In a surprising turn of events, Utah State's basketball team has emerged as the leader in the tight race for the Mountain West Conference title. Despite being picked to finish ninth in the preseason media poll, the Aggies have defied expectations and currently sit atop the MWC standings with an impressive record of 24-5 overall and 12-4 in the league.

Their latest victory came in a 72-60 triumph over Air Force on Friday, further solidifying their position as the frontrunners in the conference. What makes their success even more remarkable is that the team returned no players who scored a single point for Utah State last season, making their rise to the top all the more unexpected.

Coming into the final stretch of the regular season, Utah State has just two remaining games. If they can maintain their momentum and split these games against San Jose State and New Mexico, they will secure at least a share of the conference championship. A clean sweep in their final two games would guarantee them sole possession of the title, regardless of the results by their rivals, most notably Boise State who currently trails them by half a game.

Utah State's exceptional performance has not gone unnoticed on a national level. They have climbed to the 13th spot in the latest CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings. Meanwhile, Purdue continues to hold the top spot for the 11th consecutive day, led by CBS Sports National Player of the Year contender Zach Edey.

The Boilermakers have had an outstanding season, boasting a record of 25-3 overall and 14-3 in the highly competitive Big Ten conference. Their dominance in the first two quadrants, with a national-best 15-3 record, including 9 Q1 wins, has solidified their position as a top contender. Alongside their on-court success, Purdue also ranks as the top team in terms of strength of record.

As the regular season comes to a close, all eyes will be on Utah State and Purdue as they battle it out for conference supremacy. The Aggies' unexpected rise provides a refreshing storyline in college basketball, proving that underdogs can often surprise even the most seasoned critics. Only time will tell if they can maintain their position and claim the Mountain West Conference title, but their performance so far is undoubtedly commendable.