Busting Brackets
Fansided

Mountain West Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

By Connor Hope

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Mountain West Conference seat covers are seen before the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament between the New Mexico Lobos and the San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Mountain West Conference seat covers are seen before the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament between the New Mexico Lobos and the San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 12
Next
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 21: Lavelle Scottie #12 of the Air Force Falcons passes against the UNLV Rebels during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 87-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 21: Lavelle Scottie #12 of the Air Force Falcons passes against the UNLV Rebels during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 87-85 in double overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Another team that will remain at the bottom of the Mountain West is the Air Force Falcons. The offense is one of the weakest parts of the Falcons’ game, and the return of leading scorer Lavell Scottie is probably not enough to fix their efficiency.

Beyond Scottie, Ryan Swan-Ford is the only other returning player to average over five points per game last season. While this is indicative of the Falcons’ deep roster, it is also a symptom of their inability to pull in top recruits.

One thing that must happen for the Falcons’ offense to improve is for head coach Dave Pilipovich to stress an increased shooting efficiency. Last season, the team shot a league-low 41.3% from the floor and couldn’t overcome their lack of size to create second chances.

The Air Force Falcons have not had much recent success in the Mountain West, and this year will be no different. The team should be disciplined enough to stay above San Jose State, but there is not much reason for optimism beyond that.