Hold on to your hats, college basketball fans! The Mountain West Conference is poised to make a HUGE splash this season. But here’s the real question: Will the early hype translate into March Madness success? Let's dive into the headlines.
Morning Download: Mountain West Basketball Primed for a Big Year
By Chris Murray, Nevada Sports Net, October 14th, 2025
Here's your weekday dose of Nevada sports news, breaking down the top storylines you need to know.
1. Mountain West Dominates KenPom's Preseason Rankings
The renowned college basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy (KenPom) has released his initial rankings for the 2025-26 season, and the Mountain West is looking strong! A whopping seven of the conference's twelve teams landed in the top 100. That shows some serious depth! San Diego State leads the charge at #30, suggesting they could be a national contender. Following closely behind are Utah State (#42), Boise State (#53), Colorado State (#79), Grand Canyon (#80), and New Mexico (#97). Nevada, featuring a revamped roster with ten new faces, checks in at #92 (with the 108th-ranked offense and 74th-ranked defense).
And this is the part most people miss... these are preseason rankings. They're based heavily on past performance and returning players. How much will these rankings change once games actually begin? It's anyone's guess!
Further down the list, we find UNLV at #107, Wyoming at #155, San Jose State at #160, Fresno State at #190, and Air Force at #257. Nevada finds itself in sixth place among Mountain West schools. They'll get a chance to fine-tune their game in an exhibition match against Utah on Friday.
Controversy & Comment Hook: Does KenPom accurately predict success? Some argue that these metrics favor teams with established coaches and systems, potentially underrating teams with significant roster turnover or coaching changes. What do you think? Will the Mountain West live up to the preseason hype, or will some of these teams surprise us (for better or worse)?
2. Wolf Pack Alum Miles Mastrobuoni Makes His Mark in the MLB Postseason
From the diamond of Nevada to the bright lights of the MLB playoffs! Miles Mastrobuoni, a proud Wolf Pack alumnus, made his postseason debut with the Seattle Mariners on Monday. He entered the game as the Mariners defeated Toronto 10-3, securing a 2-0 series lead as the ALCS shifts to Seattle. Although Mastrobuoni struck out in his only at-bat, his presence on the roster is a testament to his versatility and hard work. He was added to the championship series roster after being left off the ALDS roster, as Seattle seeks their first World Series appearance in franchise history. During the regular season, Mastrobuoni appeared in 76 games for the Mariners, batting .250 with a .324 on-base percentage and a .296 slugging percentage. His ability to play multiple positions makes him a valuable asset to the team.
3. Celebrating Success: Wolf Pack Baseball Receives Championship Rings
It was a weekend of celebration for the Nevada baseball program! During their alumni weekend, the team received their championship rings for winning the 2025 Mountain West regular-season title. The ring ceremony took place at the president's tailgate before the Nevada-San Diego State football game, adding to the festive atmosphere. The Wolf Pack had a stellar 2025 season, finishing with a 34-23 overall record and a 19-11 mark in conference play. They edged out Fresno State by a single game to claim the regular-season crown. While Fresno State ultimately won the conference tournament, the regular-season title is a significant accomplishment the team should be proud of. This marks Nevada's fourth Mountain West title since joining the conference in 2012, tying men's basketball for the most conference championships of any sport on campus.
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Controversy & Comment Hook: Are regular season titles more valuable than tournament championships? There's no doubt that both are significant achievements, but which one truly defines a team's success? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
