Mountain West Basketball: 2020-21 power rankings heading into new year

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs reacts after drawing a foul during the first half of a game against the New Mexico Lobos at Viejas Arena on February 11, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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Mountain West Basketball Steve Alford Nevada Wolf Pack (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

Mountain West Basketball is here – In a year where absolutely nothing is guaranteed, it feels great to finally be able to say that.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made this year an extremely challenging one for so many people, in so many different ways. That being said, despite the unique challenges presented within just the context of the college basketball world, the college basketball season is underway – A relief and sign of normality for many fans in otherwise crazy times.

Unlike most regular seasons, many analysts and fans are still trying to figure out the identity of their favorite teams. Heck, most teams are still trying to figure out their own identities for this season. Some schools have been scrambling to find, add, or replace games on the fly, while others have been facing complete shutdowns and indefinite delays altogether.

With so many unknowns to every team in the country not named Gonzaga, rankings can seem somewhat silly at this point in the season. Factor in that each team has only played a few games, and that notion is only exacerbated. Nevertheless, rankings are still a part of college basketball, and hate it or love it (50 Cent, anyone?) – We’re often intrigued enough to at least debate them.

I ask you once more to bear with me, as I attempt to take a glance at and rank our favorite Mountain West Basketball teams, only a few weeks into the wildest and unorthodox college basketball season we have ever seen.

Oh, and by the way… Happy New Year. Let’s dive in.