MBB: Boise State (10-2) at Santa Clara University (11-3)
Boise State University at Santa Clara University
Date: Thursday December 22,2022
Time:3:00pm MT
Stadium: Leavey Center, (4,200)
Stream: WCC Network
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Commentators: Bob Behler and Abe Jackson
Know Thy Enemy
Things can get heated with family in town for the holidays and such could be the case as Buster gets set to visit his cousin Bucky in Santa Clara as the Broncos of Boise State head to California to face the Broncos of Santa Clara in the last tilt of the non-conference schedule for BSU.
Santa Clara’s 11-3 start is coming as a bit of a surprise to some as the Broncos were picked to finish 6th in the West Coast Conference preseason poll. The Broncos have been lightsout at home, posting an 8-1 record in their home gym. The only loss at home this year was to cross town rival San Jose State in the Battle of the Alameda. Santa Clara was on a 5-game win streak before the loss but since the loss, the Broncos have won 3 straight.
Santa Clara features a mix of “homegrown” talent as well as a couple Power5 transfers that round out the starting five. The Broncos backcourt of sophomores Brandin Podziemski and Carlos Stewart have been a dynamic tandem through 14 games. The two are combining for 32.4 points per game which is close to half of the team's overall average of 73 points per game. The Broncos do a really good job on the boards especially on the offensive end averaging almost five offensive boards more per game than their opponents. They also do a good job staying out of foul trouble as opponents are only attempting 12 free throws per night.
The Broncos are coached by Herb Sendek. Sendek is in his 7th season with Santa Clara. In his time he’s had two 20+ win seasons and has led the team to one NIT birth. He currently holds a record of 108-87 at SC and an overall career record of 521-382. Prior to coaching the Broncos, Sendek has had stops with Arizona State, NC State, and Miam (OH).
The Broncos have faced their brothers for another mother’s one other time and that was last season.
What Happened Last Time
Boise State's frontcourt trio of Mladen Armus, Tyson Degenhart and Abu Kigab combined for 51 points, including 31 in the second half, to lift the Broncos to a 72-60 win.
After the teams traded runs in the first half, they traded baskets for much of the second. A Kigab three-pointer with 8:13 to play put Boise State ahead 58-56, the 15th lead change of the second half. It proved to be the final lead change as Boise State locked in defensively and ended the game on a 17-4 run.Boise State held Santa Clara scoreless for nearly six minutes before a goaltending call with 29 seconds remaining awarded the visiting Broncos with a basket to provide the final margin.
Player to Watch
SANTA CLARA
SO., BRANDIN PODZIEMSKI, G #22
Brandin Podziemski is making the best out of his new setting in Santa Clara. The transfer from Illinois didn’t get much of an opportunity for the Fighting Illni, but has done things but score the ball for the Broncos this year. Podziemski is leading the team with 18.4 points per game. He has the ability to take over a game with his scoring as he has 4 games this season where he has scored at least 27. Last time out against a really bad Cal team, Podziemski went 5-for-12 shooting, 4-of-9 from deep and a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line. He ended with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.
BOISE STATE
SR., MARCUS SHAVER JR., G #10
Saturday will be one of the better point guard matchups we will see this year between Collins and Shaver. Marcus missed Tuesday’s game against EOU, but that didn’t matter much. Shaver has really stepped up this season in bringing the ball up the court and facilitating the Broncos offense. As a scorer Shaver has the ability to create his own shot which will go along away as the quality of opponents just gets better from here on out.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Boise State
SANTA CLARA
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
Padlock on Podziemski
Santa Clara has a stud on their hands with Brandin Podziemski. He can shoot the lights out and will take over the game Thursday if the Broncos let him. As I see it they either can take the approach they did on Sunday with Trey Townsen and let Podziemski score all he wants but not allow anyone else to score, or make someone other than Podziemski beat them and face guard #22 all afternoon. Either way Boise State will have to have a plan for #22.
More Minutes for Mo
Santa Clara poses a big problem in their frontcourt with both Bediako and Bruan. Boise State doesn’t have that dominant presence inside this year like they have in the past. Both Milner and Mo Sylla have played really well as of late and I for one would like to see Sylla play more minutes. He showed he was more than capable against New Orleans when he put up 10 points and 5 rebounds in 12 minutes. Even if he isn’t scoring, just having someone to protect the paint will go a long way against teams like Santa Clara who do have those 7-foot bigs.
Editor Note:
Gift Wrap
The Broncos wrap up their non-conference schedule on Thursday and then next week after Christmas will turn the page to the gauntlet that will be Mountain West play. Boise State has risen almost 50 spots in the “Kenpom” computer rankings since the start of the year. If Boise State can end their non-conference portion of their schedule at 11-2 and a good showing in conference play, they have a really good shot at making a return trip to the NCAA tournament.
Boise State’s calling card is defense and again it’s a broken record but that will be what gets them this big time win on the road on Thursday. It will be a close one, but Boise State comes out on top.
Boise State 67, Santa Clara, 62
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