/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71820562/usa_today_19692009.0.jpg)
Boise State’s disdain for Reno grew last Wednesday as the Broncos couldn’t overcome multiple players fouling out and an energized audience at Lawlor Events Center.
Key Teams Stats of the Night
Three-Point Percentage
Boise State - 31.3%
Nevada - 43.5%
Free Throw Percentage
Boise State - 68.2%
Nevada - 78.3%
Rebounds
Boise State - 38
Nevada - 25
Stat Leaders
Points
Marcus Shaver Jr. (BSU) - 22 points
Kenan Blackshear (NEV) - 20 points
Rebounds
Chibuzo Agbo (BSU) - 11 rebounds
Tre Coleman (NEV) - 7 rebounds
Assists
Marcus Shaver Jr. (BSU) - 3 assists
Kenan Blackshear (NEV) - 5 assists
Story of the Game
Boise State was able to maintain a lead throughout the first half, but a late scoring drought allowed Nevada to go on a 9-0 run. The impact of Wolf Pack big man Will Baker can’t be undersold as the Broncos didn’t have a great answer for the 7-footer. Add in the clutch shooting of Oregon State transfer Jarod Lucas, and Nevada just had too many players that could take advantage of Boise State’s lineup. The Broncos were up seven with under five minutes to play, but the fouling out of starters Tyson Degenhart and Naje Smith forced Pavle Kuzmanovic and Kobe Young to play critical minutes. We saw the pros and cons of a player like Kuzmanovic, evidenced by the ending sequence. After a layup that put Boise State up one with eleven seconds to go, Nevada guard Kenan Blackshear targeted Kuzmanovic on a drive to the basket that was largely unchallenged.
Ball game.
FINAL
BOISE STATE BRONCOS (10-4) 72
NEVADA WOLF PACK (11-3) 74
BOISE STATE (10-4) VS SAN JOSE STATE (11-4)
Location: Boise, Idaho (ExtraMile Arena)
Date/Time: Tuesday, January 3rd at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Traditional Television: None
Streaming: Mountain West Network (Link to the streaming homepage)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Head-to-Head: Boise State has dominated this series, leading 37-3 all-time. The Broncos last lost to San Jose State back in 2016.
Keys to Watch
1. Can Boise State match the Spartans’ infectious energy?
- With wins against UNLV and Colorado State under their belt, San Jose State is riding a massive high as they look to knock off the defending Mountain West champions.
2. Will ExtraMile Arena actually act as a home-court advantage?
- In the last few years, ExtraMile Arena hasn’t been packed to begin conference play as the community waits for them to have success before showing up. We have already seen how home-court advantage has influenced the outcomes of some early Mountain West duals.
3. Can Boise State’s defense stiffen up and become the winning factor?
- The Broncos have only allowed opponents to score more than 70 points three times this season. Two of those have come in their last two losses (73 for Santa Clara and 74 for Nevada).
Stat Leaders (Averages)
Points
Boise State: Forward Tyson Degenhart - 13.0 Pts.
San Jose State: Guard Omari Moore - 15.0 Pts.
Rebounds
Boise State: Forward Tyson Degenhart - 5.3 Reb.
San Jose State: Forward Sage Tolbert III - 8.3 Reb.
Assists
Boise State: Forward Tyson Degenhart - 1.9 Ast.
San Jose State: Guard Omari Moore - 4.7 Ast.
Odds
Via our friends at DraftKings, Boise State is currently favored by ten and the total is set at 129.
Prediction
The Broncos didn’t get off to the start they wanted to in their Mountain West opener, but they get to come home and defend ExtraMile Arena. The Spartans of San Jose State, led by head coach Tim Miles, have far exceeded expectations and aren’t looking to slow down anytime soon. I see Boise State getting a hard-fought win before a daunting five-game stretch of Utah State, UNLV, Wyoming, Nevada, and New Mexico approaches.
Final Score
Boise State 67 - San Jose State 62
What are your thoughts on the Broncos’ performance against Nevada?
Leave your comments down below.
Loading comments...