Each week, Nevada Sports Net columnist Chris Murray will rank the Mountain West basketball teams. Here are this week’s rankings, with each team’s record and a comment. All records and rankings are based on the games completed by Monday.

1. San Diego State

Last week: 2

Record: 14-5, 8-1

Comment: SDSU dropped its first MW game, doing so in controversial fashion after a questionable (i.e. bad) call with 1.8 seconds left in a 70-69 loss at Grand Canyon. The Aztecs did miss a one-and-one right before that, though. So, make your free throws. SDSU was 3-0 in MW games decided by five points or fewer before losing at GCU, so it was due for a close loss. The Aztecs host CSU on Wednesday.

2. Utah State

Last week: 1

Record: 16-3, 7-2

Comment: Utah State dropped back-to-back games at GCU (understandable) and home against UNLV (not understandable) and was trailing Colorado State by 13 points in the second half before rallying for a four-point victory. MJ Collins is the key piece here. He’s averaging 20 points on 54.9 percent shooting in wins and 15 points on 35.9 percent shooting in losses. Utah State hosts SDSU in a huge game Saturday.

3. New Mexico

Last week: 3

Record: 16-4, 7-2

Comment: New Mexico won a pair of home games last week, topping Fresno State and Nevada, the latter being a highly competitive game that turned when Jake Hall hit a series of second-half 3-pointers. Hall has been a first-team All-MW performer as a freshman. New Mexico is 12-0 at home and has won 23 straight games at the Pit. The Lobos hit the road this week for matchups at UNLV and SJSU.

4. Grand Canyon

Last week: 4

Record: 13-6, 6-2

Comment: GCU flexed its muscle with back-to-back home wins over Utah State and SDSU and followed that with a double-digit road win at Fresno State despite making just 5-of-26 3-pointers. The Antelopes’ defense has been elite despite not being “top-25 good” in any key category. That defense must be on point this week with GCU playing at Nevada on Tuesday before hosting Boise State on Friday.

5. Nevada

Last week: 5

Record: 14-6, 6-3

Comment: After losing a close game at New Mexico, the Wolf Pack is one of just five MW teams without a Quad 1 win, the others being Wyoming, Fresno State, San Jose State and Air Force. The Wolf Pack has been close in games against Utah State, San Diego State and New Mexico but hasn’t gotten over the hump against them. This week brings huge home games against GCU and UNLV.

6. Boise State

Last week: 6

Record: 12-8, 4-5

Comment: Boise State has won three in a row after a four-game skid, although those wins are over CSU, Wyoming and Air Force, who are 6-21 in league. The Broncos made 41-of-153 (26.8 percent) threes in their first six MW games, going 1-5. In its last three (all wins), Boise State is 34-of-79 (43 percent) from three. As it turns out, making threes is good. Boise State has road games this week at SJSU and GCU.

7. UNLV

Last week: 8

Record: 10-9, 5-3

Comment: UNLV’s three-game win streak was snapped with an 82-71 loss at SDSU on Saturday. The Rebels have improved on offense and defense since MW play began, but the defense can be leaky in two key areas – offensive rebounds and free throws allowed. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (19.3 ppg, 52.9 FG%) has been fantastic in MW play. UNLV has a tough week ahead – home against New Mexico, at Nevada.

8. Colorado State

Last week: 9

Record: 12-8, 3-6

Comment: Kyle Jorgensen returned for CSU last week, and he’s a difference-maker. After missing six games with a leg injury, Jorgensen had a team-best 24 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists while making five 3-pointers in a 65-61 loss to Utah State on Friday. With Jorgensen, the Rams could beat anybody in the MW. Without him, they really struggled and are now 3-6 in league (tied for eighth).

9. Fresno State

Last week: 7

Record: 9-11, 3-6

Comment: After its first two-game win streak in league play in multiple years, Fresno State lost to New Mexico and Grand Canyon last week. The Bulldogs only have one game this week, that coming at Air Force. Next week, Fresno State plays the Silver State schools – UNLV and Nevada – after losing to that pair earlier in league play. DeShawn Gory (12.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) has emerged as an elite freshman.

10. Wyoming

Last week: 10

Record: 12-8, 3-6

Comment: Wyoming has been the MW’s most disappointing team in league play if we set aside CSU’s issues, which were related to Jorgensen’s injury. The Cowboys lost by 16 at home to Boise State last week before barely edging SJSU, 66-62, at home. Outside of a blistering 98-point game in a blowout of UNLV, Wyoming has been underwhelming in MW play and now faces Utah State (road) and CSU (home).

11. San Jose State

Last week: 11

Record: 6-14, 1-8

Comment: SJSU nearly upset Wyoming on the road, with Colby Garland hitting the game-tying basket with 40 seconds remaining but missing the ensuing free throw. After Damarion Dennis’ go-ahead bucket with 13 seconds left, Garland’s turnover thereafter ended the Spartans’ hopes. SJSU is getting healthier and hosts Boise State and New Mexico this week. The Spartans have given Boise State fits in San Jose.

12. Air Force

Last week: 12

Record: 3-17, 0-9

Comment: Air Force allowed Boise State to score 154.7 points per 100 possessions, which is an incredible number (in a bad way for the Falcons). Air Force has been outscored by 237 points in nine MW games, an average loss of 26.3 points per game. I’m not sure how Air Force wins a game the rest of the year with the exception of its home game against SJSU, and the Spartans will be favored in that one.

Columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or follow him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.