The Boise State men’s basketball team suffered an 81-66 defeat against Nevada on December 30, 2023, during their Mountain West Conference opener. This loss came after a series of four consecutive victories, where the Broncos displayed strong defensive play. With this setback, Boise State’s hopes of securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament remain precarious.
Head coach Leon Rice acknowledged Nevada’s superior performance, stating, “You’ve got to credit Nevada. They took the fight to us, they were the aggressor. They were just the tougher team, period.” His counterpart, Steve Alford of Nevada, effectively prepared his squad to meet the physical demands of the game, which played a significant role in the outcome.
Despite the loss, Boise State (8-4, 0-1) is not significantly hindered in their pursuit of an NCAA Tournament berth. According to ESPN’s NCAA Tournament projections by Joe Lunardi, the Broncos are among the “first four out,” a position they also held the previous week. The latest projections indicate that Baylor, Ohio State, Butler, and Oklahoma round out the last four teams in the tournament field.
Boise State’s resume includes notable victories, such as a December win over Butler, where they triumphed 77-68 on the road. This win could bolster their case for inclusion in the tournament. Looking ahead, the Broncos will host New Mexico (10-2, 1-0) on December 30, with the game set to tip off at 21:00 Mountain time at ExtraMile Arena.
Meanwhile, Utah State (10-1, 1-0) stands as the only Mountain West team currently projected to make the NCAA Tournament, holding a No. 7 seed against Miami. Their upcoming schedule appears manageable, leading up to a road match against Boise State on January 10, 2024.
Last season, the Mountain West Conference sent four teams to the NCAA Tournament, including Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, and Utah State. Notably, first-year MWC member Grand Canyon also qualified as the WAC champion. This year, the conference aims for a record six teams to receive bids, with Boise State, Colorado State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, and Utah State all vying for positions.
The Broncos possess an unusual NCAA NET Rankings profile, highlighted by two Quad 1 victories against Saint Mary’s and Butler, alongside a surprising loss to Division II Hawaii Pacific. As of now, the Mountain West features only one team in the top 45 of the NET Rankings, with Utah State holding the No. 18 position.
Boise State’s upcoming games are critical for solidifying their NCAA Tournament aspirations, and they will need to capitalize on their opportunities as they navigate through this challenging season.
