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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: Devin Watson
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Devin Watson /

1. San Diego State Aztecs

2017-18 season record: 22-11 (11-7)

It was a good overall first season for Brian Dutcher at the helm for the Aztecs, winning nine straight Mountain West games to claim the automatic bid for the conference to the NCAA Tournament. It looks to be the first of many for both him and the program, as San Diego State returns most of their production from this past season.

Although he may not have been a lottery pick talent as originally thought, losing senior Malik Pope will hurt the team no question. However, Jalen McDaniels (if he returns instead of going to the NBA Draft) is a great young player and could be the best prospect from the Mountain West in 2019.

The backcourt looks solid as Devin Watson, Max Montana and Jeremy Hemsley will provide consistent scoring. Rising sophomore wing/forward Matt Mitchell has great potential and could be a 20 ppg scorer when it’s all said and done.

It remains to be seen how effective they’ll be in year one, but 6’10 freshmen Joel and Nathan Mensah are very intriguing prospects with great size and athleticism. The duo from Ghana might not get a ton of minutes next season, but watch out for them in the future.

Next: 10 of the best active mid-major coaches

Will any of these teams likely dethrone Nevada in an 18-game regular season? Probably not. But in a one-game scenario, such as the Mountain West Conference Tournament, these teams can give pose a real threat to the Wolf Pack.