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Mountain West overview

Many potential challengers to the Utes

By Phil Miller, Special to CNNSI.com

Utah's Rick Majerus welcomes transfers Chris Burgess and Travis Spivey this season. Marc Piscotty/Allsport

Order of Finish 1. Utah 2. UNLV 3. Wyoming 4. BYU 5. New Mexico 6. San Diego State 7. Colorado State 8. Air Force

Top storylines

The Mountain West storyline begins and ends at Utah this season. Even though the league is greatly improved, if the six-time defending champions play to their potential, there won't be much of a race.

If Utah is among the national elite, attention will center on Rick Majerus and whether he is interested in Bob Knight's old job. But Chris Burgess, Britton Johnsen and Travis Spivey -- the core of what could be a Top 10 team -- are untested, and if they don't live up to expectations, there is no shortage of candidates to usurp their throne.

Can UNLV get the ball to Kambala, Diggs and Johnson? Are Ugo Udezue and Uche Nsonwu-Amadi as difficult to stop as they are to pronounce? Can Steve Cleveland turn a 1-25 team into an NCAA Tournament team in just three years?

How they will spend Selection Sunday
Relaxing	Sweating	Fishing
Utah, UNLV, Wyoming	BYU, New Mexico	San Diego State, Colorado State, Air Force

Players to Watch

Top Three Frontcourt Players

Kaspars Kambala, UNLV • Mountain West's top returning scorer and rebounder Josh Davis, Wyoming • How many players can rank third in rebounding and shoot 45 percent on three-pointers? Ugo Udezue, Wyoming • If the knee is healthy, he has more inside scoring moves than anybody.

Top Three Backcourt Players

Terrell Lyday, BYU • A top five scorer, and nobody had more steals Travis Spivey, Utah • His score/pass/rebound combination is reminiscent of Andre Miller Trevor Diggs, UNLV • Great scorer, underrated defender; consistency is all he lacks

Top Three Newcomers

Travis Spivey, Utah • Conference MVP material if he's as good as his reputation Chris Burgess, Utah • Ditto, but back problems make him a little less certain Randy Holcomb, San Diego State • Don't be surprised if he's among MWC's top scorers

Coaches

Hot Coach

Steve McClain, Wyoming • If he can lead Cowboys into rankings and postseason, he'll be on a lot of short lists

Coach on the Hot Seat

Fran Fraschilla, New Mexico • Seven homecourt losses and some off-court problems made his New York schtick a lot less appealing

Schedules

Toughest Schedule

Utah • Utah State, Louisville, USC, Texas and a trip to Puerto Rico - Majerus must be more confident than he lets on

Quickest-Way-to-20-Wins Schedule

San Diego State • Fisher scheduled 17 home games, mostly against stiffs like Morgan State and Norfolk State, to help Aztecs gain confidence

Mark Your Calendar

Jan. 8, Wyoming at Utah • Conference season opens with late-night showdown at Huntsman Center, where Utah has nation's longest homecourt win streak (52 games) Jan. 29, Utah at BYU • Another late game is Utes' chance to avenge Cougars' win in MWC Tournament, breaking Utah's 12-game win streak against BYU March 3, Wyoming at UNLV • Regular season ends with two teams likely fighting for NCAA committee's attention March 10, MWC Tournament Championship Game • For the first time, the champion gets automatic berth to NCAA Tournament

Phil Miller covers the Mountain West for the Salt Lake Tribune and will write a CNNSI.com conference insider this season.

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