New Mexico tops preseason Mountain West basketball rankings in transformed conference
The Mountain West has undergone major changes with five schools departing for the Pac-12, making way for new members like Hawaii, UC Davis, and UTEP. New Mexico leads the preseason rankings behind standout sophomore Jake Hall, with Grand Canyon close behind.
The conference's landscape shifted dramatically when Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State all departed for the Pac-12. Hawaii now holds full membership, while UC Davis and UTEP join as newcomers, creating a ten-team league with a very different competitive hierarchy than in recent years.
New Mexico's preseason top spot rests largely on Jake Hall, who averaged 16.4 points and shot nearly 44 percent from three-point range as a freshman en route to first-team All-Mountain West honors. Coach Eric Olen, who previously built a 30-win program at UC San Diego, led the Lobos to the NIT semifinals in his first season. Grand Canyon, Nevada, and UNLV round out the top four, with Nevada adding size through transfers Cedric Lath and Simon Majok.
This conference realignment could reshape competitive balance across college basketball, giving programs like New Mexico and Grand Canyon clearer paths to NCAA Tournament bids and national visibility. Fans in smaller markets may see renewed local rivalries and heightened stakes, while departing schools gain access to stronger conferences. The shift may also influence recruiting patterns, as players weigh opportunities in a reconfigured Mountain West against the appeal of the Pac-12's broader platform.