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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
BOISE, ID – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Leon Rice of the Boise State Broncos (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Leon Rice of the Boise State Broncos (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

. Broncos . 4. team. 502. . 10-5 (2-1)

After two months, the Boise State Broncos are almost exactly where they were expected to be during the preseason polling. Outside of a loss on the road against New Mexico, the Rams’ Mountain West performance has been solid, and their nonconference record, while underwhelming, ended up being one of the better ones in the conference.

The driving force behind the Broncos’ success is the play of guards Justinian Jessup and Derrick Alston. The length of these two experienced players has helped limit the shooting of opposing teams to under 30% from deep, and they have helped lead the Broncos to a top 50 scoring offense.

Alston, in particular, is making a strong case for MWC All-Conference First Team, averaging 20.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. If he can continue to score at this high rate, and Boise State continues to play near the top of the conference, he could have a strong case for Mountain West Player of the Year.

The eligibility of Abu Kigab, a transfer from Oregon, has helped Boise State win four of their last five games. Kigab is averaging 15.8 points on 46.2% from three and provides another starter that Head Coach Leon Rice can trust to perform at a high level.

It may be too early to crown Boise State as anything higher than the fourth-best team in the conference, but with Kigab available and Utah State struggling, it would not be much of a surprise if Boise State moved up to the second spot behind San Diego State.