Deep Mountain West race could take shape Saturday

With eight members this season instead of nine, the Mountain West Conference's hoops schedule dropped from 16 games to 14. That makes for less room for error if teams in the title hunt give up ground early. And that makes Saturday crucial for a handful of teams in the league's upper crust. The league's most intriguing story so far is, without question, San Diego State. After escaping a scare at home last Saturday against UNLV thanks to a Jamaal Franklin buzzer-beater, almost no one gave the Aztecs a chance heading on the road to face red-hot New Mexico — the league's preseason favorite. Despite falling behind 10-0 to start the game, SDSU responded with a monster second-half run and escaped with a 75-70 win. But Steve Fisher's club left Albuquerque left town with more than a win. Through one week, SDSU and surging Colorado State are tied atop the Mountain West standings, both at 2-0. The Aztecs get a nice landing spot after their two-game grinder to start conferen...