Mountain West basketball rankings: Nevada ... then the other guys

Reno Gazette-Journal

Here’s an early version of bracketology for you — unless something changes, and in a big way, the Mountain West is looking like a one-bid conference come NCAA Tournament time.

Pick your favorite metrics or your go-to power rankings, and you’ll get the same answer every time. There’s Nevada — and then there’s everybody else.

That’s not to say that there’s not some potential out there. Both Fresno State and Utah State have put together respectable early-season records, and both should be capable of giving the Wolf Pack serious challenges. But, as a group, the conference is seriously lacking in the sort of marquee wins that move the needle come tournament time.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS:It's all Wolf Pack, all the time

With that in mind, here’s this week’s RGJ Mountain West basketball rankings, including a brief update on each team and last week’s place in the list. Records are through Wednesday’s games.

1. Nevada (10-0)

Last week: 1

How many highly ranked teams would schedule themselves for six straight games away from home — and then go out and win all six? Not many.

2. Fresno State (7-2)

LW: 4

Other than the Wolf Pack, the Bulldogs are the only Mountain West team on any sort of relevant winning streak. Fresno State has won five in a row and will be favored to beat Cal on Wednesday.

3. Utah State (8-2)

LW: 2

The Aggies’ two losses — to Arizona State and BYU — have come against teams Nevada has already beaten this season.

4. San Diego State (6-4)

LW: 3

Here’s a scary thought for tournament time — only four of the 11 Mountain West teams have winning records (through Wednesday’s games). The Aztecs are the fourth.

5. UNLV (4-4)

LW: 5

A close 77-74 loss to Illinois on Saturday pushed the Rebels’ losing streak to three. All three of those setbacks came by eight or fewer points.

6. Boise State (4-5)

LW: 7

The season-opening loss to Idaho State appears to have set the tone in Boise. An easy schedule gets harder in a hurry on Saturday at Oregon.

7. Colorado State (5-5)

LW: 8.

A Saturday win over Sam Houston State stabilized things for the Rams, who had lost their previous four.

8. New Mexico (4-4)

LW: 6

A brutal 100-65 loss to New Mexico State gave the Aggies a season sweep in the series. Losses to Saint Mary’s and Colorado followed.

9. Wyoming (3-7)

LW: 9

The inconsistent Cowboys followed up a nice win over South Carolina with an overtime loss to Denver.

10. Air Force (4-6)

LW: 10

The Falcons are taking a two-week break between games against Army (a 66-61 loss) and Michigan (on Dec. 22).

11. San Jose State (2-6)

LW: 11

A two-point win over Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 6 broke a six-game losing streak for the Spartans.

The unbeatens

Nevada is one of nine remaining undefeated teams in the nation. Here’s the list, ordered by number of wins:

Furman: 11-0
Nevada: 10-0
Michigan: 10-0
Virginia: 9-0
Texas Tech: 9-0
Buffalo: 9-0
Houston: 9-0
St. John’s: 9-0
Kansas: 8-0