Mountain West Conference midseason power rankings and awards

By Ryan Greene

Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 | 2:30 a.m.

With Mountain West Conference play set to begin this week, the league looks primed to get at least three teams into the NCAA tournament, with New Mexico, BYU and UNLV leading the way.

However, the rest of the pack is beginning to take shape.

Here's a look at the league from top to bottom in the Sun's MWC Power Rankings. There are also midseason awards and dates to circle on your calendar over the next couple of months.

Midseason Player of the Year: Jimmer Fredette

Aside from his numbers, there's no arguing that Fredette means more to his team (Brigham Young) than anyone else in the league — maybe any team west of the Mississippi.

Midseason Newcomer of the Year: Darington Hobson

Enjoy him while he's in the league, because if Hobson plays his senior year at New Mexico, it would be a shocker. He's helped the Lobos not skip a beat after the graduation of Tony Danridge.

Midseason Freshman of the Year: Kawhi Leonard

It was a rough start for the preseason Freshman of the Year, but he's posted double-doubles in four of his last six games, including a 23-point, 18-rebound performance against Cal State Fullerton. He appears to be getting only better.

Midseason Coach of the Year: Steve Alford

Say what you will about his campaigning to get the league tournament out of Las Vegas, but considering how well-rounded his club has shown to be so far the Lobos look like an odds-on favorite to win it this year.

Six MWC games to watch

Tues., Jan. 5 — New Mexico at San Diego State — The first mega-game in league play gives SDSU its chance to get on the national radar.

Wed., Jan. 6 — UNLV at BYU — The Rebels pulled off the road upset in Provo last year. If they don't this time around, they're in a near must-win situation come Saturday at New Mexico.

Sat. Jan. 9 — UNLV at New Mexico — UNLV's toughness has been called into question already. This will be the best chance the Rebels get to quiet the critics.

Sat., Jan. 23 — BYU at San Diego State — The Aztecs blew a huge lead in this contest in San Diego last season. It could be one of the year's most entertaining battles.

Sat., Feb. 13 — UNLV at San Diego State — SDSU swept UNLV in three games last season, and this could be a big resumé-builder late in the season for both teams.

Sat., Feb. 27 — New Mexico at BYU — This could decide the league's regular-season title in the final week.

MIDSEASON POWER RANKINGS

1) New Mexico — 14-1

Best win: Dec. 29 vs. Texas Tech, 90-75

Worst loss: Dec. 23 at Oral Roberts, 75-66

MVP: Roman Martinez — 15.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 48.5 3-pt. FG%

New Mexico is the natural choice, as Steve Alford's club has shown the most versatility so far of any team in the league. Already accustomed to winning grinders, the Lobos have shown they can win high-scoring affairs, too, with the victory over Texas Tech being their most impressive. Why? Because after the loss at Oral Roberts — the team's lone setback — New Mexico was able to show it was an isolated incident and no more than a blip on the radar screen. Juco transfer Darington Hobson has the makings of a one-and-done, with his well-rounded game (16.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.5 apg) reminding several of former Lobo standout Danny Granger. But the pulse of this team has been Martinez, whose 48.5 percent accuracy from long range is spreading out defenses regularly. This team is built for a lengthy postseason run, taking into consideration its efficiency and starting five, with four members standing at least 6-foot-5. It's physical and durable.

2) BYU — 14-1

Best win: Dec. 28 at Arizona, 99-69

Worst loss: Dec. 2 at Utah State, 71-61

MVP: Jimmer Fredette — 21.6 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3.1 rpg, 1.9 apg

While UNLV has splashed into the Top 25 polls and made a little more national noise, the telling stat for BYU is that among the 10 members of the regular rotation, only two are shooting below 50 percent from the floor. Between Noah Hartsock, Chris Miles and Jonathan Tavernari, the Cougars are lacking a bit in terms of interior play. But as far as backcourts, BYU's has been as productive as they come. Jimmer Fredette is far and away the league's Player of the Year so far, highlighted by his 49-point effort at Arizona last week. Even though the Wildcats aren't as strong as normal this year, it was brutally impressive.

3) UNLV — 12-2

Best win: Dec. 2 at Arizona, 74-72, 2OT

Worst loss: Dec. 25 vs. Southern Cal, 67-56

MVP: Tre'Von Willis — 14.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg

UNLV has played better up front than BYU, but the Rebels' less-consistent backcourt production has them third in this race instead of second. Developing more toughness across the board is obviously a concern for UNLV as it heads into league play, but Lon Kruger's club can't afford to have three of its four big guns misfiring on the same night. That was UNLV's killer in the loss to Southern Cal on Christmas in the title game of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. In that game, Tre'Von Willis, Chace Stanback and Derrick Jasper were a combined 2-of-14 from the floor. The Rebels won't win many games with that type of offensive production.

