Mountain West 2025-6

[azfan]

Half in Vegas....Rebs taking the Broncos apart....35-18. Shelby Brown has been a beast 9 points AND Boards. If the Rebs hold on they jump the Broncos and tie the Rams for a second. And the Broncos and Lobos are tied so I'm not sure who gets the 4th seed.

Both the Rams and the Rebs got swept by the Aztecs (and somehow in some bizarro world Grand Canyon beat the Aztecs) so I'm not sure what is the next tiebreaker.

The fan in front of me said in the pregame show Lindy said that they would get the second seed if they won tonight so she evidently has greater inside into the tiebreakers.

Speaking of Lindy 10 minutes before tip she worked the entire VIP section personally speaking to each fan and then went up and gave the band a big thumbs up. She's obviously the Molly Miller of Las Vegas.

 

[nwhoopfan]

70-35 now midway thru Q4. BEATDOWN. UNLV has been dethroned by San Diego St., but they are showing they are still to be reckoned with in the MWC.

 

[azfan]

Soooo

The Reb victory was consequential on a number of fronts. Boise State gets knocked out of the bye. Looks like they're going to have to play the wondering Lobos assuming that New Mexico takes care of their business.

The Rams will face Grand Canyon assuming the Lopes can take care of their business.

Falling to the number four seed the Rams will then have to play San Diego in the semis while the running rabs would face New Mexico.

A huge one for UNLV reflecting outstanding coaching and peeking the team during tournament time.

Still the Reb's face a daunting task against what appears to be an unbeatable San Diego Aztec team poised to repeat as champion of the Mountain West and representative at the dance.

Gordy Prenell Broncos coach is completing his 39th year of coaching and currently rests at 693 victories.

Gordy picked up a technical 5 minutes into the game and he was hilarious as he attempted to give the stare of death to Alecia Murray. It was a parent that the Broncos were having some challenges offensively and I think Gordy who realized the importance of this game was either trying to fire up his team or more likely just real disappointed as he anticipated the end of the game.

700 career victories is an amazing accomplishment but in the times that I've seen Gordy on the sideline he's frankly appeared to be well the opposite of a positive, kind, thoughtful, pleasant, coach... I guess he's the opposite of Lindy.

Anyway his team got totally run out of the gym. The Rebs have to feel pretty good about themselves but we'll see how things progress later this week leading up to what could be a real barn burner of the championship game.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Uh...Colorado St. is a game ahead of New Mexico, tied with UNLV for 2nd. They have to have the #3 seed, not the #4.

edit--that would put UNM on SDSU's side of the bracket, and UNLV/CSU paired up, if seeds hold.

 

[azfan]

Day 1

Air Force played with energy and passion and frankly were much better coached in the game. 60-53 doesn't really reveal the extent of the dominance. The Cowgirls really had nothing beyond their Dutch senior Pederson who I believe scored 29 of the 53 points for the Cowgirls points.

Midway through the four Wyoming close to 49-45 has Patterson hit two free throws after having been fouled in the afternoon and then two technicals after Air Force was T ed up for the old bounce the ball too high violation.

Cowgirls turn the ball over and that was game. So in one year they fall from nearly winning the tournament in a triple overtime loss to San Diego to first round elimination.

In the second game I'm cheering on former NAU Lumberjack Allie Cummings as her San Jose makes are being systematically dismantled by the Broncos 60 to 43 and there is still 6 minutes left in the game.

Allie's former teammates lost by one up in Idaho to Montana. Saw the only Arizona School that may be playing tomorrow who will be the lowest if they take care of business against Utah State.

And keeping with the program new San Jose coach was T ed up in the first half. I suspect he might have said the magic word.

Both bands are really solid but the Bronco band is distinguished they are really excellent and totally into the game.

I would be remiss if I didn't share that the Air Force pep band gave a stirring rendition of the national anthem.

Third game of the night matches Amanda Levin's Nevada squad against Fresno State.

And then finally my Grand Canyon Lopes will probably tip around 7:30 against Utah State.

I was able to successfully smuggle in a sandwich and drink so that'll save me 30 bucks.

 

[azfan]

Best bands first day

Fresno State

Utah State

Grand Canyon was singularly unimpressive last night trailing the Aggies at the half before putting the jets on and having a streak that allowed them to win. I saw a few Rams Fans in the stands and I'm sure they were delighted with their draw as the Lopes really did unimpress.

