Mountain West Basketball Primer: Week 2
Can the conference build off of an incredibly solid week one? With a pair of AP top-25 teams scheduled, the potential to advance the conference's March Madness aspirations is afoot.
The Mountain West Conference has already begun to garner some national attention after just one week of play. Thanks to some overly convincing non-conference wins from the likes of Colorado State, Nevada & Utah State along with a beautiful upset from New Mexico over blue chip UCLA in Henderson, NV.
It’s extremely early in the season to begin talking about at-large bids, but the conference as a whole is off to a decent start with a few dropped opportunities to forget.
Week two has a similar build to week one, but as always nothing is guaranteed & teams will need to continue to show up to maintain that national attention & avoid national patronization.
Standings Week 2:
Colorado State Rams (2-0, 0-0)
Nevada Wolf Pack (2-0, 0-0)
New Mexico Lobos (2-0, 0-0)
Utah State Aggies (2-0, 0-0)
Fresno State Bulldogs (1-0, 0-0)
San Diego State Aztecs (1-0, 0-0)
Air Force Falcons (1-1, 0-0)
Boise State Broncos (1-1, 0-0)
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (1-1, 0-0)
Wyoming Cowboys (1-1, 0-0)
San Jose State Spartans (0-2, 0-0)
Games of the Week
There are plenty of great week two games on the Mountain West docket. But we’re going to highlight five that are must watch for fans around the conference.
Wyoming @ Texas Tech
Where & When to Watch: Wednesday Nov. 13th @ 6:00 PM MT/5:00 PM PT on ESPN+
Texas Tech was pegged to finish 7th in the Big 12 preseason poll but is currently sitting at No. 11 on Ken Pom after some very convincing wins against average D-I opponents. The Big 12 is shaping up to be the best basketball conference in the country for the fourth straight year (per KenPom). While Grant McCasland is looking for a second straight top-3 finish in the Big 12.
A win on the road against this high scoring (5 double-digit scorers) will bode well for a Cowboys program in rebuilding mode, but ready to compete every night under first year man Sundance Wicks.
Colorado State @ No. 25 Ole Miss
Where & When to Watch: Saturday Nov. 16th @ 2:00 MT/1:00 PM PT on SEC Network
Part of what made the conference so attractive last season was how many teams “overperformed” in non-conference play. New Mexico earned a solid win last week while Boise State & UNLV just missed out.
A “neutral” court win against a rising & AP Top-25 ranked Rebels team in Southaven, MS will bode extremely well for the Rams at-large hopes. And the conference’s if those hopes rely on bloodying each other up in conference play come January.
Former UNLV Head Coach Chris Beard (always gotta type that) is in his second season in Oxford & has installed his defensive culture at Ole Miss. It won’t be an easy win but the Rams have the personnel to pull off the upset.
Nevada vs. Santa Clara
Where & When to Watch: Saturday Nov. 16th @ 8:00 PM MT/7:00 PM PT on Mountain West Network
Nevada is playing really good basketball at the moment but don’t seem to be getting the same love as say Colorado State, New Mexico or Utah State. That’s fine for Wolf Pack fans as the departures of Jarod Lucas & Keenan Blackshear don’t seem nearly as drastic as expected with returners & newcomers putting in the work early for Steve Alford’s program.
The Broncos were pegged to finish 3rd in the WCC Preseason Poll, just behind the prodigal twosome of Gonzaga & St. Mary’s. Santa Clara is also a top-100 Ken Pom team at the moment & has NBA scouts attend after several first round Broncos in recent years.
A win against Herb Sendek’s team only makes Nevada’s case as a league leader that much deeper. Look to see how Nevada handles Santa Clara’s perimeter players defensively & a big man who can hurt you around the rim.
Boise State vs. Clemson
Where & When to Watch: Sunday Nov. 17th @ 10:30 AM PT/11:30 AM MT on the CBS Sports Network
The Broncos really need this neutral site MTE victory if they have any hopes at an at-large bid come March, simply given national perception of the conference. That is way easier said than done, but the Tigers like many out there don’t return every piece from their Elite Eight team, although those that did return are a handful.
The Tigers earned plenty of respect last season & for that were predicted to finish 4th in a loaded ACC this preseason. Boise State will do big things this all season long, but a win Sunday AT HOME against an ACC title contender would turn this season completely around after last week. Pay attention to two tigers highlighted below but don’t forget the 6-11 Russian big man Viktor Lakhin down low, Clemson’s second leading scorer.
