Mountain West

In Brian’s last bracket, he has 4 Mountain West teams in. The league has had a resurgence this year with 6 teams in the KenPom top 50. There isn’t a title team or Final 4 team in the league but it’s been a very good and fun league this year.

Colorado State was the early-season darling starting 11-0 before San Diego State brought them crashing down to earth. The Rams are still tied for 3rd in the league with the Aztecs. The Aztecs have the best KenPom defense in the nation and a 10-point win over St. Mary’s.

Boise State and Wyoming are tied for the league lead. The Broncos are 32nd in KenPom and the Cowboys  are 35th. They’ve already played twice this year and split the season series with each winning at home. Boise State’s best win out of league is over a solid Washington State team. Wyoming doesn’t have a great non-conference win, going 1-2 against the Pac-12.

Utah State and Fresno State are squarely on the bubble. It seems unlikely the league can get 5 teams but it’s a discussion the league hasn’t had in awhile. This will be a league to watch in March when league tournaments start. UNLV is good enough to steal a bid, too. Bubble teams outside the MWC will want one of the top 4 in this league to win the league tourney.