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 15, 2017; Logan, UT, USA; Utah State Aggies guard Koby McEwen (1) keeps the ball away from San Diego State Aztecs guard Jeremy Hemsley (42) during the first half at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Logan, UT, USA; Utah State Aggies guard Koby McEwen (1) keeps the ball away from San Diego State Aztecs guard Jeremy Hemsley (42) during the first half at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Koby McEwen (Utah State)

Utah State sophomore Koby McEwen will look to improve on a performance that earned him Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors last season. With Jalen Moore gone, McEwen will be expected to step into the role as top player and leader.

As a freshman, McEwen averaged 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, bringing a well-rounded skillset to the Aggies. Utah State needs him to improve, as they will rely on his star quality to compete with the other Mountain West teams, which boast deeper rotations.

Interestingly enough, despite averaging over five rebounds and being one of the four guards on this list, he is the only player in the top five who stands under 6’6”.

His success comes from his efficient shooting. He shot 42% from three and 46% from the floor last season, as part of a highly efficient Utah State offense.

What McEwen will need to improve upon is his ball security, as his 2.7 turnovers per game were a team high. While the high turnover rate can be attributed to the proverbial “freshman jitters,” a similar rate this season will not be ideal.

Now the go-to scorer for Utah State, Koby McEwen could challenge the other top players in the Mountain West for Player of the Year honors.