*Must Watch Matchup: New Mexico vs. No. 22 St. John’s
Where & When to Watch: Sunday Nov. 17th @ 10:00 AM MT/9:00 AM PT on FS1
The Lobos take our second straight Must Watch Matchup with their impressive non-conference slate. This father vs. son matchup will count as a neutral site game. As it will be played at the legendary Madison Square Garden, but this is really an away game in the Big Apple for New Mexico.
The Red Storm certainly has one of if not the best transfer classes in the nation. Spearheaded by the former Seton Hall Pirate Kadary Richmond & former Utah Ute Deivon Smith alternating at the point guard spot. St. John’s is a top-20 team in Ken Pom & in the AP-Top 25.
Going a second consecutive win over such a program might really establish Richard Pitino as one of the program’s best. For now, check out what his dad’s team looked like against A-10 competition on opening night.
Opposing Players to Watch: The All-Pay Attention to that Guy Team (If you will)
JT Toppin, So. F-Texas Tech
24-25 Stats: 22.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.0 BPG & 1.5 SPG in 24.5 MPG (2 GMS/2 Starts)
Mountain West fans are well aware of JT Toppin’s game. As the MWC Co-Freshman of the Year showed frontcourt dominance throughout the conference last season before departing for nearby Texas Tech.
He’s currently leading a talented Red Raiders team in scoring, rebounds & blocked shots. And after making a splash at the NBA Draft Combine this past spring, he’s looking like a 1st round draft pick this time around. Known for his length & what appears at times to be fatigueless bounce, look for Toppin to likely record a double-double against his old conference foes.
Kadary Richmond, Sr. G-St. John's
23-24 Stats: 9.0 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5.5 RPG & 1.0 SPG in 30.0 MPG (2 GMS/2 Starts)
Richmond made waves nationally when he entered the transfer portal this offseason & solidified himself as the top transfer recruit in the country. The 6-5 combo guard could have went anywhere but decided to stay close to the tri-state area by heading home to Brooklyn, NY & chose St. John’s.
Richmond hasn’t found his offensive rhythm just yet, I can imagine Lobo fans are willing to wait one more game for that to happen. Rick Pitino surrounded Richmond with talent, who themselves are struggling a tad through two games offensively. Though, all that could mean is St. John’s are looking for a breakout game on Sunday?
Chase Hunter, Sr. G-Clemson
24-25 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG & 1.7 SPG in 28.7 MPG (3 GMs/3 Starts)
Hunter is technically a sixth-year guy, but spent all of his college eligibility in Clemson, SC. Lobo fans got acquainted with Hunter in the NCAA Tournament last Spring. When the 6-3 200 guard had his way 21 points & enroute to an Elite Eight performance.
Hunter isn’t normally a three point shooter, but he’s currently knocking them down at a rate of 53.3%. He’s a scorer flat out & will require a Bronco up to the task defensively on Sunday.
Ian Schieffelin, Sr. F-Clemson
24-25 Stats: 12.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.7 APG & 1.3 BPG in 29.7 MPG (3 GMs/3 Starts)
New Mexico fans are also well acquainted with the Tigers third leading scorer Ian Schieffelin. Who at 6-8 240 can get to the basket at will while also boasting enough speed & athleticism to be a problem in transition.
Schieffelin is currently averaging a double-double but might have a hard time against the Broncos frontcourt who has great size, athleticism & experience itself. This could either be an x-factor highlight, depending on Boise State’s interior defense.
Sean Pedulla, Sr. G-Ole Miss
24-25 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 3.7 APG, 2.7 RPG & 2.7 SPG in 32.3 MPG (3 GMs/3 Starts)
Pedulla left Virginia Tech after logging an all-conference season for Hokies last season. He’s hardly skipped a beat in Oxford & is not only a scoring force on the perimeter but also a defensive one logging 2.7 SPG through three contests.
He’s not shooting it particularly efficiently at the moment at 34% but he is taking 8.5 attempts a game. This Rebels team is extremely deep, but Pedulla is a big reason why it all works, a perfect matchup for a surging Jalen Lake.
