Mountain West Basketball: Week 1 Debrief, Big Lobo Win & Simply Getting It Done
Week one around the Mountain West had some expectations met & certainly some surprises through Wednesday's games. Which leaves plenty of questions for the remaining games this week.
Mountain West teams around the conference have heavy expectations after securing six bids to the bid dance this past spring. Teams around the conference weren’t necessarily given any sort of hold over respect from last season. As most national analysts peg the Mountain West as a three bid league.
After a week’s worth of contests, we may have to start mentioning a possible 4-5 bid league in those same conversations. Take a look below at every result from week one, with some noted performance highlights.
Monday November 4th
Western Illinois 59, San Jose State 55
Game MVP: Sean Smith, Sr. G (WIU)-11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists & 2 steals (40 min) on 5-10 shooting
The Spartans like others struggled in their season opener against OVC title contenders Western Illinois. The Leathernecks stood toe-to-toe with Tim Miles group majority of the way. And used late game poise & defense to steal a quality road win over San Jose State.
Nevada 91, Sam Houston 75
Game MVP: Nick Davidson, R-Jr. (NEV)-26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals & 2 blocks (38 min) on 8-10 shooting 3-5 from deep
Sam Houston are title contenders in Conference-USA with some seasoned veterans & talented transfers. A double-digit home win over the Bearkats may not ooze “resume booster” but it definitely lays the foundation for a quality resume come Selection Sunday.
Nick Davidson looked like HIM on Monday & gave Wolf Pack fans yet another reason to appreciate his return to the program after being heavily courted this offseason. He was joined in the box score by Cal Poly transfer & preseason MWC Newcomer of the Year guard Kobe Sanders. Who chipped in
North Alabama 73, Air Force 57
Game MVP: Jacari Lane, Jr. G (UNA)-24 points, 6 assists & 3 rebounds (32 min) on 9-15 shooting 5-6 from deep
After suffering some tough losses to the transfer portal this offseason, the Falcons weren’t expected to make much noise this season. Monday’s season opening loss to a visiting ASUN team doesn’t exactly bode well for Joe Scott’s group thus far.
Wyoming 108, Concordia-St. Paul 85
Game MVP: Obi Agbim, Sr. G (WYO)-25 points, 6 assists & 2 steals (24 min) on 9-16 shooting
Season opening double-digit wins over local Division-II teams is honestly expected. But the Cowboy’s season opener against nearby Concordia-St. Paul gave reps to guys who might not have hit the floor otherwise & gave confidence to those like newcomer Obi Agbim, who dropped a cool 25 points.
Agbim, a former D-II guy himself at Fort Lewis College down south was pegged to play a role in Sundance Wick’s first season in Laramie. But Monday’s performance showed he might have what it takes to help lead this squad in his lone season as a Cowboy.
New Mexico 91, Nicholls State 84
Game MVP: Nelly Junior-Joseph R-Sr. C (UNM)-28 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks & 2 steals (38 mins)
The Lobos struggled a bit with the Colonels on Monday night. As the Southland Conference members really shot lights out from deep inside the Pit. If not for senior big man Nelly Junior-Joseph who went off down low all night, Lobo fans might have been more concerned.
New Mexico traditionally finds their best basketball form later in the year. But through one exhibition game & Monday’s season opener, there is some fine tuning remaining for Coach Pitino & staff.
UNLV 93, Alabama State 79
Game MVP: Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry-Jr. C (UNLV)-24 points, 11 rebounds & 2 blocks on 10-11 (90.9%) from the floor (26 mins)
The Runnin’ Rebels took care of business against the Hornets. Although a surprise introduction to UNLV’s newest sensational big man was very refreshing. Bear Cherry wasn’t highly recruited out of high school or junior college for that matter. But he definitely showed out on Monday, with potential to be Coach Kruger’s latest Juco gem.
