Earlier this season, Mountain West presidents didn’t inform their basketball coaches and many athletic directors that they had disregarded a unanimous vote and decided to limit the conference tournament to eight teams for men and women beginning next year.
The biggest surprise is that anyone was surprised. Presidents, in these matters, tend to have no shame. And, often, make little sense.
The league tournament is underway at the Thomas & Mack Center and if things hold as those presidents desire, this is the final time all 11 teams will qualify for both men and women. The reported reasoning for such a switch is as short-sided as keeping the move secret was embarrassing.