First Look

Midnight Madness allegedly began back in 1971. Since then teams all across the country have given their fans their first look at their beloved teams. Last season the MWC created some buzz across the nation sending four of its teams to the big dance with the country's hoopster fans first look at Jimmer. This season should provide more than its share of excitement. A first look at the MWC teams include the following...

San Diego State (25-9 overall) Steve Fisher
It's hard to debate against the Aztecs combination. Coming off a dismal 4-22 season not much was expected in Steve Fisher's initial season. Fisher returns now for his 11th season with 4 MWC championships and 92 victories in his last 4 seasons under his belt. All five starters return starting with sophomore Kawhi Leonard (6-7) who led the MWC in rebounding. Senior Macolm Thomas (6-9) was second in the MWC for blocked shots and 3rd in offensive rebounding. Ball handling duties are in good hands with senior DJ Gay (6-0) who was 3rd in the assist to turnover ratio.

BYU (30-6 overall) Dave Rose
Another season rolls around with another title hunt very reasonably within reach. Everyone's All American Jimmer Fredette returns for his senior campaign and was ranked 7th nationally in scoring at 22 a game. The other senior half of the backcourt includes Jackson Emery who knocked down 2nd best in school history of 85 threes. Emery is probably more known as one of the best conference defensive shutdown stoppers. Local product Kyle Collinsworth should contend for MWC freshman of the year. The cougs play a worthy schedule and have every reason to believe another appearance in the big dance will certainly be on the schedule.

New Mexico (30-5 overall) Steve Alford
Alford the two time MWC coach of the year has his lobo's back again in the hunt for another conference championship. The lobo's engine starts with senior (6-1) Dairese Gary who has had 97 straight starts. Dairese is a strong poised athletic guard who will leave it all on the court leader who averaged 13 points a game and nearly 4 assists per matchup. Yes, Alford's team lost Darington Hobson but they also pick up two high profile transfers in junior 6-9 Drew Gordon (from UCLA) and sophomore Emmanual Negedu (from Tenn). Negedu (6-7) is a former McDonalds all american nominee. Gordon is a former top 50 player capable of making an immediate impact in the paint.

UNLV (25-9 overall) Lon Kruger
Senior guard Tre'von Willis will be back afterall to lead the rebels this season despite a rather tumultuous summer. Last season Willis averaged over 20 a game and 4 rebounds. UNLV will have some depth including the addition of Kansas sophomore transfer (6-8) Quintrell Thomas who is expected to add some much needed brawn to the rebels frontcourt.

CSU (16-16 overall) Tim Miles
The rams have a young coach in Miles who can certainly squeeze the most out of a rather limited roster. He might not guide his rams into the postseason but certainly Colorado State will be respected. Forward Andy Ogide is the rams most dominant inside player returning with his 12.3 points a game and 7 rebounds. Sophomore point guard Dorian Green showed promise and maturity who was forced into the starting role when 2009 standout Jesse Carr was unable to go.

Wyoming (10-21 overall) Heath Schroyer
This upcoming season the cowboys will be led by a dynamic duo in junior 6-8 Afam Muojeke and sophomore 6-5 guard Desmar Jackson. Jackson, was one of the few positives for the pokes last season returns who averaged nearly 14 a game. Afam looked like a bona fide stud before his season ending injury. Its been a while since the pokes were competitive in the MWC but Muojeke's return should certainly help.

Utah (14-17 overall) Jim Boylen
The reigning MWC defensive player of the year returns in 7-3 junior David Foster. Foster last season was ranked #4 in NCAA with 4 blocks a game and is a solid place to start rebuilding after five players left the program. Things must change soon with Boylen possibly being on notice with the yewts leaving to the Pac12. Otherwise, it will be nice of you to show up.

TCU (13-19 overall) Jim Christian
The frogs will need some players to begin stepping up. In the backcourt is a pair of juniors who both will handle the rock in Ronnie Moss and Hank Thorns who transferred from Virginia Tech). Moss can throw up a solid statline which is good and bad. He averaged 15 points a game and 6 assists. Now the bad, Moss also averaged nearly 4 turnovers a game thus with the addition of Thorns will likely move to the two spot. Thorns has some wheels, makes solid decisions and simply can run the show.

Air Force (10-21 overall) Jeff Reynolds
The falcons problem here is available height. Already lost on the season is starting center 6-11 center Sammy Schafer (concussion) as well his backup freshman Ethan Michael 6-8 who tore his ACL. The cadet's will be led by a pair of seniors in guard Evan Washington and forward Tom Fow. There is much work yet to be done to find a way to get the cadets out of the cellar. Unfortunately, their last NCAA tourney appearance was in 2006 and doesn't look like a return trip will be anytime soon.