Mountain West Connection

VIDEO: NCAA Tournament Press Conferences To Get You Ready

2010-03-18T05:40:25Z

The Mtn. is stepping up their coverage and is streaming the press conferences as well as post game items, which will be up here when available. Instead of doing a post per teams presser Ill put it all here with one before the jump so it does not slow down the page and the rest after.

New Mexico

UNLV

San Diego State

BYU

NCAA Tournament Preview: #3 New Mexico vs. #14 Montana

2010-03-18T05:31:17Z

Next Game

Montana Grizzlies
vs. New Mexico Lobos

Thursday, Mar 18, 2010, 6:50 PM PDT
NCAA Tournament - East Region - First Round - HP Pavilion - San Jose, CA

TV: CBS

Complete Coverage >

Last minute chance to join our CBS Bracket challenge, password is mountainwest

This was to be one of those games that was a given for New Mexico to win -- which it is. However, there is a little smack talk going on from Montana's star guard Anthony Johnson who was disappointed about not playing a Big East team when taping a video segment for the schools website.

What New Mexico needs to do is worry about Johnson who put up a Superman type performance against Weber State in the Big Sky finals as he had a huge night:

13 of 22 from the field
2 of 5 from beyond the arc
14 of 14 from the free throw line

Also, his team was down 20 points in the second half and came back to win.

If the Lobos slow down Johnson they will be fine. Mountain West player of the year Darrington Hobson should take over in this game with his rebounding skills and scoring to put the Lobos over the top. This is one of those games that could make Montana's Anthony Johnson in Bryce Drew lore if he has a big game.

Really just expect the Lobos to cruise in this game and be ready for their next round opponent.

NCAA Tournament Preview: #7 BYU vs. #10 Florida

2010-03-18T05:15:04Z

Next Game

Florida Gators
vs. BYU Cougars

Thursday, Mar 18, 2010, 9:20 AM PDT
NCAA Tournament - West Region - First Round - Ford Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV: CBS

Complete Coverage >

Last minute chance to join our CBS Bracket challenge, password is mountainwest

Most around the BYU camp has been mentioning that BYU has not won an NCAA tournament game since 1993, and are convinced this year is different. BYU currently is a 4.5 favorite over the Gators plus the Cougs were ranked in the top 25 all year while Florida was not.

The Gators finished with a 21-12 record out of the SEC and have lost four of their last five games. Where as BYU set a regular season school record for wins with 29, but the Cougars lost in the semifinals in the Mountain West tournament. Part of the reason was that super freshman Tyler Haws was out with a broken orbital that had his eye swollen shut, but he is expected to play and start against the Gators. However, the key to BYU winning is Jimmer Fredette and Florida coach Billy Donovan knows that and said this about Jimmer:

"I don't think either (Kentucky's John Wall or South Carolina's Devan Downey) impacts the college game the way Fredette does. As much as I have great respect for Wall and Downey, those guys can't get 50 in a college game...they can't get to the free throw line 24 times in a game. To me, Fredette is one of the best-kept secrets in college basketball."

Pretty high praise from a coach with two national titles and played against both John Wall and Devan Downey in SEC conference play. SB Nation's Florida Gator site Alligator Army is deftly afraid of what Jimmer Fredette could do:

Florida has had a huge problem with defense this season, especially 3-point defense. Unfortunately for the Gators, BYU is tied for second nationally in 3-point percentage made. (42%)

BYU has several sharpshooters, but Public Enemy No. 1 has to be junior point guard Jimmer Fredette. Fredette is the type of player who can single handily take BYU to the Sweet 16. He is averaging 21.7ppg and shooting 45% from the 3-point line. Fredette makes South Carolina's Devan Downey look like the JV in terms of scoring.

BYU is the highest scoring team in the tournament and is the most efficient team in the tournament at 1.17 points per possession while Florida is at 1.07 but that puts them at 65th in the country. That may not seem like a lot, but BYU averages 71 possessions per game and that difference in efficiency is seven points. So there is something to be said about how efficient a team is and not just using points per game.

Three key factors for Florida will be to attempt to slow down Jimmer Fredette, be more efficient on offense which can range from protecting the ball better to taking better shot selections, and defending the three point shot.

Florida does not have a single scorer, but rather a group of players that can score. All five starters average in double figures and have a bench that goes eight deep. Florida will need shoot the ball well to keep pace with BYU and they will need to defend the three point shot to stay close.

Florida is a more athletic team that BYU, but BYU is fast and does run and shoot the ball well it will be difficult for the Gators to take away both of those aspects. Expect BYU to win this game and end their drought of not winning an NCAA tournament game since 1993.

