BY BOB BEHLER
@KTIK.COM

College basketball is different from college football in that you play the majority of the teams in your conference twice during the regular season. If the teams are evenly matched, it is interesting to see where the losing team improves in the rematch.

Boise State (10-3) is now a half game behind Nevada (10-2) after losing at Utah State. The Broncos lost the first meeting in Reno 74-68 and were within three with 28 seconds to go, so not a lot has to change to flip the result. For starters, I would expect the Broncos to make more than 3-of-21 from 3. They have shot 39 percent from three for the season, so I would expect Boise State to get more from outside, especially at home.

They also need more out of the supporting cast.

Chandler Hutchison led with 27, but only Chris Sengfelder and Alex Hobbs were in double figures at 12 each. Defensively, they played pretty well, limiting the Wolf Pack to 40 percent shooting. To expect better than that Wednesday night will be tough.

Health could be a factor again this time. Caleb Martin made a miraculous recovery on a foot sprain and played Saturday. He was Nevada’s leading scorer in the last matchup. His brother Cody made a miraculous recovery from an Achilles injury, but was held to just four points and three rebounds before fouling out. This is the guy who Nevada would point to give them more.

Boise State is 13-0 at home this season, so here is the recipe for number 14. Take care of the ball (Boise State can be its own worst enemy) and defend better than they have the last few games. They will make more threes than the game in Reno, but they need to get Jessup and Hobbs going again. They can’t have them combine for single digits. Won’t win if they do.

This is the biggest game of the season. I think it is a must-win to keep hopes alive for a regular season title as well as an at-large bid. The Mountain West has been kind to home teams. I expect a another four- or five-point game pulled out by the home team before 10,000-plus fans.