Mountain West men's basketball capsules

Mountain West Conference Tournament capsules
Air Force (9-20, 0-16)
Seeded: Ninth
Next opponent: BYU, Thursday, 1 p.m.
What's encouraging: The Falcons won their first conference MWC Tournament game in program history on Wednesday by beating CSU 71-67.
What's not: The Falcons lost by 21 and 15 to BYU during the season.
Gazette's odds of cutting down the nets: 500-1. If Air Force wins this tournament, go ahead and book a ski trip in Hades.

BYU (24-6, 12-4)
Seeded: First
First opponent: Air Force, Thursday, 1 p.m.
Series this season: Won at AFA, 71-50, on 2/3; Won at home, 54-49, on 3/7.
What's encouraging: The emergence of point guard Jimmer Fredette as one of the league's elite players and a scoring option to go with Lee Cummard (arguably the MWC's best all-around player) and Jonathan Tavernari, has made the Cougars one of the best teams in the league of late. After losing three of four games in late January, BYU has won nine of 10, the only loss a 75-74 defeat at UNLV.
What's not: BYU could face UNLV in the semifinals. The Cougars were swept by the Runnin' Rebels this season and have not beaten them in six games at the Thomas and Mack Center since Feb. 5, 2005.
Gazette's odds of cutting down the nets: 3-1. The Cougars have reached the final the past two seasons only to lose to UNLV. This could be their year.

New Mexico (21-10, 12-4)
Seeded: Third
First opponent: Wyoming, Thursday, 9:30 p.m.
Series this season: 2-0. Won at home, 86-57, on 2/3; Won at Wyoming, 74-73, on 3/7.
What's encouraging: The Lobos have won eight of their past nine games, including five straight, and seem to have all the pieces needed for a postseason run - a go-to player (first-team all-MWC selection Tony Danridge), size (6-9 center Daniel Faris) and shooting (New Mexico shot a MWC-best 39.1 percent from 3-point range in the regular season).
What's not: Despite splitting the league title with BYU and Utah, New Mexico is the league's third seed, meaning it must face Wyoming in the quarterfinals. The Lobos beat the Cowboys by just one point Saturday.
Gazette's odds of cutting down the nets: 4-1. The Lobos have the most difficult path of any of the co-conference champs.

San Diego State (21-8, 11-5)
Seeded: Fourth
First opponent: UNLV, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Series this season: 2-0. Won at UNLV, 68-66 (OT), on 2/3; Won at home, 57-46, on 3/7.
What's encouraging: The Aztecs might be the most talented team, top to bottom, in the conference, and are the only MWC team to defeat UNLV in Las Vegas this season.
What's not: It's tough to beat the same team three times in a season, and UNLV has been unbeatable on its home floor in the tournament the past two years.
Gazette's odds of cutting down the nets: 7-1. As usual, the Aztecs have the talent to win it all.

TCU (14-16, 5-11)
Seeded: Seventh
First opponent: Utah, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Series this season: 0-2. Lost at home, 62-54, on 2/4; Lost at Utah, 68-49, on 3/7.
What's encouraging: In MWC Newcomer of the Year Zvonko Buljan, TCU has a player who can score in bunches and take over games.
What's not: Since a 4-1 start, the Horned Frogs have collapsed, losing 10 of 11 games.
Gazette's odds of cutting down the nets: 400-1. TCU looked like this season's feel-good story early in conference play. Then it looked like the same-old team that has kept residence in the bottom third of the league since its arrival.

UNLV (21-9, 9-7)
Seeded: Fifth
First opponent: San Diego State, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Series this season: 0-2. Lost at home, 68-66 (OT), on 2/3; Lost at SDS, 57-46, on 3/7.
What's encouraging: The Runnin' Rebels will be playing on their home floor, where they have won the past two MWC Tournament titles.
What's not: San Diego State is a tough match-up for UNLV, and it's uncertain if the hot-and-cold Runnin' Rebels can put three straight victories together.
Gazette's odds of cutting down the nets: 4-1. Can't count UNLV out because of the home court factor.

Utah (21-9, 12-4)
Seeded: Second
First opponent: TCU, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Series this season: 2-0. Won at TCU, 62-54, on 2/4; Won at home, 68-49, on 3/7.
What's encouraging: The Utes have a star in MWC Player of the Year Luke Nevill, who scores 16.9 points per game, but also balance. Five other players - including MWC Sixth Man of the Year Shaun Green - average between 7.9 and 11.9 points. In addition, Lawrence Borha and Luka Drca average 42.2 and 43.8 percent from 3-point range, respectively.
What's not: Utah really only goes about seven deep. If the Utes are pushed hard in the first two rounds, could they run out of gas?
Gazette's odds of cutting down the nets: 5-2. The league's most complete team is loaded with senior experience.

Wyoming (18-12, 7-9)
Seeded: Sixth
First opponent: New Mexico, Thursday, 9:30 p.m.
Series this season: 0-2. Lost at New Mexico, 86-57, on 2/3; Lost at home, 74-73, on 3/7.
What's encouraging: The Cowboys have explosive scorers in guards Brandon Ewing (MWC-high 18.6 points per game) and Sean Ogirri (14.9) and an athletic frontcourt.
What's not: Wyoming went 2-8 against the league's top five teams, including 0-6 against the conference co-champions.
Gazette's odds of cutting down the nets: 100-1. Ewing needs to be the tournament MVP - and get plenty of help.