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) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 02: Head coach Niko Medved of the Colorado State Rams looks on during a game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rebels defeated the Rams 78-76. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Colorado State is in an odd position at the moment. Skepticism collides with excitement, as fans and analysts alike struggle to predict how the Rams might actually perform this on the court. Let’s address the biggest reason for this: Nico Carvacho is an absolute stud. Carvacho did, after all, lead not just the conference, but the nation in both rebounds, and rebounds per game just last season. Undoubtedly, he is primed for a gigantic senior season. Add in the fact that head coach Niko Medved is only in his second season at the helm, and there’s no question as to why Rams fans shouldn’t be excited.

Like the previous two teams on this list, however, the question has to be asked how depth and chemistry play into this equation. Yes, there is talent on this roster. One doesn’t have to look past guys like Hyron Edwards and Kris Martin to know that. But talent alone does not equate to depth and consistency.

Niko Medved is recruiting well, and again, I wouldn’t expect the Rams to hang around in the Mountain West proverbial cellar for too long. Carvacho should again have an incredible season, but beyond that, it just doesn’t look like the Rams can make a ton of noise in the conference for 2020.