The Mountain West Conference might not be as strong at the top as it once was, but there are still a few teams that are more than capable of earning an at-large NCAA tournament bid.
It starts with San Diego State. Steve Fisher's program is one of only four in the country to have won at least 23 games and gone to the NCAA tourney in six straight seasons -- and that streak should be extended because of a plethora of young talent that includes potential first-round pick Malik Pope and a young point guard in Jeremy Hemsley, who will fill a much-needed hole. However, the Aztecs should have stiff competition from the likes of Boise State, UNLV and maybe even Utah State.
Boise State lost Derrick Marks, who was terrific last season in leading the Broncos to the NCAA tourney, but they return Anthony Drmic and James Webb III. Drmic, who was the team's leading scorer in his first three seasons, missed the majority of last season with an ankle injury -- and Webb is on the NBA's radar. UNLV has replaced its top two scorers with a couple of top freshmen and a transfer, and Utah State brings back one of the league's elite players in junior forward Jalen Moore.
Favorite
San Diego State loses three key players from a year ago -- J.J. O'Brien, Aqeel Quinn and Dwayne Polee II -- but has three starters and plenty of talent back. Senior Winston Shepard was a second-team all-league selection last season, and senior Skylar Spencer provides a defensive force down low. But it's the young guys who will bring excitement and high-level talent to the program. Sophomore Malik Pope is long and can really make shots from deep, Trey Kell should return to his natural position off the ball this year and forward Zylan Cheatham is healthy after redshirting last season. The key for the Aztecs is freshman Jeremy Hemsley, who gives Fisher the much-needed true point guard they were missing last season.
Sleeper
After two mediocre seasons, the Rebels have some questions heading into the season. UNLV was 18-15 and finished 8-10 in league play last season with NBA talents Rashad Vaughn and Christian Wood. Losing Wood could end up being addition by subtraction, especially because Dave Rice added talented 7-foot freshman Stephen Zimmerman Jr. this year. UNLV also adds another top-50 recruit in wing Derrick Jones Jr. as well as Oregon transfer Ben Carter to an already talented group.
The Rebels bring back wing Patrick McCaw, shot-blocking big man Goodluck Okonoboh and former top-50 recruit Dwayne Morgan, who enters his sophomore season. There's plenty of talent in Vegas, but it might come down to point guard play and whether Jerome Seagears can do the job.
Team that could fall on its face
The Lobos have traditionally been at or near the top of the league, but coach Craig Neal's squad -- in his second season at the helm -- struggled and finished 15-16 overall and 7-11 in league play. They were also without Cullen Neal (the coach's son), who shut it down in January because of an ankle injury. Even with a healthy Neal, there might not be enough for New Mexico to crack the league's top four, and anything outside of that is considered a disappointing campaign in Albuquerque.
Top pro prospect
Zimmerman, UNLV
Zimmerman's a legit 7-footer who can run the floor, rebound outside of his area, score from midrange and also around the basket. He's also a tremendous passer for someone his size. Zimmerman has been erratic at times, but he should put up numbers for the Runnin' Rebels. There just aren't too many 7-footers out there who can do what he can. Don't be surprised if he ends up being an NBA lottery pick.
Projected all-conference team
G: Marvelle Harris, Fresno State Bulldogs
F: Anthony Drmic, Boise State
F: James Webb III, Boise State
F: Malik Pope, San Diego State
C: Stephen Zimmerman, UNLV