How Boise State Can Win The MW Tournament

Posted on March 5, 2018

BY BOB BEHLER
@KTIK.COM

Boise State basketball has had a great season – a 23-7 record is two wins away from the school record of 25. That means winning the Mountain West Tournament gives them 26. The Broncos are seeded No. 2 – with Utah State, New Mexico and Wyoming the top teams on their side of the bracket – and I like the draw.

I know Boise State has had two tough games with Utah State, squeaked out one win in Albuquerque, and lost to Wyoming in OT, but I am looking at this as if teams play their “A” game. UNLV is in a tailspin and likely could be done, but if the Runnin’ Rebels come to play, their best is better than Utah State’s. Same can be said for San Diego State when compared to New Mexico and Wyoming. You are going to have to beat someone to get to the championship and I’d rather take my chances with Utah State, New Mexico and Wyoming than San Diego State, Fresno State and UNLV.

There are a couple of things Boise State has to do to win this thing:

  • Control turnovers. In the five conference losses, the Broncos have had 15 or more turnovers in four of those games. Taking care of the ball will be huge. You don’t help your opponent run and you don’t lose scoring opportunities. Need the number of turnovers to be below the season average of 14.
  • Shoot a decent percentage from 3. The season average is 38 percent. The team needs to be around that number. The perimeter players – Chandler Hutchison, Justinian Jessup and Alex Hobbs – have shot 15 percent (9-of-59) from outside the arc in the five conference losses. In the 13 wins, those three have combined to shoot 47 percent (70-of-150).
  • Keep junior forward Zach Haney out of foul trouble because he can be a difference-maker. At 6-feet, 11 inches and athletic, he can cause some mismatches. Not saying he needs to get 20 and 10, but 10 and 7 would go a long way to winning this tournament.

The draw and ingredients are there for Boise State to win the tournament.


Bob Behler, the Voice of the Broncos, co-hosts Idaho Sports Talk with Bob & Chris weekdays from 1-3 p.m. on KTIK 93.1 FM The Ticket. He can be found @BSUBob (Twitter).

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