Mountain West Conference 2006-07 Preview
by Brad Best
With most of the top talent returning for another helping of collegiate competition, this looks to be a resurgent year for men’s basketball in the Mountain West Conference. Quality freshman recruits, impressive transfers and upperclassman leadership should add up to some real conference shootouts and well-fought battles on the hardwood.
Last season, the San Diego State Aztecs lived up to their potential and claimed the Mountain West Conference title for the first time. They went on to win the Mountain West Conference tournament and secure an automatic bid for the NCAA tournament. But repeating as champions will be harder this year, even though they return four starters.
Big men will play a pivotal role in conference play this season. The Mountain West has more than its share of seven-footers, which will present interesting match-ups against some of the smaller squads. Colorado State’s Jason Smith is back for his junior season while Utah’s Luke Nevill and BYU’s Trent Plaisted are looking to become stars as sophomores.
But the guards will have something to say about the final score as well. Brandon Heath, last season’s MWC Player of the Year, returns to lead a rising San Diego State squad. Newcomer Kevin Kruger looks to help his father, Coach Lon Kruger, put UNLV back in the spotlight. And Kansas transfer J.R. Giddens is set to lead a lot of new but talented Lobos in New Mexico.
All-MWC First Team
Brandon Heath, G, San Diego State
J.R. Giddens, G, New Mexico
Kevin Kruger, G, UNLV
Trent Plaisted, F/C, BYU
Jason Smith, C, Colorado State
Honorable Mentions: Nick Welch, Air Force; Luke Nevill, Utah; Jacob Burtschi, Air Force; Mohamed Abukar, San Diego State; Brandon Ewing, Wyoming
Conference MVP
Brandon Heath, San Diego State
Newcomer of the Year
J.R. Giddens, New Mexico
1. San Diego State Aztecs
2005-06 record: 24-9, 13-3 MWC (1st place)
Projected starting five:
Brandon Heath, Sr. G
Richie Williams, So. G
Kyle Spain, So. F
Mohamed Abukar, Sr. F
Jerome Habel, Jr. C
The Aztecs return four starters and Coach Steve Fisher just inked a contract extension. This bodes well for their chances this year and beyond. Conference Player of the Year Brandon Heath should continue to light up the scoreboard and should get plenty of help from his teammates.
The small forward position should be a mismatch in favor of the Aztecs on most nights. Kyle Spain looks to be an emerging star who can play both inside and out. Louisville transfer Lorenzo Wade will likely come off the bench but will get plenty of minutes. He can slash his way to the rim or pull up for a midrange jump shot.
Down low, junior college recruit Jerome Habel will attempt to replace the rebounding void left by Marcus Slaughter, who submitted his name for the NBA draft but ended up playing in Turkey. Mohamed Abukar was a key component of last year’s success and is primed for a great senior season if his shins are healthy enough for him to practice and play.
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 10-12 Shamrock Invitational
Nov. 18 vs. California
Dec. 9 vs. Arizona
Dec. 21 at Washington State
After last year’s success as well as the disappointment of a first round NCAA tournament loss, the Aztecs are hungry for more and are poised to position themselves atop the Mountain West once again. Their bench is not as deep this year, but their battle-tested starters will provide a formidable challenge to any team on the schedule.
2. Air Force Falcons
2005-06 record: 24-7, 12-4 MWC (2nd place tie)
Projected starting five:
Tim Anderson, Jr. G
Matt McCraw, Sr. G
Dan Nwaelele, Sr. F
Jacob Burtschi, Sr. F
Nick Welch, Sr. C
Nick Welch, All-MWC performer two years ago, returns after a red-shirt season to heal knee and foot injuries. He rejoins a sharp-shooting, well-disciplined team that is loaded with seniors and well-positioned for a successful run at the top.
Forward Jacob Burtschi is the leading return player in most of the statistical categories and will be counted on for another high-energy, high-productivity season. The Falcons will miss Antoine Hood, but maybe younger brother Adam will step up and replace some of his production.
Jeff Bzdelik’s second season at the helm should enable him and his players to feel more comfortable in their modified Princeton-style offense. With a bunch of mature cadets who can light it up from beyond the arc, they are a difficult match-up, especially for their out-of-conference foes.
