Matt Norlander and the analysts at CBS Sports ranked each of the 351 D-1 teams for the upcoming season.
San Diego State, the conference champion pick at Mountain West Media Day last week, is the first MW team on the list, ranked 34th overall.
Here are the complete rankings:
34) San Diego State
63) Nevada
68) New Mexico
121) Boise State
123) Fresno State
143) Utah State
172) Colorado State
177) UNLV
187) Air Force
226) Wyoming
336) San Jose State
The rankings most likely fit the rhetoric of most Mountain West pundits. Boise State, which loses four core seniors from last season, is ranked a bit higher than most pre-season rankings have pegged the Broncos.
San Diego State, New Mexico and Nevada are the consensus top three, and all are primed for tournament bids this year with key returnees and incoming talent.
UNLV, which is in the rebuilding stage after a massive teardown of the roster last spring, welcomes in former New Mexico State head coach Marvin Menzies in hopes of improving the stumbling Rebel program.
The Fresno State Bulldogs, last year’s conference tournament champion, picked up a #14 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Utah in the round of 64. With MW player of the year Marvelle Harris moving on, Rodney Terry might have a challenging time returning to the Big Dance.
The college basketball season tips off on November 11th.