Mountain West Connection - Week 12 Mountain West Men's basketball actionAll you need to know about the Mountain West, and then somehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50409/mwc-fav.png2013-01-26T12:00:04-08:00http://www.mwcconnection.com/rss/stream/36621352013-01-26T12:00:04-08:002013-01-26T12:00:04-08:00Saturday MWC Basketball Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="Jamaal Frankling of the SDSU Aztecs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EmnOSxQ4H-QdRw9EtV1ZQe4nDRk=/0x50:2666x1827/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7149253/20121113_jla_ar5_347.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamaal Frankling of the SDSU Aztecs | Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Another Saturday, another day and night full of Mountain West Conference basketball. And MW Connection is the place to be. Come join the conversation</p> <p>It's Saturday - time for some Mountain West Conference basketball! Time to see if there will be any separation in league play after a full weekend of games.</p>
<p><b>MWC men's basketball standings (as of Sat. Jan. 26)</b></p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-left: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Conf.</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-left: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">All </span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/new-mexico-lobos">New Mexico Lobos</a> (15/14)</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4-1</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">17-3 </span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/san-diego-st-aztecs">San Diego St. Aztecs</a> (25) <br></span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4-2</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">16-4 </span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/colorado-st-rams">Colorado St. Rams</a></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3-2</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">16-4 </span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/air-force-falcons"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></a><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/unlv-runnin-rebels">UNLV Runnin' Rebels</a></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3-2</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">16-4</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/air-force-falcons"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></a><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/colorado-st-rams"> <span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></a><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/air-force-falcons">Air Force Falcons </a><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/air-force-falcons"><br></a></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3-2</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">12-6</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/boise-st-broncos">Boise St. Broncos</a></span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2-3</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">14-4</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/nevada-wolf-pack">Nevada Wolf Pack</a></span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2-3</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10-8 </span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wyoming-cowboys">Wyoming Cowboys </a></span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wyoming-cowboys"><br></a></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2-4</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">15-3 </span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.9pt; border: solid windowtext .5pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/fresno-st-bulldogs">Fresno St. Bulldogs</a></span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="40">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1-5</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 37.0pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .5pt; border-right: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="37">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7-12 </span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><span class="blog_link"> FINAL</span><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-mexico-lobos"><span class="blog_link"></span></a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/san-diego-st-aztecs"><br>San Diego St. Aztecs </a><span class="blog_link">- 55</span><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-mexico-lobos"><span class="blog_link"></span></a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/san-diego-st-aztecs"><br></a>New Mexico Lobos - 34</p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/109735">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><span class="blog_link">FINAL</span><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/boise-st-broncos"><span class="blog_link"></span></a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack"><br>Nevada Wolf Pack </a><span class="blog_link"></span>- 75<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/boise-st-broncos"><br>Boise St. Broncos</a> <span class="blog_link">- 59 </span></p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/109443">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p> </p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/colorado-st-rams">Colorado St. Rams</a> <br><span class="blog_link">@ <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/fresno-st-bulldogs">Fresno St. Bulldogs</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/109527">Saturday, Jan 26, 2013, 7:00 PM PST</a><br> Save Mart Center</p>
