Mountain West Basketball: 2020-21 breakout candidates from each team

BOISE, ID - JANUARY 18: Guard Brock Miller #22 of the Utah State Aggies is pressured towards the baseline by guard RayJ Dennis #10 of the Boise State Broncos during second half action at ExtraMile Arena on January 18, 2020 in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game in overtime 88-83. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

5 of 12

Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images /

G Makuach Maluach, New Mexico

The Lobos better hope Makuach Maluach breaks out during the 2020-21 campaign, as the Australian native may be the team’s best returning player. After all, New Mexico is losing a ton of talent, including JaQuan Lyle and Carlton Bragg Jr.

In terms of scoring, Maluach has been a model of consistency throughout his college career. He’s averaged between 9.6 points and 9.9 points per game in each of his first three seasons at New Mexico. Last season, he averaged 9.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, shooting 48 percent from the field.

One area of his game Maluach needs to improve is his three-point shooting. He made 46 percent of his attempts as a freshman, making 29 in total. He again made 29 three-pointers this season, but he did so on 30 more attempts, shooting a career-low 31.2 percent from three.

The variance in his level of play was never more clear than during the 2020 Mountain West Tournament. In the first round game against San Jose State, Maluach was all over the place, scoring 22 points, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out three assists (while incidentally turning the ball over six times). But in the five-point quarterfinal loss to Utah State, Maluach took just four shots and scored two points, virtually invisible throughout the contest.

Next season will be Maluach’s last at New Mexico, as he’s a rising senior. If the Lobos are going to defy the odds and make the postseason for the first time under Paul Weir, Maluach needs to step it up.