PREVIEW | CBK: BOISE STATE (3-2) BUTLER UNIVERSITY (4-2) *ESPN EVENTS INVITATIONAL*
Boise State University vs Butler University
Date: Sunday, November 26, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm MT
Stadium: State Farm Field House, Orlando, FL (5,000)
TV: ESPN2
Stream: Mountain West Network
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Commentators: Leonard Berry and Abe Jackson
Know Thy Enemy
A Consolation Championship is still a championship and Boise State is playing for hardware on Championship Sunday of the ESPN Events Invitational! The Broncos take on the Bulldogs of Butler University who come into this one at 4-2 on the season after beating Penn State 88-78 on Friday night.
Butler, a very storied program, highlighted by their back-to-back NCAA tournament championship births in 2010 and 2011. However, after a string of 10 tournament appearances in 12 years the Bulldogs have been left on the outside looking in the past 5 seasons. The 2023 Bulldogs are doing all they can to make sure that streak comes to an end this season.
The Bulldogs have a very high powered offense, averaging 83 points per game and have scored 80 or more in five of their six games this season. This is a vast improvement from last season, in which the Bulldogs only eclipsed that mark sixt times all season. Four of their five starters all are averaging double figures led by 6’6” forward Pierre Brooks II and Jahmyl Telfot. Pierre Brooks scored a career-high 26 points in their win against PSU on Friday night.
Defensively the Bulldogs have a pair of rim protectors in Jalen Thomas and Connor Turbull. Turnbull, a 6’10” sophomore is ranked #22 in the country in blocks per game. The Bulldogs defense in the early portion of their non conference schedule was very dominant, holding opponents to under 56 in each of their first five games including twice when they held their opponent to under 50. However, since playing more quality opponents, the production has waned a bit and they haven’t had any of their last three opponents score less than 74 points.
Butler is coached by Thad Matta. Coach Matta is in his second stint with the Bulldogs. He first served as head coach from 2000-2001 and then was hired again in 2022.
Sunday will be the first meeting between these two programs.
What Happened Last Time
There has never been a meeting between these two schools on the Hardwood.
Player to Watch
BUTLER
JR., PIERRE BROOKS II, G/F #21
Pierre Brooks II is one of eleven players that are in their first year with the program. Brooks II spent the last two seasons playing at Michigan State where averaged double figures a season ago. The 6’6” 240lb Junior leads the team in scoring and had a career-high 26 points in their last game.
BOISE STATE
FR., ANDREW MEADOW, G #13
It was a career night for the true freshman on Friday as he played a career-high 24 minutes and had his 12 points, which led the team, was his first career double figure scoring output. Meadow had not seen much action at all and had not scored in the team's previous four games, really was the catalyst that sparked the comeback for the Broncos.
PROBABLE STARTERS
BOISE STATE
BUTLER
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
Post ‘Em Up
Boise State’s guards are all over 6’3” and will have a considerable height advantage over their counterparts on Sunday afternoon. Boise State needs to take advantage of their matchups by creating opportunities in the paint to post up the smaller guards to create easy looks.
Dig Deep
Coach Rice needs to continue utilizing the depth of his bench by continuing to get these guys involved, especially guys like Andrew Meadow. We’ve all seen what Meadow can do when he gets a little confidence and starts seeing the ball go in the hoop. Coach Rice was raving about his depth and Friday we saw that with eight different guys scoring at least 5 points.
Revs Rant and Prediction
I’d be the first to admit I’m just getting into this college basketball thing and I would not call myself an expert by any means. I rely a lot on other Boise State media to keep me informed. It was said that a 2-2 road trip before coming back to Idaho would be a successful trip. Well with a win on Sunday Boise State would be able to do just that. This non conference schedule is a gauntlet and I think these types of games are really a testing and preparation for March. Sunday’s opponent in Butler will be a tough test. Their offense is scary and Boise State’s defense hasn’t really found their footing yet this year. If Boise State can score and keep this thing in the mid to low 70’s they have a chance. Boise State’s depth is too much and the defense keeps Brooks under his season average.
Boise State 73, Butler 70
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