior Curtis Terry has 25 career starts while playing four different positions. Sophomore point guard Marcus Lawrence had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.5 last season.

Weaknesses: Experience. The Rebels lost five seniors, including four who each started at least 30 games. Without point guard Kevin Kruger and post players Gaston Essengue and Joel Anthony, this is a much different lineup than the one that ranked first or second in the league in blocks, steals, turnover margin and assist-to-turnover ratio. Having 10 of the first 14 games at the Thomas & Mack Center gives the team time to come together.

The newcomers: The Rebels added size with 6-8 sophomore forward Lamar Roberson and 6-10 junior center Emmanuel Adeife, transfers who were teammates for a season at Houston in 2005-06. Junior guard Mareceo Rutledge set single-season records at Yuba (Calif.) College for scoring (23.4 ppg) and 3-pointers (119). Freshman guard Kendall Wallace won three consecutive state titles at Mountain View (Ariz.) High and set school career marks for points, assists and steals.

3. Utah

How Utah basketball got so bad so quickly is shameful, to the point where Rick Majerus would've been rolling over in his grave if he was A) dead and B) capable of rolling over. The Utes went from playing in the national title game in 1998 under Majerus to going a combined 25-34 the past two seasons under Ray Giacolleti, which precipitated a forced resignation and the hiring of Jim Boylen, a longtime NBA assistant who most recently worked under Tom Izzo at Michigan State. As far as jobs go, this is not a bad one to take over. Utah is returning four starters, including an NBA prospect in Luke Nevill. That could be enough to get the Utes to the NIT and, in turn, on the way back to respectability.

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: The starting lineup is loaded with great shooters. Last season, Utah ranked sixth nationally in 3-point shooting (41.4 percent) and 17th in field-goal percentage (48.5 percent). Junior center Luke Nevill (7-1, 265) shot 63.7 percent from the field and led the team in scoring and rebounding (16.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg). Junior forward Shaun Green hit 51.2 percent of his 3-pointers and senior guard Johnnie Bryant shot 42.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Weaknesses: Utah ranked last in the Mountain West and 322nd in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (50.0 percent). Depth is another concern, especially in the paint with the loss of 6-8 Daniel Deane (released), 6-10 Misha Radojevic (transferred) and 7-2 David Foster (church mission). The Utes were eighth in the Mountain West last season in blocked shots (2.2 per game) and rebounding (29.9 per game).

The newcomers: Junior point guard Tyler Kepkay was the nation's top JUCO scorer last season, averaging 27.9 points at the College of Eastern Utah. The All-American shot 47.4 percent from 3-point land and 88.2 percent at the line. Freshman forward Morgan Grim adds height, if not bulk at 6-9, 205. He was the state Class 5A MVP in 2006-07 at Riverton (Utah) HS. Freshman guard Carlon Brown of Riverside, Calif., was ranked the No. 4 wing player in the West by one scouting service.

4. New Mexico

One step ahead of the lynch mob at Iowa, Steve Alford escaped to New Mexico to inherit a team with four returning starters. And though the Lobos won't be terrible -- an NIT berth is certainly realistic -- it's probably safe to assume this will be the worst season of the foreseeable future if Alford's recruiting successes are any indication. New Mexico already has five Class of 2008 commitments, including a Top 100 prospect in Phillip McDonald. It's the type of class that could compete for the MWC title in a year or two, and a recently approved $25 million renovation to The Pit should have future prospects intrigued.

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: Even without Tony Danridge (broken leg) for at least the first half of the season, the Lobos are loaded with experience (five seniors) and explosiveness on the perimeter. Leading scorer J.R. Giddens and backcourt mate Darren Prentice were both honorable mention All-MWC selections last season. Sharpshooter Chad Toppert hit 44 percent of his 3s and Jamaal Smith scored in double figures 10 times.

Weaknesses: Outside of 6-9 junior forward Daniel Faris, the frontcourt is a question mark. Faris proved he was ready for an increased workload on the team's Bahamas trip, averaging 12.8 points and 8.0 boards while shooting 62.1 percent from the field. He is the only returning player taller than 6-6. New Mexico ranked seventh in the Mountain West in rebounding and seventh in blocked shots last season.