<p class="game-info">TV: <a style="text-align: left; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.gobulldogs.com/allaccess/?media=350567" target="_blank">GoBulldogs.com</a></p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/109527">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title">FINAL<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/air-force-falcons"><br>Air Force Falcons</a> - 57<br><span class="blog_link"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wyoming-cowboys">Wyoming Cowboys </a>- 48</span></p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/109383">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p><br id="1359217707464"><br id="1359217617245"></p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/mountain-west-basketball/2013/1/26/3918380/saturday-mwc-basketball-open-threadKenn Rodriguez2013-01-25T10:00:03-08:002013-01-25T10:00:03-08:00New Mexico leads MWC, followed by a crowded bunch
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zQ6OssnRorp_jznXB2-1iqryEAE=/0x26:971x673/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7101177/140961840.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ethan Miller</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>New Mexico sits atop the Mountain West standings, but it is crowded with five teams who have two loses.</p> <p>The big Mountain West game on Wednesday night was the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/new-mexico-lobos" class="sbn-auto-link">New Mexico Lobos</a> against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/colorado-st-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado St. Rams</a>. The Lobos came out on top with the win, but they did <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/23/3910262/game-recap-no-15-17-new-mexico-66-colorado-st-61" target="_blank">nearly blew a 22-point lead in the process</a>. The win gave New Mexico a two-game lead in a loaded Mountain West, which as we keep seeing could be a six-bid league come March.</p>
<p>The Lobos are the only undefeated team in the league, and already have wins over league contenders UNLV, Colorado State and Boise State. With the depth in the league there are currently five teams with two losses behind New Mexico, and this good start in league play could possibly be enough to give the Lobos the regular season league title.</p>
<p>There are still 12 games left, so anything can happen, which is a lot of basketball, and this two-game lead could evaporate quickly if New Mexico has a rough patch. They do go on the road this weekend to play San Diego State on Saturday and then at Wyoming on next Wednesday. Those are two tough places to play, and there is a chance they could fall back to the pack.</p>
<p>Here is the current standings after Thursday's games:</p>
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget conference_standings clearfix">
<h3>Mountain West Conference Standings</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<div>
<table class="standings zebra sbn-pte-table" cellspacing="0">
<thead class="super-head"><tr>
<th></th> <th colspan="2">Conf</th> <th colspan="2">Overall</th>
</tr></thead>
<thead><tr>
<th></th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-mexico-lobos">New Mexico Lobos</a></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>17</td>
<td class="td-last">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/unlv-runnin-rebels">UNLV Runnin' Rebels</a></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>16</td>
<td class="td-last">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/san-diego-st-aztecs">San Diego St. Aztecs</a></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td class="td-last">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/colorado-st-rams">Colorado St. Rams</a></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td class="td-last">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/boise-st-broncos">Boise St. Broncos</a></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>14</td>
<td class="td-last">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/air-force-falcons" style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;">Air Force Falcons</a></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>11</td>
<td class="td-last">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wyoming-cowboys" style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;">Wyoming Cowboys</a></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>15</td>
<td class="td-last">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack" style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;">Nevada Wolf Pack</a></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>10</td>
<td class="td-last">8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/fresno-st-bulldogs" style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;">Fresno St. Bulldogs</a></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>7</td>
