Busting Brackets
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Mountain West Basketball power rankings: Utah State, Nevada rises on up

By John Vaccaro

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs cuts a piece of the net after defeating New Mexico Lobos 82-59 in a game at Viejas Arena on February 11, 2020 in San Diego, California. San Diego State Aztecs moves to 25-0 for the season and clinched a share of the Mouintain West Championship. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs cuts a piece of the net after defeating New Mexico Lobos 82-59 in a game at Viejas Arena on February 11, 2020 in San Diego, California. San Diego State Aztecs moves to 25-0 for the season and clinched a share of the Mouintain West Championship. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 22: Pyrotechnics shoot from the hands of UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 22: Pyrotechnics shoot from the hands of UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

6. UNLV (-)

UNLV made it completely clear this week that they are perfectly placed at No. 6 in the Mountain West. Getting demolished on the road by Utah State and losing an overtime game at home against Nevada showed that this team has a clear ceiling. However, a home win over Fresno State and a road win over New Mexico made it so there is no way they drop below this spot for the rest of the season.

If you look at their season as a whole, it becomes even more clear that this is exactly where UNLV belongs. They are 1-6 against the five teams ranked above them and 7-0 against the teams below them.

Their season began with the hope that they could rise above this spot. In fact, it wasn’t all that long ago that they were 6-1, in second place in the conference, and ranked 2nd in these power rankings. A lot has changed since then, as they have dropped five of their last seven. This recent stretch has made it very clear that their great start to conference play was due in part to some soft matchup to open their schedule.

There is at least a bright side for UNLV. Their team has some young pieces that have impressed this season and should give fans hope that this team could contend in this conference next year. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to turn into a threat this season and that will keep them on the outside looking in at the top-tier of the conference.