The Mountain West’s women’s basketball season has seen stability at the top (UNLV) and at the bottom (SJSU, USU), but 2-9 seem to be anyone’s best guess at this point. Let’s highlight some of the key storylines from the week that was in the conference.
Team of the Week: Nevada
If you thought coming into conference play that the Nevada Wolf Pack would contend for a first round bye in the Mountain West tournament, you were probably alone in doing so. Nevada was picked 8th out of 11 teams in the preseason poll and went 5-7 against the 311th ranked nonconference schedule in the country, including a loss to NET 277 Weber State. Yet after a Valentine’s week of thrilling wins over San Diego State and Boise State, the Wolf Pack currently hold the 4 seed in the Mountain West. Audrey Roden led the team with 18 ppg last week, including the go-ahead three against the Aztecs and a clutch steal and score late in OT against the Broncos.
The road ahead is challenging for Nevada, with a date against UNLV and trips to New Mexico and Colorado State still to come. But if last week is any indication, this Wolf Pack squad isn’t going away any time soon.
Player of the Week: Marta Leimane
For every coach in the Mountain West, the top name on their Colorado State scouting report is McKenna Hofschild. With so much focus on stopping the do-it-all guard, CSU needs a second player to step up and take advantage of that space. Last week, that player was sophomore guard Marta Leimane. The Latvian product exploded for a career highs in points and rebounds with a 22-10 double-double at UNLV, a tight 67-64 defeat. As an encore, she put up 20 points on 10-15 shooting in a Border War home upset over Wyoming. The Rams sit at 7-7 in conference play, but with Leimane’s emergence they are a lower seed no one will want to face in March.
Game to Watch: New Mexico at Wyoming
2/24, 2 PM MT (Mountain West Network), Laramie, WY
The Wyoming Cowgirls have lost two straight, but still remain tied for 2nd place. This upcoming week presents their toughest challenge of the season. With all due respect to Wednesday night’s game vs. 1st place UNLV, the Cowgirls’ matchup with 2nd place New Mexico is the more impactful matchup of the weekend. A loss would mean a sweep at the hands of the Lobos and a risk of losing out on a first round bye. A home win over the Rebels would be nice, but defending home court against UNM is vital.
Kevin’s Broadcast Schedule: Colorado State at Utah State
2/24, 2 PM MT (Mountain West Network), Logan, UT
McKenna Hofschild and the Colorado State Rams, coming off a Border War win and a midweek bye, come into Logan to take on Cheyenne Stubbs and Utah State. Ajay Salvesen and Kevin Floyd will be on the call from the Spectrum.