The newcomers: JUCO standouts Monquel Pegues (6-10) and Johnnie Harris (6-8) fill a huge gap in the interior. Pegues averaged 17.7 points and 7.1 rebounds at Cape Fear (N.C.) and Harris helped Chipola (Fla.) reach the national junior-college championship game. Out of the freshman class, 6-7 wing Darington Hobson has the best chance to contribute immediately with the skill set to play at least three positions.

5. San Diego State

There are some out there in the internet world picking San Diego State to win the Mountain West. I suppose it's possible. But my gut tells me if the Aztecs had to settle for the NIT with Brandon Heath, Mohamed Abukar and Jerome Habel, they'll be fortunate to get back to the NIT without them unless there are a couple of somebodies on the roster capable of making up for the 46 points per game that are now missing.

The Aztecs will rely on Richie Williams to provide some offense. (Getty Images)

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: San Diego State is 27-4 at home over the past two seasons, including 14-2 in the Mountain West. Junior forward Lorrenzo Wade is one of the conference's top all-around talents, having finished fourth in the league in steals, ninth in blocks, 10th in rebounds and 14th in assists last season while averaging 10.5 points.

Weaknesses: The Aztecs lost the top three scorers in Brandon Heath (19.3 ppg), Mohamed Abukar (15.8) and Jerome Habel (10.9). Habel was also the top rebounder and shot blocker, but was dismissed from the squad for rules violations in August. They need more offense from junior point guard Richie Williams (7.0 ppg) and junior forward Kyle Spain (6.6).

The newcomers: Marquette transfer Ryan Amoroso, a 6-8 junior forward, has a chance to be one of the Mountain West's impact newcomers after averaging 5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds for the Warriors in 2005-06. Junior shooting guard Kelvin Davis played a season at UTEP before averaging 15.3 points last year in JUCO ball. Freshmen forwards Billy White (6-8) and Tim Shelton (6-7) and prolific point guard D.J. Gay (29.4 ppg, 5.5 apg) will all have a chance to contribute right away.

6. Wyoming

In Laramie is where the best backcourt in the MWC resides, namely Brandon Ewing and Brad Jones. Problem is, the best frontcourt is somewhere else ... as is the second best, third best, fourth best and, well, you get the point. So as long as Ewing and Jones don't miss, Wyoming should be fine. But when they do it's hard to figure who's going to grab the ball for this team that was out-rebounded on the whole last season, for this team that doesn't return anybody who averaged more than 5.5 boards per game.

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: The Cowboys have one of the nation's best backcourts in senior Brad Jones and junior Brandon Ewing, who combined for 38.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game last season. If Jones reduces his turnovers (4.3 per game) and Ewing improves his 3-point shot (30.4 percent), the tandem could average 40-plus points per game.

Weaknesses: Wyoming needs to develop a scoring threat in the paint to prevent opponents from keying on its perimeter weapons. Among the returning frontcourt players, 6-8 senior Joseph Taylor, 6-8 sophomore Ryan Dermody and 6-11 Travis Nelson reached double figures in scoring just three times combined and only once in conference play.

The newcomers: Junior forward Tyson Johnson averaged 20.9 points and 8.3 boards and shot 46.2 percent from 3-point range and 82.2 percent at the line last season at Blinn (Texas) Community College. Seven-footer Mikhail Linskens (Belgium) and combo guard Marios Matalon (Greece) add European flavor to the four-member freshman class.

7. TCU

Neil Dougherty is going to need to show significant improvement to justify keeping his job. The former Kansas assistant is 61-92 heading into his sixth season, and unless he finishes higher than I think he'll finish here then it's doubtful he'll see a seventh considering the other MWC schools aren't sitting still while the losses accumulate.

