This is the 9th article in a series previewing each team and position rankings in the Mountain West leading up to the 2024-2025 basketball season

MW Rankings:

3. Utah State

4. San Diego State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #4 San Diego State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

5. New Mexico (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #5 New Mexico | Big Blue USU Aggie News

6. UNLV (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #6 UNLV | Big Blue USU Aggie News

7. Colorado State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #7 Colorado State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

8. San Jose State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #8 San Jose State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

9. Wyoming (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #9 Wyoming | Big Blue USU Aggie News

10. Air Force (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #10 Air Force | Big Blue USU Aggie News

11. Fresno State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #11 Fresno State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

Prior Season Results and Predictions:

  • Record: 28-7 overall, 14-4 conference
  • My Prediction: Between 4th to 7th place
  • Summary: Utah State surprised everyone when they returned 0 production from the prior year and ended up winning the conference and advancing to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament.
  • All Conference Players/Other Awards: Great Osobor (1st Team MW and POY), Darius Brown (1st Team MW, All Defense), Josh Uduje (6th man MW), Ian Martinez (Honorable Mention MW)

Metrics for the last 5 Seasons:

  • Conference Regular Season Winning %: 68.1% (ranked 3rd in conference)
  • Conference Regular Season Champion: 2 (Tied for 1st in the conference)
  • Conference Tournament Champion:  1 (Tied for 2nd in the conference)
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances:  3 (Tied for 2nd in the conference)
  • NCAA Tournament Wins: 1 (Tied for 2nd in the conference)

2024-2025 Season Review:

Conference Prediction: #3 in the Mountain West

Overview: Utah State returns 3 starters from last year in Ian Martinez, Mason Falslev and Isaac Johnson.  They also return a key bench guy in Karson Templin.  They look to be a solid 9-10 deep as they have added proven transfers and a 4-star freshman recruit in Isaac Davis that will also get time this year.

Production Returning: Scoring 40% (returning), Rebounding 37%, Assists 31%, Blocks 41%, Minutes 38%

Key losses:  Great Osobor (Transfer to Washington), Darius Brown (Graduation), Josh Uduje (Transfer to SJSU)

Key Returners:  Ian Martinez (All MW), Mason Falslev (Double digit scoring freshman), Isaac Johnson (Helped lead team to NCAA tournament win), Karson Templin (Freshman back-up big man)

Newcomers:

  • Isaac Davis: 4-star big man signee from Idaho
  • Aubin Gateretse: Transfer center from Stetson where he averaged 12 ppg and 8 rebounds last year
  • Deyton Albury: Transfer point guard from Queens where he was named ASUN Newcomer of the year as he averaged 17 ppg
  • Drake Allen: Transfer point guard from Utah Valley where he averaged 12 ppg and 4 assists as a junior
  • Dexter Akanno: Guard/Wing transfer from Oregon State where he averaged 11 ppg as a full time starter
  • Jordy Barnes: Freshman point guard signee
  • Braden Housley: All WAC Freshman player from Southern Utah where the combo guard averaged 11 ppg
  • Tucker Anderson: Freshman of the year in the ASUN where he averaged 15 ppg, 6’9” shooter

Strongest Position: Point Guard.  Both Drake Allen and Deyton Albury are top 10 pg’s in the conference and will put a ton of pressure on opposing teams as they both have different skills sets.

Biggest Question Mark(s):  Center.  Can Gateretse compete in the MWC and how much run will Isaac Davis get.

Projected Starters:  Drake Allen (Guard), Mason Falslev (Guard), Ian Martinez (Wing), Isaac Johnson (Forward), Aubin Gateretse (Center)

Bench: Deyton Albury (Guard), Dexter Akanno (Guard), Tucker Anderson (Wing/Forward), Karson Templin (Forward), Isaac Davis (Center)

Potential All Conference Guys:  Ian Martinez, Drake Allen, Mason Falslev, Isaac Johnson

Key Non-Conference Games:  Iowa (Neutral), St Marys (Away), South Florida (Home), St Bonaventure (Neutral), North Texas/Northern Iowa (Neutral)