Head of the Class: 2nd Edition
Mountain West Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
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The Mountain West conference’s best players according to class.
With the month of February on the horizon and a month even non-college basketball fans around the country know just beyond it. It’s time to take a look at the conference’s top players and their individual performances so far while spotlighting them based on class.
The conference as a whole is in different shape than it was last year, with seven teams enjoying records above .500 and of course San Diego State sitting at atop the conference with a No. 4 ranking nationally and an undefeated season to boot.
Players up and down the stat sheet contribute to that success but some you might never notice or hear about because maybe they aren’t in the starting lineup or they don’t lead the team in scoring but are just as crucial to that team’s success just the same. While these rankings are meant to showcase just that it will remind you of some names you know and maybe some you didn’t.
Letting you see which guys are soon to be in your team’s past (i.e.) seniors or juniors and those who will play a key role in their futures.
If you haven’t checked out our first edition of these rankings released at the onset of December after a strong showing from Mountain West team’s in the month of November you can do so here. Things have changed a bit since then and the second edition of Head of the class reflects that.
To Start us off,
The Freshmen
Honorable Mention: Niven Hart (Fresno State), Omari Moore (San Jose State), Kwane Marble II (Wyoming)
5. Zane Meeks, Nevada
Previous Ranking: 5th
Season Stats: 6.7 PPG 3.8 RPG 0.7 APG
Best Performance: 16 Points, 5 Rebounds, and 2 Assists against Santa Clara 12/4
It’s a little crazy to think that Nevada is in a bit of a transition year with the team’s current success and four players getting double-digit minutes in their first year in division one. Meeks is one of those guys and also one of the reasons why Nevada is living up to that top-five preseason prediction currently in a three-way tie for third with New Mexico and Colorado State.
Meeks fills a current void of production in the post for the Wolf Pack, just enough for us to forget they don’t really have an impactful big man in the paint. He’s a good young player and with the ability to shoot the three should develop nicely under Alford’s staff in years to come.
4. Jarred Hyder, Fresno State
Previous Ranking: 1st
Season Stats: 10.1 PPG 3.0 RPG 2.8 APG
Best Performance: 26 Points, 3 Assists and 2 Steals against Winthrop 11/10
Hyder’s production has fallen a bit since our first edition but also a lot of other freshman have really stepped up for their teams since then (including a teammate), which has caused him to fall from that previous number one ranking. He’s still averaging double-digits on the season but is now fourth on his Bulldog team in scoring with a couple of senior guards finally heating up around him. He’s a big contributor and a reason why the Bulldogs are beginning a climb out of the conference’s basement in late January.
They may be working from behind after that top-5 preseason prediction (5th) they had back in the fall, which was probably unfair considering the pair of all-conference guards they lost to graduation and had to replace.
3. Orlando Robinson, Fresno State
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Season Stats: 13.2 PPG 6.9 RPG 1.6 APG
Best Performance: 27 Points, 5 Rebounds, 5 Blocks and 1 Steal against UC-Riverside 12/28
Robinson is exceeding expectations in year one for Justin Hutson’s team and is beginning to show why he had Power-5 offers and interest out of high school. He’s leading the Bulldogs in scoring and is second in rebounds and blocks behind senior Nate Grimes, all while doing a little bit of everything on the court.
Robinson can face up and shoot the ball while occasionally knocking them down from deep, he had four against UC-Riverside earlier in the year. Robinson looks to be a dominant presence in the Mountain West for years to come, but will need a little help next year if the Bulldogs want to enjoy the success they had the last four seasons under Rodney Terry and Hutson alike.
2. David Roddy, Colorado State
Previous Ranking: 4th
Season Stats: 12.0 PPG 5.7R RPG 1.7APG
Best Performance: 26 Points, 8 Rebounds and 3 Assists against Fresno State 1/22
The Rams may be one of the bigger surprises of the season going into February. Sitting in a three-way tie for third with New Mexico and Nevada after being predicted to finish 9th after a 7th place finish in Niko Medved’s first season and with the mass exodus of transfers that took place in the Spring. The mix of youth and experience on this Ram’s roster is a reason way and David Roddy is one of two key freshman excelling under Medved this season.