Later this week the Runnin’ Rebels will face their first true test of the season against Memphis. The Tigers will have way more size, depth & athleticism to that of Alabama State, so Cherry may need to be a reliable force once again.
Colorado State 82, North Dakota 56
Game MVP: Nique Clifford, Gr. G (CSU)-20 points, 14 rebounds & 4 assists on 9-12 shooting (33 min)
Clifford had some big shoes to fill when he announced his return to Fort Collins over the summer. Now, North Dakota aren’t the toughest opponents on the Rams’ schedule this season, not by far. But the potential NBA draft pick looked the part on Monday against their Summit League opponent.
Others will need to consistently step up to support Clifford in his new role, similar to what he was for Stevens last season. But there are plenty of talented newcomers & returners who should be eager for the job.
Wednesday November 6th
Boise State 87, Oakland 43
Game MVP: Andrew Meadow, So. G/F (BSU)-15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists & 3 steals (22 min) on 6-10 shooting, 3-6 from deep
Even though Oakland played the part of NCAA Tournament darlings last season when they upset No. 3 seeded Kentucky & nearly did the same to fellow Cinderellas North Carolina State, they are a different squad this season. Leon Rice’s group may have over exceeded Monday night’s expectations with a 44-point win over a Horizon League contender. But that’s totally fine.
With all of the incoming talent brought in this offseason, returning sophomore Andrew Meadow really showed out & proved why he earned a starting role on opening night as he absolutely stuffed the stat sheet.
Utah State 101, Alcorn State 46
Game MVP: Aubin Gateretse, R-Jr. C (USU)-24 points, 6 rebounds & 2 blocks (22 min) on 11-11 shooting
For those familiar with The Longest Yard, Utah State’s season opener against Alcorn State looked every part of a tune up game to kick off the year. Even though the Braves play D-I ball, Wednesday’s lopsided results was just the way to kick off the Calhoun era in Logan.
With all of the amassed talent at Utah State this offseason, it was the former Stetson Hatter Aubin Gateretse with an uber impressive 24 points in 22 minutes on 100% shooting from the floor. I can’t imagine he stays consistent with those numbers given how deep this roster is, but what a fun surprise nonetheless.
San Diego State 63, UC San Diego 58
Game MVP: Miles Byrd, R-So. G/F (SDSU)-20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 blocks 3 assists (31 min) on 7-12 shooting, 4-8 from deep
In town matchups are always fun, especially for Mountain West schools. UC San Diego is still relatively new to D-I hoops, but are title contenders in the Big West this season & gave Aztec fans a scare inside Viejas Arena on Wednesday. But given the preseason injury to expected leading scorer Reese Dixon-Waters late last month, sophomore guard Miles Byrd stepped up.
Aztec fans will likely be hoping this is Byrd’s breakout game as San Diego State could use all of the scoring help it can get with no bona fide bucket getters on this season’s roster.
Thursday November 7th
Air Force 73, Jacksonville State 67
Game MVP: Jeffrey Mills Sr. G (AFA)-18 points, 5 rebounds & 4 assists (38 min) on 6-10 shooting, 4-7 from deep
The Falcons truly bounced back from their less than stellar season opening loss against North Alabama. Jacksonville State is in a bit of a rebuilding year, but brought in some talented transfers this offseason. Ethan Taylor is averaging 26.5 PPG through two contests, which is phenomenal & just what the doctor ordered for Air Force this season.
Though for me, I loved senior guard Jeffrey Mills on Thursday. Knocking down four three pointers enroute to 18 points in 38 minutes on the floor. I think it was the needed boost for Air Force to go along with Taylor’s great performance.
Friday November 8th
Pacific 80, San Jose State 67
Game MVP: Lamar Washington, Jr. G (Pacific)- 14 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds
The Spartans dropped their second straight game to the Tigers out in Hawaii at the Outrigger Rainbow Classic. Tim Miles appeared to have recruited some impact transfers in the offseason but ultimately failed to put things together on the floor through two contests. Understandable given the amount of newcomers to the roster, but, this is the job nowadays.
