Mountain West 2002-03 Season Recap
by Bob Thurman
The Mountain West Conference’s fifth season was its most successful yet. Three-fourths of the teams in the league played in the postseason, including three to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. The league was consistently rated near the top of the RPI, ahead of more notable conferences like the Pac-Ten and Conference USA. It also had some of the country’s top players, including its leading scorer, Ruben Douglas of New Mexico, who averaged an astounding 28 points per game.
The regular season did not turn out the way the prognosticators had predicted. An early season injury to Wyoming’s Marcus Bailey knocked out one of the league’s top players, and essentially prevented the Cowboys from reaching the top of the conference. However, they hustled their way to a third place tie with UNLV. The Rebels were the other favorite, but inconsistent play and poor decision making cost them too many games. In the end, it was bitter rivals, Utah and BYU, that laid claim to the league’s top teams by sharing first place with an 11-3 record. Of course, the Utes can brag a little bit more since they swept the season series.
The conference tournament was exciting from the opening tip. Colorado State upset both Wyoming and BYU, while UNLV upset Utah to reach the final game. In a game that mirrored their entire season, the Rebels blew a 10 point lead in the final few minutes, losing 62-61 on Brian Greene’s late jumper to win it. It was a memorable run for the Rams, who reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1990.
NCAA Tournament Results
Utah, 9th Seed in Midwest Region
defeated Oregon, 60-58 in 1st Round
lost to Kentucky, 74-54 in 2nd Round
BYU, 12th Seed in South Region
lost to Connecticut, 58-53 in 1st Round
Colorado State, 14th Seed in West Region
lost to Duke, 67-57 in 1st Round
NIT Tournament Results
Wyoming
defeated Eastern Washington, 78-71 in 1st Round
lost to North Carolina, 90-74 in 2nd Round
San Diego State
defeated UC Santa Barbara, 67-62 in 1st Round
lost to Texas Tech, 57-48 in 2nd Round
UNLV
lost to Hawaii, 85-68 in 1st Round
Postseason Awards
First Team All-Conference:
G Marcus Banks, UNLV
G Donta Richardson, Wyoming
F Ruben Douglas, New Mexico
F Travis Hansen, BYU
C Uche Nsonwu-Amadi, Wyoming
Player of the Year:
Ruben Douglas, New Mexico
The 6’5″ senior led the country in scoring at 28 points per game and carried a poor Lobo team to 10 wins this season. Normally I don’t pick players from bad teams, but Ruben was so dominant this season, that I couldn’t justify picking anyone else.
Coach of the Year:
Rick Majerus, Utah
The Utes coach may have done his best job ever, taking a team with only four returning players and leading them to the conference title and a 25-8 record overall.
Freshman of the Year:
Evan Burns, San Diego State
The McDonald’s All-American quickly adjusted to college ball after sitting out the first few games. He finished third on the team in scoring with over 9 points per game and has a fine future ahead.
Newcomer of the Year:
Tim Frost, Utah
The Portland transfer may not be the prettiest player in the league, but he’s one of the toughest. He’s also got good footwork and a soft touch. He was second on the team in scoring at almost 13 points per game.
Defensive Player of the Year:
Marcus Banks, UNLV
The league’s quickest player was as dangerous on defense as he was on offense. He easily led the league in steals at almost 3 per game, but also created numerous turnovers for his teammates.
Team Summaries
Utah Utes (Overall: 25-8, Conference: 11-3)
Starters returning for next season:
G Tim Drisdom, Fr.
G Nick Jacobson, Jr.
C Tim Frost, Jr.
Starters not returning:
F Trace Caton (graduation)
F Britton Johnsen (graduation)
Other key players returning:
F Richard Chaney, Fr.
F Bryant Markson, Fr.
Other key players not returning:
G Marc Jackson (transfer)
Team leaders:
Scoring: Nick Jacobson (13.3)
Assists: Tim Drisdom (3.1)
Rebounding: Britton Johnsen (6.7)
BYU Cougars (Overall: 23-9, Conference: 11-3)
Starters returning for next season:
G Kevin Woodberry, Jr.
G Mark Bigelow, Jr.
F Jared Jensen, So.
C Rafael Araujo, Jr.