As mentioned previously Roddy chose basketball over football in his senior year of high school when he committed to the Rams to play on the hardwood instead of the field. I think it’s been a good decision so far as Roddy has Colorado State in the top-5 while posting eight straight 20-point games in his last ten appearances.
1. Isaiah Stevens, Colorado State
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Season Stats: 13.3 PPG 2.9 RPG 4.4 APG
Best Performance: 26 Points, 12 Assists, 6 Rebounds and 5 Steals against Tulsa 12/21
The other half of the fantastic freshman duo in Fort Collins this season is Isaiah Stevens who is currently leading the team in scoring and assists while leading the Rams to that previously mentioned current top-3 place in the Mountain West. Stevens has been the catalyst in the Rams success all in his first year of division I play.
The future is bright for this Ram’s program but will see some pressure to perform next season without double-double machine Nico Carvacho in the post and only three players standing 6-9 or above on next season’s roster. Steven’s should be up to the challenge with a plethora of back court talent on deck next season in Moby Arena.
UP NEXT: SOPHOMORES
The Sophomores
Honorable Mention: Adam Thistlewood (Colorado State), A.J. Walker(Air Force), Brock Miller (Utah State)
5. Marvin Coleman, UNLV
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Season Stats: 6.5 PPG 4.4 RPG 2.5 APG 1.4 SPG
Best Performance: 11 Points, 12 Rebounds, 11 Assists and 6 Steals against New Mexico
Coleman’s numbers don’t jump out at you but his place on this list has a lot to do with his production in conference play. In eight Mountain West games he’s averaging 9.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.3 APG and 1.9 SPG. Which has helped propel the Runnin’ Rebels to second place after a rough bout in non-conference play.
Coleman’s near quadruple-double this past week against the Lobos at home was extremely impressive and the programs first triple-double of the century. Coleman is only improving from here and being only a sophomore keeps the future bright in Las Vegas under first year head coach T.J. Otzelberger.
4. Seneca Knight, San Jose State
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Season Stats: 14.4 PPG 5.6 RPG 2.3 APG 1.0 SPG
Best Performance: 28 Points, 9 Rebounds, 3 Steals and 1 Blocks against Nevada 1/8
Knight’s position on this list is limited to his team’s overall performance this season not as much his own. We know what the Spartan’s program is in this league but his team leading 14.4 PPG and 17.6 PPG in conference play is what is keeping the Spartans out of last place in the Mountain West and is what has given them two upsets against current top-five teams in this league so far.
The Spartan’s are also close to surpassing the overall win total of Jean Prioleau’s first two seasons combined in only late January, which can be abysmal to think about but is positive progress for a team that hasn’t hit .500 overall since 2010 back in the WAC and .500 in conference play since 1994 back in the Big West.
You got to take what you can get at this point as a Spartan fan, and it’s hard to imagine where San Jose State would be without Knight at this point who has only failed to reach double-digit scoring in four games this season.
3. Justin Bean, Utah State
Previous Ranking: 1st
Season Stats: 13.2 PPG 10.4 RPG 1.5 SPG 1.0 BPG 2.3 APG
Best Performance: 24 Points, 10 Rebounds, and 1 Assists against Saint Mary’s 11/29
Justin Bean is an absolute stat sheet stuffer who’s drop from 1st to 3rd should only be related to his team’s overall drop from title contender to tied for fourth with Boise State.
Bean’s overall production has dropped a bit as well which may or may not be directly related to the arrival of Neemias Queta who is seeing consistent action again after returning from injury a little before the holiday break. Ultimately Bean is still carrying this Aggie team who is having a hard time getting consistent play out of everyone involved.
A lot of questions will come at the end of the season for the Aggies as they lose two influential seniors and maybe Queta if NBA teams don’t mind his stagnant production and just chalk it up to injury. Either way this should be Bean’s team next season.
