This weekly series take us to a conference that is ‘tweener’ in the national scope of college basketball. The Mountain West is not really respected as a top level league, yet considered above the so-called mid-majors.  Each week we will look at a different conference, to see what their current records are, how they are performing against the all important spread numbers and whom they are matching up with this weekend. Additionally, if any unusual scheduling quirks appear, we will keep you informed.

The Mountain West has slipped in overall stature over the last couple of years despite Utah’s presence on the national scene. Each of the last two years has seen the conference receive only two bids with only the Utes and Wyoming making it past the first round in the last four tournaments. The decline has occurred because of the change in fortunes of UNLV and BYU. The Runnin’ Rebels fans yearn for the days of the “Tark the Shark”, when Jerry Tarkanian ruled Sin City. A series of scandals and poor coaching choices have left UNLV chasing, in hopes of hitting a parlay of success. The Cougars have only occasionally had much success in recent years, with weak recruiting and Utah’s dominance under former coach Rick Majerus tutelage. Things could be changing with Steve Fisher finally implementing discipline into the San Diego State program and the Air Force proving a difficult to match wits with using their distinctive style of play.

San Diego State is perched atop of the Mountain West standings with a single loss on the season. That defeat came against the Air Force, since then the Aztecs have rattled off eight consecutive wins with a 6-1-1 mark against the spread. San Diego State is led by Brandon Heath and Marcus Slaughter, the conferences two leading scorers. Both juniors were pre-season All-MWC selections and each has lived up to their end of the bargain. The Aztecs are not statically imposing, they just win games. This Saturday’s opponent Utah has returned back to earth with a thud. The Utes are 7^th in the standings and only a game over .500 overall. Coach Ray Giacoletti surely misses Andrew Bogut; the greater loss has proven to be guard Marc Jackson. The Utes are last in the conference in turnover margin at -3.35. The Utes are 2-7 SU and ATS in road games and will find no solace at S.D. State who is 10-1 at home. The Aztecs figure to be about a 6-point favorite and are winning league games by 9.3 PPG, giving them the edge in this spot.

Under Lon Kruger, UNLV is showing signs of life. The Rebels are 7-2 in MWC action and even though the fans have not embraced the team, signs are showing Kruger may be building something in a town known for breaking hearts. Coach Kruger has hitched his trailer on 6-9 senior Louis Amundson who is in the Top 10 in scoring and rebounding. Versatile and athletic JC transfer Jason Petrimoulx is 3^rd in assists and lightning quick Jo’Van Adams is 2^nd in the league in steals. This weekend they visit BYU who is trying to get noticed. The Cougars are tied for third place after a 19-point blowout loss to menacing rival Utah, after four wins in a row. BYU has been awesome at home with 11-1 record and 6-3 ATS mark. The Cougars have attacked the opposition after a loss, with a perfect 6-0 record, covering four times. Two problems on tap for UNLV, they will be an away underdog in this game, which has proven problematic with a 0-4 record.  Additionally, the Rebels might also have one eye looking ahead to next Thursday’s encounter with San Diego State.

Conference play has brought out the weakness of Air Force. The will always be undersized (not Gary Coleman undersized) due to height restrictions at entry into the university. This explains why once again Air Force is last in rebounding. Former NBA coach Jeff Bzdelik has kept the Princeton-style offense intact, thus giving the Flyboys the best opportunity to shoot 48.7% from the field and 40.9% on the three-ball. What has made this Falcons team different is the defense. The pace of the Air Force games lends to them holding teams to a lower point total, however this year’s zone press is why they lead the league in thefts. Wyoming pays a visit with 6’10 Justin Williams clogging up the lane. He leads the MWC in blocked shots and is 2^nd in rebounding. The Cowboys have struggled after a solid start in league play, winning twice and covering once since January 15. Weak guard play has been the Cowboys culprit, being last is assists and steals along with fewest 3-point shots made per game. Wyoming is 2-5 SU and 2-4-1 ATS losing 6.6 PPG on the road. With unsteady backline play for the Cowboys, a trip Colorado Springs to face a pressure zone press could spell BLOWOUT.

New Mexico makes their maiden voyage to Fort Worth to take on TCU as a conference member. The Lobos are as expected, superb at home (13-1) and timorous on the road. (1-7) The Horned Frogs first season in the Mountain West has gone about as presumed, right near the bottom of the standings. It is truly amazing New Mexico after all these years has such a weird home/road dichotomy. Once again, the Lobos outscore opponents by almost 10 PPG at “The Pit” and are slammed by 7.8 PPG when wearing the road red uniforms. The Horned Frogs own one win in the conference and five overall. Texas Christian home record is misleading at 5-7; since they have only covered the number once in six tries. Three of the home wins came against teams not playing D-1 hoops. New Mexico’s season is ahead of them, after this contest against TCU, their final five games are against teams they are tied with or ahead of them in the standings.

Because the Mountain West has nine teams, last place Colorado State has the weekend off.