This is the 2nd article in a series previewing each team and position rankings in the Mountain West leading up to the 2024-2025 basketball season
MW Rankings:
10. Air Force
11. Fresno State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #11 Fresno State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
Prior Season Results and Predictions:
- Record: 9-22 overall, 2-16 conference
- My Prediction: Between 7th-11th in the conference
- Summary: Air Force tied for 10th in the MW in 2023-2024
- All Conference Players/Other Awards: None
Metrics for the last 5 Seasons:
- Conference Regular Season Winning %: 21.3% (ranked 11th in conference)
- Conference Regular Season Champion: 0 (Tied for 4th in the conference)
- Conference Tournament Champion: 0 (Tied 5th in conference)
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0 (Tied 8th in conference)
- NCAA Tournament Wins: 0 (Tied for 4th in the conference)
2024-2025 Season Review:
Conference Prediction: #10 in the Mountain West
Overview: Air Force returns most of the team with the exception of Rytis Petraitis (transfer to Cal) and Kellan Boylan (transfer to Lipscomb). Their top 3 returning players are forward Beau Becker (13 ppg/4 rebounds), Ethan Taylor (13 ppg) and Jeffrey Mills (9 ppg) and all 3 are MW caliber players. However, there are lots of unknowns with the remainder of the roster and those 3 guys will need support from the rest of the roster if they want a chance to pick up more than a few wins in the Mountain West.
Production Returning: Scoring 71% (returning), Rebounding 62%, Assists 66%, Blocks 64%, Minutes 72%
Key losses: Rytis Petraitis (transfer to Cal), Kellan Boylan (transfer to Lipscomb)
Key Returners: Beau Becker (Forward who averaged 14 ppg and 4 rebounds and shot 40% from 3), Ethan Taylor (Point guard who averaged 14 ppg and 4 rebounds), Jeffrey Mills (Guard who averaged 9 ppg), Byron Brown (Guard who played off the bench)
Newcomers:
- None
Strongest Position: Point guard, Ethan Taylor can compete with the top point guards in the Mountain West.
Biggest Question Mark(s): Depth and size. Outside of the top 3-4 returners, not a lot of proven talent.
Projected Starters: Ethan Taylor (Guard), Jeffrey Mills (Guard), Byron Brown (Guard/Forward), Beau Becker (Forward), Wesley Celichowski (Center)
Bench: Sam Akinrelere (Guard), Kolby Gillis (Guard), Luke Kearney (Wing), Chase Beasley (Forward), Corbin Green (Forward)
Potential All Conference Guys: Ethan Taylor, Beau Becker
Key Non-Conference Games: Cal (Away)
Trackbacks/Pingbacks