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Boise State and San Diego State are playing their second straight game against each other, and the winner easily secures a NCAA tournament at-large berth. San Diego State is more secure, and Boise State will feel a lot more comfortable if they can win on Thursday night.
The last time these two teams played, it was Boise State who were victorious and led by the duo of Derrick Marks who scored 27 points and Anthony Drmic finished with 23. These two are who Boise State needs to step up if they are going to get past San Diego State, because outside of those two the Boise State offense is not all that impressive.
San Diego State will want to Jamaal Franklin have a big game, and show everyone he is one of the top three players i this league. Franklin scored 15 points and nabbed 13 rebounds against Boise State last weekend. The Aztecs go more deep than Boise State and have Xavier Thames and Chase Tapley, and both are capable of going off for double digits.
For Boise State to get the win they obviously need Marks and Drmic to have big games, but they also need to shoot the ball well from beyond the three-point arc. The Broncos shoot a respectable 39.3 percent from three-point range, plus they need to shoot well all over the court. Boise State is 42nd best team in the country from the field by shooting 46.2 percent from the field. Boise State needs to shoot well, have a third scorer show up and not remain competitive if they are going to get the win.
As for San Diego State, they need to shut down either Marks or Drmic, and also limit either of them going off for over 30 points. The Aztecs will need to do what they did against Boise State last week were Franklin had a double-double and then have Thames and Tapley also get in double digits. From last game against Boise State to this one, San Diego State either needs to lay off of the three-point shot, or shoot better. They went 3 of 16 from beyond the arc and just 40 percent from the field. San Diego State just needs to shoot the ball better, and tighten up their defense.
OddsShark has San Diego State as a three-point favorite, and TeamRankings.com gives them a 58 percent of a chance to win.
This is a game that should not be missed, and it tips at midnight ET on CBS Sports Network.