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

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: A San Diego State Aztecs cheerleader performs during the team’s game against the Colorado State Rams of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas /

San Diego State Aztecs – Malik Pope

By all accounts, last season was a disappointment for the Aztecs. Between the number of injuries that plagued this team throughout the season and the lack of offense, it seemed like San Diego State left a lot on the table.

In what turned out to be Steve Fisher’s last season, the team still played their vintage defense, finishing first in overall defense. Usually, though, the offense does just enough to make the team good enough to win most games. This time it didn’t work, and the team was last in both scoring offense and 3-point shooting.

New head coach Brian Dutcher will hope to bring more offense to this year’s team. He’ll have a lot to work with the three leading scorers all returning. The backcourt of Trey Kell and Jeremy Helmsley is capable but still needs to work on consistency. The addition of Devon Watson, who averaged 20 points per game for San Francisco will add a new dimension to the backcourt as well.

But the most important player on this team will be a senior who many thought wouldn’t last this long: Malik Pope. His physical tools are undeniable at 6’10” and 220 pounds. He is versatile and can play several positions.

The problem has always seemed to be his consistency and motor, which disappears from time to time. There have just been way too many games where he scores next to nothing.

There’s a possibility that the new coach will unlock his full potential in his final season. It’s also possible that’s he just a defensive role player. But as far as this team is concerned, both the ceiling and the floor will depend on how well Malik Pope plays.