Wyoming coach Steve McClain has the best perspective so far on what everyone agrees is the Mountain West Conference’s best-ever basketball race.
After playing the three highly regarded teams – San Diego State, Nevada-Las Vegas and Air Force – to open conference play, McClain gives the early nod to the Falcons.
“Air Force has jumped out and won two road games and is in position to be the early favorite,” McClain said Monday during the weekly MWC coaches’ conference call. “There are four senior starters on that team who have won a lot of games, and they don’t get flustered.”
Poise and composure were at a premium Saturday when the Falcons beat McClain’s Cowboys 58-56 on Jacob Burtschi’s play to the basket in the last 1.2 seconds. Air Force might have gotten just enough extra time on the clock to allow Burtschi to complete his move off an inbounds pass.
Game officials put three- tenths of a second back on the game clock after reviewing a skirmish under the Air Force basket that resulted in the Falcons keeping possession for their final shot.
After finishing 2-1 against the top three, McClain is boosting the Cowboys’ chances to be among the top four.
“After going through those first three games, I don’t think our team has any question that we can line up and play with anybody,” McClain said.
The Cowboys, with guards Brad Jones and Brandon Ewing, made believers of Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik.
“Wyoming is just as capable as anyone else of winning this league,” Bzdelik said. “They’ll find a way to be right up there in contention.”
Air Force arithmetic
The Falcons are boasting some heady numbers while promoting the conference’s image nationally.
At 17-1, Air Force is No. 13 in The Associated Press poll and No. 11 in the coaches’ poll. Both ratings are the highest for an MWC team in Week 11 of the season.
In RPI ratings that consider record, strength of schedule and strength of opponent’s schedule, Air Force is sixth, UNLV is 13th and BYU 48th.
Injuries past, present
Some wear and tear might be showing up around the league. Colorado State’s Jason Smith (knee), UNLV’s Kevin Kruger (thigh) and TCU’s Alvardo Parker (knee) are hobbled, but only Kruger is listed as questionable.
New Mexico’s J.R. Giddens came back strong after missing three games because of a foot injury. In New Mexico’s 86-82 overtime victory over Utah on Saturday, Giddens registered a double-double with 26 points, tying a career high, and a career-high 13 rebounds.
Footnotes
Utah coach Ray Giacoletti on keeping the faith after an 0-4 start: “We’re fighting more battles than just trying to win games. One is staying positive through this tough period.”… San Diego State coach Steve Fisher left no doubt about a rule since rescinded that allowed Kruger to play a season with UNLV after completing three seasons at Arizona State. “That was a terribly stupid, dumb rule that never should have been allowed to happen,” Fisher said.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