Nearly everyone has a brand new roster these day. So judging a coaches abilities may now come down to how quickly you can make all of those new additions gel & turn that to wins on the hardwood. For Pacific, the Texas Tech transfer who was a part of some successful teams in Lubbock looked primed for a bigger role in Stockton this season.
Colorado State 87, Tennessee State 79
Game MVP: Nique Clifford, Gr. G (CSU)-31 points & 13 rebounds (42 min) on 11-18 shooting 4-6 from deep
Colorado State struggled slightly against the Ohio Valley Conference contenders Tennessee State on Friday. But Clifford really built off of a great performance earlier in the week with another against the Brian Collins’ Tigers. Folks around the conference won’t be too impressed with this single-digit win but, keeping the undefeated streak going with such a new roster is key for the Rams going forward.
Fresno State 64, Sacramento State 57
Game MVP: Amar Augillard, Jr. G (FSU)-30 points & 4 rebounds (22 min) on 9-19 shooting, 8-8 from the free throw line
The Bulldogs & the Hornets may be conference foes in the next coming years but for now, simply a nearby non-conference matchup. It was closer than first year Head Coach Vance Walberg may have wanted, but juco starlet Amar Augillard showed in a big way to secure the W.
New Mexico 72, No. 22 UCLA 64
Game MVP: CJ Noland, Sr. G (UNM)-13 points & 3 steals (19 mins) on 2-5 shooting but 8-8 shooting from the charity stripe
I really did pick the Must Watch matchup of the week with this one. UCLA was pegged as a top-three team in the Big Ten & ranked in the AP’s Top-25 preseason poll before Friday night’s meeting with the Lobos. And as hyped as New Mexico was nationally this offseason, I don’t think many folks bet in favor of the Lobos this week.
Well for those who did, congratulations. Richard Pitino’s squad secured the program’s first non-conference victory over a ranked opponent in over a decade on Friday. Yes, I gave the game’s MVP honors to CJ Noland who put in a very respectable 13 point performance off of the bench in just 19 minutes, but senior center Nelly Junior-Joseph looked like the best player on the court. And with several NBA prospects in the game including Lobo teammate Donovan Dent, that sentence carries some weight.
Saturday November 9th-MWC Goes 2-2
Utah State 103, Charlotte 74
Game MVP: Ian Martinez, Sr. G (USU)-23 points, 4 rebounds & 4 assists (28 mins) on 7-13 shooting from the floor & 8-10 from the free throw line
The 49ers aren’t expected to make much noise in the American this season. But they provided more competition than the Aggies opponents earlier in the week. Utah State stood the course & looked like the “dark horse” team of week one. It’s odd to type dark horse (hence the quotations), but no one was sure how first year Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun was going to put together this high powered roster this season.
He did receive some equally impressive help from Oregon State transfer Dexter Akanno who chipped in 15 points in just 22 minutes off of the bench. It goes without saying, this Aggie team is DEEEP. But early successful outings like this show how deep the conference as a whole can really be. A lot of onlookers of the conference see the Mountain West as a 3-bid league this season, but we might have to start thinking 4-5 minimum after week one.
Memphis 80, UNLV 74
Game MVP: Dedan Thomas Jr., So. G (UNLV)-22 points,
Taking down the Tigers inside of the Thomas & Mack Center would have been huge for Kevin Kruger’s rising program. But, Coach Hardaway really brought in some bucket getters over the offseason. Even with another stellar performance from super sophomore Dedan Thomas Jr., it wasn’t enough for the resume boosting win.
Nevada 63, Washington 53
Game MVP: Kobe Sanders, Sr. G (Nevada)-20 points, 5 assists & 4 rebounds (36 min) on 5-14 shooting but 9-10 from the charity stripe
This Wolf Pack vs. Huskies matchup was on my highlighted list of games to watch. But judging from the box score, the defense must have just been that good? Wolf Pack fans let me know. But anyways, this is yet another solid win for Coach Alford’s program over Washington, no matter who is in charge in Seattle.
