Both Boise State teams – the football and men's basketball squads – will be in Hawai'i playing games next week. The basketball team looks to get back on the winning track, facing tough competition in the Diamond Head Classic, after dropping their last two games to Kentucky and St. Mary's. The football team looks to send the seniors out winners with their fourth straight bowl win.
The basketball team needs these games for this year. Winning two of three or all three and claiming the championship will go along way to getting back to the NCAA Tournament. The Broncos don't have a signature out of conference win yet and getting at least one in the islands will be huge. The Mountain West's strength isn't as good as last year, so finishing higher in the standings this season will be important.
I'd like to see Anthony Drmic regain his three point shot. He's making only 30 percent so far this year. That way he can become a true dual threat scorer. And Coach Rice needs to find some help for Ryan Watkins on the inside. Ryan has averaged nearly a double-double this season. Fortunately, he has stayed out of foul trouble. But the improvement of freshman Nick Duncan, who hasn't played inside much in his career, or the health of Edmunds Dukulis could help.
This week will tell a lot about the Broncos heading in to the conference season that begins in January.
As for the football team, the Hawai'i Bowl is really the start of the
2014 season. The returning players will look to build on what they did this season and get ready for spring ball. I know that the coaching staff for the most part will be new next year, but finishing a season strong and leaving a good taste in everyone's mouth in the off season is good for everyone including the fan base.
I expect the game to be high scoring and will be very interested to see how the Bronco defense handles All-American receiver Brandin Cooks. He caught a Pac 12 record 120 passes. Will they double him?
Try to make it tough for him to get off the line? Rush the quarterback Sean Mannion really hard so he doesn't have time to pass?
My guess is all of the above at different times. I see BSU's difference maker as running back Jay Ajayi. He will be the best back on the field and needs to churn out the yards to keep the ball away from Mannion and Cooks.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our listeners. It has been fun doing the Bob and Murph show this fall. I look forward to the New Year when we can talk basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring and summer and football all of the day.