2. Hunter Maldonado, Wyoming
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Season Stats: 16.9 PPG 5.8 RPG 4.0 APG 1.1 SPG
Best Performance: 32 Points, 3 Rebounds and 1 Steal against Idaho State 11/5
Maldonado is definitely a top-5 player in the entire league but his current ranking at second is in direct relation to Wyoming’s performance this season. It’s tough to put all of that on just one person involved but he’s made it to second on the list with his play alone, which has been stellar. He is at his best when he’s driving in the lane, one-on-one with an opponent or on the fast break ahead of the pack.
I’m not sure what needs to be adjusted in Laramie to right this ship but a 5-16 record and winless conference record is cause for a change at the top.
1. Bryce Hamilton, UNLV
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Season Stats: 13.5 PPG 4.6 RPG 1.0 APG
Best Performance: 35 Points, 3 Rebounds and 1 Steal against New Mexico 1/18
Hardy is coming into his own in his 2nd year in Las Vegas. The super sophomore has excelled in conference play for a UNLV team that is playing it’s best basketball of the season as of late. The Runnin’ Rebels are sitting in second place in the Mountain West just ahead of that aforementioned three-way tie, but having won seven of their last ten games, though they need to make adjustments after a loss to instate rival Nevada this week with a true test this weekend.
Hamilton has been a different person in conference play, this years Mountain West Conference presents Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of play averaging eight games thus far (21.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 1.6 APG).
T.J. Otzelberger’s team has turned it around after the holiday break and his core of younger players and the positive adjustments made by his older guys have been just what this team needed. The mixture has been dominant but Nevada broke their recent three game winning streak and the Aztecs don’t plan on losing on Sunday in their pursuit of a perfect season.
UP NEXT: JUNIORS
The Juniors
Honorable Mention: Donnie Tillman (UNLV), Zane Martin (UNM), Jordan Schakel (San Diego State)
5. Matt Mitchell, San Diego State
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Season Stats: 11.3 PPG 4.9 RPG 1.3 APG
Best Performance: 19 Points, 7 Rebounds and 2 Steals against Utah State 1/4
Mitchell has been a steady force in his Aztec career after de-committing from Cal State Fullerton and becoming a staple in the lineup in Viejas Arena. Mitchell get’s it done all over the court but rarely stands out on a stat sheet. He’s third on the team in scoring and rebounding but second in steals and makes his impact on both sides of the ball. Mitchell is a bit unheralded at times but without him, I can’t say for certain that the Aztecs would still be 20-0.
4. Amauri Hardy, UNLV
Previous Ranking: 4th
Season Stats: 15.1 PPG 3.6 RPG 3.6 APG
Best Performance: 27 Points, 4 Rebounds while going 11-23 from the field against Kansas St. 11/9
Hardy has adapted to a new role that has the Runnin’ Rebels in second place in the Mountain West while making the squad more well rounded and just as dangerous. He’s still scoring in bunches and the teams leading scorer but in conference play he’s taken a back seat to players like Marvin Coleman and Bryce Hamilton. His role no matter how it has regressed can’t be ignored on a 2nd place team so he keeps his past ranking of fourth going into February.
3. Derrick Alston Jr., Boise State
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Season Stats: 19.5 PPG 5.4 RPG 3.1 APG
Best Performance: 26 Points, 11 Rebounds and 2 Assists against BYU 11/20
The Mountain West’s leading scorer has seen an inconsistent ride all year long. Boise State’s play all has had some ups and downs but Alston Jr. who get’s up a lot of shots has been key to their current fourth place position. He’s only failed to hit double-digit scoring in three games this season and is keeping Boise State competitive in the middle of the Mountain West. The next five to six games will determine a lot and settle a lot of ties in the conference. So Alston Jr. and his squad need to get ready for the end of the regular season which by all accounts should be an absolute showdown.
Now next year’s Broncos squad should be a bit more well rounded and feature a bench who have gotten valuable minutes this season. But whether or not Alston Jr. (a redshirt junior) will be around is another announcement for another article at a later date.