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: TCU returns four starters from a team that finished strong, winning three of its last five games after snapping an ugly 11-game losing skid. Junior forward Kevin Langford was one of only four players to finish in the Top 10 in the league in scoring and rebounding. Senior guard Brent Hackett led the Frogs in 3s (66) and had four 20-point games.

Weaknesses: The Horned Frogs ranked last in the conference last season in scoring (63.1), free-throw shooting (60.2), field-goal percentage (41.3) and 3-point shooting (33.1). They took 62 more free throws than their opponents (688-626), but made 11 fewer (425-414). TCU was eighth in the league in turnovers at 17.1 per game.

The newcomers: Junior guard Henry Salter stands just 6-4, but he was the only JUCO player to rank in the Top 10 nationally in scoring (24.8) and rebounding (11.8). He earned third-team All-American honors at Mississippi Gulf Coast CC and could crack the starting lineup. Defensively, the biggest addition is 6-8 junior forward John Ortiz from Colby (Kan.) CC, who led his team in blocks and was second in steals. Freshman guard Mike Scott of Philadelphia averaged 15 points per game as a senior.

8. Air Force

Give Jeff Bzdelik credit for knowing when to get out. Yeah, he left for one of the worst jobs in the Big 12 (Colorado). But accepting a significant pay raise sure beats the hell out of trying to replace four starters from an NIT team that famously collapsed. So Bzdelik left and Jeff Reynolds inherited the project, one where just two returning players (Tim Anderson and Andre Henke) averaged at least three points per game last season.

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: There are a lot of new faces, but fans won't get to know them if they can't play defense. Air Force allowed the second-fewest points in the nation behind Princeton and led the Mountain West in field-goal percentage defense (42.7) and 3-point defense (32.2). A disciplined, deliberate motion offense produced the conference's best assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.5-to-1. Only Butler (9.5) averaged fewer turnovers (10.3) per game in Division I.

Weaknesses: Chemistry. The Falcons lost four senior starters who accounted for most of the scoring last year, averaging between 9.9 and 14.3 points per game, and most of the leadership for the past two years as they compiled an impressive 50-16 record. At least the returning players have a relationship with new coach Jeff Reynolds, who was an assistant coach here the past two seasons.

The newcomers: Air Force has seven freshmen on the roster, and at least three could see significant playing time. Evan Washington, a 6-4 guard, started on the Falcons' fall trip to Canada and averaged 17.2 points as a senior at Reynoldsburg HS in Columbus, Ohio. Guard Tyler Burke was a finalist for Missouri's Mr. Basketball after posting 20.3 points and 5.3 assists per game at Warsaw HS. Like Washington, 6-5 forward Derek Brooks excelled at the Air Force prep school last season.

9. Colorado State

Why Dale Layer couldn't win more than six MWC games with a first-round NBA Draft pick on his roster remains a mystery. But it doesn't matter anymore because Layer and his draft pick (Jason Smith) are both gone, replaced by Tim Miles and Stuart Creason. The good news? Miles will be better than Layer. The bad news? Creason won't be anywhere close to Smith. So this rebuilding job is going to take some time.

The scouting report (provided by The Sports Xchange)

Strengths: First-year coach Tim Miles is a proven winner, having guided his three previous schools to three conference championships and three national tournament appearances. He faces an uphill battle this season with four new starters and a bench that is razor-thin on experience, but he is the same coach that led North Dakota State to a 64-60 upset of No. 8 Marquette in 2006. So don't count the Rams out.

Weaknesses: Colorado State doesn't have any guards or forwards on the roster who have played a single minute in the Mountain West. Speed, depth, perimeter scoring and defense are all major question marks.

The newcomers: Almost everyone on the Rams' roster is a newcomer. Players to watch are junior transfers Marcus Walker and Willis Gardner and freshmen Andre McFarland, Josh Simmons and Jesse Woodard. Walker averaged 5.6 points at Nebraska as a freshman two years ago and could team with Gardner as the starting backcourt. The 6-6 McFarland was a two-time all-state selection in Nevada. Simmons starred at Houston's Westfield High, while Woodard averaged 23 points at Compton (Calif.) Centennial.