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For the second consecutive season, the Mountain West Conference is shut out of the Associated Press Top 25 preseason rankings.
It has been a lengthy cold streak for the conference, which is trying to shake off a dismal season in which only Fresno State made the NCAA Tournament, clinching a #14 seed.
The Mountain West has failed to have a team in the AP top 25 since March 9, 2015, when Boise State was ranked 25th in the final regular season poll of the 2014-15 season, over 600 days ago.
San Diego State (NIT runner-up) and Nevada (CBI champions) remain the frontrunners this season, with New Mexico close behind. The lengthy streak without a MWC team in the rankings should come to an end this winter, with San Diego State and Nevada both anticipated to lurk in the receiving votes to begin the season. Both teams also have favorable non-conference schedules.
The new season begins November 11 with a full slate of games. San Diego State hosts San Diego, hoping to avenge a costly lost at Petco Park last season. Nevada has a tremendous chance to add a resume-building win in the opening game of the season with a road matchup against #17 Saint Mary’s.