Everyone aside from sophomore Tyler Rolison (4-6, 9 points) & Nick Davidson (5-9, 14 points) struggled shooting the ball on Saturday afternoon. But college basketball’s latest iteration of Magic Johnson, Kobe Sanders was ice cold from the free throw line (9-10). Nevada looks the part of a top-3 team in this league through two contests, but with risers like Colorado State, UNLV & Utah State already at their heels. They’ll need to continue to put in work to maintain their current status.
San Francisco 84, Boise State 73
Game MVP: Marcus Williams, Sr. G (USF)-20 points, 6 assists & 5 rebounds (28 min) on 6-12 shooting, including 4-5 from deep & 4-4 from the free throw line
Saturday night’s game against the Dons was easily the Broncos second toughest matchup of their non-conference schedule. San Francisco was clearly the better team, leading almost the entire game & catching up quickly, after losing their lead late in the middle of the second-half. All five Don starters scored in double-figures.
While the Broncos starting 5 struggled, shooting 18-47 from the field & 3-16 (18%) from deep. I gave former Wyoming Cowboy Marcus Williams Game MVP honors, as he not only scored for his team but had a game high 6 assists to just two turnovers. It’s WAY too make any judgements, so we’ll chop this one up to San Francisco being better prepared with a heck of a roster in week one.
Sunday November 10th-MWC
Wyoming 81, Tennessee State 66
Game MVP: Obi Agbim, Sr. G (WYO)-24 points, 3 rebounds & 3 assists (32 min)
Agbim recieved Game MVP honors for the second straight time in week one with his second straight 20+ point performance. Agbim looked great in Wyoming’s season opening win over D-II Concordia-St. Paul, but the question remained, could the 6-3 scoring guard put in the same quality work against D-I competition? Um, in short Yes.
Now seventh year Head Coach Brian Collins has his Tigers in position to challenge for his first ever OVC title in March. So Saturday night’s 15-point win in Laramie was in fact an upgraded test for the Cowboys. Wyoming shot the ball above 50% from the floor, 3-point range & the free throw line against Tennessee State while posting a positive assist to turnover ration & fouling a relatively medium amount this early in the season.
Hawaii 80, San Jose State 69
Game MVP: Tanner Christensen, Gr. C (HAW)-20 points & 8 rebounds (20 min) on 8-10 shooting from the floor, 4-5 from the free throw line
Future conference foes went at it on Sunday at the Rainbow Classic & although the Spartans looked improved they still fell to Hawaii for their second loss of the week. Former Utah Tech big man Tanner Christensen went to work for the Rainbow Warriors down low with a twenty piece in just 20 minutes.
San Jose State needs to figure things out, luckily there’s plenty of time to do so with plenty of talent on the roster to work with.
All-Conference: Week One
Nelly Junior Joseph, Sr. C New Mexico, Week 1: 22.0 PPG, 14.0 RPG, & 79.1% FT
Nick Davidson, R-Jr. F Nevada, Week 1: 20.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG 2.0 APG, 68.4% FG
Nique Clifford, Gr. G Colorado State, Week 1: 25.5 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 66.7% 3FG
Donovan Dent, Jr. G New Mexico, Week 1: 16.0 PPG, 9.5 APG & 2.5 SPG, 61.1% FG
Kobe Sanders, Sr. G Nevada, Week 1: 23.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG & 4.5 APG, 88.9% FT
Dedan Thomas Jr., So. G UNLV, Week 1: 19.5 PPG & 3.5 APG, 37.5% 3FG
Tyson Degenhart, Sr. F Boise State, Week 1: 19.0 PPG & 6 RPG on 49.6 % shooting
Dark Horse Performances
Nov. 4th vs. Nicholls-Donovan Dent, Jr. G (UNM)-15 points, 11 assists (2 TOs) & 3 steals (38 min) on 5-11 shooting
Nov. 4th vs. N. Dakota-Kyle Jorgensen, Fr. F (CSU)-9 points, 7 rebounds & 3 blocks (19 min) on 4-7 from the floor
The freshman big showed out against D-I competition, that deserves a highlight.
