LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Western Athletic Conference men's basketball finished in a four-way tie for first place for the first time in history this season.

The big question at this week's WAC Tournament is, how far behind is the rest of the field?

The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is, technically, the closest as the No. 5 seed.

"We feel like this tournament is up for grabs," senior forward Bobby Nash said. "There's been so many upsets this year, every game could go either way."

The Rainbow Warriors will face No. 4 Boise State in a quarterfinal game on Thursday. It will be broadcast live at 8 a.m. on KFVE television and ESPN 1420 radio.

"I think the top four are more or less even, and any one of them can be called the favorite," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "But nobody went undefeated in the league, so it's wide open. We definitely feel like we can win three games here and take it."

The tournament will start today with a "play-in" game between No. 8 San Jose State and No. 9 Idaho.

Here is a look at the nine teams in the men's tournament, in order of seeding.

UTAH STATE (23-9, 12-4)

The Aggies earned the No. 1 seed by beating Boise State — at Boise, Idaho — last week.

Jaycee Carroll, a 6-2 senior guard, was named the WAC Player of the Year on Sunday. He leads the conference in scoring with 22.7 points per game, and is one of the best sharpshooters in WAC history.

Utah State also has a solid, if not spectacular, inside game. Gary Wilkinson, a 6-9 junior forward, is averaging 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Tournament history: The Aggies have been the runner-up each of the past two seasons.

Outlook to win tournament: Decent. Carroll is capable of shooting his team into the NCAA Tournament, but he'll probably need help.

NEVADA (20-10, 12-4)

The Wolf Pack have played in the NCAA Tournament each of the past four seasons, and will probably have to win the WAC Tournament to keep the streak going.

Marcelus Kemp is averaging 20.1 points per game, and is a two-time first-team All-WAC guard. Nevada also has an inside presence in 6-11 sophomore JaVale McGee, who is averaging 13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots per game.

"Nevada might have the best talent, up and down the roster," Nash said.

Tournament history: The Wolf Pack won it in 2004 and '06.

Outlook to win tournament: Very good. Nevada is the only WAC team to beat New Mexico State in Las Cruces this season, and they could meet in the semifinals.

NEW MEXICO STATE (19-13, 12-4)

The Aggies are the WAC's hottest team, having won eight of their last nine games.

What's more, New Mexico State has won its last five home games by an average of 29.7 points per game.

The Aggies may be the most balanced team in the WAC, with six players averaging double-figure points. Senior forward Justin Hawkins leads the way with 17.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

"You always have to look at the home team as the favorite," Nash said. "And this is a very tough place to play."

Tournament history: The Aggies won last year's tournament — also held in the Pan American Center.

Outlook to win tournament: Outstanding. New Mexico State has the size and depth to match any team. The raucous fans in the Pan American Center can only help them.

BOISE STATE (22-8, 12-4)

The Broncos finished atop the standings for the first time in their seven seasons in the WAC.

The low-post tandem of 6-9 Matt Nelson and 6-6 Reggie Larry combine to average more than 34 points and 16 rebounds per game.

Boise State is the WAC's top scoring team with an average of 81.0 points per game.

"They have a good group of seniors and a veteran coach, so they're seasoned," Nash said.

Tournament history: The Broncos have never won it, and placed second in 2005.

Outlook to win tournament: Fair. Boise State has a solid inside-outside attack.

HAWAI'I (11-18, 7-9)

The Rainbow Warriors were in the thick of the WAC race just three weeks ago. They are now on a six-game losing streak.

Hawai'i has been in Las Cruces since Saturday — longer than any other team except New Mexico State. If anything, the 'Bows are acclimated.

Much of Hawai'i's success depends on its shooters. Seniors Matt Gibson, Riley Luettgerodt, Bobby Nash and Jared Dillinger are all capable from long-range.

Gibson leads the way with 17.0 points and 5.0 assists per game, but a key will be getting all four shooters on target.

Tournament history: Hawai'i last won it in 2002. The 'Bows have been eliminated in the quarterfinals each of the last four years.

Outlook to win tournament: Long shot. The 'Bows will need to convert their long shots consistently to have a chance.

IDAHO (8-20, 5-11)

The Vandals scored unexpected road wins at Hawai'i and San Jose State last week to sneak into the No. 6 seed.

Idaho has one of the WAC's best all-around players in 6-3 point guard Jordan Brooks. He leads the team with 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, and is the only WAC player who leads his team in all three categories.

Tournament history: Idaho has never advanced past the quarterfinals.

Outlook to win tournament: Improbable. The Vandals have been improving, but this is still a program that has not had a winning season since 1999.

FRESNO STATE (13-18, 5-11)

The Bulldogs dropped their last three games to fall to the No. 7 seed.

Fresno State has been inconsistent all season, although injuries and suspensions have been a factor.

The one consistent player has been 5-10 point guard Kevin Bell, who is averaging 18.5 points and 5.9 assists per game.

Tournament history: Fresno State won it in 2000, but that title was later vacated due to NCAA violations.

Outlook to win tournament: Unlikely. The Bulldogs have not won three games in a row all season.

SAN JOSE STATE (12-18, 4-12)

The Spartans are on a five-game losing streak, although they pulled off upsets of Utah State and Nevada earlier this season.

C.J. Webster, a 6-8, 255-pound center, is averaging 11.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Tournament history: The Spartans are 1-10 all-time in WAC Tournament games.

Outlook to win tournament: Somewhere between slim and none.

LOUISIANA TECH (6-23, 3-13)

The Bulldogs enter this week's tournament on their longest winning streak of the season — two.

However, LaTech is down to eight active players, so winning four games in five days should be an insurmountable task.

Kyle Gibson, a 6-4 sophomore guard, leads the team with 16.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Tournament history: LaTech has never advanced past the semifinals.

Outlook to win tournament: No chance.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.