Rank and Records	FLA	BYU
RPI	#54	#26
Strength of Schedule	#32	#123
Overall	21-12	29-5
Conference	9-7	13-3
Home	14-4	16-2
Away	5-6	9-3
Top 25	2-5	0-2
RPI Top 50	1-8	3-4

Montana stud guard Anthony Johnson apparently smack talks New Mexico about not being able to play a...

2010-03-18T03:55:45Z

Montana stud guard Anthony Johnson apparently smack talks New Mexico about not being able to play a Big East team, and the Lobos Dairese Gary did not like that.

Join The NCAA Tournament Challenge Game

2010-03-14T09:00:26Z

Time to challenge everyone in the NCAA bracket pool. This one will be ran by CBS Sports and to join click on this link. The rules are a bit different, and this will be my first time trying this format. There is also a password that is mountainwest

Each round is worth 32 points, round one each game is one point, round two is two points, and double till the final The twist is that whatever seeds wins their round the seed is multiplied by the round score. For example is a five seed wins a round two game then they would get 10 points. You take the two points the round is worth and then multiply it by their seed.

Though this would bring an interesting twist to the game. Click here to go to game page and the password is mountainwest

March Madness On Demand Watch All The Games Here!

2010-03-17T20:54:36Z

If you do not know what that is from the title, then well you have been living under a rock. CBS has a FREE!! video player that allows you to watch every game of the NCAA^® March Madness on Demand^® online again for FREE!! I remember the first year or two they had it for $9.99 and I was glad to pony out the cash and have at least one computer and my tv going at the same time to swap through games.

Besides just sharing info about this sweet produce you will notice sometime today a CBS Sports widget on the right sidebar with a full schedule, check out Alligator Army who all ready has the widget up for a gander and to take a peek at the team BYU is playing.

The big news if one was not sure from the title is that the good folks at CBS are hooking us up to have the March Madness on Demand^®Player to be placed here on the site! What this means is that during the open threads that we have will now include the player, so you can watch the games while staying here to comment. Plus, I expect an explanation on how each of you were able to skip out on work or just watch at work and not get fired. I could be wrong on this, but I think the only restriction is blackout rules may apply for what game is being shown in your area, but I am not exactly sure.

Either way come hang out and watch hoops tomorrow.

UPDATE: The CBS schedule widget is not here on the site on the right side. Also, the player will not be on this screen but it will be a pop up will go directly to the games in the tread, but you can choose any game. The open thread page will still be on in the background with the CBS player in a new window.

CBI Tournament Preview: Colorado State @ Morehead State

2010-03-17T18:54:51Z

Next Game

Colorado St. Rams
@ Morehead St. Eagles

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010, 6:00 PM PDT
College Basketball Invitational - First Round - Ellis T. Johnson Arena

TV: HD Net

Complete Coverage >

The Rams made post season hoops in the CBI Tournament. So, it is not the NCAA or the NIT, but the Rams get to play hopefully a few more games. The Eagles come out of the Ohio Valley Conference and finished with a 23-10 record while the Rams are 16-15.

The Rams were somewhat close to an NIT bid but their schedule was tough on the back end by having to play multiple of the top teams in their last handful of games. Their best win is against possibly Colorado who had a losing record of 15-16. Morehead States best win came against Murray State who won 30 games and is in the NCAA tournament.

ESPN's Accuscore has the Eagles as a huge favorite and a 71.1 percent chance of winning and by an average score of 67.5 to 60.9. This could be a close game, but the edge should go to Morehead State who is at home. Also, check your local listings to find HD Net and by its it will be in HD which is something The Mtn. can not always say.

The winner of this game plays the winner off Boston University or Oregon State. Read after the jump for the stats on both teams.

