Actually better than I had expected with all their losses. The top-three, however, were expected. BYU is selected to win the conference, San Diego State was picked second and UNLV third. Behind the Utes are the Lobos, Cowboys, Horned Frogs, Rams and Falcons.
Utah won the Mountain West regular season title last year and lose pretty much most their scoring from that team. This will be Jim Boylen's first real rebuilding year (I never count your first year with a team as a rebuilding season, more a transition season) and could tell us what to expect over the course of the next few seasons.
The last time the Utes were faced with a true rebuilding year, in 2005-06, they struggled greatly and it led to the eventual firing of Ray Giacoletti. I expect this experiment to go a bit better. Well I hope, anyway.
The entire poll and media selection for players of the year, along with first-team Mountain West (no Utes named) are below...
2009-10 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL
PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
Rank
School (First-Place Votes)
Points
1.
BYU (23)
215
2.
San Diego State (1)
166
3.
UNLV
161
4.
Utah
143
5.
New Mexico
141
6.
Wyoming
89
7.
TCU
82
8.
Colorado State
58
9.
Air Force
25
2009-10 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Name, Class, Position
Institution
Jimmer Fredette, Jr., G
BYU
Jonathan Tavernari, Sr., G/F
BYU
Billy White, Jr., F
San Diego State
Zvonko Buljan, Sr., F
TCU
Tre'Von Willis, Jr., G
UNLV
Preseason Player of the Year
Jimmer Fredette, Jr., G, BYU
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Derrick Jasper, Jr., G, UNLV
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Kawhi Leonard, F, San Diego State