Mountain West basketball: Media predicts San Diego State as champions

Mountain West is currently holding its media days for basketball and the preseason ballots from the media are out, and it should come as no surprise that the San Diego State Aztecs are pegged to win the conference. They are followed by the Boise State Broncos and a little bit of a surprise is seeing the Utah State Aggies round out the top three. Fresno State earned one first-place vote but is projected to finish fifth.

San Diego State is the reigning co-champions alongside Boise State and it is fitting that these two are the tops in the conference. The Broncos do get get Anthony Drmic back who was given a medical redshirt for one last year, and the Aztecs are led by Winston Shepard III and a strong recruiting class.

Utah State is transitioning from Stew Morrill as their head coach as he resigned, and they are led by long time assistant Tim Duryea who is sliding over to the coaches seat this year.

The Aggies surprised everyone last year with 18 wins and a large roster turnover, but with most of those players back they could make some noise this year, but with a new head coach could see some growing pains.

UNLV is in fourth and for the it really comes down to coaching and Dave Rice could be on the hot seat if this team does not perform. Rice and the Rebel staff have shown to be one of the top recruiters out West, but wins are lacking.

Then there is Fresno State. The Bulldogs received a first-place vote and that is strictly coming due to Marvelle Harris who is named as the preseason player of the year.