4) San Diego State — 11-3

Best win: Dec. 12 at Arizona, 63-46

Worst loss: Nov. 16 at Saint Mary's, 80-58

MVP: Billy White — 12.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg,, 61.7 FG%

If San Diego State wound up in the NCAA tournament, it wouldn't be the world's biggest surprise. If San Diego State lost in the first round of the NIT, it wouldn't be the world's biggest surprise. It's pretty clear right now that the Aztecs are a good, solid, veteran point guard away from being a consistent threat. Against Saint Mary's early on, they showed how sloppy they can look in a lopsided loss. At Arizona in a recent win, they showed how deadly they can be. In Tucson, the league's most-athletic team played disciplined and efficient ball, hitting 48.2 percent of their shots and out-rebounding the Wildcats, 36-22. Which team will be more prevalent in conference play? That's anyone's guess.

5) Utah — 7-7

Best win: Nov. 27 at Illinois, 60-58

Worst loss: Nov. 24 vs. Seattle, 77-74

MVP: Luka Drca — 10.9 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.4 rpg, 1.6 spg

While Utah is tied for last in the league standings, it's the Utes' potential and coach Jim Boylen that combine to make them fifth in the midseason rankings. Carlon Brown and Luka Drca combine to give Utah a capable and productive backcourt, but the same thing plagues the Utes this season as last year — the lack of a true point guard. Utah's up-and-down results in the non-conference season are also due to a lack of a stabilizing force inside, which it lost with the graduation of Luke Nevill. However, 7-foot freshman Jason Washburn (6.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg) continues to improve, and could have a breakout second half of the season.

6) Colorado State — 9-5

Best win: Dec. 10 vs. Colorado, 77-62

Worst loss: Nov. 20 at Indiana State, 65-60

MVP: Dorian Green — 13.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.4 apg

Colorado State's non-conference season could have looked that much better had it held on to a big first-half lead at UCLA on Dec. 22. Instead, the Rams fell, 75-63. However, Fort Collins will be a trap for several teams in the league the rest of the way. Despite not playing any true heavyweights on their home floor, the Rams are 6-0 at home so far. Freshman guard Dorian Green, who was a great find for Tim Miles and his staff as an under-the-radar combo guard out of Lawrence, Kan., has shown incredible promise so far. His 34.7 percent shooting and 3.1 turnovers a game are sort of unsightly, but he'll continue to grow. Their frontcourt play is underrated, too, between juniors Travis Franklin and Andy Ogide.

7) Air Force — 8-5

Best win: Dec. 28 vs. Niagara, 77-71

Worst loss: Nov. 21 vs. Northern Colorado, 70-46

MVP: Evan Washington — 12.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 52.6 FG%

Air Force is showing the ability to be the league's most-improved team from a year ago, and the Falcons could turn into a pleasant surprise. A lot of that hinges on how forward Grant Parker looks when he returns from a groin injury. He's averaging 17.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg. Carrying the torch in his absence has been guard Evan Washington, and the Falcons have plenty of bodies to rely on, already having used 16 players this season. A victory over Niagara in El Paso, Texas, recently turned some heads, as did Air Force playing host UTEP to within 11 points the next night.

8) TCU — 7-7

Best win: Dec. 2 at SMU, 60-53

Worst loss: Dec. 30 vs. Northern Colorado, 64-53

MVP: Zvonko Buljan — 14.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.5 apg

TCU might be the league's biggest disappointment so far, as the Horned Frogs have yet to find their groove for Jim Christian. TCU won four of its first six games, but has lost five of eight ever since. Forward Zvonko Buljan, though, has lived up to his billing as an all-MWC performer with 14.6 ppg and 9.1 rpg. The Horned Frogs have a golden opportunity to get back on track with their first three league games coming against Air Force, Utah and Wyoming.

9) Wyoming — 7-7

Best win: Jan. 2 vs. Adams State, 123-71

Worst loss: Nov. 27 vs. Monmouth, 75-73

MVP: A.J. Davis — 13.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.2 spg

Wyoming's 123-71 thumping of lowly Adams State gave the Cowboys an opportunity to let out some frustration after an otherwise disappointing non-conference season. The loss of 2,000-point scorer Brandon Ewing has hurt Wyoming's efficiency, but the talent is there. Afam Muojeke is one of the league's best pure talents and Laramie is always a tough place to play, but Wyoming is probably the MWC's least-threatening team right now. If they have solid hope for the rest of the season it lies in sophomore point guard JayDee Luster, who's averaging 4.2 ppg, 4.1 apg and 3.3 rpg.