2008 Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Preview

Everything you need to know to be ready to watch the MWC tournament...

March is here and the NCAA tournament is about to begin. Before the start of the ultimate sports tournament comes the conference tournaments. The warm-ups to the bug dance. The Mountain West Conference tournament will take place March 11-15th in Las Vegas. With the regular season winding down there is some clarity of how the seeding for the tournament will shake out. (Here is a link to the tournament bracket showing the television coverage: http://themwc.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/mwc/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2008-mbb-tourney-bracket ) To get everyone up to speed here is a quick crash course guide to Mountain West Conference men's basketball.

Waiting to Die - Teams not sorry the season is coming to an end

Colorado St Rams

Projected #9 (Games Left 3/8 UNM)

Best Players - Marcus Walker G (17.6 pts 3.0 rebs 2.6 asts 1.1 stl) Stuart Creason C (12.4pts 5.7 rebs 1.1 ast 1.6 blks)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - Stuart Creason is questionable for his final game against New Mexico, and for the Tournament. Without Creason and Ronnie Aguilar (Creason's 7-ft backup) the Rams tallest starter is 6-6. The Rams have yet to win a game in conference play. They are looking to learn from the last two games of the season and start work for next year.

The Tournament is Successful if...the rams win a game. (Not only would that be an uplifting tournament, but a good building block for next year.)

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... somehow the season is extended and they are forced to keep playing after they lose in the first round.

Opening Round Dangers - Teams that could put together one good game, but aren't built to make a run in the tournament

Wyoming Cowboys

Projected #8 (Games Left 3/5 @BYU)

Best Players - Brandon Ewing G (16.7 pts 3.5 rebs 4.3 ast 1.4 stl) Brad Jones G (12.4 pts 5.4 rebs 3.7 ast)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - The Cowboys have had an up and down season all year. They have a solid back court with Ewing and Jones. They have also gotten solid play from their forwards Joseph Taylor, and Ryan Dermody. Taylor is a very athletic high flying post performer (If he is on a breakaway get the popcorn ready), and Dermody is a quality defensive stopper. If they could carry this momentum into the tournament they could knock of a top seed in the early rounds.

The Tournament is Successful if... the Cowboys knock off a top seed in the opening rounds.

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... they lose the play-in game to rival Colorado St. That would be a terrible low to end the season on.

TCU Horned Frogs

Projected #7 (Games Left 3/5 @AFA 3/8 BYU)

Best Players - Kevin Langford F (13.5 pts 5.1 rebs 1.4 ast) Henry Salter G (13.3 pts 5.0 rebs)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - TCU is looking to finish with a winning record for only the second time this decade. The downfall this season for TCU has been not being able to win on the road. They have one road win on the season, and that came against Colorado St. Also, one of their top players, Henry Salter, is currently suspended. He will be back for the final home game of the season against BYU, and the tournament. Salter leads the nation in three point percentage. A hot streak from outside the arch could lead to an early round win.

The Tournament is Successful if... TCU gets an early round upset.

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... TCU continues to prove they can't win away from Fort Worth.

Air Force Falcons
Projected #5 (Games Left 3/5 TCU 3/8 SDSU)

Best Players - Tim Anderson G (14.1 pts 2.8 rebs 2.7 ast 2.0 stl) Andrew Kenke G/F (11.0 pts 4.6 rebs 1.6 ast)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - This has been a very successful rebuilding year for the Cadets. Falcon basketball, just like Air Force football, runs a unique offense. It is an offense that can cause problems for opponents. Air Force can also light it up behind the three point line. They are not a great rebounding team, but if their shots are falling they don't have to worry about that.

The Tournament is Successful if... Air Force gets an early round win, and build momentum for next season.

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... they lose and continue the late season fade that has haunted them for the past three years.

