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Posted on October 22, 2022
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The 2022-2023 faculty basketball time is just about right here.
The Mountain West Meeting must at the time yet again have a selection of event-worthy teams after looking at four teams make it in 2022: Boise Point out, Colorado Point out, Wyoming, and San Diego State.
The four-bid MWC was the most because 2013, and there are anticipations that four teams could make it at the time all over again this period.
Here are my preseason rankings and predictions for the MWC men’s basketball season.
1. San Diego Condition Aztecs
The return of Matt Bradley was a massive determination for the Aztecs, who shed by 3 to Creighton in a gut-wrenching NCAA Match recreation.
Bradley should really be a single of the very best gamers in the MWC, and Lamont Butler, Keshad Johnson, Nathan Mensah, and Seattle transfer Darrion Trammell have the Aztecs seeking like a Leading 25 group.
2. Wyoming Cowboys
Wyoming returns Hunter Maldonado (just one of the MWC player of the 12 months candidates) and Graham Ike.
On prime of that, the Cowboys worked miracles in the transfer current market: Pac-12 transfers Ethan Anderson (USC), Max Agbonkpolo (USC), and Jake Kyman (UCLA) all must engage in huge roles in Laramie.
If everything clicks as predicted, Wyoming finishes next in the MWC and pushes SDSU for the convention title.
3. Colorado Condition Rams
The Rams missing David Roddy to the NBA, but they continue to have a loaded roster with Isaiah Stevens set to make yet another big phase.
Regrettably, the Aztecs are much way too gifted and the Rams finish second in the MWC this year although earning an NCAA tourney berth.
4. Boise Condition Broncos
The Broncos received the MWC last period nonetheless are projected to end fourth listed here.
The above teams all arguably got greater, but the Broncos have a ton of new faces that need to have time to mesh and mix with each other.
Boise Point out could put all the things collectively and purpose for an additional MWC title, but a 3 or 4 seed in the MWC tourney appears additional acceptable.
5. New Mexico Lobos
New Mexico is a single of the bigger sleeper groups in all of school basketball.
The Lobos return MWC Third-Group gamers Jaelen Residence and Jamal Mashburn and they return their leading 5 players in terms of minutes performed very last year.
Which is vital, and there is a path to the Lobos passing Boise Point out and Colorado Condition.
6. Fresno State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs viewed Orlando Robinson depart for the NBA (whilst he surprisingly went undrafted).
The reduction of Robinson is one particular of the greatest losses in the total MWC, and Justin Hutson has his get the job done minimize out for him.
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs have a good deal of athletic players who can make items hard for opposing groups.
Fresno Condition is a single of the most important wild cards of all: They could finish in the major six, or they could be a single of the worst groups in the MWC.
7. UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
Bryce Hamilton is no more time in Las Vegas, and that is a large hole to fill this time for Kevin Kruger’s staff.
UNLV did a masterful occupation in the transfer portal, incorporating 5 transfers who blended to start off 102 online games final period.
But as is the situation with this a lot of new faces, it continues to be a problem mark on no matter whether or not it will do the job.
8. Nevada Wolfpack
Steve Alford lost 3 starters to the transfer portal, such as Grant Sherfield, Desmond Cambridge, and Warren Washington.
That hurts big time, but he softened the blow a minor by including Oregon Condition transfer Jarod Lucas and Elon transfer Hunter McIntosh.
The Wolfpack have a rough calendar year in advance of them.
9. Utah State Aggies
Ryan Odom’s group came crashing back down to earth following a few best-a few finishes, and the 2022-2023 time doesn’t get considerably greater for them.
The Aggies did add St. Joe’s transfer Taylor Funk, who had 100 occupation starts on his resume, but Utah Point out won’t be pretty entertaining to observe this calendar year.
10. Air Force Falcons
Air Power surprised the earth by commencing the calendar year 7-1 previous time, but that was all for almost nothing as they concluded with just 11 wins.
The Falcons’ leading scorer, AJ Walker, is out of town, so that is a massive blow for this crew.
11. San Jose Point out Spartans
The Spartans also commenced very last year robust at 7-5, but they dropped 18 of the closing 19 games and misplaced Ibrahima Diallo.
The Spartans football group is getting a very good year, so that helps make items much easier.
—More from Matt Wadleigh—
Matt is a Senior Writer for SuperWest Sports activities, covering Mountain West football and basketball.
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