AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WEST

  • The Mountain West is celebrating its 25th season of men’s basketball during the 2023-24 campaign.
  • In the current NET rankings, the Mountain West has six programs ranked among the top 50: San Diego State (19), New Mexico (22), Colorado State (27), Utah State (28), Nevada (47) and Boise State (49). These six teams are a combined 111-33 on the season, including a 69-10 mark in nonconference action.
  • The Mountain West is one of four conferences (Big 12, 6; MW, 4; Big Ten, 4; SEC, 4) with four or more teams ranked among the top 30 of the current NET rankings.
  • The Mountain West is 104-38 (.732) in nonconference action in 2023-24, the fourth-best nonconference record among the 32 conferences. The MW has had a nonconference winning percentage of .600 or better in each of the last four seasons.
  • The Mountain West is the only conference that has at least five teams with 18 or more wins on the year.
  • Best in the WEST. The Mountain West is 24-7 against the Pac-12 (6-1) and West Coast Conference (18-6) in 2023-24.
  • The Mountain West is one of three conferences (Big 12, SEC) that has five or more teams with an overall winning percentage of .700 or better.
  • The Mountain West is the only conference to have all its teams finish the nonconference slate with a winning percentage above .500.
  • Colorado State is currently ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches poll and receiving votes in the Associated Press
  • Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State and Utah State are receiving votes in both national polls.
  • Six MW guards rank among the top 30 in the nation in total assists. Colorado State’s Isaiah Stevens leads the nation with 179 assists, while Utah State’s Darius Brown II is sixth with 159 assists and Fresno State’s Isaiah Hill ranks 14th with 151 assists. San José State’s Alvaro Cardenas ranks 27th with 137 helpers, UNLV’s Dedan Thomas Jr. is 28th with 134 assists and New Mexico’s Donovan Dent is ranked 30th with 131 assists.
  • CSU’s Stevens and SDSU’s Jaedon LeDee have been named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 and the Lute Olson watch lists. Additionally, Utah State’s Great Osobor was named to the Lute Olson watch list.
  • The Mountain West is one of five conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big East, SEC) with three or more student-athletes on the Lute Olson watch list.
  • SDSU’s LeDee and USU’s Osobor are finalists for the Karl Malone Award, while CSU’s Stevens is a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award.