<td class="td-last">11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p> </p>
<blockquote>
<p>For more Mountain West:</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/MWCConnection" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @MWCConnection</a></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/mountain-west-basketball/2013/1/25/3915002/2013-mountain-west-basketball-standingsJeremy Mauss2013-01-23T23:16:44-08:002013-01-23T23:16:44-08:00New Mexico holds of Colorado State rally
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KsrYJdWjlwUZSbWb6gxAmTQqb2A=/0x48:599x447/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7034337/gyi0063891715.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ethan Miller</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In a game that pitted the top rebounding duo in the country against a flu-stricken seven-footer, the New Mexico Lobos survive a furious run by the Colorado St. Rams to hold on to win 66-61 at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M. The Lobos improve to 4-0 in conference play.</p> <p>With their big man still feeling the effects of the flu, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/new-mexico-lobos" class="sbn-auto-link">New Mexico Lobos</a> (17-2, 4-0 MWC) were forced to defend the best rebounding tandem of the country in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100704/pierce-hornung" class="sbn-auto-link">Pierce Hornung</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52351/colton-iverson" class="sbn-auto-link">Colton Iverson</a> of the Colorado State Rams (15-4, 2-2 MWC). Combining for an eye-popping 19.1 rebounds a game, the Lobos would need someone other than their reliable seven-footer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124014/alex-kirk" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Kirk</a> to shoulder the load for them tonight.</p>
<p>"Alex gave us what he could give us. He hadn't practiced all week," New Mexico head coach Steve Alford said. "It's been a very difficult 48 hours for [him]."</p>
<p>Colorado State won the rebounding battle by a staggering 14—undoubtedly a result of New Mexico missing the usually dominant inside presence of Kirk—but the Lobos still managed to hold on after withstanding a second half comeback by the resilient Rams despite being down 22 points.</p>
<p>"It might be a little natural sometimes when you get up by that much to kind of ease up just a little bit, but coach has really been drilling it into us that we can't do that," New Mexico forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100711/chad-adams" class="sbn-auto-link">Chad Adams</a> said after the game. "We can't let teams back in the game, like Colorado St. especially."</p>
<p>The Lobos' <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124012/tony-snell" class="sbn-auto-link">Tony Snell</a> chipped in a game-high 23 points on 8-19 shooting while going 3-5 behind the arc as he quietly turned in the most productive three-game stretch of his college career. Chad Adams was the only other Lobo to reach double-figures with 13 points of his own as New Mexico struggled to find its shot late in the second half. New Mexico made up for 36% field goal shooting as their aggressiveness afforded them multiple trips to the charity stripe. The Lobos made 21 of their 26 free throw attempts which helped make up for the huge disparity on the glass.</p>
<p>"I think we're probably the only team in the top 25 that have scored less field goals than our opponent has [but] if you look at the free throw stat, we're dominating it." Alford said. "That tells me we're aggressive, and we are taking advantage of a very important piece of the game, and that's fouling."</p>
<p>The first half saw four lead changes before the Lobos started to gain a little bit of cushion after going on an 8-2 run at the 12:00 mark. A monster dunk by Tony Snell—along with two threes—made all the momentum New Mexico's as they finished the half with an 8-0 run over the final four minutes to go up by 10 over Colorado St., 35-25.</p>
<p>A quick three by Snell opened the second half as the Lobos' lead grew to 12. A Chad Adams three and a physics-defying turnaround shot by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145787/hugh-greenwood" class="sbn-auto-link">Hugh Greenwood</a> started to see New Mexico pull away with a 45-31 lead with 15 minutes left. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100712/jamal-fenton" class="sbn-auto-link">Jamal Fenton</a> added a three of his own which saw the Lobos' lead increase to a seemingly insurmountable 20.</p>
<p>With 9:00 to go, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52426/wes-eikmeier" class="sbn-auto-link">Wes Eikmeier</a> started to heat up, connecting from behind the arc to pull the Rams within 15. On the very next possession, a Dorian Green three started to send shivers down the spines of 15,411 at The Pit as the lead shrunk to 56-44. Down by just 8 with 5:00 to go, the Rams appeared to lose steam as an out-of-bounds <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123164/daniel-bejarano" class="sbn-auto-link">Daniel Bejarano</a> shot and an ill-advised Dorian Green pass all but eliminated any chance of a comeback. A questionable Tony Snell inbounds pass led to an easy Colorado St. bucket to keep things close, but some clutch shooting from the free throw line made the difference as the Lobos held on to win.</p>
