Week 5 MWC Basketball Power Rankings

Week 4 was a good week for Mountain West Basketball. Both Boise State and Wyoming took down ranked teams in No. 11 Creighton and No. 19 respectively while San Diego State went into L.A to take down the kings of the PAC 12, UCLA. New Mexico may have had a close, ugly win over Indiana State it is enough to keep them No. 1 in the Week 5 MWC Basketball Power Rankings.

1. New Mexico: The Lobos have been the most impressive team in the MWC with their strength of scheudle, players, and 8-0 start. G Kendall Williams (14.3 PPG-4.6 APG) has been the centerpiece on this Lobos team, with G Tony Snell (11.9 PPG-3.4 APG) and F-C Alex Kirk (11.5 PPG-8.3 RPG) playing the supporting roles. The Lobos 8-0 start is no fluke, with Key wins over Illinois-Chicago (6-1), Davidson (4-3), George Mason (5-3) and of course UConn (6-1). The "easy part" of UNM's schedule is over, as the Lobos enter the Gauntlet starting in week 5 with USC and Valparaiso, then after they have to play home and away against NMSU, VS South Dakota State, and finish their non conference schedule @ both Saint Louis and Cincinnati.

2. Wyoming: It may be a little early to jump on the Cowboys bandwagon, but i like what HC Larry Shyatt is doing with Wyoming. The Cowboys are off to a thunderous start, going 8-0 with a key win at home over No. 19 Colorado. F Leonard Washington (15.1 PPG-8.5 RPG) has been sensational for the Cowboys, and will have to play at a high level if he wants the Cowboys to continue their win streak against Illinois State on the road.

3. Boise State: At first glance you make think this would be a MWC football power ranking- no, Boise State really can play basketball. Duo guards Anthony Drmic (15.8 PPG-6.5 RPG) and Derrick Marks (18.7 PPG-3.7 RPG) have lit up the backcourt for the Broncos and combined for almost half (39 points) of the Broncos points scored against Seattle on Sunday. What would be more impressive for the Broncos then beating No. 11 Creighton would be if they could win @ Utah and at home against LSU in week 5 and prove that win in Omaha was no fluke.

4. San Diego State: G Jamall Franklin (20.2 PPG-10 RPG) is still averaging a double-double through 5 weeks, though will need to get more help from his supporting cast if they want to contend with the likes of Boise State and Wyoming (ha, thought I'd never say that). The Aztecs take it east in week 5 with home games against Texas Southern and UC Santa Barbara.

5. Colorado State: The Colorado State Rams starting 5 is stacked with C Colton Iverson (16.2 PPG-11.2 RPG) leading the way along with, G Dorian Green (12.7 PPG-3.7 APG), F Greg Smith (12.2 PPG-5.8 APG), G Wes Eikmeoer (10.8 PPG-1.7 APG) and F Pierce Hornung (7.5 PPG-12 RPG). The Rams face still tests in week 5, going to Colorado and Illinois-Chicago.

6. UNLV: The Runnin' Rebels have been low key as of late, but turn things up a notch with road games to Portland and Cal in week 5. F Anthony Bennett (18.8 PPG-7.8 RPG) is making a case for MWC rookie of the year, with F Mike Moser (12.3 PPG-9.2 RPG) pairing up quite nicely in the frontcourt.

7. Air Force Academy: The Falcons lost another heart breaker, this time at home against the Wichita State Shockers 72-69. G Micheal Lyons (19.6 PPG-5.2 RPG) has been doing it all for the Falcons and will need to get more help if he wants his team to be a threat in the MWC.

8. Nevada: The Wolf Pack has been dismal as of late, sitting at 4-3 and coming off a home loss to Drake. Guard duo Denote Burton (18.0 PPG- 3 APG) and Malik Story (17.6 PPG-2. 6 RPG) have been the only real source of scoring for the Wolf Pack, with F Cole Huff (7.4 PPG-5.4 RPG) being the next highest scorer.

9. Fresno State: The Bulldogs have gotten off to their usual dreadful start, wading at .500 with a 3-3 and 2 game losing streak. G Allen Huddleston (13 PPG-2.5 RPG) is the highest scorer on the Bulldogs rotation, really. Perhaps the lack of scoring is what is keeping the Bulldogs under.