Mountain West Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

The Falcons have always found a way to be competitive in Mountain West Basketball but it’ll be harder this time around without key guard, AJ Walker. He’s led the team in scoring the past two years, including 14.1 ppg last season. But they return a trio of starters, as well as several other rotational pieces.

The two key pieces coming back are Jake Heidbreder and Ethan Taylor, both of whom played over 34 mpg last season for Air Force. Heidbreder, a 6’5 guard averaged 10.4 ppg on 50% shooting from the field and 38% from three-point range. Taylor produced 8.6 ppg and 3.7 apg to lead the backcourt, including a triple-double against Nevada. Camden Vander Zwaag will have a larger role in the backcourt and the team should have a formidable group of shooters.

The frontcourt is the bigger question mark for the Falcons. 6’10 forward Lucas Moerman gives them size and a true interior defender, while 6’8 forward Nikc Jackson is one of the top scorers returning and after playing under 20 mpg last season, should take a leap in terms of minutes and overall production.

Air Force should be able to handle the departure of Walker in the backcourt but they’ll need the frontcourt to do its fair share of scoring production in order to win games. San Jose State has a higher ceiling but the Falcons have a higher floor at the moment.