<p>"We're a pretty good basketball team and I think we're getting better, because we beat a really good basketball team tonight." Alford said.</p>
<p>Highly touted 6'10" Colorado St. big man Colton Iverson led the Rams with a game-high 14 rebounds. The Lobos perennial thorn-in-the-side Wes Eikmeier led the Rams with 20 points on 8-16 shooting while nailing four three-pointers. Dorian Green was the third Ram to hit double-figures with 14 points and 3 assists.</p>
<p>With an unblemished 4-0 mark to begin play in the Mountain West, the Lobos match their best conference start since the 1992 season while posting their best overall start since 1977-78. The road doesn't get any easier as the Lobos' next games see them on the road playing both San Diego St. and Wyoming.</p>
<p>"We realize we have a two game lead on everybody in the conference right now," Adams said. "We're just trying to finish out."</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/colorado-st-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado St. Rams</a> will travel to play Fresno St. on Friday before returning to play Boise St. at home the following week.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/23/3910262/game-recap-no-15-17-new-mexico-66-colorado-st-61Adam Fox2013-01-23T16:32:58-08:002013-01-23T16:32:58-08:00Wednesday Night Basketball Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zGXgY6N2UGuW1dS9RbUd8KU38a8=/0x0:2662x1775/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7022897/20130119_lbm_ac4_259.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There's a full slate of Mountain West Basketball tonight. Come join in the conversation!</p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<h3>Final</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><span class="blog_link"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/air-force-falcons">Air Force Falcons</a></span><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-orleans-privateers"> </a>- 90<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-orleans-privateers"><br>New Orleans Privateers </a>- 48</p>
<p class="game-info"><span class="blog_link"></span><br> Clune Arena</p>
<p class="game-info">TV: <a style="text-align: left; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/allaccess/?media=357279" target="_blank">GoAirForceFalcons.com</a></p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/108235">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<h3>Final</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/colorado-st-rams"><span class="blog_link"></span></a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-mexico-lobos">New Mexico Lobos </a><span class="blog_link">- 66</span><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/colorado-st-rams"><span class="blog_link"></span></a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-mexico-lobos"><br></a>Colorado St. Rams - 61</p>
<p class="game-info"><span class="blog_link"></span><br> The Pit</p>
<p class="game-info">T<span style="line-height: 8.25px;">V: CBS Sports</span></p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/109525">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<h3>Final</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/fresno-st-bulldogs"><span class="blog_link"></span></a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/boise-st-broncos">Boise St. Broncos </a><span class="blog_link">- 74</span><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/fresno-st-bulldogs"><span class="blog_link"></span></a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/boise-st-broncos"><br></a>Fresno St. Bulldogs - 67<br><span class="blog_link"> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><br> Taco Bell Arena</p>
<p class="game-info">TV: <a style="text-align: left; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.broncosports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=549894&catid=0&DB_OEM_ID=9900" target="_blank">BroncoSports.com</a></p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/109441">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<h3>Final</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/san-diego-st-aztecs">San Diego St. Aztecs</a> - 78<br><span class="blog_link"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack">Nevada Wolf Pack </a>- 57 </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><br> Lawlor Events Center</p>
<p class="game-info">T<span style="line-height: 8.25px;">V: CBS Sports</span></p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/109669">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget conference_standings clearfix">
<h3>Mountain West Conference Standings</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="updated">(updated 1.23.2013 at 9:24 PM PST)</p>
<div>
<table class="standings zebra sbn-pte-table" cellspacing="0">
<thead class="super-head"><tr>
<th></th> <th colspan="2">Conf</th> <th colspan="2">Overall</th>
</tr></thead>
<thead><tr>
<th></th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-mexico-lobos">New Mexico Lobos</a></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>17</td>
