Mountain West Tournament: Breaking Down the Matchups

As the Mountain West tournament gets under way Wednesday, I'd like to break down the match up and tell you if anyone besides BYU or San Diego State has a chance to take the crown this year.

Play in Game:

No. 8. Wyoming Cowboys vs No. 9 TCU Horn frogs: The play-in game on Wednesday night against TCU and Wyoming has no real bearing on the tournament except deciding the opponent that BYU will beat first. Both teams are having down years, and I see Wyoming pulling out a victory behind their impressive sophomore forward Desmar Jackson.

Prediction: Wyoming 69 TCU 64

Round One:

No. 4 Colorado State Rams vs No. 5 New Mexico Lobos: In the most interesting match-up of the first round, the New Mexico Lobos will take on Colorado State Rams. Colorado St. is a very marginal bubble team at the moment and a win or two and some help from some other bubble teams going down can significantly help their bid to go dancing. I see New Mexico taking this one though and popping the Rams' bubble. The Lobos are playing pretty good at the moment, and are coming into the tournament on a three game win streak, including their 19 point drumming of BYU. Drew Gordon and Dairese Gary are leading the Lobos to an impressive end of season run and look to further the teams season even more.

Prediction: Colorado St. 70 New Mexico 82

No. 3 UNLV Rebels vs No. 6 Air Force Falcons: The UNLV Rebels have been playing their best ball of the year as of late and are a lock to be a at-large team bid in the NCAA Tournament. Though the Falcons slow, Princeton style, type of play gives UNLV, and pretty much anyone they play, fits, the Rebels have worked through two tough games against the Falcons this year and should have the team figured out.

Prediction: UNLV 73 Air Force 59

No 2. San Diego State Aztecs vs No. 7 Utah Utes: San Diego State is currently in the mix of their best season ever. Only having two losses (both by BYU), San Diego St. is looking to make a run to the Final Four. The Utah Utes are struggling and their coach is rumored to be on his way out. Look for San Diego State to have a rather easy time taking down the reeling Utes.

Prediction: San Diego State 85 Utah 66.

No.1 BYU Cougars vs No. 8 Wyoming Cowboys (via my play-in prediction): BYU heads into the tournament with national media talk about Jimmer Fredette and the Cougars being a possible Final Four caliber team. With the Brandon Davies scandal in the back burners, look for BYU to be back to their normal selves taking care of Wyoming.

Prediction: BYU 88 Wyoming 62

Semi-final Round:

No1. BYU Cougars vs No. 5 New Mexico Lobos: BYU has had a real tough time against the Lobos this year. Losing by 18 in their last meeting, the Cougars have a hard time playing against Drew Gordon and the Lobos' big men. If BYU isn't on fire from three, then they will have no chance to beat New Mexico. I see BYU's woes continuing against New Mexico.

Prediction: BYU Cougars 77 New Mexico Lobos 84

No. 2 San Diego State Aztecs vs No. 3 UNLV Rebels: The Rebels have played the Aztecs close all year, and have had shooting problems at the end of both games against San Diego St., letting them both slip away. With the Rebels shooting woes behind them, look for UNLV to finish what they could not earlier in the year and take down San Diego State.

Prediction: San Diego St. 71 UNLV 79

Championship: No. 3 UNLV Rebels vs No. 5 New Mexico Lobos: UNLV and New Mexico have had two dog fights this year. Both of the games have went down to the final buzzer, with one being in overtime. Look for their close games to continue, with UNLV using it's home crowd to it's advantage and squeaking out it's third Mountain West Tournament Championship in five years.

Prediction: UNLV 71 New Mexico 66

Champion: UNLV Rebels