Mountain West Basketball Power Rankings: Utah State Remains No. 1 (Week of Feb 5)

by Chief Editor

The Mountain West Conference basketball landscape continues to accept shape as teams battle for positioning as the regular season progresses. As of Monday’s games, Utah State holds the top spot with a record of 20-3 overall and 11-2 in conference play, while Air Force remains at the bottom with a 3-20 overall record and an 0-12 conference record.

Utah State and San Diego State Lead the Pack

Utah State has rebounded from earlier losses to Grand Canyon and UNLV, securing five consecutive victories, including wins against San Diego State and New Mexico. San Diego State follows closely behind, also with a record of 17-6 and 11-2 in conference play, though they lost the head-to-head matchup against Utah State. The Aztecs are preparing for challenging games against Nevada and Grand Canyon.

Mid-Tier Contenders and Struggles

New Mexico, with a record of 18-6 and 9-4 in the Mountain West, recently suffered losses at home to Utah State and Boise State, marking a downturn in their previously undefeated home record of 24 straight wins. Nevada, currently 17-7 overall and 9-4 in conference play, demonstrated resilience by rallying from a 20-point deficit at Boise State and securing a win against Fresno State. Grand Canyon has slipped to fifth place after a loss at UNLV.

Did You Know? Nevada has not won a game at San Diego State’s Viejas Arena since 2012, holding a 0-12 record there.

Bottom of the Conference and Upcoming Schedules

At the lower complete of the standings, Wyoming and Fresno State are facing challenges. Wyoming has lost to the top two teams in the conference, while Fresno State secured a dramatic win against UNLV with a last-second shot. Colorado State, San Jose State, and Air Force continue to struggle, with Air Force currently ranked 347th overall in KenPom, placing them 19th worst in the country.

Expert Insight: The volatility within the Mountain West Conference, as evidenced by recent upsets and close games, suggests that the race for the championship and NCAA tournament bids will likely remain competitive through the end of the regular season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Utah State’s current record?

Utah State’s current record is 20-3 overall and 11-2 in Mountain West play.

Which team is at the bottom of the Mountain West standings?

Air Force is currently at the bottom of the Mountain West standings with a record of 3-20 overall and 0-12 in conference play.

What is Nevada’s record at Viejas Arena since 2012?

Nevada has a record of 0-12 at Viejas Arena since 2012.

As the season progresses, will the current rankings accurately predict the final standings, or will further upsets reshape the conference landscape?

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