Nov. 4th vs. N. Alabama-Ethan Taylor, Sr. G (AF)-30 points & 8 rebounds (39 min) on 9-13 from the floor, 8-11 from deep
Air Force is hurting with the loss of two of their top four scorers, but Taylor is stepping up in a big way through week one.
Nov. 4th vs. Sam Houston-Kobe Sanders, Sr. G (NEV)-27 points, 6 rebounds & 4 assists (34 min) on 9-14 shooting, 2-3 from deep & 7-8 from the free throw line
Sanders nearly dropped a 30 piece on a conference title contender in his first game inside Lawlor Events Center.
Nov. 4th vs. Alabama St.-Julian Rishwain, Sr. G (UNLV)-13 points, 2 assists & 2 rebounds (24 min) on 4-8 shooting from deep
Sharpshooting two guards seem to be an element of the game’s past. Florida transfer Julian Rishwain looked like something out of a 2010s highlight reel against Alabama State, knocking down half of his shots from deep off of the bench.
Nov. 7th vs. JSU-Ethan Taylor, Sr. G (AF)-23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists & 2 steals (39 min) on 7-14 shooting, 4-10 from deep & 5-6 from the free throw line
The Falcons got the win this time around, largely in part to a another great performance by their fearless leader.
Nov. 8th vs. Tennessee St.-Jalen Lake, Sr. G (CSU)-22 points & 2 assists (40 min) on 6-12 shooting, 3-8 from deep & 7-8 from the free throw line
Lake is looking like the perfect number two to Nique Clifford for Niko Medved this season, appears to have elevated his game for his senior year.
Nov. 9th vs. No. 22 UCLA-Nelly Junior Joseph, Gr. C (UNM)-16 points, 12 rebounds & 2 steals (32 min) on 5-9 shooting, 6-8 from the free throw line
Junior Joseph looks like the transfer fans in Albuquerque thought they were going to get after he dropped 20 points inside the Pit against the Lobos with Iona two years ago, welcome big fella.
Nov. 9th vs. Charlotte-Karson Templin, So. F (USU)-12 points, 7 rebounds & 2 steals (16 min) on 6-6 shooting from the floor
This Aggies team is extremely deep, but a budding reliable sophomore big will be very welcome in Logan to help solidify this Utah State team as a title contender.
Nov. 9th vs. Charlotte-Dexter Akanno, Sr. G (USU)-15 points, 2 assists & 2 rebounds (22 min) on 5-8 shooting, 2-3 from deep & 3-4 from the FT line
Akanno is a part of a tremendous transfer class in Logan this season, if he can provide this scoring punch off of the bench, skies are indeed the limit for this Aggies team.
Nov. 9th vs. San Francisco-Tyson Degenhart, Sr. F (BSU)-25 points & 7 rebounds (38 min) on 8-15 shooting & 8-10 from the free throw line
The Broncos missed a quality resume building win against the Dons but Preseason MWC POY awardee Degenhart reminded everyone he is still top dog on this talented roster.
Standings Week 1: As of 11.10.2024
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)
It’s never right to judge a program by their exhibitions or their opening week games. Between the injuries, late arrivals on campus & even officials still warming up from the offseason, these results should be taken with a grain of salt.
Either way through one game, Boise State & Nevada looked the part as league leaders. New Mexico has looked sloppy through one exhibition game & Monday’s results against Nicholls State but put doubters to bed late on Friday night against No. 22 ranked UCLA.
Week two will give us more to analyze & tweet about, but for now, great job to all programs, even San Jose State who is struggling with an almost entirely new roster.