Semifinals – March 12th
1) San Diego State vs 4) Boise State
San Diego State won the two meetings this season. Both matchups were not easy though as one went to overtime, while the other game was only a four point win for the Aztecs.
The Broncos play the Aztecs close for the third time, but the senior leaders for San Diego State have their eyes on the championship and prevail. Boise State will now have to wait until Sunday to see if they will get into the field or not. I believe they do end up getting in unless a lot of upsets happen in other conferences to steal bids.
Prediction: San Diego State 68, Boise State 64
2) Utah State vs 3) Colorado State
This matchup feels like a loser leaves town game. Not just for the Mountain West Conference tournament, but for NCAA Tournament implications as well. Whoever wins this matchup would have the edge winning two out of three matchups on the year since the Aggies and the Rams split the regular-season series. Queta and Bean both had huge games in both matchups for the Aggies against the Rams this year. David Roddy will have a huge game, but the Rams will come up short here. The Rams will be a nervous bunch come Selection Sunday.
Prediction: Utah State 78, Colorado State 73
Finals – March 13th
1) San Diego State vs 2) Utah State
If these two teams end up meeting for the championship game I do not think the college basketball world would be too upset. The reigning conference champs up against the number one seed this year. What more can you ask for?
A lot would be riding on this game. A win for San Diego State and they add more championship hardware to their trophy case. On the other side, a win for Utah State would take them permanently off the bubble and punch their ticket right into the tournament with an automatic bid.
There are so many different matchups you can look at, but the matchup down low is the one that intrigues me the most. The battle between Nathan Mensah from San Diego State and Neemias Queta for Utah State down low is worth the price of admission by itself.
I’m taking Queta to win this individual matchup, but Mensah and the Aztecs end up with the more important matchup by winning the conference tournament in 2021.
Prediction: San Diego State 70, Utah State 66