Offseason Power Rankings
The Mountain West basketball conference is entering a new era as four of its longtime powers — Utah State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Boise State — have departed for the Pac‑12, leaving a reshuffled landscape for the 2026‑27 season.
Among the survivors, New Mexico stands out at the top of early power rankings, bolstered by the return of key contributors Jake Hall and Hudson Mayes, who bring experience and scoring depth to a roster that appears ready to contend.
Close behind, Grand Canyon has secured its footing by retaining Makaih Williams and supplementing the lineup with a strong transfer class, positioning the Antelopes as a formidable challenger.
Nevada occupies the third spot, anchored by the dynamic duo of Elijah Price and Vaughn Weems, whose combined skill sets suggest the Wolf Pack could surprise many as they aim to climb the standings.
Wyoming rounds out the top four with a solid returning cast, while the addition of several transfers hints at upside that could push the Cowboys higher than projected.
UNLV finds itself in fifth place but faces a massive rebuild after losing several key players, meaning the Rebels will need to rely heavily on fresh talent and development.
Hawaii sits at sixth, buoyed by an impressive transfer class, though the eligibility of Isaac Johnson remains a question mark that could affect their momentum.
UC Davis, ranked seventh, brings a dependable core but must adapt to the new competitive realities of the Mountain West, making their path one of cautious optimism.
San Jose State is eighth, undergoing a rebuild after the departure of several star players, and the team is expected to lean on younger prospects as they seek to find their footing.
UTEP occupies ninth, entering the season with a fresh start and a roster in flux, as the Miners navigate significant turnover while hoping to build chemistry quickly.
At the bottom, Air Force rounds out the rankings with a new coaching staff and a lot of ground to make up after a winless campaign, meaning the Falcons will need to accelerate their progress if they hope to rise.