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 18 at Colorado
Nov. 29 vs. Wake Forest
Dec. 28 at George Washington
A couple of big non-conference wins could help the Falcons tournament chances. They squandered a surprise NCAA tournament bid last year but appear to be better this season. The four returning senior starters need to give it all they’ve got.
3. BYU Cougars
2005-06 record: 20-9, 12-4 MWC (2nd place tie)
Projected starting five:
Jimmy Balderson, Sr. G
Rashaun Broadus, Sr. G
Fernando Malaman, Sr. F
Keena Young, Sr. F
Trent Plaisted, So. C
Dave Rose guided the Cougars to a surprising 20-win season in his first year so the expectations are high for yet another MWC team loaded with seniors.
Trent Plaisted earned Freshman All-American honors a season ago and should be a force down low for the Cougars this season. He is the returning leading scorer and rebounder. Keena Young is another key component in the front court and will need to take some of the pressure off of Plaisted.
In the backcourt, Rashaun Broadus will need to replace Brock Reichner at the point guard position and set up his teammates for easy looks. Jimmy Balderson will move in to a starting role and will need to continue to hit big shots as his minutes increase.
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 15 at UCLA
Dec. 9 at Michigan State
Dec. 16 vs. Utah State
Dec. 30 vs. Seton Hall
With the emergence of Plaisted and a strong supporting cast, the Cougars should finish near the top and get the third NCAA tournament bid from the MWC.
4. UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
2005-06 record: 17-13, 10-6 MWC (4th place)
Projected starting five:
Kevin Kruger, Sr. G
Michael Umeh, Sr. G
Jo’van Adams, So. F
Tristan Parham, Sr. F
Joel Anthony, Sr. C
The Runnin’ Rebels will field perhaps the smallest lineup in the conference, which could be a tell-tale sign. Kevin Kruger brings proven Pac-10 playmaking ability to his father’s team but doesn’t help overcome the need for size.
Joel Anthony will likely get the starting nod at center, but how well will his 6-9 frame hold up against the tall trees in the MWC? Will Wendell White and Gaston Essengue become more consistent threats this year? We’ll have to wait and see.
Jo’Van Adams should continue to be a spark in the backcourt along with senior Michael Umeh, who is coming off knee surgery.
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 28 at Arizona
Dec. 9 at Nevada
Dec. 22 vs. Minnesota
Dec. 28 at Texas Tech
UNLV has potential to challenge the top teams in the conference, but issues about size and consistency make it hard to pick them any higher than fourth.
5. New Mexico Lobos
2005-06 record: 17-13, 8-8 MWC (5th place)
Projected starting five:
J.R. Giddens, Sr. G
Jamaal Smith, Jr. G
Tony Danridge, Jr. F
Aaron Johnson, Sr. F
Kellen Walter, Sr. C
There are lots of new faces on Ritchie McKay’s squad as four starters exit the program. Lone returning starter Tony Danridge will need to improve his outside shooting touch and become more of a consistent scorer.
The Lobos will rely heavily on two transfers who have had their share of off-court issues. J.R. Giddens is a tremendous athlete from Kansas and should make an immediate impact on the offensive side. Aaron Johnson from Penn State is more of a defensive stopper who led the Big Ten in rebounding in his junior year.
There are question marks about the remaining pieces. Jamaal Smith is a junior college recruit who could step in at the point. Freshman Derek Oestricher, 6’11, 245 lbs, has the size the Lobos need in the middle, but is he ready?
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 14 vs. Colorado
Nov. 21 vs. Kansas State
Dec. 5 at New Mexico State
Jan. 1 at Texas Tech
The Lobos are a tough team to predict as this is simply a team that has never played together. Giddens and Johnson have the pedigree to make a difference but without a strong starting lineup it will be tough for the Lobos to earn any post-season play.
6. Utah Utes
2005-06 record: 14-15, 6-10 MWC (6th place)
Projected starting five:
Johnnie Bryant, Jr. G
Chris Grant, Jr. G
Shaun Green, So. F
Misha Radojevic, Jr. F
Luke Nevill, So. C
The Utes are one of the younger teams in conference and it will show in the final tally. Luke Nevill showed a lot of promise in his freshman year, and the 7-1 center should continue to improve on both sides of the ball.
Johnnie Bryant is a nice outside complement to Nevill. Bryant is capable of some big performances and should be more at home in the shooting guard role this year.
