Previewing the 2025 Mountain West hoops tourney

The 2025 Mountain West Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament is set to take place from March 12 to March 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. This annual event will feature all 11 teams from the conference, each vying for the coveted automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Tournament Structure and Schedule

The tournament kicks off with the first-round games on March 12, followed by the quarterfinals on March 13, semifinals on March 14, and the championship game on March 15. The top five teams from the regular season standings receive byes into the quarterfinals, while the remaining six teams compete in the first round.

First-Round Matchups (March 12)

1. No. 8 San Jose State vs. No. 9 Wyoming: San Jose State enters the tournament with a 7–13 conference record, while Wyoming stands at 5–15. This matchup is expected to be closely contested, with both teams aiming to advance to the quarterfinals.
2. No. 7 Nevada vs. No. 10 Fresno State: Nevada holds an 8–12 conference record and faces Fresno State, which struggled this season with a 2–18 record. Nevada is favored to win this game, but tournament play often brings surprises.
3. No. 6 UNLV vs. No. 11 Air Force: UNLV finished the regular season at 11–9 in conference play, while Air Force managed only one conference win. UNLV is expected to have the upper hand in this matchup.

Quarterfinals (March 13)

The quarterfinals will feature the top five seeds, each looking to assert their dominance:

• No. 1 New Mexico: The Lobos clinched the regular-season title with a 17–3 conference record. Under the guidance of Coach Richard Pitino, New Mexico has been a formidable force, boasting a balanced offense and defense. They will face the winner of the San Jose State vs. Wyoming game.
• No. 2 Colorado State: Finishing with a 16–4 record, the Rams have been consistent throughout the season. They are set to play the winner of the Nevada vs. Fresno State matchup.
• No. 3 Utah State: The Aggies, with a 15–5 conference record, have shown resilience and adaptability. They await the outcome of the UNLV vs. Air Force game
• No. 4 San Diego State: The Aztecs finished 14–6 and are known for their defensive prowess. They will compete against No. 5 Boise State, which also holds a 14–6 record but lost the head-to-head tiebreaker against San Diego State.

Players to Watch

• Donovan Dent (New Mexico): Recently named the Mountain West Player of the Year, Dent has been instrumental in the Lobos’ success, leading the team in scoring and assists.
• Nique Clifford (Colorado State): Clifford’s versatility on both ends of the court has been a key factor in the Rams’ strong performance this season.
• Nick Boyd (San Diego State): Boyd’s recent performances have been pivotal for the Aztecs, making him a player to watch in the tournament.