Busting Brackets
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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 – NOVEMBER 20: Marvin Coleman #31 of the UNLV Rebels (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 20: Marvin Coleman #31 of the UNLV Rebels (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

UNLV’s overall record may not indicate a strong position among the Mountain West hierarchy, but their strong start to conference play is difficult to ignore. After escaping Fresno State with a one-point loss, the Rebels beat potential tournament team Utah State by 17 points. This may not be an elite team that UNLV fans want, but the roster TJ Otzelberger should compete well with the middle of the Mountain West.

Scoring has not come easy for the Runnin’ Rebels, and their three-point shooting has been just short of atrocious. The team has scored 70 or more points in fewer than half their games, and their defense isn’t good enough to overcome their low scoring games. However, the game against Utah State indicates that there are several reasons for fans to be optimistic, as it was the best game UNLV played on both ends of the floor.

One major issue for the Rebels has been the availability of its players, with just four players logging minutes in every game this season. Two of those players, Donnie Tillman and Amauri Hardy, have been the best players for UNLV, and have kept the team afloat through their short-handed start to the season. If the team can get fully healthy and remain that way, the Rebels should finish in the top half of the Mountain West.

TJ Otzelberger benefitted from the availability of Mike Daum while at South Dakota State before heading to Las Vegas. It is important to give him a few years to turn the program around, but early signs are promising.