<td class="td-last">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/san-diego-st-aztecs">San Diego St. Aztecs </a></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td class="td-last">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/unlv-runnin-rebels">UNLV Runnin' Rebels</a></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td class="td-last">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/unlv-runnin-rebels"> </a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/colorado-st-rams">Colorado St. Rams </a>
</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td class="td-last">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/boise-st-broncos">Boise St. Broncos</a></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>14</td>
<td class="td-last">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wyoming-cowboys">Wyoming Cowboys</a></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td class="td-last">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/air-force-falcons">Air Force Falcons</a></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>9</td>
<td class="td-last">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack">Nevada Wolf Pack</a></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>10</td>
<td class="td-last">8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack"> </a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/fresno-st-bulldogs">Fresno St. Bulldogs</a>
</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>7</td>
<td class="td-last">11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/23/3909278/wednesday-night-basketball-open-threadKenn Rodriguez2013-01-22T10:18:47-08:002013-01-22T10:18:47-08:00Bracketology: How many teams this week for MWC?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gxepXDwaD-moVhbfLeaVUSzgkDU=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6947733/141381485.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>SB Nation's bracket expert Chris Dobbertean still has the Mountain West with six teams in his latest field of 68.</p> <p>This past weekend the Mountain West took a small hit win Boise State fell to Air Force, and Wyoming upset San Diego State, but according to some of the latest NCAA Tournament predictions the league is still getting six teams in, for now. </p>
<p>SB Nation's Chris Dobbertean still has the Mountain West landing <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/1/22/3900566/bracketology-2013-college-basketball-duke-michigan-arizona-kansas-florida-syracuse" target="_blank">six teams come March</a>:</p>
<p>No. 4 New Mexico vs. No. 13 Louisiana Tech<br>No. 6 San Diego State vs. No. 11 Temple<br>No. 7 UNLV vs No. 10 Oklahoma State <br>No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Wyoming<br>No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Colorado State<br>No. 12 Boise State vs. No. 12 Memphis (opening round game)</p>
<p>The reason there are still six teams in the NCAA Tournament has to do with the league's RPI, which is second or third, depending on where one looks. With so many good teams with a top-50 RPI, even loses to those teams will not hurt that much.</p>
<p>The only way teams can play themselves out of a bid is either not win any marquee games, or have multiple loses from either Air Force, Fresno State or Nevada. So, Boise State is on notice since they fell to Air Force just last weekend, they will need to make that up down the road.</p>
<p>Here is what Dobbertean says about the Mountain West this week:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>While the chances of three bids for the Missouri Valley ticked up over the past seven days, the odds of a six-team Mountain West contingent slipped. Sure, the same half dozen teams are still hanging around, but two in particular saw their chances take real hits in the past week.</p>
<p>Wyoming took care of San Diego State in Laramie on Saturday, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124695/luke-martinez">Luke Martinez</a>‘s arrest on felony charges and Wednesday's loss at Fresno State could really cost them as the conference season grinds on. Boise State, meanwhile, is really just a buzzer-beater away from an 0-3 league start. Wednesday's home overtime loss to New Mexico was a blown opportunity, while Saturday's defeat at Air Force was not the best response to that bit of adversity, even if <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123236/jeff-elorriaga">Jeff Elorriaga</a> was out with a concussion. The Broncos cannot afford to drop either game this week, Fresno State at home or Nevada away.</p>
<p>As for the forecasted contenders, this week's schedule will see a few more opportunities for shuffling. Unbeaten New Mexico may not stay that way for long, as the Lobos travel to Viejas Arena Saturday afternoon -- three days after Colorado State, the only one-loss team in the league, visits The Pit. The Aztecs make the tricky trip to Reno on Wednesday, while UNLV, smarting from a Saturday loss in Fort Collins, can send Wyoming further down the bubble one night later.</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/22/3903954/bracketology-mountain-west-still-has-six-teams-in-the-fieldJeremy Mauss2013-01-22T08:00:06-08:002013-01-22T08:00:06-08:00MWC No. 3 league in RPI: & other weekly rankings
<figure>
