Mountain West rankings: New Mexico leaps Utah State; Aggies take worst home loss since '96 – Nevada Sports Net

Now
53
Wed
48
Thu
46
by Chris Murray
TOPICS:
Each week, Nevada Sports Net columnist Chris Murray will rank the Mountain West basketball teams. Here are this week’s rankings, with each team’s record and a comment. All records and rankings are based on the games completed by Monday.
Last week: 2
Record: 18-4, 10-1
Comment: New Mexico drubbed Utah State on the road, taking an 82-63 win, the most lopsided Aggies home loss in 29 years. I considered keeping Utah State in the top spot, but the 19-point margin on the road was too much to overlook, although this was a competitive game (Utah State led by eight in the second half). New Mexico used a 20-6 second-half run to spark a 52-27 edge in the second half.
Last week: 1
Record: 19-3, 9-2 MW
Comment: Utah State had not lost by 19 points at home like it did to New Mexico since Nov. 26, 1996 when it dropped a 60-41 decision to No. 4 Utah. The Aggies played in the Big West back then. Utah State made just 5-of-31 3-pointers (16.1 percent) and got crushed down low (the Lobos made 21-of-36 two-point attempts). It seems like a one-off given how well Utah State has played this season.
Last week: 3
Record: 15-5, 8-3
Comment: SDSU needed a late 20-0 run to beat Wyoming, 63-61, at home, giving the Aztecs its third close call in recent weeks in addition to narrow victories over Air Force (by one in overtime) and San Jose State (by three at home). These games should not be this close and aren’t a good sign, but the Aztecs are finding ways to win and remain on the periphery of the MW title race with a month to go.
Last week: 4
Record: 14-7, 8-2
Comment: This is a big prove-it week for Colorado State, which plays at New Mexico on Wednesday before hosting San Diego State on Saturday. The Rams’ only two league losses this season are to those opponents, so they’ll look to avenge those defeats and prove they can beat top-end MW teams. Colorado State goes to Utah State after that, so three killer games in a row upcoming for the Rams.
Last week: 5
Record: 15-7, 7-4
Comment: Boise State cauterized its wounds with two wins last week, beating Nevada by 10 and Fresno State by 22, both at home. The Broncos’ defense was massively improved in those games and must continue on the road at UNLV on Tuesday. Boise State is 2-4 on the road this season, the Broncos’ defense being the biggest issue away from home (118.35 points per 100 possession allowed).
Last week: 7
Record: 12-10, 4-7
Comment: The Wolf Pack snapped a three-game skid by beating UNLV, 71-65, giving it three straight wins in games decided by six points or fewer/overtime after starting the season 1-6 in those games. Nevada is 0-6 against the teams above it in these rankings and 4-1 versus the teams below it, so its ceiling is a question. But the Wolf Pack gets Air Force-Fresno State-SJSU next to try and even its MW mark at 7-7.
Last week: 6
Record: 11-11, 5-6
Comment: After beating Utah State and San Diego State in mid-January, UNLV has lost four straight games and is muddling through another so-so season that could be the end for Kevin Kruger barring a great finish this year. Depth and defense are issues with Dedan Thomas Jr. the only high-level player on the team. UNLV does have the MW’s easiest remaining schedule, but the Rebels are 3-10 in Quad 1, 2 or 3 games.
Last week: 8
Record: 11-12, 4-7
Comment: SJSU led SDSU by 21 points last week before losing 71-68, so you can add that to close losses to Boise State New Mexico, UNLV and Utah State. The Spartans rebounded with a home win over Air Force and has at least been competitive against all kinds of MW opponents. This week brings a road game against Fresno State before a killer four-game stretch of Boise State-SDSU-Nevada-Utah State.
Last week: 9
Record: 11-11, 4-7
Comment: Wyoming beat Fresno State in overtime after Obi Agbim’s game-tying three at the end of regulation and then had SDSU on the ropes before losing at Viejas Arena for the 17th straight time. The Cowboys are shooting 38.3 percent from three in league, which adds an element of danger. But they’re still 0-6 against the league’s top-five teams heading into games against Utah State, UNLV, New Mexico and Colorado State.
Last week: 10
Record: 5-17, 1-10
Comment: The Bulldogs’ lone MW win is over Air Force at home with their defense in tatters and their 3-point shooting just as bad (30.8 percent). Only two of Fresno State’s 10 league losses have come by double-digits. The team is 1-7 in games decided by six points or fewer/OT. Fresno State has not used a player this season who is out of eligibility after the year, so everybody could be back, but that’s not likely in this transfer-heavy era.
Last week: 11
Record: 3-19, 0-11
Comment: Air Force lost at Colorado State and at SJSU last week, with neither close, making it three straight blowout losses after its one-point overtime defeat against SDSU. The Falcons host Nevada on Tuesday night, a team it took to the wire in Reno. That is one of Air Force’s better chances to get a league win this season as five of its final nine games are against top-five teams in the league.
Columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or follow him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.

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