The Mountain West Wire Staff Has Released Its Awards For Non-Conference Competition
The MWC begins league play on Wednesday
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A handful of league newcomers appear in the non-conference accolade list
The Mountain West Wire staff has released its non-conference accolades for the 2017-18 men’s basketball season.
Mountain West Wire Non-Conference First Team
Brandon McCoy, UNLV
Deshon Taylor, Fresno State
Caleb Martin, Nevada
Chandler Hutchison, Boise State
Hayden Dalton, Wyoming
-Headlining the first team is UNLV freshman center Brandon McCoy, who has been excellent in his first appearances at the collegiate level. McCoy is averaging 18.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game so far this season, including six 20-point/10-rebound games, which is tied for most in the nation.
Fresno State’s Deshon Taylor and Nevada’s Caleb Martin follow McCoy, both having averaged more than 18.0 points per game while converting a combined 64 of 145 three-point attempts. Boise State’s Chandler Hutchison, who ranked first overall in the preseason top 25 countdown, hit a game-winner against Evansville in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and owns a slash line of 15.5/8.5/4.1. Hayden Dalton of Wyoming is averaging a career-high 16.1 points per game, and has made 40.6% of his three-pointers.
Mountain West Wire Non-Conference Second Team
Jordan Caroline, Nevada
Justinian Jessup, Boise State
Cody Martin, Nevada
Prentiss Nixon, Colorado State
Jovan Mooring, UNLV
-Two Nevada players highlight the second team, including Jordan Caroline and Cody Martin. Boise State’s Justinian Jessup is enjoying a breakout season with the Broncos, Colorado State’s Prentiss Nixon hit a game-winner against Long Beach State and has taken over the CSU scoring load, and UNLV’s Jovan Mooring is providing a perimeter presence for the front-heavy Rebels.
Honorable Mentions
Shakur Juiston, UNLV
Ryan Welage, San Jose State
-JUCO transfer Shakur Juiston has been a tremendous sidekick for Brandon McCoy in the UNLV front court while Ryan Welage has been the go-to guy for San Jose State.
Mountain West Wire Non-Conference Most Outstanding Player
Brandon McCoy, UNLV
-McCoy is the only player in the Mountain West this season to record two player of the week nominations. In addition to his scoring production, McCoy is ranked in the top 75 nationally in both offensive and rebounding percentage (KenPom). He is the Mountain West Wire’s most outstanding player for the non-conference portion of the season, and is the likely frontrunner for the league’s Player of the Year award through December.