Mountain West basketball capsules: What to know about all 10 teams in 2026-27

College basketball has reached tip off for the 2026-27 season, and the Mountain West Conference looks different than in years past following the departures of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State for the Pac-12 Conference.

With the additions of Hawai’i, UC Davis and UTEP, here is a look at what to expect from each program in the Mountain West’s new 10-team format this season.

UNLV Rebels

■ 2025-26 record: 18-17, 11-9 MWC

■ Coach: Josh Pastner, second season

■ Preseason poll rank: 4th

UNLV reached the second round of the NIT in Pastner’s first season at the helm and returns forward Tyrin Jones, who averaged 11.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and guard Issac Williamson, who averaged 8.6 points per game.

The Rebels also added a large group of transfers, including former Missouri guard Sebastian Mack, Florida State transfer Cam Miles and New Orleans transfer MJ Thomas while the status of Ole Miss transfer AJ Storr, who is seeking an additional year of eligibility, remains uncertain.

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UNR Wolf Pack

■ 2025-26 record: 24-13, 12-8 MWC

■ Coach: Steve Alford, eighth season

■ Preseason poll rank: 3rd

UNR finished tied for fifth in the Mountain West standings during the 2025-26 season and reached the NIT quarterfinals.

Forward Elijah Price returns after averaging 12.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season, earning second-team All-Mountain West and all-defensive honors in a roster that includes six transfers entering the new season. Alford is retiring after the season.

New Mexico Lobos

■ 2025-26 record: 26-11, 13-7 MWC

■ Coach: Eric Olen, second season

■ Preseason poll rank: 1st

New Mexico finished tied for third in the Mountain West and advanced to the NIT semifinals in Olen’s first season, led by Mountain West Freshman of the Year Jake Hall, who averaged 16.4 points per game.

Hall returns alongside sophomore guard Uriah Tenette, who averaged 10.6 points per game while shooting better than 40 percent from the field last season as the Lobos look to contend for the program’s sixth conference title.

Grand Canyon Lopes

■ 2025-26 record: 20-12, 13-7 MWC

■ Coach: Bryce Drew, seventh season

■ Preseason poll rank: 2nd

Grand Canyon finished tied for third in the Mountain West in its first season in the conference after leaving the WAC, continuing its strong run under Drew.

The Lopes added high-profile forward Omaha Biliew, a former five-star recruit who played at Iowa State and Wake Forest, while guards Jaden Henley and Makaih Williams are among the players to watch entering the new season.

Wyoming Cowboys

■ 2025-26 record: 18-15, 9-11 MWC

■ Coach: Sundance Wicks, third season

■ Preseason poll rank: 5th

Wyoming finished ninth in the Mountain West last season but returns a core of guards Khaden Bennett and Uriyah Rojas, along with forwards Nasir Meyer and Gavin Gores.

Wyoming averaged approximately 76.9 points per game last season and was picked fifth in the Mountain West preseason poll jumping up four spots from last year.

Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors

■ 2025-26 record: 24-9, 14-6 BWC

■ Coach: Eran Ganot, 12th season

■ Preseason poll rank: 6th

Hawai’i finished second in the Big West regular-season standings and won the conference tournament to earn an NCAA Tournament berth before moving to the Mountain West for 2026-27.

Forward Bol Dengdit joins the Rainbow Warriors after transferring from UC San Diego, where he averaged 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, while guards Isaiah Kerr and Tanner Cuff provide returning experience.

San José State Spartans

■ 2025-26 record: 9-24, 3-17 MWC

■ Coach: Tim Miles, sixth season

■ Preseason poll rank: 7th

San José State finished 11th in the Mountain West last season with a 3-17 conference record, finishing above only Air Force, and will look to make progress in Miles’ sixth season.

The Spartans’ new roster includes forward Mookie Cook, guard Mekhi Mason and forward Robert Vaihola as the program looks to improve its scoring and defensive consistency.

UC Davis Aggies

■ 2025-26 record: 19-14, 11-9 BWC

■ Coach: Jim Les, 16th season

■ Preseason poll rank: 8th

UC Davis finished tied for sixth in the Big West in its final season in the conference and enters the Mountain West after posting a 19-win season.

Guard Connor Sevilla and forward Isaiah Chappell are among the players to watch as Les looks to build on his 229 wins at UC Davis.

UTEP Miners

■ 2025-26 record: 11-20, 7-13 CUSA

■ Coach: Joe Golding, sixth season

■ Preseason poll rank: 9th

UTEP enters its first season in the Mountain West after finishing 11th in Conference USA and has revamped its roster for the move.

Transfers including forward Mikey Kelvin II and guard Reese Miller are among the new additions Golding will rely on as the Miners look to rebound from a losing season.

Air Force Falcons

■ 2025-26 record: 3-29, 0-20 MWC

■ Coach: Joe Crispin, first season

■ Preseason poll rank: 10th

Air Force finished last in the Mountain West last season, going winless in 20 conference games, and parted ways with former coach Joe Scott during the offseason before hiring Crispin, who joined the program after four seasons as an assistant coach at Penn State.

Air Force returns a core led by guard Kam Sanders, who averaged 12.5 points per game, and forward Eli Robinson, who averaged 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds, as the Falcons look to improve after last season’s struggles.

Contact Donovan Hicks at [email protected]. Follow @HicksSports on X.