MBB: Boise State (10-4, 0-1) vs San Jose State University (11-4, 2-0)
Boise State University vs San Jose State University
Date: Tuesday January 3,2023
Time:7:00pm MT
Stadium: Extra Mile Arena, (12,644)
Stream: Mountain West Network
Commentators: Leonard Berry and Nick Duncan
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Commentators: Bob Behler and Abe Jackson
Know Thy Enemy
The Broncos are back in action at the “X” as they welcome in the upstart Spartans who are experiencing the “Tim Miles Affect” this season.The laughable Spartants are the ones laughing now. Sitting at 11-4 the Spratans have already surpassed their win total from a season ago where they went 8-24 and 1-17 in conference play.
Last week SJSU went 2-0 to open up conference play, beating UNLV who was 11-1 entering conference play, as well as a win over Colorado State who made the NCAA tournament a season ago. The fantastic turnaround has been led by a trio of players, including returners Omari Moore and Alvaro Cardenas, as well as Temple transfer Sage Tolbert III.
The Spartans have built great continuity so far as the same five guys have started all 15 games. SJSU has three players off the bench that will play big minutes in Rober Vaihola, Tibet Gorener, and MJ Amey.
Looking at the tale of the tape, San Jose State averages close to 70 points per game and is shooting it at a clip of 46%. They’ve been out rebounding their opponents by more than 10 boards a game and holding their opponents to shooting just 39%. Their biggest weaknesses so far this season have been their free throw shooting and turnovers. The Spartans as a team are only shooting 67% from the line and have a -5 turnover margin, both of which are dead last in the conference.
San Jose State is coached by Tim Miles. Miles is in his second season with the Spartans and his 26th season overall. Before coming to Silicon Valley, Miles had coaching stops at Nebraska, Colorado State and North Dakota State. As mentioned before the Spartans are experiencing the “Tim Miles Affect.” Miles has made great improvements at each of his coaching stops.
Boise State has won 10-straight contests against San Jose State entering Tuesday’s matchup. When playing in Boise, the Broncos are a perfect 20-0 all-time against the Spartans
What Happened Last Time
Last season Boise State only played San Jose State one time and it was in early February at Extra Mile Arena. The Broncos, coming off their first conference loss of the season, bounced back in a big way behind a big night from Tyson Degenhart. Degenhart scored a career high 23 points, including going on a solo 8-0 run early in the first half when the score was tied at 8. Degenhart shot 9-of-14 from the floor and 3-of-5 from downtown to record the second 20-point outing in his career. His eight rebounds also set a career high.
Boise State only trailed once early in the game. Once the Broncos took the lead for good at 10-8 and never looked back en route to their 76-60 victory.
Player to Watch
SAN JOSE STATE
JR., OMARI MOORE, G #10
Omari Moore has been a mainstay in the Spartans lineup the last three seasons. As a freshman Moore played in all 31 games and made 20 starts. Last season he was the only player on the roster to start every game and led the team in rebounds, and assists. He also averaged 7.4 points per game. This season he’s started all 15 games and is averaging 34.6 minutes per game which leads the team. He also is the only one on the team to average double figures in points per game. Moore’s been waiting a long time for the Spartans to be competitive and it looks like he’s doing all he can to make sure the Spratans continue their hot start.
BOISE STATE
SR., MAX RICE, G #12
The Senior guard had a night to forget last week as he scored just 2 points, going 0-for-4 from the field and 0-of-2 from deep in 27 minutes in the loss at Nevada. It was the first time this season that he has gone bucketless from the field and just the third time that he has not hit a three. In fact, Rice has not hit one from deep in the last two games. Interestingly enough, have lost all three games in which he has not made a three. The deep ball is a huge part of Rice’s game and if he can get back on track it could get the season back on track for the Broncos.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Boise State
San Jose State
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
Rice Cooker
During the Broncos 9-game win streak Max Rice had hit at least one three pointer in each of those games. In the last six games of that streak Rice had hit at least two from deep. Since going 3-of-8 against Oakland, Rice is 0-of-5 from downtown in the last two games. In the loss against Nevada Rice’s two points came at the charity stripe. Rice’s oh-for was the difference in the game for the Broncos. Max Rice is the secret sauce for this Broncos team and when he’s cookin’ the team is eatin’ right.
Board Games
Boise State is ranked in the top-20 nationally and second in the Mountain West with 28.8 defensive rebounds per game. San Jose State is second in the Mountain West when it comes to Offensive rebounds with 11.2 per game. Boise State has out rebounded 12 of their 14 opponents this season. This game doesn’t look to be a very high scoring game so whoever can control the boards and steal some extra possessions will walk away with the win.
Editor Note:
Home Cookin’
Nothing is better than a home cooked meal and the Broncos could really use one right about now after losing two straight. Boise State returns home for the first time in two weeks. The boys in blue are 5-1 this season playing on their home floor and have won five straight inside the “X”. According to the teams athletic website, “The Broncos have won double-digit home games in 11 of Leon Rice’s 12 seasons as head coach and 31 of the 40 seasons the venue has served as Boise State’s home facility. Boise State has never had a losing record at home since ExtraMile Arena opened in 1982.”
Silver Lining
Last Thursday was the first time since November 2021 where the Broncos lost back-to-back games. However, the silver lining may be that the last time that happened the team went on to win a program-record 14 consecutive games. Maybe, just Maybe the Broncos can do it again with a win on Tuesday night.
This one, like a lot of these conference games, looks like they will come down to the wire. I think Boise State uses the home crowd to their advantage and get their first conference win of the season.
Boise State 69, San Jose State 63
Comments
Post a Comment