Busting Brackets
Fansided

Mountain West Basketball: Way-too-early 2020-21 power rankings

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, NV – MARCH 13: Wyoming Cowboys fan Ken ‘Cowboy Ken Barrel Man’ Koretos of Wyoming
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 13: Wyoming Cowboys fan Ken ‘Cowboy Ken Barrel Man’ Koretos of Wyoming /

5. Wyoming

Few teams in the Mountain West got a bigger win this offseason than Wyoming did when Hunter Maldonado announced he was sticking around for another year. The Cowboys lost a couple of pieces who were important to their success late in this season, but hopes have to be high after the run they just made in the Mountain West tournament.

In Maldonado, they retained one of the early frontrunners for next year’s Mountain West Player of the Year award. He averaged nearly 16 points, six boards, and four assists this year, as he did whatever he could to make the Cowboys a competitive team.

The losses they’ve suffered were Jake Hendricks and Trevon Taylor, who were 2nd and 4th on the team in scoring. However, they added 4 JUCO transfers to the roster who should all be ready to contribute early on and some freshmen who might be able to help out down the stretch.

All of the development at Wyoming probably won’t be enough for them to compete with the top couple of teams in this conference, but it will keep them far away from the 11th place finish they suffered through this season. This Wyoming squad should be fighting for a 1st round bye in next year’s Mountain West tournament.