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Week 12 MWC Power Rankings

New Mexico retains their No.1 spot after facing a tough test from Boise State and are the only team in the MWC who is undefeated in conference play.

The New Mexico Lobos survive on the road at Boise State
The New Mexico Lobos survive on the road at Boise State
USA Today

Week 11 saw parity and unforeseen upsets than in any other week in College Basketball. Both No.1, Louisville, and No.2, Indiana, fell this week leading up to the probability of Duke coming back into the No.1 spot in the Nation. The MWC had it's fair share of upsets as well. Fresno State go it's first win of the MWC season by beating Wyoming whom goes home to upset San Diego State who was also upset at home by UNLV whom was beaten on the road by Colorado State and so forth. While we are sure to see more parity for the MWC in coming weeks, we are unsure when we will see New Mexico falter.

1. New Mexico: The New Mexico Lobos got their first taste of a MWC road game, a game that was a bit closer than they had probably wanted, still the Lobos pulled the win in overtime, 79-74. G Tony Snell had a big week, scoring 22 points and grabbing 3 boards in the win over Boise State. The Lobos, again, go on the road for week 12 to play a struggling San Diego State which could add another piece of New Mexico's MWC Championship puzzle.

2. Colorado State: Some may be wondering why the Rams are ranked so high this week. Well for starters, they are undefeated at home in conference play and have ended the week undefeated, with victories over Air Force and UNLV. The Rams will have to persevere this week as both of their games are on the road at Fresno State and New Mexico. The Rams have the potential to get the standout win at The Pit but will need to get a complete game from C Colton Iverson (14.4 PPG-9 RPG) if they want to do so.

3. UNLV: The Rebels may have ended their week with a loss, but they did break the Viejas Arena curse and gave the Aztecs their first loss at home in 10 games. G Anthony Marshall had a huge game in San Diego, scoring 20 points, 5 assists and 8 rebounds in the upset. The Rebels look forward to week 12 as they get two straight games at home against Wyoming and Nevada, which should provide the Rebels with some easy wins, then they go back on the road in week 13 to face Boise State and Fresno State.

4. San Diego State: The Aztecs are looking forward to forgetting their "nightmare" week 11. The Aztecs started the week on a bad not by getting their 10 game home winning streak snapped by the Rebels, then they ended the week by losing on the road to Wyoming in which they scored only 9 points in the first half. Even with Jamaal Franklin's 27 points, it till wasn't enough to fend off a hungry UNLV team. The Aztecs look to avoid a 3rd straight loss when they travel to Nevada, then come home to play New Mexico in week 12.

5. Wyoming: The Cowboys had an extreme high and an extreme low this week. First off, the Pokes learned about G Luke Martinez ugly battery charges, which could likely end his season at Wyoming, and then gave Fresno State its first win of the season. Then the Cowboys held the Aztecs to only 9 points in the first half to beat San Diego State, their 2nd home victory over a ranked opponent this season.

6. Boise State: The Broncos had an equally disappointing week as the Aztecs did, losing two straight. The Broncos look to end their skid by playing Fresno State and then at Nevada for a flashback of the days of the WAC. Duo guards Anthony Drmic (15.5 PPG-4.8 RPG) and Derrick Marks (17 PPG-3.4 RPG) look to keep the Broncos NCAA Tournament bid mentality going as a potential two game winning streak is within reach.

7. Air Force: The Air Force Falcons have been quietly winning games and are on path to finish the season above, or close to, .500, which would be a reasonable goal for the Falcons. In week 12, the Falcons take a stroll outside of the MWC to play the New Orleans Privateers, who has already played the Boise State Broncos, then Air Force goes on the road to play Wyoming.

8. Nevada: Nevada, and the two man show of G Deonte Burton (16.8 PPG-2.8 APG) and Malik Story (15.8 PPG-3.5 RPG) look to keep their record above .500 when they host the San Diego State Aztecs in week 12. Not much else can be said about the Wolf Pack as their only conference win over Fresno State says little about how this team will perform the rest of the season.

9. Fresno State: Rejoice Bulldogs Fans!!! Fresno State has debunked the rumor of a win less conference season by beating a quality Wyoming team. While the Bulldogs are still below a winning record of 7-10, it is still a good start. Who knows, Maybe the Bulldogs will beat Boise State and Colorado State in week 12, with so much parity in the MWC anything can happen. Probably not though.