Seven freshmen and redshirt junior Misha Radojevic will be called upon the bear the rest of the load. The Utes will certainly miss the scoring ability of Bryant Markson and will need to find some consistent scorers in a hurry.
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 21 vs. Colorado
Dec. 2 vs. Washington State
Dec. 9 at Rhode Island
Dec. 28 vs. Albany
The Utes have had a big drop-off from their Sweet 16 run just over a year ago. Coach Ray Giacoletti is looking for the right recruits and chemistry to get them back on top, but it won’t be this year.
7. Colorado State Rams
2005-06 record: 16-15, 4-12 MWC (8th place)
Projected starting five:
Tyler Smith, Jr. G
Cory Lewis, Sr. G
Freddy Robinson, Sr. F
Jason Smith, Jr. F
Stuart Creason, Jr. C
The Rams got out of the gate quickly last year and rode to an impressive 11-2 start. But injuries and mental toughness caused them to spiral down and lose 13 of their final 18 games.
Junior forward/center Jason Smith is a very talented big man who needs to avoid foul trouble and get himself and his team in the game. With the announcement of Michael Harrison’s surprise departure, Smith will be counted on more than ever.
In the backcourt, senior Cory Lewis needs to continue to distribute the ball to his teammates and play under control. If he can continue to lead the league in assists and average double digits scoring, he will be a big part of the team’s success.
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 14 vs. Baylor
Dec. 2 vs. Kansas State
Dec. 9 at Colorado
The Rams didn’t schedule a tough non-conference schedule and will have trouble convincing the committee that they are worthy of an at-large bid. Jason Smith will help keep them in some games, but it won’t be enough to produce a winning season.
8. Wyoming Cowboys
2005-06 record: 14-18, 5-11 MWC (7th place)
Projected starting five:
Brandon Ewing, So. G
Brad Jones, Jr. G
Chris Anderson, Sr. F
Joseph Taylor, Jr. F
Daaron Brown, Sr. C
Last year there were rumors about Coach Steve McClain’s job being in jeopardy, but he is back for another round. The Cowboys had some early success under McClain but have fallen on trying times the last couple of years.
The strength of the team is definitely guard play. Brandon Ewing had a very successful freshman season and should improve upon his 13 points per game from a year ago. His backcourt mate is Brad Jones, a junior point guard who led the team with 3.5 assists per game.
Upfront, senior Daaron Brown has enough bulk to clog up the middle but is not a real scoring threat. The Cowboys will miss the athletic shot-blocking ability of Justin Williams, who helped disrupt the offense of opponents and keep the Cowboys within striking distance.
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 22 at UAB
Nov. 26 at Colorado
Dec. 9 vs. Wichita State
Dec. 20 at Nebraska
McClain will have to work wonders if he is going to stay in the good graces of the Wyoming faithful. A lot may depend upon a couple of junior college transfers and how quickly they can get into the flow of the game.
9. TCU Horned Frogs
2005-06 record: 6-25, 2-12 MWC (9th place)
Projected starting five:
Brent Hackett, Jr. G
Neiman Owens, Jr. G
Kevin Langford, So. F
Blake Adams, Sr. F
Femi Ibikunle, Sr. C
While the TCU football team made a nice transition to the Mountain West last year and took the conference crown, the men’s basketball team had the opposite fate. The Horned Frogs lost early and often, finishing with just two wins in conference.
It doesn’t figure to get much easier this year as the Horned Frogs will need to compete without their top two scorers from a year ago. Brent Hackett is their only proven player with 10 points per game.
In the front court, Femi Ibikunle is a good defender but needs to increase his rebounds and scoring ability this year. The bright hope is that California transfer Kevin Langford will step into a starting role and lead the team.
Schedule – Key out of conference games:
Nov. 29 vs. Texas Tech
Dec. 2 at Oklahoma
Dec. 9 vs. Tulane
Dec. 30 at Colorado
The expectations are low for TCU going into this season but look for them to at least hold their home court more often and put up more of a fight than a year ago.
MWC Summary
The Mountain West conference retained much of its talent from last season and should be more competitive top to bottom in the 2006-07 season. San Diego State, Air Force and BYU appear to be a notch above the rest and will fight it out to see who finishes first.
The conference has the potential to launch a few NBA careers and should come away with more non-conference victories than in previous years. Look for the top three to compete in the NCAA tournament plus one or two teams to be invited to the NIT.