2. Jalen Harris, Nevada
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Season Stats: 18.9 PPG 6.3 RPG 3.9 APG 1.2 SPG
Best Performance: 28 Points, 6 Rebounds, 6 Assists and 3 Steals against UNLV 1/22
Harris has been an absolute home run for a Nevada program he nearly transferred away from with the coaching change that took place in Reno. Then, he sustains an injury that kept him out of only one game but had everyone who watches Mountain West basketball on standby, especially Wolf Pack fans. Like I said he hasn’t disappointed and is leading the Wolf Pack in scoring (18.9 PPG) and rebounds (6.3 RPG) while providing a dangerous one-two punch alongside fellow former transfer guard Jazz Johnson. He looks in control of his defender and the pace of the Nevada offense every night, and if it wasn’t for who is listed in front of him on this list he would be the best junior in the class.
1. Malachi Flynn, San Diego State
Previous Ranking: 1st
Season Stats: 16.6 PPG 3.7 RPG 5.1 APG
Best Performance: 28 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists and 3 Steals against Iowa 11/29
Malachi Flynn has changed the script for the Aztecs this season. San Diego State is a mid-major program with the potential to recreate the magic enjoyed by mostly Gonzaga, but among teams outside of the “high major” spotlight. With a currently undefeated season to back that up, but this time last year the Aztecs were just a few games ahead of a .500 record and had plenty of success after that but ultimately ended up missing out on an NCAA tournament appearance after suffering a loss to the Utah State Aggies in the conference tournament.
Though last year’s team was competitive something was missing, that missing element was Malachi Flynn. Flynn has been tremendous for the Aztecs this season and though his numbers don’t jump out at you, his presence as a leader on the court raises San Diego State’s level of play tenfold. As he and another member of this list just ahead have Brian Dutcher excited to return to the big dance for the second time in his three years in charge and looking for a No. 1 seed to top it all off.
UP NEXT: SENIORS
The Seniors
Honorable Mention: Nico Carvacho (Colorado State), Lindsey Drew (Nevada), Lavelle Scottie (Air Force)
5. Justinian Jessup, Boise State
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Season Stats: 14.8 PPG 4.3 RPG 2.0 APG 1.3 SPG
Best Performance: 27 Points, 4 Rebounds and 2 Steals against Colorado State 12/7
Jessup’s play right before the release of our first edition was good but he was hovering around the top-5 at the time but has since made a splash with the Broncos. He became Boise State’s all-time leader in 3-point field goals and has shot them out of tough situations multiple times this season while providing a defensive presence at the top of the key averaging 1.3 SPG. Fifth place was a tough spot to decide on with the list of seniors who weren’t listed in the top-5 containing some impressive names. But it was Jessup’s conference averages (16.8 PPG) and clutch shooting in big games that got him the spot, let’s see how he improves going forward in his last year in college basketball.
4. Jazz Johnson, Nevada
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Season Stats: 17.0 PPG 3.3 RPG 1.8 APG
Best Performance: 34 Points, 7 Rebounds and 2 Assists against Boise State 1/4
Johnson has taken the step in production I think we all expected of him after playing a key yet turned down role on last year’s top-10 ranked NCAA tournament appearance team (11.0 PPG in 20 games with 19 starts). But in the Alford era in Reno he is the go-to scorer Portland fans knew him as three years ago and when Jalen Harris isn’t scoring, it’s a safe bet that Johnson is. He run’s out of eligibility this season but I think will leave Reno with a satisfied career as a member of the Wolf Pack. Appearances in the top-25 and a trip to the big dance under Eric Musselman plus an increased role with 1,000+ points scored in his career isn’t too shabby, not too shabby at all Jazz.
