Associated Press
Boise State’s Anthony Drmic (center) moves the ball between Wyoming’s Larry Nance Jr. and Nathan Sobey during the second half in Boise, Idaho, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. Wyoming defeated Boise State 52-50.
Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 | 4 p.m.
The Rebel Room
Reno Week
The Battle for the Fremont Cannon is in Las Vegas this week so Las Vegas Sun sports writers Ray Brewer, Case Keefer and Taylor Bern predict its paint color and break down the basketball team's weekend in New York.
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Early in the season I have two main takeaways from the Mountain West: Wyoming is going to be a lot of fun and No. 15 San Diego State looks way better than I thought they would this early in the season. Those are a couple of scary propositions for the rest of the league that includes teams that are off to good starts (Colorado State, Boise State, UNLV) without marquee performances like the Cowboys and Aztecs.
There’s plenty of time for those things to get sorted out and one of those secondary teams, Boise State, has a chance this afternoon at North Carolina State to go make a statement. Elsewhere in the league this weekend, a few teams wrap up early-season tournament appearances while New Mexico gets an intriguing home game Sunday against a struggling USC squad.
On to the picks:
Note: UNLV picks will appear in the live blog on the day of games.
FRIDAY
Boise State (plus-7.5) at North Carolina State
4 p.m., ESPN3
• North Carolina State held off Richmond at home Wednesday by controlling the final 10 minutes of the game. It might take take another finish like that to cover against a Broncos squad that failed its only test of the season (at Wisconsin) but has the ability to keep it close with most anyone.
Pick: Boise State
San Jose State (plus-7.5) vs. Western Michigan
6 p.m., ESPN3
• Betting against San Jose State should be very profitable this season, at least until the lines get inflated.
Pick: Western Michigan
Colorado State (minus-12.5) vs. Pacific
6:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
• This number feels too big for a neutral-site game in Alaska. Pacific lost by only seven at Washington last week and should make life difficult for a lot of good teams this season.
Pick: Pacific
Games Saturday: UNR at Omaha; New Mexico State at Wyoming; Colorado State vs. TBD.
Games Sunday: Air Force at Texas Tech; USC at New Mexico; California at Fresno State; San Jose State vs. TBD.
Last week: 12-10
Season: 22-20
Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.
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