2024-25 Mountain West Basketball Preview

Conference Overview

Join us for our 2024-25 Mountain West Basketball Preview, where we dive into a conference that earned six March Madness bids last season and aims to capitalize on that momentum. Although the Mountain West is not considered a Power 5 conference, it received six bids (one auto, five at-large) to the NCAA Tournament. Five bids appeared likely until New Mexico, as a #6 seed, won the conference tournament, securing an automatic bid. This season, many teams return talented players from last year’s tournament squads, setting the stage for an exciting year in the Mountain West.

Boise State brings back a Player of the Year candidate in Tyson Degenhart, who will be paired with fellow returner O’Mar Stanley in the frontcourt. The Broncos also add intra-conference transfer Alvaro Cardenas from San José State to address their need at point guard. With a lineup brimming with quality, Boise State should see improvements from their role players as they receive increased minutes.

New Mexico, fresh off their conference tournament victory, returns key members from last season’s squad, including Donovan Dent, another Player of the Year candidate, and solid defender Nelly Junior Joseph at center. The Lobos will look for a breakout season from rising sophomore Tru Washington.

Nevada returns all-conference candidate Nick Davidson and double-digit scorer Xavier DuSell. One of the best moves in the transfer portal could be the acquisition of Kobe Sanders, a Cal Poly transfer who stands at 6’9″ and has demonstrated the ability to score efficiently, even while playing on an 0-20 team during conference play last season.

Utah State boasts a consistent roster with Ian Martinez and Mason Falslev returning as primary scoring options. The Aggies also acquired excellent shooter Deyton Albury from Queens, who should successfully transition from the ASUN.

It was just two seasons ago that San Diego State played in the NCAA title game against UConn. Despite losing star Jaedon LeDee, the Aztecs return a promising roster, including one of the best freshman recruits in the conference, Pharaoh Compton. Nick Boyd, transferring in from FAU, is expected to be the main scoring option, joined by San Diego transfer Wayne McKinney III, another capable scorer.

UNLV brings back last year’s Co-Freshman of the Year, Dedan Thomas, who is anticipated to make significant strides after an impressive freshman season. The Runnin’ Rebels’ frontcourt will consist of returners, while the wing spots feature new additions from the transfer portal.

Colorado State retained Nique Clifford, another potential Player of the Year candidate, who withdrew from the NBA Draft on the final day. The Rams will have a new point guard in Northern Iowa transfer Bowen Born, who should provide stability.

San José State will feature an entirely new projected starting five, bringing in four transfers and one redshirted player, including Co-6th Man of the Year Josh Uduje from Utah State and point guard Will McClendon from UCLA, who is poised to be a breakout candidate with increased minutes.

Wyoming will also have a completely new starting five, none of whom are from high-major conferences or Power 5 schools, necessitating an adjustment period. Air Force returns two bright spots from last season, Ethan Taylor and Beau Becker, but will face depth concerns with the rest of their roster.

Finally, Fresno State has a new coach and has brought in several JUCO players looking to make the leap to Division I basketball, including Amar Augillard, one of the top JUCO prospects and expected to be a standout player on the team.

The Mountain West is always an exciting conference to watch, especially with the influx of new talent and last season’s successful teams aiming to make significant jumps. This season promises must-watch basketball, as highlighted in our 2024-25 Mountain West Basketball Preview.

Mountain West Basketball Preview: Projected Standings

1. Boise State
2. New Mexico
3. Nevada
4. Utah State
5. San Diego State
6. UNLV
7. Colorado State
8. San José State
9. Wyoming
10. Air Force
11. Fresno State

Mountain West Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners

Player of the Year: Tyson Degenhart, Boise State

Defensive Player of the Year: Tré Coleman, Nevada

Newcomer of the Year: Nick Boyd, San Diego State

Freshman of the Year: Pharaoh Compton, San Diego State

Coach of the Year: Leon Rice, Boise State

Mountain West Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team

Dedan Thomas, Jr., UNLV

Donovan Dent, New Mexico

Nique Clifford, Colorado State

Tyson Degenhart, Boise State

Nick Davidson, Nevada

Air Force Falcons

Projected Starters:

PG: Jeffrey Mills (9.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.0 apg)

SG: Ethan Taylor (13.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg)

SF: Byron Brown (5.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.0 apg)

PF: Beau Becker (13.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.5 apg)

C: Wesley Celichowski (1.9 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.4 apg)

6M: Chase Beasley (1.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.0 apg)

Boise State Broncos

Projected Starters:

PG: Alvaro Cardenas (13.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.5 apg @ San José State)

SG: Chris Lockett, Jr. (R-FR)

SF: Andrew Meadow (3.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.2 apg)

