Way Too Early 2026-27 Mountain West Conference Rankings (Post-Transfer Portal)

The Mountain West is a strong mid-major conference. These rankings are ordered primarily by 2025-26 KenPom offensive efficiency (AdjO + national rank), with returning production, net portal impact, and specific player movement (including PPG, RPG, APG, and awards) as key factors. Each team includes both offense and defense. All player names below are verified for the 2026-27 season.

1. Utah State Aggies

(2025-26 AdjO: 123.0 , #25 | AdjD: 101.5, #44)

Net Change: Neutral. Good retention of veteran scorers despite some turnover.

Biggest additions: Snow College transfer AJ Bates (sharpshooting guard), Ace Reiser, Collin Mulholland, and fifth-year senior Connor Turnbull (defensive anchor, 6-10, 215 lbs).

Biggest losses: Tucker Anderson (6-9 wing, senior) to Central Arkansas, Adlan Elamin and David Iweze to Cincinnati, Luke Kearney to Portland State, Jordy Barnes to Utah Valley, plus others. Strong annual contender with solid balance and defensive-minded additions.

2. New Mexico Lobos

(2025-26 AdjO: 117.5, #63 | AdjD: 100.5, #37)

Net Change: Neutral.  Jake Hall (2026 MW Freshman of the Year) returning. Hall is the reigning Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year. He averaged 16.4 points per game and shattered both the school and conference freshman scoring records with 605 total points. He also shot 43.8% from three making 3.2 per contest. Uriah Tenette: He was an absolute spark plug as a freshman, averaging 10.6 PPG. His school freshman-record 3.06 assist-to-turnover ratio will help New Mexico have the potential best back court in the conference.

Biggest losses: Tomislav Buljan (All-MW honors, 13.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG) to Maryland; JT Rock (7-1 big) to Kansas State; Antonio Chol (7.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG) to UC Santa Barbara; plus Filip Borovicanin, Sir Marius Jones, and others.

Biggest additions: Hudson Mayes (UC San Diego, 11.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG), Imran Suljanovic (St. John’s wing), Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi (William & Mary, 11.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.5 APG), and Rytis Petraitis (Air Force/Cal, 10.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG career).

Plenty of talent to compete at the top.

3. Boise State Broncos

(2025-26 AdjO: 117.4, #65 | AdjD: 103.9, #76)

Net Change: Neutral to slightly better. Strong returning core (including Pearson Carmichael and Andrew Meadow) as they prepare for the Pac-12 move.

Biggest additions: Big Ten transfer Ty Rodgers (Illinois, experienced guard/forward with championship pedigree), Damari Wheeler-Thomas (North Dakota State, All-Summit League Second Team, Summit League Tournament MVP, 14.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.8 APG), Dovydas Butka (6-9 forward from Campbell), Jerquarius Stanback (Alabama State), and Jikany Deang (North Dakota State College of Science).

Biggest losses: Drew Fielder, Javan Buchanan, RJ Keene, and several other rotation players entered the portal.

Clear favorite with one of the best offensive baselines and defensive strength despite significant turnover.

4. Nevada Wolf Pack

(2025-26 AdjO: 115.7, #79 | AdjD: 103.8, #73)

Net Change: Neutral to better.

Biggest additions: Simon Majok (7-1 C from Memphis), Cedric Lath (6-10 C from Houston), TJ Coulter (JUCO standout who led all junior-college players with 27.8 PPG), Peter Bandelj (13.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.3 APG from Cal Poly), Keyon Kensie Jr. (10.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG from Portland State), and Styles Phipps (13.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5.2 APG from Pepperdine).

Biggest losses: Chuck Bailey III (6.3 PPG), Amire Robinson, Tyler Rolison (5.6 PPG, 2.1 APG), Ethan Croley, and Tayshawn Comer entered the portal. Competitive upper tier with one of the stronger portal hauls in the league.

5. San Diego State Aztecs

(2025-26 AdjO: 113.7, #99 | AdjD: 96.9, #16)

Net Change: Neutral. Balanced returning production with elite defense.

Biggest additions: Chance Gladden (Boston University transfer for backcourt help), Nick Anderson (Rice wing), Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry (frontcourt pickup), Luka Skoric (6-9 Croatian wing), and David Torresani (Italian addition).

Biggest losses: Miles Byrd, Magoon Gwath, BJ Davis, Pharaoh Compton, Taj DeGourville, Miles Heide, Reese Waters, and Sean Newman Jr. all departed via portal or graduation. Battle for upper-middle with defensive identity intact but major roster overhaul.

6. Colorado State Rams

(2025-26 AdjO: 118.5, #54 | AdjD: 109.3, #177)

Net Change: Neutral to better. Veteran pieces back plus portal help.

Biggest additions: Marist transfer guard Justin Menard and other perimeter/frontcourt additions.

Biggest losses: Several rotation players entered the portal. Potential to climb with new pieces as they eye future conference moves.

7. Grand Canyon Antelopes

(2025-26 AdjO: 111.3 , #134 | AdjD: 97.7, # 23)

Net Change: Neutral to better (as newcomers).  

Biggest additions: Multiple high-level transfers to make the jump from the WAC.

Biggest losses: Some key WAC contributors entered the portal.

Immediate impact expected as a competitive newcomer.

8. UNLV Rebels

(2025-26 AdjO: 114.9 , #83 | AdjD: 108.5, #154)

Net Change: Neutral.  Mixed returning production.

Biggest additions: Athletic perimeter talent.

Biggest losses: Several scorers entered the portal.

Competitive in the middle.

9. Wyoming Cowboys

(2025-26 AdjO: 114.9 , #85 | AdjD: 107.1, #129)

Net Change: Neutral.  Portal-focused rebuild.

Biggest additions: Athletic wings.

Biggest losses: Leading scorers departed. Potential upside.

10. San Jose State Spartans

(2025-26 AdjO: 112.5, #115 | AdjD: 117.2, #318)

Net Change: Neutral to worse. Significant turnover.

Biggest additions: Freshmen and portal depth.

Biggest losses: Key scorers entered the portal.

Bottom-half projection.

11. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

(2025-26 AdjO: 107.2 , #212 | AdjD: 101.6, #47)

Net Change: Neutral to worse. High turnover.

Biggest additions: Perimeter creators.

Biggest losses: Rotation players.

Rebuilding year.

12. Fresno State Bulldogs

(2025-26 AdjO: 107.7 , #202 | AdjD: 104.4, #84)

Net Change: Neutral.  Balanced production.

Biggest additions: Portal depth.

Biggest losses: Key contributors left. Mid-pack projection.

13. Air Force Falcons

(2025-26 AdjO: 95.9, #352 | AdjD: 115.6, #301)

Net Change: Neutral to worse. High turnover.

Biggest additions: Lower-level transfers.

Biggest losses: Multiple rotation players. Lower-mid outlook.

Mountain West Big Picture for 2026-27

Utah State holds the top offensive spot with their high-powered offense. The return Jake Hall to New Mexico automatically puts them around the top. Boise State has key additions like Ty Rodgers and Damari Wheeler-Thomas. Nevada’s massive portal class (including TJ Coulter at 27.8 PPG in JUCO) and San Diego State’s defensive core make them dangerous. Expect 3-4 NCAA bids, with Utah State, New Mexico and Boise State as the clear favorite.