A team-by-team look at this year's 2007-08 MWC women's basketball teams (in predicted order of league finish):

1. Wyoming

• Record: 13-1, 1-0

• Reason to feel bad: One blemish, a 69-55 loss to Colorado.

• Reason to feel good: Not only can the Pokes score, they're best in the league at keeping opponents from doing it (52.4 ppg).

• Last thought: It will be interesting to see how this cohesive group of seniors finishes out. Will emotions come into play ever? Coach Joe Legerski has built the envy of the league through the last four years.

2. TCU

• Record: 8-7, 1-0

• Top player: Adrianne Ross, a senior guard, is averaging 15.1 ppg and is probably the MWC's best individual talent.

• Reason to feel bad: Winless in four tries against in-state teams, only one of which was ranked (Texas A&M).

• Reason to feel good: Despite difficult non-conference schedule, which included 19-point losses to No. 5 LSU and No. 12 Cal, Horned Frogs still lead league in scoring.

• Last thought: Don't let this team's record fool you. It's been battle tested and could be the one team to cause Wyoming fits.

3. Utah

• Record: 12-3, 1-0

• Top player: Leilani Mitchell, a rare senior transfer, is posting 17.6 ppg and 7 assists. Quite the pickup for the Utes.

• Reason to feel bad: This is a stretch, but the Utes, who lead the MWC in scoring margin, have played in just two games decided by four points or less (lost against Stanford, beat Marist in OT) and those each came in November. Can that bode well now?

• Reason to feel good: Best in MWC in field goal percentage (48.2) and defensive FG percentage (34.5).

• Last thought: Mitchell is a major difference maker, and fellow transfer Katie King has also boosted Utah's potential this year.

4. New Mexico

• Record: 8-6, 0-1

• Top player: Everyone knows about Dionne Marsh, but sophomore point guard Amy Beggin is averaging about eight more points than last year (12.0) and has been a nice fit.

• Reason to feel bad: Too much reliance on one player (star senior Marsh), apparently: "Offensively, we've got to get people who can score more points. It can't just be Dionne all the time," coach Don Flanagan said after a rare home loss against Wyoming.

• Reason to feel good: Aside from that hiccup against nationally ranked Wyoming to start league play, the Lobos are still 40-of-43 at home since 2002.

• Last thought: UNM gets about 8,000 fans per home game, so if it can squeak out some road victories there should be a chance to reach the level the howlers are used to seeing.

5. BYU

• Record: 6-6, 0-0

• Top player: Senior forward Lauren Varley posts 8.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg.

• Reason to feel bad: Shooting a league-worst 62.8 percent at free throw line.

• Reason to feel good: Wins against Utah State and UCLA entering conference play give Cougars some renewed hope.

• Last thought: Coach Jeff Judkins wants to get this team more aggressive defensively to help produce easier baskets for a struggling offense. The question is, can it be done? The Cougars are the league's worst at forcing steals (6.33) at this point.

6. San Diego State

• Record: 9-4, 0-1

• Top player: Center Paris Johnson is the MWC's top-scoring freshman (14.5 ppg) and also averages 7.2 rebounds (sixth best overall).

• Reason to feel bad: A 78-59 loss against Quinnipiac to start its own tournament.

• Reason to feel good: Second in MWC scoring, and have enjoyed a steady reclamation since Beth Burns returned to coach the program.

• Last thought: Watch out for fast-break points. SDSU is tops in the MWC for assists (17.7) and steals (14) per game.

7. UNLV

• Record: 5-9, 1-0

• Top player: Senior guard-forward Sequoia Holmes posts a league-best 20.1 ppg, and could make a push for MVP if the Rebels' success is boosted in the next couple of months.

• Reason to feel bad: Way too much inconsistency.

• Reason to feel good: Beat No. 14 George Washington by a point, proving this team has potential.

• Last thought: Barely beat MWC doormat Colorado State (57-55) at home to start league play, so it could be a wild ride -- and perhaps a really disappointing one.

8. Air Force

• Record: 6-7, 0-1

• Top player: Pamela Findlay is the league's best 3-point shooter (48.9 percent).

• Reason to feel bad: A team that plays hard and appears to be on the rise (relatively speaking) only gets about 330 fans per home game.

• Reason to feel good: The Falcons are the MWC's best at 3-point shooting (39 percent) and second in free throw shooting (71.2).

• Last thought: A classic spoiler team. There's a chance the Academy could catch some unsuspecting foe by surprise, especially in an empty home arena, and alter the league race significantly.

9. Colorado State

• Record: 2-12, 0-1

• Top player: Sara Hunter (11.7 ppg) is tough and could play a significant role on about any MWC team.

• Reason to feel bad: Haven't won a road game; and name any offensive category.

• Reason to feel good: Juanise Cornell, a 5-10 sophomore forward, is third in MWC for rebounding (8.0).

• Last thought: Hunter put up 41 points in a triple-overtime loss to San Francisco (101-96) and the Rams are hoping the senior's competitive spirit seeps into the future of the program.

• Jason Franchuk can be reached a This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it