Starters not returning:
F Travis Hansen (graduation)
Other key players returning:
G Terry Nashif, So.
G Rick Bower, Jr.
F Jake Shoff, Jr.
Team leaders:
Scoring: Travis Hansen (16.8)
Assists: Kevin Woodberry (2.5)
Rebounding: Rafael Araujo (8.9)
Wyoming Cowboys (Overall: 21-11, Conference: 8-6)
Starters returning for next season:
G Jay Straight, So.
G David Rottinghaus, Jr.
F Joe Ries, Jr.
Starters not returning:
G Donta Richardson (graduation)
C Uche Nsonwu-Amadi (graduation)
Other key players returning:
G David Adamas, Jr.
F Mory Correa, Jr.
C Alex Dunn, So.
Other key players not returning:
F Marcus Bailey (injury/graduation)
Team leaders:
Scoring: Donta Richardson (18.1)
Assists: Jay Straight (3.1)
Rebounding: Uche Nsonwu-Amadi (9.67)
UNLV Rebels (Overall: 21-11, Conference: 8-6)
Starters returning for next season:
F James Peters, Jr.
C J.K. Edwards, Jr.
Starters not returning:
G Marcus Banks (graduation)
G Jermaine Lewis (graduation)
F Dalron Johnson (graduation)
Other key players returning:
G Demetrius Hunter, Jr.
G Ernest Turner, So.
F Odartney Blankson, Jr. (transfer from Marquette)
Other key players not returning:
F Omari Pearson (transfer)
Team leaders:
Scoring: Marcus Banks (20.3)
Assists: Marcus Banks (5.5)
Rebounding: Dalron Johnson & J.K. Edwards (6.3)
San Diego Aztecs (Overall: 16-14, Conference: 6-8)
Starters returning for next season:
F Evan Burns, Fr.
F Aerick Sanders, Jr.
Starters not returning:
G Tony Bland (graduation)
G Deandre Moore (graduation)
C Mike Mackell (graduation)
Other key players returning:
G Wesley Stokes, Jr. (transfer from Missouri)
G Tommy Johnson, So.
G Steve Sir, Fr.
F Travis Hanour, So.
F Chris Walton, Jr. (redshirt)
Team leaders:
Scoring: Tony Bland (16.4)
Assists: Deandre Moore (4.1)
Rebounding: Aerick Sanders (7.6)
Colorado State Rams (Overall: 19-14, Conference: 5-9)
Starters returning for next season:
G Michael Morris, Fr.
F Matt Williams, So.
C Matt Nelson, So.
Starters not returning:
G Andy Birley (graduation)
F Brian Greene (graduation)
Other key players returning:
G Shelton Johson, Fr.
G Derrick Stevens, Jr.
F Ronnie Clark, So.
C Darian Burke, Jr.
Team leaders:
Scoring: Matt Nelson (17.0)
Assists: Michael Morris (3.7)
Rebounding: Brian Greene (6.2)
New Mexico Lobos (Overall: 10-18, Conference: 4-10)
Starters returning for next season:
G Mark Walters, Fr.
G Javin Tindall, Jr.
C David Chiotti, Fr.
Starters not returning:
F Ruben Douglas (graduation)
F Jamaal Williams (transfer to Washington)
Other key players returning:
G Ryan Ashcraft, Jr.
G Jeff Hart, Fr.
F Mikal Monette, Fr.
Other key players not returning:
G Senque Carey (injury)
C Chad Bell (transfer)
Team leaders:
Scoring: Ruben Douglas (28.0)
Assists: Javin Tindall (2.7)
Rebounding: Ruben Douglas (6.6)
Air Force Falcons (Overall: 12-16, Conference: 3-11)
Starters returning for next season:
G Tim Keller, So.
G A.J. Kuhle, Jr.
F Joel Gerlach, Jr.
Starters not returning:
G Vernard Jenkins (graduation)
C Tom Bellairs (graduation)
Other key players returning:
G Antoine Hood, Fr.
F Nick Welch, Fr.
F David Peterson, So.
Team leaders:
Scoring: Tim Keller (15.2)
Assists: Tom Bellairs (2.9)
Rebounding: Tom Bellairs (4.2)