Morehead State

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
Kenneth Faried	33	30.2	6.3	11.2	56.2	0.0	0.1	25.0	4.0	6.8	58.7	4.2	8.8	13.0	0.6	2.4	1.6	1.9	3.3	16.6
Maze Stallworth	33	31.8	3.9	9.9	39.6	2.6	6.6	39.2	2.0	2.3	84.4	2.2	2.8	5.0	1.3	1.4	1.4	0.5	3.1	12.4
Demonte Harper	32	29.7	4.2	9.6	43.6	1.4	3.6	38.3	2.3	3.3	71.2	0.7	2.2	2.9	3.2	3.2	1.4	0.2	2.5	12.1
Steve Peterson	33	23.9	2.9	6.0	48.2	0.8	2.2	37.5	1.5	1.9	75.0	1.9	2.1	4.0	1.0	1.4	1.2	0.3	2.0	8.0
Terrance Hill	32	20.2	2.5	6.9	36.4	1.4	3.8	36.7	1.0	1.3	80.0	0.3	1.4	1.7	1.1	1.4	0.7	0.0	1.6	7.4
Brandon Shingles	30	28.1	1.8	4.2	44.0	0.2	0.7	30.0	1.2	2.0	59.3	0.9	1.4	2.3	4.9	2.4	1.5	0.1	2.2	5.0
Les Simmons	29	13.3	1.3	3.4	39.0	0.2	0.5	33.3	1.5	2.0	77.2	1.4	1.5	2.9	0.2	1.2	0.6	0.1	1.9	4.4
Corey Clemens	1	9.0	1.0	3.0	33.3	1.0	2.0	50.0	1.0	2.0	50.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	4.0
Sam Goodman	33	14.7	1.5	3.1	47.6	0.1	0.5	23.5	0.7	0.9	71.0	0.7	1.1	1.8	1.2	0.8	0.5	0.2	2.0	3.8
John Lamb	1	4.0	1.0	1.0	100.0	1.0	1.0	100.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	1.0	3.0
Ty Proffitt	21	14.4	0.9	2.7	33.9	0.7	1.7	40.0	0.0	0.1	33.3	0.1	0.4	0.5	1.6	0.6	0.3	0.0	1.2	2.5
David Terrell	2	12.5	1.0	3.5	28.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	1.0	50.0	2.5	1.0	3.5	0.5	1.0	1.0	0.5	2.0	2.5
Jamel Marshall	15	4.3	0.5	1.1	50.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.4	83.3	0.6	0.6	1.2	0.0	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.7	1.4
Aaron Williams	12	2.3	0.2	0.6	28.6	0.1	0.4	20.0	0.2	0.2	100.0	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.4	0.3	0.1	0.0	0.5	0.6
Jason Beharie	11	4.3	0.2	0.6	28.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.0	0.5	0.7	1.3	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.2	0.5	0.4

Colorado State

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
Dorian Green	31	34.9	3.2	9.1	35.3	1.8	4.6	38.2	3.5	4.2	83.2	0.3	2.1	2.5	2.4	2.3	0.9	0.3	2.5	11.7
Andy Ogide	31	24.9	4.7	8.6	54.5	0.0	0.2	20.0	2.3	3.1	74.0	1.9	4.6	6.5	0.9	2.1	0.7	0.4	2.6	11.7
Travis Franklin	31	25.6	3.1	6.2	50.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	4.3	7.8	55.2	2.2	2.9	5.1	1.3	2.2	1.1	0.3	2.6	10.5
Adam Nigon	31	27.7	2.8	6.8	41.0	1.8	4.8	37.8	1.2	1.7	67.9	0.5	2.5	2.9	1.7	1.9	1.2	0.3	2.3	8.6
Greg Smith	27	18.6	2.3	6.2	37.1	0.4	1.6	23.3	2.4	3.2	74.4	0.7	3.2	4.0	1.3	2.0	0.5	0.3	2.2	7.3
Travis Busch	24	18.3	2.0	5.0	40.0	0.0	0.3	14.3	1.6	2.3	70.9	1.0	1.4	2.3	0.8	0.9	0.7	0.1	1.4	5.7
Andre McFarland	22	15.0	1.8	4.5	40.4	1.4	3.4	40.5	0.5	0.6	84.6	0.4	1.0	1.4	0.3	0.7	0.2	0.0	0.8	5.5
Jesse Carr	4	9.0	1.0	2.8	36.4	0.5	1.5	33.3	1.3	2.0	62.5	0.0	1.5	1.5	0.8	2.0	1.3	0.0	0.8	3.8
Mame Bocar Ba	30	10.0	1.0	1.8	58.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.7	1.0	64.5	1.0	1.5	2.4	0.2	0.7	0.1	0.3	1.5	2.7
Pierce Hornung	31	20.4	1.2	2.1	54.5	0.1	0.3	22.2	0.3	0.5	52.9	1.8	2.4	4.2	1.3	0.9	1.0	0.4	3.5	2.7
Mike Annese	19	5.0	0.4	1.4	30.8	0.3	0.8	40.0	1.1	1.3	80.0	0.1	0.5	0.5	0.3	0.6	0.2	0.1	0.5	2.2
Harvey Perry	19	11.2	0.5	2.6	20.4	0.2	1.2	18.2	0.6	0.8	68.8	0.3	1.2	1.4	0.4	1.1	0.5	0.3	2.0	1.8
Arin Dunn	21	8.4	0.4	1.5	28.1	0.1	0.6	16.7	0.2	0.4	50.0	0.0	0.9	0.9	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.0	0.5	1.1
Johnny Del Bene	6	2.3	0.3	0.7	50.0	0.2	0.3	50.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.8

For information on the game click here for the online program to download.

