The Mountain West sent a record six teams to the Big Dance in March. Now, Boise State leads the league’s charge hoping to finally make its mark in the NCAA Tournament.
Only six conferences have sent 14 or more teams to the Big Dance since 2022. So even while the Mountain West’s NCAA Tournament struggles remain, the league has bounced back with a vengeance after the late-2010s lull.
The work is cut out for the conference after a record six tournament bids last March, though. Only six of the MWC’s 15 all-league players are back this year with superstars Jaedon LeDee, Isaiah Stevens and Great Osobor moving on to greener pastures. Familiar faces Tyson Degenhart (Boise State), Dedan Thomas (UNLV) and Donovan Dent (New Mexico) will carry the torch.
But even despite the roster turnover, more than half of the conference membership could reasonably set their sights on an NCAA Tournament appearance. As always, the Mountain West figures to be as unpredictable and parity-riddled as ever, making it again one of the most exciting conferences in the sport.
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Projected Order of Finish
1. Boise State Broncos
While an NCAA Tournament victory continues to elude Boise State, the Broncos have quietly been one of the Mountain West’s most consistent teams for several years. Leon Rice has turned in three straight tournament bids and is 55-19 in conference play the last four years — the best record in the Mountain West in that span.
Tyson Degenhart (16.7 ppg) is an all-around weapon in the frontcourt. He and O’Mar Stanley (12.7 ppg) offer scoring efficiency, rebounding prowess and defensive intensity. Rice’s best teams have been anchored by versatile forwards who can both score and limit extra possessions: Boise State has ranked in the top 25 in defensive rebounding percentage in 12 of Rice’s 14 years as head coach.
In the backcourt, Alvaro Cardenas (13.2 ppg at San Jose State) might go down as the biggest transfer addition in the conference. Cardenas was one of just five players last season with an assist rate above 30 percent and 3-point percentage over 38.0, despite a dismal SJSU supporting cast. Expect a career year out of the Spaniard.
Javan Buchanan (20.5 ppg at NAIA Indiana Wesleyan) is another significant pickup. The jump to the Mountain West is no joke, but Buchanan’s high-level mix of size and athleticism should bode well in Rice’s system. Seven-footer Dylan Anderson (1.4 ppg at Arizona in ‘22-23) is a former top-100 recruit. He played sparingly in his only college season but should improve mightily given Rice’s track record for developing talent.
Time will tell whether this team can finally break through in March, but it would be a surprise if the Broncos don’t hear their name on Selection Sunday. Degenhart is arguably the league’s best talent, Cardenas elevates Boise State’s point guard play, and Rice’s squad will once again remain stout defensively and on the glass.
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