Currently the standings are...
1-Utah State 23-6 (12-2)
2- New Mexico State 19-9 (11-3)
T3- Tech 22-7 (9-5)
T3- Nevada 17-11 (9-5)
T5- San Jose 14-14 (6-8)
T5- Fresno 14-16 (6-8)
7- Idaho 13-15 (4-10)
T8- Boise 13-16 (3-11)
T8- Hawaii 10-18 (3-11)
USU has clinched a top 2 seed.
NMSU can get anywhere from 1-3
Nevada can get a 2-4 seed
Tech can get either 3rd or 4th seed
NMSU loss clinches top seed for USU
NMSU winning out clinches top seed for NMSU (@Nevada and @ USU)
Nevada clinches the 2 seed if NMSU loses out and they win out. The seeding would be...
1- USU
2- Nevada
3- NMSU
4- Tech
Therefore as stated in another thread it is impossible for us to meet Nevada until we reach finals.
Seeding is very important for a run at the title. How things are shaking up now we are in great shape.
A win Thursday and a loss Saturday gives us 4th seed with a probable matchup against SJSU in the first round (assuming NMSU loses to Nevada). In that scenario if NMSU beats Nevada then loses to Utah State claim the 3rd seed and Reno gets the 4th. Likewise winning out the last 2 games would give us the 3 seed and Reno the 4th. NMSU finishing ahead of USU would give Nevada the tie breaker since they beat NMSU and USU winning the regular season gives us the tie breaker since we beat them.
It is very important for us to face Utah State early in the tournament so their depth doesn't carry them to the win. In a straight up match up against USU we have their number and stand a decent chance of the upset (I'd say the smart money would be on us).
Winning out only changes the scenario if NMSU loses one of their next 2 games. However the 3 seed would likely match us up against Fresno State in the first round who has the weapons to beat anybody. And a semifinals match up against NMSU isn't the end of the world if we can use our bench wisely in the first 2 games in case we meet Utah State in the finals.
Of course all of this is under the assumption that Kyle Gibson is healthy and back to his usual self in the tournament. Without Kyle we really need Redding and David Jackson to step up if want a shot at the WAC title.
The 3 seed should be our goal regardless of when we play USU as the 3 seed means we win at Nevada. A win there would give us a ton of momentum to run through the tournament since the team is planning on staying in Reno until the tournament starts.