The Western Athletic Tournament starts on Thursday with Utah State's clash, the third of the season, with Boise State. And while the Aggies are the dominant team for the way they ran roughshod through the conference, there are plenty of potential stories that bear watching as well.

For instance, Steve Cleveland may be coaching for his job at Fresno State. Greg Graham may have saved his job at Boise State with the way the Broncos finished their season. Can Nevada, in the last season that the tournament is on the Wolfpack's home court, play their way into the NCAA tournament?

Who's hot

With a 15 game winning streak, how can the answer be anyone other than Utah State? The Aggies won their final 14 league games by an average of 14 points. By comparison, Nevada holds the second best point differential with a plus three.

Who's not

Louisiana Tech won its first five league games and looked like the best team in the conference. Then it lost seven of its next 11, lost Kyle Gibson for a stretch due to an ankle injury, and slipped to the fourth seed where the Bulldogs will face a Fresno State team in the first round that beat them less than two weeks ago.

On The bubble

The only chance the WAC has at getting two teams into the NCAA tournament is for someone to beat Utah State in the championship game. If the Aggies get that far, they should be a lock for the Big Dance.

Favorite

If it isn't Utah State, then it's Nevada, who's gotten hot down the stretch and will be tough to beat on its home floor.

Darkhorse

Boise State may be the eighth seed, but the Broncos may be the best eighth seed in the history of the league.

Schedule

Thursday

Quarterfinals

USU vs. Boise State, 1 p.m.

Louisiana Tech vs. Fresno St., 3:30 p.m.

Nevada vs. Idaho, 7 p.m.

New Mexico St. vs. San Jose St., 9:30 p.m.

Friday

Semifinals

USU/Boise State vs. La. Tech/Fresno St., 7 p.m.

Nevada/Idaho vs. New Mexico St./San Jose St.

Saturday

Championship, 8 p.m.