![]() ![]() 23 San Diego State 76-67 on Saturday night. had 22 for New Mexico, which used a 12-0 run to take control in beating No. Wyoming has two winnable games upcoming, against UNLV and Fresno State.SAN DIEGO (AP) - Jaelen House scored 29 points, including three clutch 3-pointers down the stretch, and Jamal Mashburn Jr. It was actually Wyoming’s third-worst offensive game of the season, so there’s still a ton to correct in Laramie. It’s not going to change the trajectory of the Cowboys’ season, but it had to feel good to finally get a win. WyomingĬomment: Wyoming snapped its eight-game skid with a 58-57 home win over Colorado State. The team’s post defense has wilted, and its ability to create turnovers has weakened, too. And if you don’t defend, you don’t win games. UNLV has gone from having an elite defense to a terrible one. The Rebels have allowed opponents to score 106.9 points per 100 possessions over the last 10 games. UNLVĬomment: UNLV’s fall from grace after its 10-0 start is simple. Its lone game this week is at Boise State. After a 4-0 start, Colorado State is 6-11. ![]() CSU is 1-3 in those games, and you can largely blame the defense, although the Rams were held to 57 points (its second lowest this season) in their loss at Wyoming on Saturday. The Rams’ last four games have been overtime, overtime, overtime and decided by one point. Colorado StateĬomment: If you want a close game, dial up CSU. The Bulldogs’ offense has perked up a little in MW play (101.2 points per 100 possessions), which has made it a more dangerous team. Fresno State made 25-of-46 shots (54.3 percent) and shot 22 free throws, its third-highest mark of the year. It was the Bulldogs’ best offensive outing of the season by far. Fresno StateĬomment: Fresno State snapped its three-game skid with a 76-63 home win over UNLV on Saturday. Air Force hasn’t fared well against the top of the MW (0-4 against the league’s five best teams), but it could be the “best of the rest.” 8. Air ForceĬomment: Air Force reeled off three straight wins over Colorado State, Fresno State and Wyoming before a 70-60 home loss to San Diego State last Saturday in a game where the Falcons were within five points in the second half (after trailing by as many as 18). Despite losing four of its last five, SJSU has at least shown it can battle the best teams in the MW toe to toe. ![]() The Spartans’ season would look a lot different if it would have finished wins on the road at Boise State (lost on a last-second 3-pointer) and at Utah State (lost on a last-second free throw). San Jose StateĬomment: SJSU lost by one at Utah State after leading by double-digits in the second half. Utah State can beat any MW team if it shoots to its capability, but that defense will ultimately be the Achilles’ heel if not improved. The Aggies are a tier below the top four because of their defense, which has allowed 111.6 points per 100 possessions in the last five games. Utah StateĬomment: Utah State squeaked out home wins over UNLV and SJSU last week, winning those games by a combined five points. But there’s not much difference between the Pack and the top three. Nevada must prove it can play at a high level on the road versus good competition. SDSU is 4-0 in MW road games New Mexico won at SDSU Boise State took Nevada and New Mexico to the wire on the road. The difference at this point between Nevada and the top three is road success. NevadaĬomment: It feels weird to drop Nevada after its double-overtime win against New Mexico, but last week also included the blowout loss at Boise State. Boise State’s final eight games present a tough challenge (two with SDSU, one each with New Mexico and Utah State), so it must get fat now. The Broncos should have minimal trouble this week as it plays home games with Fresno State and Colorado State. Boise StateĬomment: Boise State is two possessions away from being 7-0 in MW play after a two-point loss at Nevada and two-point overtime loss at New Mexico. New Mexico’s Kryptonite is its post defense as teams are shooting 49.7 percent inside the arc (213th nationally). The Lobos hung 76 points on SDSU, 81 on Boise State and 94 on Nevada, albeit the last two games going to overtime. New MexicoĬomment: Utah State’s offense might be higher rated on KenPom, but New Mexico has the best offense in the MW, in my opinion. If SDSU hits eight-plus threes, it’s almost impossible to beat (10-0 in such games with an average margin of victory of 17.3 points per game). SDSU has overcome some bad shooting in its last four games – 31.6 percent from three in those games – to go 3-1 during that stretch, its lone loss to New Mexico. 1 in my MW rankings (one day can change a lot). Comment: I had New Mexico higher than San Diego State on my AP Top 25 on Monday, but the Lobos’ loss at Nevada later that day keeps the Aztecs No. ![]()
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