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Mountain West Basketball Preview 09-10: BYU, UNLV, SDSU Will Make NCAA Tourney

Scribe Written on October 20, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 19: Dave Rose, head coach of the Brigham Young Cougars, communicates with the team during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament against the Texas A&M Aggies at the Wachovia Center on March 19, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Mountain West had a good regular season last year. They had 5 very good teams (Utah, BYU, San Diego State, New Mexico, UNLV) that were all in contention for NCAA tournament bids late in the season and the conference had some key non-conference wins (UNLV beat overall #1 seeded Louisville in Kentucky).

But, when BYU and Utah represented the conference in the NCAA tournament, they both fell in the first round. The Mountain West is the best conference outside of the big six conferences. And they look to prove it this year with results in the tournament and non-conference play. Get ready for a comprehensive look at each team in the Mountain West.

Here are my regular season conference win/loss projections:

1. BYU – 13-3 losing at UNLV, SDSU and NM

2. UNLV – 12-4 losing at BYU, San Diego State, New Mexico and Utah

2. San Diego State 12-4 losing at BYU, UNLV, New Mexico and Utah

4. New Mexico 10-6 losing at BYU, UNLV, SDSU, Utah and Wyoming

4. Utah 10-6 Losing to BYU twice, at UNLV, SDSU, New Mexico and Colorado State

6. TCU 6-10 Beating Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado State at home and Air Force twice.

7. Wyoming 4-12 New Mexico, TCU, Air Force, and Colorado State at home.

7. Colorado State 4-12 Beating Utah, Air Force, TCU and Wyoming at home

9. Air Force 2-14 Beating Wyoming and CSU at home.

Assuming these predictions are correct, this is how I project the conference tournament to play out (Winning Teams in Bold)

Round 1

(1) BYU vs. (8) Colorado State

(2) UNLV vs. (7) Wyoming

(3) San Diego State vs. (6) TCU

(4) New Mexico vs. (5) Utah

Semi-Finals

BYU vs. Utah

(2) UNLV vs. (3) San Diego State

(1) BYU vs. Utah

Championship Game

(1) BYU vs. (2) UNLV

Conference Tournament Champion:

UNLV

Projected NCAA Tournament Seedings:

BYU (6)

UNLV (7)

San Diego State (10)

New Mexico (NIT)

Utah (NIT)

Wyoming (none)

Colorado State (none)

Air Force (none)

In every conference, there seems to be usually be one key game that decides the conference title. This year I think that game will be BYU at Utah.

I think BYU will win this one on the road, and SDSU and UNLV will both lose at Utah on the road. If that comes to fruition, this will be the game that makes the difference.

Key Non-Conference Games:

Arizona State at BYU

BYU at Arizona

UNLV at Arizona

Pitt at UNLV

Louisville at UNLV

Texas A&M at New Mexico

Arizona at San Diego State

San Diego State at Arizona State

Utah at Illinois

Michigan at Utah

Oklahoma at Utah

Utah at LSU

(For another look/take at the Mountain West Basketball season, from Chris Golightly, click here)

also:

(For an opinion slideshow/article ranking the coaches in the MWC, click here )

Team profiles are ahead after the break! First up is BYU:

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written on October 20, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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Mountain West Basketball Preview 09-10: BYU, UNLV, SDSU Will Make NCAA Tourney

Tyler Stimson

Vote Now! - Author Poll

Results - Author Poll

BYU

UNLV

San Diego State

New Mexico

Utah

TCU

Wyoming

Colorado State

Air Force

Nobody. They all stink!