A team-by-team glance around the MWC

By Ryan Greene, Rob Miech

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 | 4:12 a.m.

BYU won the past two regular-season Mountain West Conference championships. UNLV won the past two league tournament titles.

So how does San Diego State, with the most returning production of any team, plan to break up the monopoly atop the conference?

Tenth-year Aztecs coach Steve Fisher might have been crossing his fingers under a table Tuesday afternoon.

“Keep working, stay healthy and get lucky,” he said. “There isn’t much difference between four or five teams. You have to have all your guys on the floor … that could make a good season a great one.”

Protecting the home court and getting a few key victories on the road is a recipe for success, but SDSU will be tested away from home by the top two teams from the past two seasons.

BYU has a national-best winning streak of 47 games at the Marriott Center. UNLV has beaten 24 consecutive conference foes at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“BYU finds ways to win at home,” Fisher said. “UNLV has had a stranglehold on the tournament since it moved back to Vegas. Lon has done a marvelous job.

“We’ll be experienced, but every team that will contend will have healthy players. You have to hope you can avoid injuries as much as possible.”

Here’s how we see the conference:

1. UNLV (27-8 overall in 2007-08, 12-4 Mountain West)

Coach: Lon Kruger (409-275 overall, 91-42 at UNLV)

Returning starters: Sr. G Wink Adams (16.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.1 apg); Sr. F Joe Darger (11.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Sr. F Rene Rougeau (9.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 spg).

MVP: Wink Adams

Key newcomer: Soph. G Tre’Von Willis

Dates to circle: Nov. 28, vs. California; Dec. 6, at Nevada; Dec. 20, Arizona; Dec. 31, at Louisville; Jan. 21, at BYU; Feb. 7, at New Mexico; Feb. 21, BYU; March 7, at San Diego State.

After back-to-back conference tournament titles, victories in consecutive NCAAs for the first time since 1991 and the top billing in this week’s preseason media poll, it’s different at UNLV.

It is officially a program with lofty expectations.

Wink Adams, the backbone of the team, said it will be incumbent of him and the rest of the seniors to teach the newcomers how to handle such praise.

“We have to act like we’re underdogs, like every game is a national championship game, and play defense,” Adams said. “Everything else will fall into place.”

That’s just what fifth-year coach Lon Kruger has been preaching.

“Anytime you’re favored to win something, if you still approach it from an underdog mentality you’re better off,” Kruger said. “Our seniors will do a good job of that.”

 

2. San Diego State (20-13, 9-7)

Coach: Steve Fisher (331-212 overall, 147-130 at SDSU)

Returning starters: Sr. F Lorrenzo Wade (14.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 apg); Sr. F Kyle Spain (13.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg); Sr. F Ryan Amoroso (11.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Soph. F Billy White (8.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg); So. G D.J. Gay (5.8 ppg).

MVP: Lorrenzo Wade

Key newcomer: Fr. F Tim Shelton

Dates to circle: Nov. 18, Arizona State; Dec. 10, at Arizona; Jan. 24, at BYU; Feb. 3, at UNLV; Feb. 21, at New Mexico; Feb. 24, BYU, March 7, UNLV.

The top eight scorers, including all five starters, are back for the Aztecs.

That should bode well for coach Steve Fisher. Eight previous times when he has returned at least four starters, his squads have won at least 21 games and gone to six NCAA tournaments.

Should the Aztecs reach the NCAAs for the sixth time in their history, they will get a chance to win a game for the first time on the game’s biggest stage.

That’s an ignominious history, and that meltdown against Indiana three years ago likely still stings. But SDSU has played in three consecutive postseason tournaments.

And Fisher salivates to watch 6-foot-7, 242-pound forward Tim Shelton, former NBA power forward Lonnie Shelton’s son who underwent knee surgery after his fourth game last season.

“People don’t really know who Tim Shelton is, but we know how valuable he was to our team,” Fisher said. “He plays just like his daddy. He’s good and he’s smart, with no agenda.”

 

3. BYU (27-8, 14-2)

Coach: Dave Rose (72-26 overall and at BYU)

Returning starters: Sr. G Lee Cummard (15.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, .5 apg); Jr. F Jonathan Tavernari (13.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 apg).

MVP: Lee Cummard

Key newcomer: Fr. F Noah Hartsock

Dates to circle: Dec. 20, Arizona State; Jan. 21, UNLV; Jan. 24, San Diego State; Jan. 27, at Utah; Feb. 21, at UNLV; Feb. 24, at San Diego State; Feb. 28, Utah.

While returning starters seem to be the big theme throughout the league in the sense that everybody has plenty of them, BYU may have the biggest name to replace.

