Toyminator's 2000-2001 Mountain West Conference Preview

After a successful inaugural season, the Mountain West Conference enters the 2000-2001 breathing easier now that they'll receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. But it's not like there was any chance of them getting shutout! This is one of the more competitive leagues in the country and should be well represented (at least 3 teams) again this season!

Once again, Utah will be the team to beat! Last season could be considered a disappointment for the Utes, but it's tough to get things going when injuries to key people keep coming up. This season, Rick Majerus brought in a number of impact newcomers to mesh with a few key returnees. In addition, two members of their Final Four team will be returning from Mormon missions to deepen their bench even further. They should be tough, but it won't be easy with the likes of BYU, UNLV & Wyoming fielding strong teams as well. BYU could be one of the deepest teams in the nation and comes off a strong finish last season. UNLV & Wyoming are physical teams that could wear down opponents. Also look for the revamped Lobos of New Mexico to be much improved and have their say in the title race. It should be quite interesting to watch!

ON THE RISE: BYU
It wasn't too long ago when the Cougars only won 1 game the entire season. Now they've got a great shot at getting back to the NCAA Tournament! Everyone returns from last season NIT team, but more importantly, Coach Cleveland has brought in some talented newcomers to get them to the next level. Look for transfers Trent Whiting & Nate Knight, along with blue chip Garner Meads, to provide immediate contributions to a team that already has all-conference players Terrell Lyday & Mekeli Wesley. This may be their best season since Danny Ainge wore the uniform! Hey wait, his son is one this team....coincidence?

IN DECLINE: none
To my chargrin, I can't rip on any program in this conference! Everyone looks pretty solid. Even sorry ass Air Force has one of the league's best players, so they won't be as bad as always! Coach Fisher's doing a good job down at San Diego St., and even with all the turmoil surrounding the Lobos program, Coach Franschilla will field a talented team. Nope, just can't find one this year!

1. UTAH

Strengths: Good shooting & rebounding team. Excellent team defense. Good depth. Limit their turnovers.
Weakness: Slow offense, without a true scorer or leader. Someone needs to step up at PG.
Outlook: The Utes will be BIG, so second chance baskets could help their offense. Newcomes Travis Spivey, Chris Burgess & Britton Johnson have to play big roles for this team if they want to make some noise this season. I'm sure Majerus will find a way for that to happen!

2. BYU

Strengths: Good shooting team. Solid, deep backcourt that handles the ball well. Good inside scoring. Solid team defense. Very deep!
Weakness: Questionable rebounding team. No true center.
Outlook: If the new guys can bring some toughness to Provo, then the Cougars could be this season's Tulsa! A potential sleeper, who you should definitely keep an eye on!

3. UNLV

Strengths: High scoring offense. Good inside game of scoring & rebounding. Lots of athletic players, especially off the bench.
Weakness: PG is quite iffy at the moment! Poor team defense. Inconsistent at times. Poor 3-pt shooting team.
Outlook: Most everyone's back from last season's NCAA Tournament team, but the one person who's missing could cause problems for them this season. Mark Dickel was steady, if unspectacular, but there's nobody on board to replace him. If someone steps up, then they'll be back!

4. WYOMING

Strengths: Good offense, led by a talented frontcourt. Good rebounding team. Good ball-handling & distribution.
Weakness: Suspect team defense. Small backcourt. Inexperienced bench.
Outlook: Another potential sleeper team! Davis & Udezue will cause problems for teams, but the loss of Blakes will hurt their backcourt play. Plus, they must be healthy if they want to compete for the league title. Postseason play is a definite though!

5. NEW MEXICO

Strengths: Solid backcourt. Quick, athletic team. Good team defense. Good FT shooting team.
Weakness: Poor rebounding team. Poor ball handling & distribution. Little depth.
Outlook: It's been a mass exodus from Albuquerque, but there's been a flood of new talent coming in as well. Would have been better if JUCO star Dion Broom made it academically, but should still be a decent team.

6. COLORADO ST.

Strengths: Excellent outside shooting team, especially from 3. Solid, experienced backcourt.
Weakness: Poor rebounding team. Poor inside game, thanks to a weak frontcourt. Little depth.
Outlook: The Rams will be dangerous thanks to their long range gunnin'. But in order to move up, someone's going to have to bang down low with the big boys of this conference. It doesn't look like that's possible this season!

7. SAN DIEGO ST.

Strengths: Promising frontcourt. Incoming talent.
Weakness: Defense that can't stop anyone from scoring. Can't shoot, pass or rebound much either!
Outlook: Slowly improving, but still not there yet! JUCO star Randy Holcomb should battle for Newcomer of the Year

8. AIR FORCE

Strengths: Croff's scoring ability. Limit their turnovers.
Weakness: Poor team defense. Little inside scoring. Poor FT shooting team. As usual, quite small!
Outlook: Falcons can score, but have trouble stopping teams. Plus, other frontlines might squash any inside game they may have!

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Last updated on 10/2/00 by toyminator@prodigy.net