Mountain West Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2019-20 season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Justin Bean #12 of the Utah State Aggies defends Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

3 of 12

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 14: Wyoming Cowboys fans display a poster after the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament against the San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 14, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wyoming won 45-43. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Star guard Justin James is gone, lost to graduation and the NBA. So the question must be asked – Who will step up in Allen Edwards’ fourth season at the helm? Enter a group of under-recruited, albeit talented players. Let’s start with Hunter Maldonado. The redshirt junior had a breakout season in 2019, averaging 13.8 points per game, to go along with 6.8 rebounds. How Maldonado performs this season will surely be vital to this team’s success, but he is not carrying the weight completely on his own.

Senior point guard Jake Hendricks returns, as does a core of young players with plenty of potential. Don’t be surprised if Trevon Taylor and Hunter Thompson become familiar names around the league, come tournament time. The Mountain West is deep this year, but chemistry is certainly a concern throughout the conference.

Don’t expect Wyoming to stay in the basement of the league for long, the future does look bright – However, for 2020, this young Cowboys team will need to click on all cylinders, especially in the locker room. Who steps up to lead in Justin James’ place? That answer is crucial if the Cowboys want to find a way to win games this season.