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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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 08: Javin DeLaurier #12 and Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils defend Nico Carvacho #32 of the Colorado State Rams (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 08: Javin DeLaurier #12 and Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils defend Nico Carvacho #32 of the Colorado State Rams (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

7. team. 503. . 9-7 (0-3). . Rams

If you were to judge Colorado State based entirely on their nonconference results, you would be forgiven for assuming they were one of the top teams in the Mountain West. With their only bad loss coming to Arkansas State, the Rams pretty much beat every team they were expected to beat heading into the season. However, a winless start to conference play has changed the tune a bit and shifted expectations for the season.

Despite scoring 70 or more points in 10 of its 15 games, Colorado State is averaging just 60.7 points in its three Mountain West losses so far. This lack of offense in conference play has them sitting at 0-3 heading into Saturday’s game against Wyoming, which they should win.

There is almost zero doubt that Colorado State has the best interior player available in the Mountain West. Senior forward Nico Carvacho is averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds per game on 54% shooting from the floor. He works well with guards Isaiah Stevens and David Roddy, but the lack of any defense has hurt their prospects at finishing in the top half of the league.

With the offense the Rams have shown so far, it is not difficult to imagine the team pulling off its fair share of upsets this season. With that said, it is also not difficult to imagine the defense giving up a ton of points in losses to the bottom of the conference. Either way, Colorado State’s defense severely lowers the team’s ceiling, regardless of their offensive strength.