I think two quarterfinal games should be fun. New Mexico and Boise State should be really great and I'm looking forward to seeing Gordy's stair of death when things aren't going well. Wonder what the over-under is he'll get another T I guess it depends on who's officiating.

Last night I saw Lindy and her staff scouting the Fresno State game and I'll tell you what those girls can shoot. Number 11 is a poor man's Caitlin Clark and she really pushes the ball hit a couple of logo threes and in general plays with great pace. That should be an interesting matchup for the running Rebs.

I'm guessing both the Rams and San Diego State win by double digits.

 

[nwhoopfan]

What's going on @azfan ? Air Force is giving San Diego St. all they can handle.

We need an update on what bands are bringing it today.

 

[azfan]

What's going on @azfan ? Air Force is giving San Diego St. all they can handle.

We need an update on what bands are bringing it today.

Awesome game....battle of the guards. Perry with 27 and San Diego hasn't figured out a way to slow her down.

SD guard Panigian (sic) is lightning quick and has five assists go with 18 points.

But this is college basketball - a fabulous crowd leaning towards San Diego loud and vocal with two excellent bands. Air Force is a great set of musicians and I love the San Diego band.

58-57 San Diego 6 minutes left in this looks like it's going to go down to the wire. Thrilling game and I didn't expect it to be this close or this good.

Edit: Perry just cuts to the rack to extend the lead to 5 and force a SD time out with 4 minutes left and the band playing Livin on a Prayer

Edit: that's it. Adams with the and one and leads by 8 with under 2 minutes. First upset in the tournament....maybe inspiration for the Lopes tonight against the Rams. Wonderful game with a super crowd. Very exciting and nice to see the Air Force advance.

And things seem to be lining up nicely for the Rams

 

[nwhoopfan]

Aztecs are going down. I don't think they'll get an at large berth. It's certainly happened to UNLV in past seasons when they dominated the Mountain West regular season but faltered in the conference tourney.

 

[azfan]

Aztecs are going down. I don't think they'll get an at large berth. It's certainly happened to UNLV in past seasons when they dominated the Mountain West regular season but faltered in the conference tourney.

I hope not....ASU is balancing on the right side of the bubble and BYU certainly deserves to dance as well

 

[nwhoopfan]

Well, Colorado St., UNLV, Boise St. and New Mexico gotta be feeling a bit better about their chances of nabbing a Tourney bid now.

 

[azfan]

Really nothing exciting in the the New Mexico Boise State game in a grind it out. Noticably less energy in the building after the first game

21-15 Broncos as NM can't find the bottom of the net.

Edit after trailing the entire game Destiny with two es put on her Superwoman cape and has been unstoppable over the last 5 minutes. She must have tallied a dozen of her 29 points down the stretch in leading the Lobos to an improbable 61-60 lead with 13 seconds remaining. Gordy calls a time out and let's see what that cranky old coach draws up.

The Broncos hit a baseline chopper with 6 seconds remaining and let's see if Bradbury can draw up counter to the cranky old coach's play.

Broncos with a foul to give, nail Hooks hard with 3.7 sec remaining.

And .....

Boise State survives and advances to the semi against the Air Force

 

[nwhoopfan]

New Mexico has surged ahead in the 2nd half, coming down to the wire.

 

[nwhoopfan]

@azfan you are getting your money's worth. Some entertaining games. Boise St. rallies from a 3 point deficit and scores the last 4 points of the game for the win.

 

[azfan]

In game three the Rebs force a FS timeout with an 8-0 run to open the game.

Edit. 26-14 at the end of the first. Impressive, Meadow Roland on the bench with 2 fouls for most of the quarter. Lindy and staff sure prepped the team up based on her scout last night.

 

[azfan]

@azfan you are getting your money's worth. Some entertaining games. Boise St. rallies from a 3 point deficit and scores the last 4 points of the game for the win.

Right? It was a triller.

All sessions ticket 75 bucks so off the hook value

 

[azfan]

15 minutes till tip and the final quarterfinal game. I will say Grand Canyon is unbelievably well represented with students they must have brought two or three buses.