<img alt="The MWC is confusing, but SDSU's The Show got the "Bazinga" on CBSSpors.com Monday." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jaCyq6XhI_WfFwCbEZalun1XacE=/1x0:799x532/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6924309/cbssports_gingeraffe.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The MWC is confusing, but SDSU's The Show got the "Bazinga" on CBSSpors.com Monday. | US Presswire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Mountain West Conference remains in the top three among leagues in the Ratings Percentage Index and is getting plenty of notice in website ranking from site like ESPN.com and CBSSports.com. MW Connection has the round up.</p> <p>As Mountain West Connection <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/21/3471528/sagarin-ratings-has-mountain-west-basketball-at-2">reported Monday</a>, the Mountain West Conference is rated as the second best league in the country by USA Today's Jeff Sagarin.</p>
<p>But the MWC is also highly regarded in Monday's <a target="_blank" href="http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_mwest_Men.html">Ratings Percentage Index rankings</a> as listed by realtimrpi.com, rated behind the top-rated Big 10 Conference and No. 2 Big East Conference and ahead of traditional power conferences the Atlantic Coast Conference (No. 4), the Big 12 (No. 5) and the new media darling the Atlantic 10 Conference (No. 7).</p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#f0f0f0">
<td colspan="2" align="center"><b>RPI Rk</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Mountain West</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Conf</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>All</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>RPI</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SOS Rk</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SOS</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right"><img alt="Up 4 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"></td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_307_Men.html" rel="nofollow">New Mexico</a></td>
<td align="right">3-0</td>
<td align="right">16-2</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=307&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.6697</a></td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=307&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.6013</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right"><img alt="Up 8 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"></td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_306_Men.html" rel="nofollow">Colorado St.</a></td>
<td align="right">2-1</td>
<td align="right">13-3</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=306&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.6313</a></td>
<td align="right">45</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=306&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5583</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right"><img alt="Up 6 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"></td>
<td align="right">18</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_309_Men.html" rel="nofollow">UNLV</a></td>
<td align="right">2-2</td>
<td align="right">14-4</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=309&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.6281</a></td>
<td align="right">25</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=309&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5762</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right"><img alt="Down 4 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/down.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"></td>
<td align="right">33</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_308_Men.html" rel="nofollow">San Diego St.</a></td>
<td align="right">2-2</td>
<td align="right">12-4</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=308&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.6045</a></td>
<td align="right">41</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=308&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5627</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right"><img alt="Up 2 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"></td>
<td align="right">35</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_311_Men.html" rel="nofollow">Wyoming</a></td>
<td align="right">2-2</td>
<td align="right">13-2</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=311&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.6013</a></td>
<td align="right">117</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=311&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5167</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">
<img alt="Down 22 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/down.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"><img alt="Down 22 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/down.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5">
</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_416_Men.html" rel="nofollow">Boise St.</a></td>
<td align="right">1-2</td>
<td align="right">11-4</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=416&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5867</a></td>
<td align="right">103</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=416&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5262</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">
<img alt="Up 47 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"><img alt="Up 47 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5">