PF: Tyson Degenhart (16.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.5 apg)

C: O’Mar Stanley (12.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.5 apg)

6M: Dylan Anderson (1.4 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.1 apg @ Arizona) 2022-2023 Stats

Colorado State Rams

Projected Starters:

PG: Bowen Born (13.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Northern Iowa)

SG: Jalen Lake (6.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.3 apg)

SF: Nique Clifford (12.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.0 apg)

PF: Ethan Morton (0.6 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.1 apg @ Purdue)

C: Rashaan Mbemba (3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Keshawn Williams (17.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg @ Northern Illinois) 2022-2023 Stats

Fresno State Bulldogs

Projected Starters:

PG: Jasir Tremble (17.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.4 apg @ JUCO Prince George’s CC)

SG: Jalen Weaver (7.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.9 apg)

SF: Amar Augillard (22.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.4 apg @ JUCO Triton)

PF: Alex Crawford (15.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.5 apg @ San Diego City CC)

C: Mor Seck (4.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.0 apg ) Injured- Return TBD

6M: David Douglas, Jr. (8.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Green Bay)

Nevada Wolf Pack

Projected Starters:

PG: Kobe Sanders (19.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.2 apg @ Cal Poly)

SG: Xavier DuSell (11.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.5 apg)

SF: Tré Coleman (8.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg)

PF: Nick Davidson (12.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 apg)

C: K.J. Hymes (5.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.3 apg)

6M: Tyler Rolison (3.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.5 apg)

New Mexico Lobos

Projected Starters:

PG: Donovan Dent (14.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.4 apg)

SG: CJ Noland (10.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg @ North Texas)

SF: Tru Washington (6.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.3 apg)

PF: Mustapha Amzil (6.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.7 apg)

C: Nelly Junior Joseph (8.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.0 apg)

6M: Atiki Ally Atiki (4.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.3 apg @ BYU)

San Diego State Aztecs

Projected Starters:

PG: Wayne McKinney III (13.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg @ San Diego)

SG: Nick Boyd (9.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.8 apg @ FAU)

SF: Reese Waters (9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.2 apg)

PF: Miles Byrd (4.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.9 apg)

C: Jared Coleman-Jones (11.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.3 apg @ Middle Tennessee)

6M: Pharaoh Compton (FR)

San José State Spartans

Projected Starters:

PG: Will McClendon (4.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 apg @ UCLA)

SG: Donovan Yap (9.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Fresno State)

SF: Josh Uduje (8.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.9 apg @ Utah State)

PF: Sadaidriene Hall (10.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Stephen F. Austin)

C: Robert Vaihola (7.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.5 apg) 2022-2023 Stats

6M: Adrame Diongue (4.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.8 apg)

UNLV Runnin’ Rebels

Projected Starters:

PG: Dedan Thomas, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.1 apg)

SG: Jailen Bedford (14.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 0.9 apg @ Oral Roberts)

SF: Jaden Henley (8.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.3 apg @ DePaul)

PF: Jaden Hill (10.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.7 apg)

C: Rob Whaley, Jr. (7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.8 apg)

6M: Jeremiah Cherry (12.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 0.2 apg @ JUCO New Mexico)

Utah State Aggies

Projected Starters:

PG: Deyton Albury (17.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.7 apg @ Queens)

SG: Ian Martinez (13.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.8 apg)

SF: Mason Falslev (11.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg)

PF: Isaac Johnson (6.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.8 apg)

C: Aubin Gateretse (11.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Stetson)

6M: Dexter Akannon (10.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.3 apg @ Oregon State)

Wyoming Cowboys

Projected Starters:

PG: Obi Agbim (15.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.9 apg @ D2 Fort Lewis)

SG: Jordan Nesbitt (10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.3 apg @ Hampton)

SF: Dontaie Allen (8.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.6 apg @ Western Kentucky)

PF: Touko Tainamo (15.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 0.6 apg @ Denver)

C: Scottie Ebube (6.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Southern Illinois)

6M: Oleg Kojenets (3.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.1 apg)

Coming Next

Thank you for reading the 2024-25 Mountain West Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the NEC. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!

• America East Conference Preview
• American Athletic Conference Preview
• ACC Conference Preview
• ASUN Conference Preview
• A10 Conference Preview
• Big East Conference Preview
• Big Sky Conference Preview
• Big South Conference Preview
• Big Ten Conference Preview
• Big 12 Conference Preview
• Big West Conference Preview
• CAA Conference Preview
• CUSA Conference Preview
• Horizon Conference Preview
• Ivy Conference Preview
• MAAC Conference Preview
• MAC Conference Preview
• MEAC Conference Preview
• Missouri Valley Conference Preview

Cover Image: Photo Credit: Mountain West Conference