Mountain West Basketball: 2017-18 stars on each team in the conference

Fresno State Bulldogs – Jaron Hopkins

While the normal standard bearers have fallen off recently, Fresno State has risen up the ladder, reaching the NCAA tournament two years ago. A guard-heavy offense, the Bulldogs have relied on talented playmakers to carry the team.

One of the players returning this year that could have a big year is guard/wing Jaron Hopkins. The lead scorer on the team with 13.2 ppg, he also was paramount in the rebounding (5.5 reb) and passing (3.6 ast) departments.

In many cases, Hopkins is the fourth guard of the small ball offense. He is relied upon not only to exploit mismatches at the four spot but to guard bigger players as well.

He won’t be the only guard coming back, as two other double-digit players will be coming back with him. Fellow seniors Deshon Taylor and Jahmel Taylor will form one of the most experienced backcourts in the country.

And that doesn’t even include the two graduate transfers coming in, Braxton Higgins and Ray Bowles. Bowles was the top scorer on Pacific while Higgins was second for New Mexico State. It will be interesting to see how the many pieces can fit together, and the top playmaker Hopkins will be key for that progression.

Another top-four finish is certainly not out of the question, and going the transfer route is a key way to replenish the talent pool. But that only works if they can retain their top players. If Fresno State can balance that, then the Bulldogs can remain in the top-tier.