If you haven’t been watching the Mountain West this year, you’re basically missing out on the most chaotic, high-stakes game of musical chairs in college basketball. As of January 15, 2026, the league has turned into a total meat grinder. It’s not just about who’s winning; it’s about who’s surviving. Honestly, the mountain west mens basketball standings right now look like a two-horse race at the top, but the middle of the pack is a complete mess where anyone can beat anyone on a Tuesday night in Laramie or Logan.
Utah State is currently the king of the mountain. They’ve been playing like a team possessed under head coach Jerrod Calhoun. After a gritty 71-62 win over Nevada just last night, the Aggies sit at a perfect 6-0 in conference play and 15-1 overall. They aren’t just winning; they’re suffocating people. Their defense held a very good Wolf Pack team to just 34 percent shooting. When you combine that with an offense that leads the league in scoring at 86 points per game, you’ve got a recipe for a deep March run.
The Power Struggle at the Top
While Utah State is the shiny No. 23 team in the AP Poll, San Diego State is breathing right down their necks. The Aztecs are also 6-0 in the MW after dismantling Wyoming 74-57 in Laramie. It was a classic SDSU performance—rebounding, physical defense, and just enough scoring from guys like Reese Dixon-Waters to keep the crowd quiet.
The standings reflect a massive gap between the "Big Two" and everyone else, but the Lobos are trying to bridge it. New Mexico is 5-1 in league play, and their only blemish was a weird road loss at Boise State. Since then, Richard Pitino’s squad has been on a tear, winning four straight by double digits. They have a massive opportunity this Saturday when they travel to Viejas Arena to face San Diego State. If New Mexico wins that, the mountain west mens basketball standings get turned upside down.
Current Conference Records (As of Jan 15, 2026)
Utah State leads the way at 6-0 in conference and 15-1 overall. They have an eight-game winning streak. Right behind them is San Diego State at 6-0 MW and 12-4 overall, carrying a six-game win streak. New Mexico holds the third spot at 5-1 and 14-3. Nevada is sitting in fourth at 4-2 after that loss to the Aggies, with a 12-5 overall record.
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Newcomer Grand Canyon is actually holding its own in fifth place at 3-2. They’ve adjusted to the Mountain West lifestyle pretty quickly, though they just got smacked by New Mexico earlier this week. UNLV is also 3-2 in the league, showing some life after a rocky start to the season.
The bottom half of the conference is struggling. Colorado State, Wyoming, and Fresno State are all tied up at 2-4. It’s been a particularly rough stretch for the Rams, who are missing leading scorer Kyle Jorgensen. Boise State is in a historic funk, sitting at 1-5 in the conference and having lost four straight—the first time that’s happened to them in years. San Jose State is 1-5, and Air Force is still looking for its first win at 0-6.
Why the Middle of the Pack is Falling Apart
You’ve got to feel for Boise State. Leon Rice usually has those guys humming by January, but the schedule has been brutal. They’ve already had to play Nevada, New Mexico, and San Diego State. Losing to UNLV in overtime this past Tuesday really hurt. When you look at the mountain west mens basketball standings, the Broncos are way lower than anyone expected.
Colorado State is another head-scratcher. They have the talent, but injuries have derailed their rhythm. Niko Medved is a wizard, but even he can't coach his way out of missing his best offensive weapon. The Rams are basically playing survival mode until they get healthy.
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Honestly, the biggest surprise might be Grand Canyon. People weren't sure how the "Lopes" would handle the step up in physicality. While they’ve had some growing pains, being 3-2 in this league is no small feat. They get Utah State this Saturday, and if they pull that off in Phoenix, the national media is going to start paying a lot more attention.
Stat Leaders and Impact Players
It's not just about team records; some individuals are putting up ridiculous numbers that are driving these standings.
- Michael Collins Jr. (Utah State): He's leading the conference in scoring at over 20 points per game. His efficiency is through the roof, shooting nearly 69% on his effective field goals.
- Colby Garland (San Jose State): Even though the Spartans are struggling, Garland is a bucket. He's averaging nearly 19 points and 4 assists.
- Tomislav Buljan (New Mexico): The dude is a vacuum on the glass, leading the league in defensive rebounding.
- Drake Allen (Utah State): He's the engine, dishing out over 5 assists a game and keeping the Aggies' offense fluid.
The gap between the top and bottom in the Mountain West is usually small, but this year it feels like a canyon. Air Force is struggling to score 60 points some nights, while Utah State is flirting with 90 regularly. That disparity is making the conference race look a bit top-heavy, which is unusual for this league.
What to Watch For Next
The next 48 hours are going to be massive for the mountain west mens basketball standings. We have a legitimate "Separation Saturday" coming up.
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First, you have Utah State heading to Grand Canyon. This is a "trap game" written all over it. GCU’s arena is one of the loudest in the country, and the Aggies are riding high. If the Lopes can pull the upset, it opens the door for SDSU to take sole possession of first place.
Then, the big one: New Mexico at San Diego State. This is a rivalry that always delivers. If the Lobos win, we have a three-way tie at the top (assuming USU wins). If the Aztecs win, they confirm that the title is likely staying in San Diego or moving to Logan.
Down at the bottom, Boise State hosts Colorado State on Friday night. It’s basically an elimination game for any hope of a top-four seed in the conference tournament. Both teams are desperate. A fifth straight loss for Boise would be catastrophic for their postseason hopes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the Mountain West closely, here’s how to navigate the next few weeks:
- Watch the Home/Road Splits: The Mountain West is notoriously hard on road teams due to the altitude and travel. Utah State and New Mexico are undefeated at home. Betting against them in their own gyms is a bold move.
- Follow the Injury Reports: Specifically for Colorado State. If Kyle Jorgensen returns, their value changes instantly. They are a much better team than their 2-4 record suggests.
- Don't Sleep on UNLV: The Rebels are quietly putting things together. Their overtime win against Boise State showed some real grit. They have a favorable stretch coming up against San Jose State and Air Force that could vault them up the standings.
- KenPom and NET Matter: Right now, Utah State is top 25 in KenPom. San Diego State is climbing. The Mountain West is likely a 4-bid league for the NCAA Tournament if things hold, but Boise State and Colorado State are currently on the outside looking in.
The race for the regular-season title is really a sprint to January 31. That’s when San Diego State travels to Logan to play Utah State at the Smith Spectrum. Mark your calendars. Everything happening right now is just a buildup to that collision. Keep an eye on those mountain west mens basketball standings because one bad week can turn a contender into a middle-of-the-pack also-ran.