VIDEO: Billy Donovan And Florida Players Press Conference

2010-03-17T12:20:42Z

Billy Donovan

Florida players

Making The Rounds: New Mexico NCAA Tournament Edition

2010-03-17T01:00:25Z

East Regional breakdown that includes New Mexico -- The Salt Lake Tribune

Darrington Hobson's trek to become MWC MVP was a long road -- ESPN

Hobson is one of the 26 finalist to the John Wooden Award ($) -- Rivals

Montana expects to advance in the tournament -- ABQ Journal

Getting to know Montana's Anthony Johnson -- ESPN

Best of the East Region could be Darrington Hobson -- CBS Sports

Breaking down the New Mexico vs. Montana matchup -- CBS Sports

Montana is excited to be playing New Mexico -- The Missoulian

Sports Illustrated Releases Regional Covers

2010-03-16T22:45:15Z

Sports Illustrated released their five regional covers for the NCAA tournament and out West is Matt Bouldin who is from Gonzaga. Is that the best has to offer? Perhaps, but why not go with another pasty white hoopster in BYU's Jimmer Fredette. Or they could have gone with the best team out West with New Mexico's Darrington Hobson.

Making The Rounds: BYU NCAA Tournament Edition

2010-03-16T16:05:51Z

BYU is glad to draw Florida in first round -- The Salt Lake Tribune

Breakdown of BYU's West Region -- The Salt Lake Tribune

Cougars Seeded seventh: Blessing of Curse? - Vanquish The Foe

BYU trying for first tournament win since 1993 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Cougars to sweet 16, or is Florida going to upset BYU-- The Salt Lake Tribune

Statistical look at BYU vs. Florida -- Vanquish The Foe

Florida sneaks into the tournament -- Bay News 9

Gators Back in tournament after two year hiatus - Alligator Army

Stewart Mandel picks BYU to the Final Four. - Sports Illustrated

Florida looks good as a ten seed - The Gainsville Sun

BYU will play SEC power - Daily Herald

Tyler Haws expected to play with broken orbital bone -- The Salt Lake Tribune

Gator head coach Billy Donovan addressed the media -- Gator Zone

Chad Ford and Bill Simmons discuss Jimmer Fredette -- B.S. Report Podcast

March Madness For Football!

2010-03-16T00:50:47Z

This is not going to be one my posts about how a playoff would be awesome (even though it would be). Rather the good folks at Playoff Pac decided to take advantage of March Madness to put out their 2011 BCS tournament bracket.

Keep reading for the awesomeness of a bracket!

Whoops, looks like some sarcasm, and I love it!

Versus Is Back! A Little Bit Late For The MWC

2010-03-15T23:41:54Z

Versus Is Back! A Little Bit Late For The MWC

Good thing Versus is back on DirecTv for next season.

UNLV Spring Football Primer: The Bobby Hauk Era Begins

2010-03-15T20:51:51Z

More photos » Michael Albans - AP

Browse more photos »

The biggest item on the spring agenda is moving away from the Mike Sanford spread to a more traditional pro-style offense under new head coach Bobby Hauk. Hauk came from the FCS ranks where he compiled an overall record of 80-17, including leading the Grizzlies to three national championship games and was the all time. Not too bad, but now he has the chore of turning around a program that has been terrible and have not been to a bowl game since their 2000 win over Arkansas in the Las Vegas Bowl.

The Rebels do have some talent on offense with Omar Clayton who has been the starter the past two years, and fans are waiting for him to fulfill his potential. Clayton is more of an athletic quarterback and did to well in the spread, but he was too inconsistent. With a new coach in town backup Mike Clausen who is a similar player to Clayton, and redshirt freshman Caleb Herring who has possibly the best arm of the group will get a shot at the starting job. The offense will have more snaps from under center and that is something Clayton will need to get accustomed to if he wants to keep the starting job.

The receiving corp lost All-American Ryan Wolfe, but they do have touchdown machine Phillip Payne who could be the teams number one and really shine in this offense. Redshirt freshman Bradley Randle who will play either running back or wide receiver as a Reggie Bush style player. He is 5-8 at 190 pounds and will be used in the screen game and outside running plays. The offense also returns three starters from the line.

