Here are my weekly power rankings for Mountain West men’s basketball teams heading into this week’s games. RPI numbers are from NCAA.com for games through Feb. 12.
- No. 24 Nevada (21-5 overall, 10-2 MW, 15 RPI): Split last week’s games with UNLV and San Diego State, but maintained its national ranking and first place in the conference. What looked to be a serious foot injury to junior star Caleb Martin forced him to miss only one game. The margin of error depth-wise for Nevada is razor-thin, but it is still the best team in the MW. The game of the year in the league to this point is coming up. Games this week: at Boise State, 9 p.m. Wednesday (ESPNU); at Utah State, 4 p.m. Saturday (CBS Sports Network)
2. Boise State (20-5, 10-3, 37 RPI): The Broncos were in first place briefly after its come-from-behind win at New Mexico and Nevada’s loss to UNLV, but they gave it back to Nevada with a road loss at Utah State. Boise State can get back to the top spot Wednesday, and its NCAA Tournament at-large hopes may come down to it winning out until — at very least — the MW Tournament championship game. Games this week: vs. Nevada, 9 p.m. Wednesday (ESPNU); vs. Air Force, noon Saturday (AT&T SportsNet)
3. Fresno State (17-8, 7-5, 94 RPI): Just one game last week, a home win over San Diego State. No one is playing better basketball right now than the Bulldogs, but they can’t afford a let down. Game this week: at San Jose State, 8 p.m. Wednesday (MW Network — online); vs. Colorado State, 5 p.m. Saturday (ESPN3 — online)