Departed big man Trent Plaisted, who averaged 15.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game for the Cougars before departing early for the NBA Draft, has the Cougars putting added emphasis on the non-conference schedule.

"I think that's what's good about having non-conference games, is we'l be able to figure out how to execute a gameplan," said senior guard Lee Cummard. "That's the thing with a guy like Trent, he was a guy you just knew could execute a gameplan and you could count on 15 (points) and eight (rebounds) or wahtever. His experience is going to be hard to replace."

Cummard will have plenty on his plate in the way of expectations. As the league's preseason co-Player of the Year, he'll be relied upon to not only produce the solid all-around digits he's become known for around the league, but he'll also have to help cultivate a deep group of newcomers.

Of the fresh faces, 6-foot-8 forward Noah Hartsock out of Bartlesville, Okla., could see plenty of early opportunities to fill Plaisted's shoes.

 

4. New Mexico (24-9, 11-5)

Coach: Steve Alford (332-192 overall, 24-9 at UNM)

Returning starters: Sr. F Daniel Faris (9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg); So. G Dairese Gary (7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Jr. F Roman Martinez (7.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg); So. G Jonathan Wills (3.4 ppg, 0.9 rpg).

MVP: Sr. G/F Tony Danridge (DNP in 2007-08, injury)

Key newcomer: Fr. G Phillip McDonald

Dates to circle: Dec. 10, San Diego; Jan. 3, at UNLV; Jan. 17, BYU; Jan. 21, at San Diego State; Feb. 7, UNLV; Feb. 17, at BYU; Feb. 21, San Diego State.

BYU may have the biggest physical presence to replace, but New Mexico suffered a pretty decent loss of its own with the graduation of J.R. Giddens.

Giddens, a first-round pick of the Boston Celtics, led UNM in scoring (16.3 ppg), rebounding (8.8 rpg), steals (47) and blocked shots (39). He was also second in assists for the Lobos with 103 of them in 33 games played - all of which he started.

The good news for second-year coach Steve Alford is that all four of the guys who started alongside Giddens are back.

Then, to soften the blow even further, the Lobos also will feature super-sub Chad Toppert, senior Tony Danridge, who missed all of last season with a broken leg after averaging 12.5 ppg as a junior, and fab freshman Phillip McDonald.

Toppert said McDonald's already wowed teammates with his all-around athleticism and skill at the two-guard slot.

"I definitely think we're flying under the radar, considering we got picked fifth," he said. "We had a great season last year, and I know we lost J.R., but we've got a great incoming class. All of the guys have really surprised me with their abilities and everything."

 

5. Utah (18-15, 7-9)

Coach: Jim Boylen (18-15 overall and at Utah)

Returning starters: Sr. C Luke Nevill (15.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg); Sr. F Shaun Green (7.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg); Sr. G Lawrence Borha (7.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg); Sr. G Tyler Kepkay (7.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg); So. F Carlon Brown (4.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg).

MVP: Luke Nevill

Key newcomer: Fr. C Jason Washburn

Dates to circle: Dec. 3, Oregon; Dec. 13, at Oklahoma; Dec. 31, Gonzaga; Jan. 24, at UNLV; Jan. 27, BYU; Feb. 25, UNLV; Feb. 28, at BYU.

Throwing out last season's disappointing 18-15 mark and banking on the knowledge that all five starters are back this time around seem to be what Luke Nevill likes to harp on when speaking of Utah's lofty expectations.

"We don't really pay attention to the preseason polls and everything," the Utes' senior center said. "It's who's on top of their game, who's playing well. We see ourselves at the top, personally. We look forward to playing against tough teams. We have a really tough preseason, but we're expecting to be at the top of the Mountain West conference and going into the NCAA Tournament strong."

Nevill is the unquestioned anchor on both ends of the floor for second-year coach Jim Boylen, who brings back seven players who scored at least 4.4 points per game a year ago.

The Utes could also get early contributions from highly-touted incoming 7-foot freshman Jason Washbrun, who you would think will be an understudy to Nevill from day one.

 

6. Wyoming (12-18, 5-11)

Coach: Heath Schroyer (47-64 overall, 12-18 at Wyoming)

Returning starters: Sr. G Brandon Ewing (17.2 ppg, 4.0 apg); Jr. F Ryan Dermody (9.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Sr. F Tyson Johnson (7.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg); So. C Mikhail Linskens (4.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg).

MVP: Brandon Ewing

Key newcomer: Sr. G Sean Ogirri

Dates to circle: Dec. 23, at UCLA; Jan. 17, at UNLV; Jan. 31, at BYU; Feb. 18, UNLV; March 4, BYU.