The offense should be ok with eight total starter returning, but it is their defense that needs help. They were 115th in total defense in 2009, 104th in 2008, and were 62nd in 2007. So, in other words the defense needs some work. The defense can not get any worse with eight returning starters, but look for Hauk to make this spring an open audition for every defensive spot. The only bright spot looks to be B.J. Bell who only played a handful of games at defensive end before injuring his shoulder. Bell is a JUCO transfer who has a very good pass rush and the hope is that it is still there after missing more then half of the 2009 season.

The spring game is April 17th.

THE BASICS

Coach: Bobby Hauck
Last season: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in the Mountain West
Spring dates: March 15-April 17

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense (8): QB Omar Clayton, C John Gianninoto, G Jason Heath, WR Michael Johnson, T Evan Marchal, T Matt Murphy, WR Phillip Payne, RB Channing Trotter.
Defense (8): T Isaako Aaitui, SS Alex De Giacomo, FS Travis Dixon, LB Starr Fuimaono, LB Ronnie Paulo, CB Quinton Pointer, CB Deante Purvis, E Malo Taumua.
Special teams: None.

Conference Tournament Pick'em Results

2010-03-15T17:00:51Z

I along with others forgot some of the picks, but getting 98.3% is pretty good. All right the warmup is over and now time moves on to the big show. Join our CBS Sports Bracket game and see how good you can do. Password is mountainwest and here is the link.

1	dblad, D. Blad	3	6	7	15	11	11	4	57	98.3
2	MissouriCoug, R. Jacobson	3	5	6	14	13	9	3	53	88.2
2	BV Demons, D. Young	2	6	5	13	13	11	3	53	88.2
4	Jeremy, J. J MAUSS	3	3	7	13	14	9	1	50	77.0
4	bhsmarine24, I. Cunningham	3	5	6	12	14	10	0	50	77.0
4	BISP, c. james	3	6	6	13	12	9	1	50	77.0
7	Rams Upset-city, E. Tynan	2	5	7	12	13	0	0	39	52.7
8	rebelfan1, J. McGhee	0	5	6	0	5	9	0	25	38.4
9	Bryson Cutler, N. Cutla	2	0	6	0	0	0	0	8	21.1

SB Nation East Preview: Heard Of This John Wall Fella?

2010-03-15T15:58:46Z

SB Nation East Preview: Heard Of This John Wall Fella?

A first reaction look at the NCAA's East Region.

SB Nation West Preview: Where We Are Covered In Chalk

2010-03-15T15:57:41Z

SB Nation West Preview: Where We Are Covered In Chalk

A first reaction look at the NCAA's West Region.

SB Nation South Preview: Do Not Sleep On Baylor

2010-03-15T15:56:34Z

SB Nation South Preview: Do Not Sleep On Baylor

A first reaction look at the NCAA's South Region.

SB Nation's Midwest Preview: One Tough Bracket

2010-03-15T14:00:45Z

SB Nation's Midwest Preview: One Tough Bracket

Here is the Midwest SB Nation preview that I wrote and is up on the NCAA hoops page. Check there for updates on that region, and the others once they are posted.

My pick is Ohio State to win the region.

2010 NCAA Tournament: Mountain West Opening Lines

2010-03-15T11:00:51Z

Now that the brackets are set, I thought it'd be interesting to check out the current lines on all the Mountain West-related games. I know some folks are disappointed with the seedings, but the opening round matchups might not be so bad. The second round might not be so pretty, but we'll hold off on that for now.

The interesting news (not sure if it's good or bad), is that all four teams are playing on Thursday. Of all the teams SDSU probably likes that the least given how far they have to travel for their game.

New Mexico - Montana: UNM -9.5

BYU - Florida: BYU -4.5

UNLV - Northern Iowa: UNLV -1.0

San Diego State - Tennessee: Tennessee -3.0

None of the lines is particular crazy, so really you're just betting on the teams to win. It's my understanding that Tennessee is a fairly athletic team. Jeremy will have more on that in his regional preview, but if that's the case, SDSU might have trouble. The Aztecs are obviously a very athletic team, but they've been facing a Mountain West conference filled with teams that are not as athletic as them. That's not to say they can't beat the Vols, but it's going to be difficult.

I'll actually be down in Las Vegas for the first two rounds and will, of course, be placing a wager on my Rebels each round they stay alive. Maybe they get crushed by Kansas, but crazy things happen in March. Of all the games, betting on SDSU to win will likely win me more money than any of the other three. Do I roll the dice with that? Or do I play it safe with a New Mexico wager to cover?

I also just came across the opening lines to win it all through the Las Vegas Sun. New Mexico comes in at 60-to-1, BYU is 100-to-1, UNLV and San Diego State are each 300-to-1. Kansas is the favorite at 5-to-2, Kentucky is 7-to-2, and Syracuse and Duke are 8-to-1.