</td>
<td align="right">96</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_304_Men.html" rel="nofollow">Air Force</a></td>
<td align="right">2-2</td>
<td align="right">8-6</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=304&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5438</a></td>
<td align="right">92</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=304&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5296</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">
<img alt="Up 16 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"><img alt="Up 16 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5">
</td>
<td align="right">160</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_420_Men.html" rel="nofollow">Nevada</a></td>
<td align="right">1-2</td>
<td align="right">9-7</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=420&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5088</a></td>
<td align="right">162</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=420&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.4962</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">
<img alt="Up 15 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5"><img alt="Up 15 From Last Week" src="http://www.realtimerpi.com/images/up.gif" border="0" height="20" width="5">
</td>
<td align="right">171</td>
<td><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_417_Men.html" rel="nofollow">Fresno St.</a></td>
<td align="right">1-3</td>
<td align="right">5-10</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=417&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.4999</a></td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right"><a href="http://www.realtimerpi.com/cgi-bin/rpi/rpi_wk.pl?id=417&gender=Men&season=2012-2013" rel="nofollow">0.5497</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>Like Monday's Associated Press poll, the <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/powerrankings">ESPN Power Rankings</a>s and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/rankings/top25">CBSSports.org Top 25+1</a> both only have one MWC team in their rankings - the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-mexico-lobos">New Mexico Lobos</a> (No. 15 in the CBS plus 1 ranking and No. 19 in the ESPN ranking, up three spots from last week).</p>
<p>ESPN is somewhat complimentary of the Lobos:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>In the unpredictable Mountain West, the Lobos are holding serve, and that's pretty impressive. New Mexico won at Boise State in overtime to remain the only undefeated team in that crazy league.</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>ESPN has four other MWC schools receiving votes -- the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/san-diego-st-aztecs">San Diego St. Aztecs</a> unofficially at No. 27, the UNLV Rebels at No. 29, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/colorado-st-rams">Colorado St. Rams</a> at No. 30 and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wyoming-cowboys">Wyoming Cowboys</a> at No. 35.</p>
<p>Finally, the CBSSports.com <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/21590317/power-pyramid-mwc-is-now-impressively-confusing-us-all">Mid-Major Power Pyramid</a> this week still has six MWC schools in the top 11 of the 15 team pyramid rankings with UNM leading the way at No. 4. Matt Norlander is just an flumoxed by the MWC this season as ESPN is -- maybe that's why, in this morning's blog, he ran a pic of SDSU's The Show and initially labelled it as fans from The Pit claiming Lobo fans had dubbed center <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124014/alex-kirk">Alex Kirk</a> "The Gingeraffe" (Sadly, not true - tho I guess we can always hope.)</p>
<p>But Norlander does have a good analysis of New Mexico's situation and NCAA seeding chances:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>What's really going to help New Mexico this season -- and years past have shown the selection committee to be skittish in the way it hands out its seed to the Lobos -- is the No. 7 RPI and No. 9 overall strength of schedule as of today. The Mountain West isn't going to let those numbers take a big dip, either. Lobos are tracking toward a No. 4 seed or better by now.</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Pyramid has UNLV ranked 5th, SDSU 7th, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/boise-st-broncos">Boise St. Broncos</a> 8th, the Wyoming Cowboys at 9th and the Colorado St. Rams at 11.</p>
<p>Norlander also had a good breakdown of why the Aztecs are the paradox that they are:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>An examination of the team's profile on KenPom.com shows now that the Aztecs don't do anything particularly well except not turn the ball over. That's the kind of quality that prevents losing more than enhances chances at winning. SDSU's win over UCLA only has so much mileage.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Norlander is pretty well balanced but you have to wonder where he's coming from at times -- in this week's Pyramid Norlander has the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/creighton-bluejays">Creighton Bluejays</a> ranked ahead of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wichita-st-shockers">Wichita St. Shockers</a> - despite the fact that the Shockers defeated the Bluejays over the weekend. That's just... not right.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/22/3902552/mwc-no-3-league-in-rpi-and-other-weekly-rankingsKenn Rodriguez2013-01-22T06:00:03-08:002013-01-22T06:00:03-08:00Weekend losses leave just two MWC teams ranked
