Busting Brackets
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MWC Basketball: Top 5 returning players for the 2017-2018 season

By Connor Hope

Feb 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Brandon Clarke (15) tries to get past UNLV Rebels forward Derrick Jones Jr. (1) during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 64-61. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Brandon Clarke (15) tries to get past UNLV Rebels forward Derrick Jones Jr. (1) during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 64-61. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Fresno, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Trey Kell (3) dribbles past Fresno State Bulldogs guard Deshon Taylor (21) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Fresno, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Trey Kell (3) dribbles past Fresno State Bulldogs guard Deshon Taylor (21) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mentions:

Prentiss Nixon (Colorado State) – Junior guard Prentiss Nixon is the top returning scorer for the Rams, averaging 13.2 points last season. Nixon will have more opportunities to score this year, with Gian Clavell and Emmanuel Omogbo both graduated. Nixon could be a scoring machine if he improves on his 38% shooting from the field.

Jaron Hopkins (Fresno State) – Jaron Hopkins may be the best defensive guard in the Mountain West, averaging 2.2 steals and 5.5 rebounds last year. On the offensive end, Hopkins may not be the best shooter, but his ability to finish around the basket and pass gave him a team-high 13.2 points and 3.6 assists.

Deshon Taylor (Fresno State) – Fresno State’s second-leading scorer last season, Deshon Taylor makes up for Hopkins lack of a jumper. Taylor averaged 12.5 points while shooting over 40% from three, and a team high 87.9% from the free throw line. Last season, Taylor’s aggressiveness led to five free throw attempts per game, where he was nearly automatic for the Bulldogs.

Trey Kell (San Diego State) – Trey Kell, the leading scorer for the Aztecs, will lead an experienced team that should improve from last season’s finish. While Kell follows the standard SDSU mold of defense before offense, he has the ability to create scoring opportunities, whether for himself or his teammates. New Head Coach Brian Dutcher will need Kell to continue his role of team leader if the Aztecs wish to become competitive again.

Malik Pope (San Diego State) – To say that San Diego State’s Malik Pope has been a disappointment would be a slight understatement.  Pope joined the Aztecs as a consensus top-100 recruit in the 2014 class but has not lived up to the hype. Last season, he averaged 11 points and 6.1 rebounds, although injuries kept him out for chunks of the year. Pope’s talent, which could push him into Player of the Year contention, is the reason he made the list.

Jovan Mooring (UNLV) – After arriving at UNLV last year as a junior college transfer, Jovan Mooring went on to lead the Rebels with 12.6 points and 4.0 assists. A versatile scorer and adequate defender, Mooring was the lone bright spot on an otherwise disappointing season for UNLV. Entering his final season of eligibility, Mooring will lead a young group of freshman that appears to be competitive.

Hayden Dalton (Wyoming) – One of the best big men in the Mountain West, Hayden Dalton averaged 12.2 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Cowboys last season. One of Dalton’s biggest assets is the ability to stretch the floor, as the forward shot .347 from deep last season. His combination of rebounding, shooting, and efficiency around the basket makes him a difficult player to match up against.