Jaemyn Brakefield, Gr. F-Ole Miss
23-24 Stats: 12.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG & 2.3 APG 26.3 MPG (3 GMs/0 Starts)
Brakefield began his career at Duke but has carved himself a nice role in the Rebels rotation. A full time starter for Chris Beard’s squad last season, Brakefield finds himself coming off of the bench as a super sub this season. He’s a tad undersized at 6-8 225, but he plays both frontcourt positions with the ability to knock down the three with a 35.9% career 3-point average.
Adama-Alpha Bal, Sr. G-Santa Clara
24-25 Stats: 18.0PPG, 3.0 APG & 2.5 RPG in 33.0 MPG (2 GMs/2 Starts)
Bal is a former Arizona Wildcat who has tremendous size at 6-7 200. Bal averaged 14.4 ppg last season & is currently leading a talented Bronco squad with 18.0 PPG while shooting 40% from deep. Bal may be the next pro Bronco Coach Sendek sends to the NBA, watch out. As Santa Clara knows how to develop NBA wings as of late.
Kerwin Walton, Gr. G-Texas Tech
24-25 Stats: 16.0 PPG & 3.5 RPG in 35.0 MPG (2 GMs/2 Starts)
Walton is a 5th year guy who began his career on Tobacco Road at North Carolina. The 6-5 shooting guard is knocking down threes at a rate of 52.6% on 9.5 attempts a game. Yes that’s through two contests but he’s shooting lights out on an high scoring Texas Tech squad.
Elijah Mahi, Jr. F-Santa Clara
24-25 Stats: 14.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.5 APG & 2.0 SPG in 21.5 MPG (2 GMs/2 Starts)
For those who keep track of junior college basketball. Elijah Mahi helped lead an absolute machine at West Valley College to the 3C2A state championship, a competition exclusively for California Jucos. The Canadian import is an absolute winner & he is currently a perfect complement to Bal on the perimeter & it’s showing. The 6-7 220 wing is also shooting 57.1% from deep on seven attempts in two contests.
Jaylen Murray, Sr. G-Ole Miss
24-25 Stats: 13.3 PPG, 2.7 APG, 2.3 APG & 1.0 SPG in 32.7 MPG (3 GMs/3 Starts)
Murray forms a dynamic backcourt with Pedulla for Ole Miss. Both players are have similar games with similar shooting percentages, including both shooting 100% from the charity stripe at the moment. Murray began his career at Saint Peter’s & was a part of their historic NCAA Tournament run back in 2021-2022. This guys a proven winner helping lead a winning Ole Miss program at the moment.
Viewing Guide
5 Things to Lookout For:
The Lobos were able to give the conference it’s first marquee victory of the season against No. 22 UCLA last Friday. Now they have their sights on Big East territory & Madison Square Garden this weekend. A second straight top-25 win would be huge, if not overshadowed by the second time this father & son meet with Richard as Head Coach of New Mexico.
St. John’s is a different animal than Iona & this time around the younger Pitino’s squad won’t have the fans inside the Pit as a factor. Are the Lobos forreal? St. John’s newcomers haven’t exactly put things together, nor have they played any real competition yet either.
Another upset might be right around the corner, Lobo fans just need Dent to have another NBA Draft boosting performance & with great ball control numbers.
Boise State dropped their first big matchup of their non-conference schedule against a tough San Francisco Dons squad. Next week they’ll have a buy game against Corban College, an opportunity to get everyone some game minutes for sure.
But the big focus will be on Sunday’s matchup against ACC title contender Clemson. The talent is there for this team, but is Cardenas not the floor general to put it together like we all expected this offseason?
Nevada looked the part of a top-3 team in week one, can they keep up the momentum with two more competitive teams on their schedule this coming week in Weber State & Santa Clara out west?
The leading duo of Davidson & Sanders appear consistent going forward. Now it’s time to solidify other roles & look for some more scoring help from the rest of the roster. Who steps up to the plate & chips in this week?
Fresno State only logged one game in week one against a rebuilding Sacramento State program. Folks aren’t expecting much out of the Bulldogs on the hardwood this season, but as always they are willing & ready to bust some resumes come conference play. Two games against two more solid California teams will continue to test & develop this near entirely new roster.
Colorado State handled their competition in week one but they’ll have in-state Denver early in the week before heading down south for a “neutral” court game against the No. 25 Ole Miss Rebels.
Nique Clifford will need some offensive help if the Rams are hoping to return home with an SEC upset, but it appears Niko Medved has the players in place to help support their potential NBA Draft pick.