<figure>
<img alt="Alex Kirk (left) of the New Mexico Lobos" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zcz5Wf5kdJjXf-Wwbpf1zhN6ZDw=/0x232:2898x2164/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6923453/20130116_kdl_sn7_267.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alex Kirk (left) of the New Mexico Lobos | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Road loses by preseason contenders San Diego St. and UNLV coupled with a single win by New Mexico on the road have Mountain West Conference representation in the weekly Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 polls. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/new-mexico-lobos">New Mexico Lobos</a> climbed in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Top 25 polls while the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/san-diego-st-aztecs">San Diego St. Aztecs</a> fell out of the AP polls, which were <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/rankings">released Monday morning</a>.</p>
<p>The Lobos, who defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/boise-st-broncos">Boise St. Broncos</a> in overtime Wednseday, moved up four spots to No. 15 in the AP poll and up four spots No. 17 in Coaches poll to place as the highest ranked Mountain West Conference of the team.</p>
<p>The San Diego St. Aztecs fell out of the AP Top 25 but clung on to No. 25 in the Coaches poll, falling 11 spots after loses at home to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/unlv-runnin-rebels">UNLV Runnin' Rebels</a> and at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wyoming-cowboys">Wyoming Cowboys</a>. The Aztecs landed unofficially at No. 31 in the AP poll with 26 votes at the middle of a quartet of MWC teams sitting just outside the Top 25.</p>
<p>In the AP poll, UNLV placed unofficially at No. 30 with 32 votes while Wyoming is at No. 31 with 28 votes. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/colorado-st-rams">Colorado St. Rams</a> bring up the rear in 33rd with 7 votes after their win over UNLV in Ft. Collins Saturday and an overtime loss at San Diego St. Wednesday night.</p>
<p>In the Coaches poll, UNLV landed unofficially at No. 28 with 23 votes, Wyoming at No. 30 with 28 votes and Colorado St. at No. 31 with 28 votes.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/duke-blue-devils">Duke Blue Devils</a> are the unanimous No. 1 in both polls and each Top 10 containing the same teams but in slightly different order. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/michigan-wolverines">Michigan Wolverines</a> stand at No. 2 in AP and No. 3 in the Coaches poll while the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kansas-jayhawks">Kansas Jayhawks</a> stand at No. 2 in the Coaches poll and No. 3 in the AP. The other switcharoo comes with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a> at No. 8 in AP and No. 7 in the Coaches poll and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/indiana-hoosiers">Indiana Hoosiers</a> at No. 7 in AP and No. 8 in the Coaches poll.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/butler-bulldogs">Butler Bulldogs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/gonzaga-bulldogs">Gonzaga Bulldogs</a> round out both Top 10s at No. 9 and No. 10 respectively.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/22/3900470/weekend-losses-leave-just-two-mwc-teams-ranked-in-top-25Kenn Rodriguez2013-01-21T09:20:57-08:002013-01-21T09:20:57-08:00Sagarin Ratings has MWC Basketball at No. 2
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yJl54g6TRkRrwpO2948lrEjgkkU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827999/large_mwcconnection.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/bkc1213.htm">latest Sagarin Ratings </a>are out and the Mountain West is sitting at #2, and just behind the Big Ten.</p> <p>Here is a look at the latest Sagarin Ratings (January 20, 2012) for the top 15 of 33 College Basketball Conferences by Rating, Confernce and the (Central Mean Average):</p>
<p>1 BIG TEN (84.24)</p>
<p>2 MOUNTAIN WEST (82.24)</p>
<p>3 BIG EAST (82.23)</p>
<p>4 BIG 12 (81.13)</p>
<p>5 ATLANTIC COAST (80.50)</p>
<p>6 PAC-12 (80.37)</p>
<p>7 SOUTHEASTERN (78.20)</p>
<p>8 ATLANTIC 10 (78.02)</p>
<p>9 MISSOURI VALLEY (77.03)</p>
<p>10 WEST COAST (75.60)</p>
<p>11 HORIZON (73.72)</p>
<p>12 CONFERENCE USA (73.65)</p>
<p>13 WESTERN ATHLETIC (72.59)</p>
<p>14 METRO ATLANTIC (71.69)</p>
<p>15 BIG WEST (71.54)</p>
<p>Here are how the teams in the MWC compared nationally by rank, school, record and (rating) to all 347 basketball schools:</p>
<p>23 Colorado State, 13-3 (85.84)</p>
<p>25 New Mexico, 16-2 (85.48)</p>
<p>26 UNLV, 14-4 (85.47)</p>
<p>32 Wyoming, 13-2 (84.68),</p>
<p>33 San Diego State, 12-4 (84.62)</p>
<p>48 Boise State, 11-4 (82.42)</p>
<p>104 Air Force, 8-6 (76.78)</p>
<p>152 Fresno State, 5-10 (73.67)</p>
<p>153 Nevada, 9-7 (73.61)</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/21/3471528/sagarin-ratings-has-mountain-west-basketball-at-2Hank Corless