Mountain West Basketball: 2024 conference tournament preview and predictions
By Joey Loose
Predictions
First Round
#8 Wyoming vs. #9 Fresno State (March 13, 2:00pm)
Wyoming lost some talented pieces from last season, so they’ve taken a few steps back this season compared to the rest of the league. The Cowboys still seem to be a few leagues ahead of Fresno State, who they beat by 39 points on the road this past weekend. Don’t expect another blowout but expect Fresno State’s season to end.
Wyoming wins
#7 Colorado State vs. #10 San Jose State (March 13, 4:30pm)
Two wins over Air Force was all that San Jose State could muster during the conference season. The Rams on the other hand are a potential NCAA Tournament team that beat these Spartans by 19 points just over a month ago. Things haven’t been going Colorado State’s way down the stretch but they’ll have plenty to get this job done with ease.
Colorado State wins
#6 New Mexico vs. #11 Air Force (March 13, 7:00pm)
Not exactly the finish they were hoping for, New Mexico lost six of their last ten games, working their way perhaps onto the wrong side of the bubble. New Mexico has zero shot at the Big Dance if they don’t show up against Air Force, who scored a major upset in Albuquerque just a few weeks ago. The Lobos need to show up and should win handily.
New Mexico wins
Quarterfinals
#1 Utah State vs. #8 Wyoming (March 14, 3:00pm)
Things have gone well this season for Utah State, including a pair of wins over this Cowboys squad earlier in the year. The Aggies claimed a regular season title despite turning over the roster and have gotten great production from Darius Brown and others. Expect more of the same in their first postseason win, especially if their offense keeps up its hot streak.
Utah State wins
#4 UNLV vs. #5 San Diego State (March 14, 5:30pm)
The Aztecs have been limping to the finish line this season, including a loss at UNLV just last week. The Rebels have been one of the surprises in this league, with numerous wins in recent weeks to put themselves in nice shape. LeDee and the rest of the Aztecs need to shake off their recent struggles and take care of business. Revenge will be on their minds and they’ll get to the semifinals.
San Diego State wins
#2 Nevada vs. #7 Colorado State (March 14, 9:00pm)
There have been times when Nevada has looked like a menace this season and they’ve been that way in recent weeks. Their 7-game winning streak includes a nice performance at Colorado State. The Rams have plenty of talent and will lean heavily on Stevens and company, but the Wolf Pack should get a third win this season against them. This is a matchup that could go either way, but we’re riding with the hot Wolf Pack.
Nevada wins
#3 Boise State vs. #6 New Mexico (March 14, 11:30pm)
Both matchups between these two teams went Boise State’s way, but if the Lobos are going to reach the NCAA Tournament then they need a reversal of fortune. You can argue that the Broncos have been one of the league’s hottest teams in recent weeks, which is really saying something, and we’re betting on this tough squad to have enough to stand off a desperate New Mexico team.
Boise State wins