LAST WEEK'S RECAP
Only three MWC teams were in action last week as the league won all three games. Wyoming defeated San Francisco at the buzzer, 53-51, while Utah won 70-56 vs. Eastern Washington. TCU also cruised by UT-Arlington, 97-42.
Conference play begins this week, with all nine teams in action. On Wednesday, Jan. 9, Utah travels to Air Force, UNLV hosts Colorado State and TCU hosts San Diego State. Wyoming will travel to New Mexico, with the contest to be televised live on CSTV.
TV TIDBITS
The Mountain West Conference has 32 games on regional and national television this season. Twenty-five games will be shown on the MountainWest Sports Network - The Mtn., and nine games broadcast live nationally on CSTV: College Sports Television and VERSUS.
The Wyoming at New Mexico match-up on January 9 will be televised live on CSTV beginning at 8 p.m. MT. The TCU at Wyoming game on January 12 will be televised live at 1 p.m. MT on The Mtn.
1,000+ THIS SEASON
Seven active MWC student-athletes have already reached the 1,000+ point mark this season. New Mexico's Dionne Marsh broke the 1,000-point barrier against Siena on Nov. 25, 2006, earning 1,006 points in 69 games, making her the second-fastest player in MWC history to reach 1,000 points (1,571 total points). Utah's Kim Smith tallied 1,000 points in only 61 games. Wyoming's Hanna Zavecz (1,512), UNLV's Sequoia Holmes (1,204), BYU's Mallary Gillespie-Carling (1,172), TCU's Adrianne Ross (1,146 as a member of the MWC) and Colorado State's Sara Hunter (1,020) have eached reached the milestone. Air Force's Alecia Steele reached 1,000+ career points, becoming only the second Air Force player in DI history to achieve the milestone (1,104 career points).
IN THE POLLS
Wyoming is nationally ranked for the sixth consecutive week. The Cowgirls are ranked No. 21 in the Associated Press poll and No. 22 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll. Utah is receiving votes in both polls.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
New Mexico has won 29 of its last 33 home contests, dating back to last season. The Lobos have also captured 40 of 42 league victories at The Pit dating back to Jan. 17, 2002. Conference foe TCU also is enjoying its home court, winning 27 of its last 29 contests in the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Wyoming is close behind, winning 14 straight dating back to last season in the Arena-Auditorium.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
The MWC finished its non-conference season with a 65-51 (.560) record. In the nine-year history of the MWC, the league has never finished below .500. This season, the MWC has a 4-1 record vs. the Big Ten, including Wyoming's win over then-#25 Wisconsin. MWC teams are 4-1 vs. the Atlantic-10, bolstered by UNLV's win over #16/#14 George Washington. TCU, Utah and Wyoming have also knocked off Big 12 opponents #20/#23 Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Kansas State, respectively.
ATTENDANCE LEADERS
Five MWC teams are averaging attendance figures above 1,000. New Mexico leads the way, averaging 8,098 fans. Wyoming is drawing 3,687 fans per game, while TCU has welcomed 2,107 fans per game to the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum this season. After its record crowd of 5,271 vs. Connecticut, San Diego State is averaging 1,508 fans. Utah is also averaging 1,066 fans per game.
COACHES CORNER
MWC coaches have a combined record of 1,601-960 (.625) at their respective schools. Utah Head Coach Elaine Elliott captured her 500th career win in the Utes' 73-57 victory at Colorado State in last season. Elliott became the 32nd NCAA Division I women's coach ever to reach the 500-win milestone and is one of only 24 active coaches in Division I with 500 or more victories. New Mexico Head Coach Don Flanagan earned his 250th career win last season against Colorado State, while San Diego State Head Coach Beth Burns reached the same feat this season vs. Southern Utah on Nov. 20.