The Cowboys don't have a stellar 2007-08 season to build off of heading into year two under Heath Schroyer, but they'll be able to feature one of the Mountain West's most explosive guards in senior Brandon Ewing.

Ewing averaged 17.2 points per game as a junior, and figures to have plenty of help.

Aside from veteran forwards Tyson Johnson and Ryan Dermody and developing center Mikhail Linskens, Schroyer could get a nice one-year contribution from Wichita State transfer Sean Ogirri.

Ogirri played three seasons at WSU, and transferred after coach Mark Turgeon took the post at Texas A&M prior to last season. Ogirri started 50 games over three years for the Shockers, and averaged 12.0 points per game during their surprising 2006 NCAA Tournament run.

 

7. TCU (14-16, 6-10)

Coach: Jim Christian (138-58 overall, first season in the MWC)

Returning starters: Sr. F Kevin Langford (13.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.3 apg); Jr. G Jason Ebie (4.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.8 apg).

MVP: Kevin Langford

Key newcomer: Jr. F Edvinas Ruzgas

Dates to circle: Nov. 19, Nebraska; Dec. 3, at Colorado; Dec. 10, at Indiana; Jan. 6, at Texas Tech; Jan. 10, UNLV; Feb. 14, BYU; Feb. 28, San Diego State.

Jim Christian left Kent State for Fort Worth, Texas, and immediately knew what he had in 6-foot-8, 245-pound forward Kevin Langford.

Christian told Langford, one of two senior Horned Frogs, that he wanted him to take ownership of the team and be more of a vocal leader. He has complied.

“I’m excited,” Langford said. “We have more intensity and the emphasis is on tough, hard-nosed defense. We’re not afraid of any of these teams. They’re human, just like us.”

He had 21 points and nine rebounds in an 89-88 loss to UNLV in the quarterfinals of the league tournament. Indeed, foes are human, too. TCU changes plenty if it wins that game.

Junior guard Jason Ebie is one of the stickiest defenders in the conference. Other than that, there are many new faces at TCU and not much time to get acquainted.

“It’s a new team, a new coach, a new following,” Langford said, “and a renewed faith in TCU basketball this year.”

 

8. Air Force (16-14, 8-8)

Coach: Jeff Reynolds (98-48 overall, 16-14 at Air Force)

Returning starters: So. G Evan Washington (6.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg); Sr. F Matt Holland (5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Sr. G/F Anwar Johnson (7.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg).

MVP: Sr. G/F Andrew Henke

Key newcomer: Fr. F Trevor Noonan

Dates to circle: Nov. 26, at Stanford; Jan. 31, UNLV; Feb. 3, BYU; March 4, at UNLV; March 7, at BYU.

Most of the Falcons' hopes this season could hinge on how stellar sixth man Andrew Henke translates into his new starting role. A year ago, Air Force's top reserve averaged 11.3 points per game in 27.9 minutes per contest off the bench.

Even if the transition doesn't go smooth at first, he still has three solid returning starters on which to lean, highlighted by bullish sophomore guard Evan Washington and versatile senior forward Anwar Johnson.

What could help in the early going for second-year coach Jeff Reynolds, whose team has postseason aspirations, is a favorable non-conference slate, which features nine home games before the new year.

 

9. Colorado State (7-26, 0-16)

Coach: Tim Miles (219-157 overall, 7-25 at CSU)

Returning starters: Sr. G Marcus Walker (17.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.6 apg); Sr. G Willis Gardner (9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg); Soph. F Andre McFarland (8.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg).

MVP: Marcus Walker

Key newcomer: Soph. F Andy Ogide

Dates to circle: Nov. 22, Minnesota; Dec. 10, at Colorado; Dec. 14, Stanford; Jan. 10, BYU; Jan. 14, UNLV; Jan. 31, San Diego State; Feb. 28, New Mexico.

When Rams coach Tim Miles thinks about the top four or five spots in the conference, he doesn’t mince his thoughts.

“Holy cow,” he said. “Right now, we’re not there. We don’t look like those teams. Are we prepared to do that? I’d say it’s a toss-up.”

Senior guard Marcus Walker became the first Ram in 20 years to score at least 40 points when he went for 43 against Tennessee State in Fairbanks, Aka.

He’ll be the heart of the team. The soul of it might be Walker’s senior backcourt mate Willis Gardner, who has undergone surgery to both shoulders.

“His shoulders hurt so bad, he looked like John McCain out there,” Miles said. “He couldn’t lift his arms above his head.”

Still, Gardner tallied 21 at Minnesota and 19 at UNR, and he led the Rams with an 89.6-percent free-throw touch.