Busting Brackets
Fansided

Mountain West Basketball: 2019-20 power rankings heading into conference play

By Connor Hope

RENO, NEVADA - MARCH 09: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs drives to the basket during the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center on March 09, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NEVADA - MARCH 09: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs drives to the basket during the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center on March 09, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Head coach Justin Hutson of the Fresno State Bulldogs (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Head coach Justin Hutson of the Fresno State Bulldogs (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

9. team. 504. . 4-10 (0-3). . Bulldogs

Fresno State’s fall from the top half of the Mountain West may cause a few eyebrows to raise, but considering the importance of Deshon Taylor and Braxton Huggins to last season’s roster, fans should have seen this coming. There is plenty of talent on the Bulldogs’ roster; however, it is never easy to overcome the loss of two of the best players in the conference without any clear replacement.

The Bulldogs have been competitive in all but their opening night game against Oregon, leaving some room for hope that they can put together a respectable MWC record. They have played a total of four overtime periods and have ended regulation within one shot of their opponent in six of their nine losses.

The Bulldogs’ frontcourt has been the sole source of light in their disappointing season, with Nate Grimes and Orlando Robinson providing above-average production on the boards and defensive rim protection. In contrast, the backcourt still needs to find its identity, and Jarred Hyder may need to be the guy to make that happen. Noah Blackwell’s injury hasn’t helped matters, but it is uncertain whether his return will change the current directory.

There is not a ton to unpack from their current 0-3 record, with two of those losses coming on the road against Utah State and San Diego State, but their squandered an opportunity pick up a win against UNLV, that will likely have a lasting effect on their MWC Tournament seeding. It is tough not to include Fresno State in the same tier as Wyoming and San Jose State based on their season to date.