Haven't Done Anything Yet But Have the Pieces - Teams having disappointing seasons, but have the talent to make a tournament run

Utah Utes

Projected #6 (Games Left 3/8 @UNLV)

Best Players - Luke Nevill C (14.7 pts 6.5 rebs 1.2 ast 1.6 blk) Johnnie Bryant G (14.3 pts 2.2 rebs 1.4 ast)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - Utah has lost 4 out of their last 5 games. They did pick up the lone win in the final home game of the season. They also weren't getting blow away in any of the loses. They also have an opportunity to gain some momentum going into the tournament, playing their final home game at UNLV. They have the pieces to put together a strong run in the tournament, but need big play from Nevill to make it happen.

The Tournament is Successful if... the Utes reach the conference finals. A making that deep would ensure at least a NIT bid.

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... the Utes lose in the first round, regardless of how they play in the game.

San Diego State Aztecs

Projected #4 (Games Left 3/8 @AFA)

Best Players - Lorrenzo Wade F (15.4 pts 4.7 rebs 3.3 ast 1.0 stl) Kyle Spain F (13.2 pts 5.4 rebs 1.2 ast 1.1 stl)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - Kyle Spain one of the Aztecs top players was suspended for the year mid -season. The suspension of Kyle Spain has really hurt the Aztecs this season. The only quality win since the suspense was a home victory against BYU. The Aztecs do have the right talent to make a run in the tournament, but they would need a little luck to win it all.

The Tournament is Successful if... they make it to the finals and compete for the crown.

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... they lose in the first round, and don't get a NIT invite.

The Favorites - These teams should fight it to be conference tournament champions

New Mexico Lobos

Projected #3 (Games Left 3/08 @CSU)

Best Players - J.R. Giddens G (15.7 pts 8.6 rebs 3.0 ast 1.4 stl 1.2 blk) Chad Toppert G (10.5 pts 3.3 rebs 1.5 ast)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - The Lobos have won 7 of their last 8 games, and are a lucky bounce in overtime against BYU from being on an eight game winning streak. While they lost to BYU, that game might have cemented J.R. Giddens as the conference player of the year. The Lobos are the hottest team in the Mountain West Conference, and are looking to keep things going in the tournament.

The Tournament is Successful if... they win the tournament and get an automatic bid into the tournament.

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... they suffer a terrible opening round lose. Making their hopes of getting into the NCAA tournament as a bubble team very slim.

BYU Cougars

Projected #1 (Games Left 3/5 WYO 3/8 @TCU)

Best Players - Tren Plaisted F/C (15.9 pts 8.0 rebs 1.6 ast) Lee Cummard G/F (15.9 pts 6.5 reb 3.4 ast 1.0 stl) Jonathan Tavernari G/F (13.0 pts 5.4 rebs 1.5 ast 1.3 stl)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - Unless the Cougars fall apart in the last two games they will repeat as Mountain West regular season champions. The Cougars are loaded going into the tournament and are looking to avenge an early season melt down on the Rebels home court.

The Tournament is Successful if... they win the tournament or at least lose a close game in the championship. That should help the Cougars get a quality seed for the NCAA tournament.

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... BYU loses big in the opening round. Making them a bubble team that will either get a terrible seed or a snub from the tournament.

UNLV Rebels

Projected #2 (Games Left 3/8 UTAH)

Best Players - Wink Adams G (16.1 pts 4.0 rebs 3.3 ast 1.6 stl) Joe Darger F (11.8 pts 4.8 rebs 1.0 ast) Curtis Terry G/F (10.3 pts 3.3 rebs 4.9 ast 1.0 stl)

Story Lines Going Into Tournament - The Rebels were in the hunt for the Mountain West Conference regular season title, until they lost at New Mexico. The Rebels now have the opportunity to come back home and claim the tournament championship. Adams and Darger are hard to stop on their home court. The beat down they put on BYU proves that point.

The Tournament is Successful if... and only if they win the tournament. With the huge advantage the Rebels have from playing at home, anything less than the tournament victory would be a let done.

The Tournament is a Disappointment if... the Rebels lose in the opening round on their home court.