3. Yanni Wetzell, San Diego State
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Season Stats: 12.3 PPG 6.4 RPG 1.5 APG
Best Performance: 17 Points, 16 Rebounds, 2 Blocks and 2 Assists against Nevada 1/18
Wetzell seemed like a signing out of nowhere last season when the 6-10 New Zealand native came over as a graduate transfer from the SEC and a struggling Vanderbilt squad after averaging just 5.9 PPG and 3.8 RPG in 32 games with 10 starts for the Commodores. Wetzell is now at his third school as he started his college basketball career at NCAA Division II’s St. Mary’s Univ. in San Antonio, TX where he averaged 15.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG for a 12-18 Rattlers team, then Vanderbilt and now the Aztecs.The announcement of his signing didn’t seem all too impressive on the surface but the Aztecs needed to add some depth to their front court with the departure of future second round NBA draft pick Jalen McDaniels at the end of the season.
Wetzell has come in and just exceeded every expectation and filled a hole in the Aztec’s rotation that lacked an offensive ability with McDaniels’ absence. His season averages aren’t spectacular but they need to be looked at with an understanding that he’s doing that on an undefeated top-five ranked team, to understand his place on this list. This should be Wetzell’s last stop in college but his mark has been left on this program seeking a deep run in the NCAA tournament in March.
2. JaQuan Lyle, New Mexico
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Season Stats: 17.1 PPG 4.1 RPG 4.9 APG 1.4 SPG
Best Performance: 31 Points, 4 Rebounds, 6 Assists and 2 Steals against Boise State 12/4
Lyle’s place on this list may seem a bit out of sorts to some given the bad publicity and performance of the Lobo team in the last month with starters Carlton Bragg Jr. and JJ Caldwell suspended, then reinstated and then kicked off of the team (Caldwell still just suspended pending investigation). But hear me out, this once dangerous and respected Lobo team had since fallen to a lifestyle of battling for .500 in the Craig Neal and Paul Weir eras alike. And Lyle and others have the Lobos undefeated at home (13-0), 16-5 overall and tied for third place. I think that is major progress that can be directly attributed to the former Ohio State Buckeye. Among the league’s top-5 scorers he has the highest field goal percentage among them at 46.6%, which means like the others he’s taking a lot of shots but hes making more of them.
But now Lyle, who waited a very patient two years before playing this season (injuries and sit-out transfer rules) now has to sit on the sidelines again while he nurses a knee injury. His place on the list may be in jeopardy if this becomes a prolonged injury which could possibly end his career in Albuquerque as he is already listed as a fifth-year senior with no recent news of an application for a medical waiver. But to be fair we didn’t really get the heads up on Mathis’ waiver application last year either.
1. Sam Merrill, Utah State
Previous Ranking: 1st
Season Stats: 17.5 PPG 4.8 RPG 3.6 APG
Best Performance: 24 Points, 8 Assists and 4 Rebounds against LSU 11/22
Merrill is still the reigning Mountain West Conference player of the year, after a stellar performance last season in Craig Smith’s first season in Logan. Leading an essentially seldom used group of players from Tim Duryea’s final season as head coach and Neemias Queta to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2011. Not to mention their first preseason AP poll ranking since the early nineteen seventies, either way you look at it all eyes were on the Aggies this year.
But after an impressive 7-0 start, Utah State fell to an always dangerous St. Mary’s squad (maybe expected or at least forgivable). Then instate foe BYU handed them their second loss (tough for Aggie fans but as a whole still only two losses on the season). Then came UNLV, San Diego State, Air Force and lastly Boise State. The Aggies have lost five of their last ten games and Merrill has attempted 135 field goals in that time netting just 55 in that time frame, which is still good for 40% and on par with other top scorers in the conference (which range from 40-46%) but hardly helpful and a drop from his 47% percent career average prior to the start of the season.
So to say the Aggies recent shortcomings can be solely traced back to Merrill is unfair. And the team might not keep the same win percentage as last season and barring a conference tournament run isn’t likely going to the NCAA tournament with some of their losses on their resume. And a player of the year repeat doesn’t seem in the cards with Flynn and the Aztecs enjoying their recent success, but among his class Merrill is still the clear leader.