Winston Gandy didn't figure out a way to stay within 20 points in either of the meetings against the Rams so it'll definitely be interesting how this one turns out. If Grand Canyon starts the way they did against Utah State it might well be 40 to 0 at the end of the first quarter.

 

[azfan]

As I took the picture of the Grand Canyon student section I was standing 5 ft away from Meadow Roland AND 3 ft from Lindy her family and her two little kids. I was starstruck.

 

[azfan]

At the half wait for it...

GCU 29 - Rams 21.

Hannah Ronsiek with three fouls and Chloe Mann was benched by Gandy after picking up a technical after a foul.

Actually two technicals in the first half as Ronsiek got a technical for a break away foul following a Lopes steal.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Another game going down to the wire and another potential big upset.

 

[azfan]

A thriller. Rams stage of furious second half comeback. It's amazing how quick CSU is especially the guards.

And Rams win at the buzzer

What a day of entertaining wbb

 

[nwhoopfan]

Wow! So one might think UNLV vs. Colorado St. in one of the semis is the de facto Championship Game, but sometimes those things have a funny way of not working out. I'm sure Boise St. and Air Force still very much believe they can be the one to grab that golden ticket.

 

[azfan]

 

[azfan]

We may have a Cinderella story developing here in the Mountain West semi. Air Force is bringing the D holding the Broncos to 11 points in the first quarter to lead by 7. They did this with sharpshooter Perry on the bench with a rolled ankle for several minutes in the first quarter.

The contrast here in Thomas Mack to The Orleans is stark. Gonzaga and Oregon State filled up the Orleans Arena probably at least 40% so there must have been at least 4 or 5,000 fans. While enthusiastic I would be surprised if there's more than 1500 in the much larger building.

Talking at halftime over at The Orleans about next year's pac-12 tournament it seem to be a consensus it would be here in Vegas and everyone's hoping for the T-Mobile rather than MGM or Mandalay.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Boise St. was up 2 at the half, had a lead in Q4, but Air Force now up 6 w/ about 2 minutes left.

 

[azfan]

Final . 68 BSU 66

Perry puts the team on her back in the last 3 minutes and the Cinderella story continues. This is a tremendous game very close and with 3 minutes left Air Force Big Adams fouls out.

With one minute left Air Force fouls a jump shooter on a three-pointer.

63-61 favor . Edit now 66-64 ....free throw fest to come

The Broncos can't get the ball in with their 5 seconds and Gordy loses his mind

Amazing the poise of this Air Force team seeded at 9th and on to the finals. Perry with 33 points last night and 27 tonight clutch display that is reminiscent of dare I say it Sheryl Swoops or Maya Moore or, dare I say it, yes I'll say it .....thr GOAT. Over the last four minutes Air Force brought the ball down ran the clock down to 10 seconds and then Perry either scored or dished.

Hold the phone ... Broncos shooting FTs

BTW I wish the Air Force band played the national anthem rather than the young lady auditioning for American Idol

And

Both teams wore their home jerseys. Looked like a Boise scrimmage from the uniform standpoint anyway.

What a tournament!!!!! UNLV and CSU will be hard-pressed to pop this.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Boise St. got within 1. Air Force kept missing FTs. Boise was down 2 w/ the ball w/ 10 seconds left but couldn't score. AFA advances to the Championship.

 

[azfan]

Extremely disappointing attendance for UNLV. Almost as many Rams Fans in the house as Rebs.

Low scoring first quarter 15-11 Rebs.

 

[azfan]

Huge surprise in the second WM semi- a close game. Rams and Rebs tied at 28 at the half. Two tired teams.

 

[azfan]

Well the Cinderella story will conclude tonight at 6:30 at the Thomas Mack Center as 9 seated Air Force meets the Colorado Rams.
is a feel-good story and for Mountain West fans a reason to cheer as they face the pac-12 departing Colorado Rams.

The Rams have been very impressive they're extraordinarily disciplined and well coached, their guards are really quick and this is a team that takes a lot of pride in their defense.

We're going to see if the Milahane Perry saga continues as she's just been amazing in the tournament. I know the Rams are going to be keyed on her trying to make her struggle offensively.

Emily Adams has been an effective presence in the paint for Air Force. She fouled out at the end of the Falcons semi-final victory and will need to stay on the court for the successful conclusion of the run.

Well I'm disappointed not to see the ribs in the final I think this is going to be a really great game.