NCAA Basketball: Predicting all 32 regular-season conference champions for 2018-19
Mountain West Conference
2017-18 regular season champ: Nevada
2018-19 favorite: Nevada – Biggest threats: New Mexico and San Diego State
If it was based solely on who was returning, Nevada would’ve been viewed as the favorites, with brothers Cody and Caleb Martin coming back, along with Jordan Caroline and Lindsey Drew. But it’s the newest additions that put the Wolf Pack head and shoulders above the rest.
Six new transfers join them, including 20 ppg scorer Nisre Zouzoua from Bryant, as well as grad transfer Trey Porter from Old Dominion. That’s all before five-star freshman forward Jordan Brown decided to join the party, elevating Nevada into a preseason top-10 team and a legit Final Four contender.
The reality is that there isn’t a team in the Mountain West that can stand toe-to-toe with the Wolf Pack this season. But there are a couple of teams who ceilings may be higher than expected.
Related Story. Preseason Mountain West Rankings for 2018-19. light
Just like Nevada, New Mexico also went the to the transfer market to get some good talent. They bring in three high-major transfers (JaQuan Lyle from Ohio State, Vance Jackson from UConn, and Carlton Bragg from Arizona State via Kansas) who could break out in the Mountain West. They along with leading returning scorer Anthony Mathis could form a dynamic starting lineup.
San Diego State didn’t bring in transfers cut could have the two best NBA Draft prospects on the team in Jalen McDaniels and Matt Mitchell. Both had great freshmen years and will look to do even better in year two. With guards Devon Watson and Jeremy Hemsley providing senior leadership, the Aztecs (who defeated Nevada twice last year) will look to once again contend in the Mountain West. Even if the two teams can’t win the regular season, the conference tournament is always another option.