The final chapter of a significant era in Mountain West basketball has closed. The recent championship game, pitting Utah State against San Diego State, marked not just the conclusion of the tournament but also a poignant farewell to a competitive landscape on the brink of transformation. The anticlimactic 73-62 victory for Utah State at the Thomas & Mack Center served as a stark reminder of what once was, and perhaps, what could have continued to be.
The departure of several key institutions to the Pac-12 conference has fractured the Mountain West, leaving a void filled with the echoes of past rivalries and spirited contests. This final championship game, featuring two teams on their way out of the league, underscored a missed opportunity for a unified Western conference that could have commanded significant national attention.
A Vision of a Unified Western Conference
Imagine a scenario where the Mountain West and the Pac-12, or a reconstituted version of them, could have coalesced. With eight institutions represented in the recent men’s and women’s semifinal games – four heading to the Pac-12 and four remaining in the Mountain West – the potential for a dominant Pacific Time Zone conference was palpable. Such a merger, perhaps with a strategic realignment of some institutions to conferences like the WAC or Big West, or even Conference USA for a program like Air Force, could have created a powerhouse.
This hypothetical league would have offered a more cohesive and impactful presence in collegiate athletics. Instead, the current situation leaves the region divided into two competent, but less impactful, conferences, with the vibrant memories of a singular, electrifying annual event in Las Vegas slowly fading. While the tournaments may continue to be held in the familiar Las Vegas venue, the soul of the competition will undoubtedly feel different.
Echoes of a Storied Past
The Thomas & Mack Center has been the stage for countless memorable moments in Mountain West history. From nail-biting buzzer-beaters to intense rivalries and even the occasional bizarre incident, the league’s lore is rich with drama. The recent tournament served as a powerful catalyst, bringing these cherished memories flooding back.
However, the tournament also offered a disheartening glimpse into the present state of fan engagement. The vibrant energy once synonymous with San Diego State’s “The Show” student section seemed diminished. The question arises: has consistent success, with fifteen championship game appearances in eighteen years, bred a sense of apathy? One might wonder if the familiar pilgrimage up the I-15 for a pre-game gathering and a spirited presence at the arena has become a relic of the past.
New Guard and Enduring Legacies
While some traditions may wane, new ones emerge. The Grand Canyon student section, for instance, proved to be a formidable force, rivaling the best in the league and likely continuing to challenge New Mexico fans for crowd supremacy in future Mountain West tournaments. Utah State and Gonzaga fans, meanwhile, will bring their passion to the Pac-12.
The thought of a single event where fans from Gonzaga, Utah State, New Mexico, Grand Canyon, and even the dedicated San Diego State supporters converge in one arena for a week of March Madness is an exciting prospect. The future Pac-12 tournament promises to be compelling, drawing a significant portion of recent Mountain West champions.
Utah State and San Diego State have consistently been at the forefront, meeting in five of the last eight Mountain West finals. Their programs show no signs of faltering, though the addition of Gonzaga will undoubtedly reshape the competitive landscape. Yet, even with these powerhouses, the new Pac-12 will still contend with the same challenges of balancing strengths and weaknesses, much like the Mountain West is attempting to navigate.
The Mountain West’s Path Forward
The Mountain West, despite the departures, is poised to remain competitive. While the top two teams are leaving, the next three in the standings are staying. New Mexico and Grand Canyon are expected to bring substantial fan bases, and UNLV maintains an inherent relevance, regardless of on-court performance. The potential for Josh Pastner to build a strong foundation in Las Vegas further bolsters the conference’s outlook.
However, the distinct flavor of the Mountain West as it was will be irrevocably altered. A poignant example of this shift was the electric atmosphere of the New Mexico-San Diego State game, a final conference rivalry clash that went down to the wire.
San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher articulated the sentiment well, stating, “It’s an epic rivalry, and it’s not just about the teams. It’s about the fan bases. When we play New Mexico, this building is full. So now the charge for the Mountain West is to fill the building with someone other than New Mexico fans now that the Aztec fans are taking their support to another conference. So hopefully the new teams they’ve added will support the teams like the Aztec fans do and the Lobo fans do and fill this building, because it’s a conference worthy of following.”
The sentiment extends to the Pac-12 as well; both leagues will forge their own paths. But the profound realization is that the unique dynamic that defined the Mountain West for so long has concluded.
Saturday marked the poignant end of an era, a moment tinged with sadness. The true tragedy lies not in the inevitable shifts of collegiate athletics, but in the failure of the involved parties to collaborate and forge a more unified and powerful future for Western college basketball. Both sides will ultimately bear the consequences of this missed opportunity.
