Busting Brackets
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Mountain West Basketball: 3 Biggest Threats to the Nevada Wolf Pack for the 2018-19 season

By Tristan Freeman

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs celebrates after cutting down the net the team victory over the New Mexico Lobos after the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs celebrates after cutting down the net the team victory over the New Mexico Lobos after the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Antino Jackson #3 of the New Mexico Lobos covers his face after causing a foul against the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. San Diego State won 82-75. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Antino Jackson #3 of the New Mexico Lobos covers his face after causing a foul against the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. San Diego State won 82-75. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

2. New Mexico Lobos

2017-18 season record: 19-15 (12-6)

The best coach in college basketball during the second half of this past season was arguably Paul Weir. He led the Lobos to a surprising third-place finish in the Mountain West along with a spot in the conference tournament finals.

New Mexico will lose five key contributors from the season prior but brings in some high major talent from the transfer market. Former five-star Kansas and Arizona State forward Carlton Bragg will be available to suit up for the Lobos in December. He’ll join UConn transfer Vance Jackson in the frontcourt which would be a good upgrade.

Leading scorer Anthony Mathis will return for his senior season, and will be paired with former Ohio State guard JaQuan Lyle in the backcourt. He averaged 11.4 ppg and 4.6 rpg at his previous stop before things went sour off the court. With rising sophomore Makuach Maluach sent to have a breakout season next year, this team could have the second-best starting lineup in the Mountain West.

There are two big questions concerning New Mexico for next season that will have a big impact on the team’s ceiling. Outgoing transfers caused the Lobos to take a big hit when it comes to depth on the bench.

The other issue will be whether there’s anyone on the roster that can drop 20 points on a given night. Last season they survived on having eight or nine different players score around double figures in a game. They’ll need someone to step up without that kind of depth around.