MWC

[TarkisGod]

The Mountain West is looking very mid-major these days. We all know what’s likely to happen on Saturday, but at least we’ll be embarrassed by a Top-5 team. Even though it’s a long-awaited re-match with The Evil Empire, and it brings Dickie V. to town (Sandler & Smith, here I come). Do you think he'll notice anyone out there who isn't a Blue Devil?

But the league isn’t doing much for their profile. Tonight, there were 4 MW teams in action. New Mexico did manage to squeak past UTEP with a 78-77 victory. Air Force got beat 72-76 by Army, San Jose lost by 19 to Montana and the Aztecs went down, for the second year in-a-row to Grand Canyon.Those aren’t exactly powerhouse opponents. I know, Dan Majerle has put a nice program together at GCU , but still…

This speaks to me in two ways. First, that even though we’re barely into December, it’s safe to assume that The Rebels are playing in a one-team league for the NCAA Tournament.

Secondly, that despite the obvious handicaps that UNLV has had putting a competitive team on the floor, and despite the media selecting The Rebels to finish 8th, I honestly believe that we have a realistic shot at the title.Or at least we could win 3 games in March, at the T&M.

I’m not declaring that we will win, but I’m not ruling it out, either. Hopefully the schooling that we receive at the hands of Duke and Kansas will have a positive effect on league play.

Go Rebels!

 

[UNLVAlumni]

We're falling behind the other mid majors for sure. Saw a stat today about how many bids each mid major had received over the last so many years and the MWC was at the bottom with the WAC. Not good

 

[Vegas007]

I have thought our league sucked for a while now. Some of the top schools left so it's not a surprise. Even when the conference was better, teams like San Diego State, BYU and New Mexico didn't have a lot of success in the tournament. They would struggle to win a game.

On the bright side it's also a reason to think Menzies can turn this thing around.

 

[MonsterJam]

I like where Vegas007 is coming from: an average team could dominate our league, so the possibilities with Menzies are attractive!

 

[ricovegas]

Conference down absolutely but it will not affect us if we win conference or conference tourney. We have the name still and history. When we won it all we were in the Big West certainly was not a power conference. Formula is take care of business in conference schedule tough OOC win some and we'll get in no problem. If MM dominates the MWC like he did the WAC with NMS we're in business.

 

[Vegas007]

I like where Vegas007 is coming from: an average team could dominate our league, so the possibilities with Menzies are attractive!

Yup exactly what I was thinking. Image if our team actually becomes good. It would be fun to watch our team destroy the conference! We just need to schedule tough OOC teams like another poster just said. That way it's not all cupcakes and the tough early games will give the team some experience against the tougher teams. Teams do get a lot more respect when they schedule tough opponents.