Mountain West Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview

Mountain West Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview and prediction

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: The Utah State Aggies celebrate after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs to win the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 7, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aggies defeated the Aztecs 59-56. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) /

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Mountain West Basketball Utah State Aggies (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Key Players

SR Matt Mitchell – San Diego State

20-21 stats: 15.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 apg

Matt Mitchell has had a great senior year for the Aztecs so far. It was a toss-up between Mitchell and fellow senior Jordan Schakel. An impressive stat for Matt Mitchell is he has scored in double figures in 19 out of 21 games this year.

JR Neemias Queta – Utah State

20-21 stats: 14.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.8 apg

The seven-foot big man from Portugal has been sensational for the Aggies on both sides of the floor. Queta’s numbers are impressive on the offensive end, but what really is outstanding is his ability to play defense and be a rim protector by the basket. He has 75 blocked shots in 25 games this season. What is even more impressive is he had at least 3 blocks in 14 games as well. If Utah State makes the NCAA tournament some team will have their hands full with Queta.

SO David Roddy – Colorado State

20-21 stats: 16.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.8 apg

Colorado State had a successful season last year on the court, but it has been even better this season. A lot of that can be thanked to sophomore guard David Roddy. The talented guard has scored in double figures 19 out of 22 games this year so far. Roddy is really good now, scary to think how good he can be for the Rams in a year or two.

SR Derrick Alston Jr. – Boise State

20-21 stats: 17.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.2 apg

Alston Jr. has been a true bucket getter for this Broncos team. A few sites are already calling him the best mid-major prospect for the 2021 NBA Draft. The lengthy senior guard has scored 20 points or more in fourteen games this year in the regular season.

SO Grant Sherfield – Nevada

20-21 stats: 18.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.2 apg

Like with the Aztecs, I could have chosen Desmond Cambridge Jr but went with the leading scorer for the Wolfpack this year. The Wichita State transfer has been a walking bucket for Steve Alford and the Wolfpack during his first year in Reno. He should only get better as he gets older too.