by J.R. Oppenheim
assistantsports@dailylobo.com
@JROppenheim
With nonconference play on the books, it’s time for Mountain West Conference play. The title should be hotly contested.
Conference games for the 2012-13 season begin with four games on Wednesday. One of the best early MWC games on the docket is UNLV at New Mexico, both among the top three in the conference preseason polls, battling at The Pit.
In Wednesday’s other MWC action, Nevada plays at Air Force, Wyoming hosts Boise State and San Diego State travels to Fresno State.
Nine of the 10 teams in the MWC hold winning records and six teams made it through nonconference with two or fewer losses. One MWC team survived the nonconference schedule without a blemish, and it’s one not many would expect.
Wyoming, No. 6 in the conference preseason polls, has the best record at 13-0. While the team’s record looks good, its strength of schedule isn’t. According to RealTimeRPI.com, the Cowboys rank 178th in that category and are No. 20 in RPI. Their schedule includes wins over Colorado, Illinois State and, most recently, Southern Methodist University.
All five teams ranked above Wyoming in the conference’s preseason poll are now behind Wyoming in overall record — New Mexico, UNLV and Colorado State are each 13-2. San Diego State, slated by the polls to win the Mountain West, and Boise State are the two other two-loss teams, both holding 12-2 season records.
Among conference teams, Wyoming has the best scoring defense, surrendering 54.6 points per game. Boise State is No. 1 in the MWC in scoring offense with 79.1 points per game and scoring margin at 17.5 points per game.
Two players are averaging nearly 20 points per game: UNLV freshman Anthony Bennett has averaged 19.9 points, while Air Force’s Michael Lyons scored 19.6 points per game. San Diego State’s Jamaal Franklin is third in the MWC with 17.2 points per game.
Colorado State’s Pierce Hornung is the MWC’s top rebounder with 10.2 boards per game, followed by Franklin with 9.9 per game and Bennett with 9.1 per game.
MWC teams’ overall records
Team W L Pct.
Wyoming 13 0 1.000
Colorado State 13 2 .867
New Mexico 13 2 .867
UNLV 13 2 .867
Boise State 12 2 .857
San Diego State 12 2 .857
Air Force 8 4 .667
Nevada 9 5 .643
Fresno State 6 7 .462
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