PREVIEW | CBK: BOISE STATE (3-3) VS SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE (3-4)
Boise State University vs Saint Mary’s College
Date: Friday December 1st, 2023
Time: 8:30 pm MT
Stadium: Mountain America Center - Idaho Falls, Idaho
TV: FS1
Stream: Mountain West Network
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Commentators: Leonard Berry and Abe Jackson
Know Thy Enemy
The Gaels (3-4) will be headed to the "Gem State" for their Friday night matchup with the Broncos of Boise State (3-3), that will not be in Boise, but rather about 250 miles east in Idaho Falls, as both squads prepare for a neutral site battle at the Mountain America Center. Saint Mary's is coming off of a split in their most recent two-game homestand, defeating Davidson handily before falling in a tight contest with Utah. The Gaels will now prepare for another matchup away from UCU Pavilion, in hopes of their first win away from Moraga this season.
The Gaels continue to be one of the more dominant rebounding teams in the country, ranking in the top-25 in rebounding margin, offensive rebounds per game and total rebounds per game. Mitchell Saxen has led that charge, averaging 9.1 rebounds per game, including 5.1 o-boards per contest. Unfortunately, the strong rebounding numbers have not translated to wins, as the Gaels need to find a way to convert their second chance opportunities at a higher frequency. The Gaels have nine players who have played in each of their first seven games and all nine are averaging more than 10 minutes per game. Offensively they are led by their sophomore guard Aian Mahaney who leads the team with his 15 point per game. He is the only SMC player who is averaging double digits, but three of their other starters average over nine points. Defensively they have shut down the teams that they were supposed to beat, but have struggled against more quality opponents. They give up an average of 60 points a game, but only in their wins have they kept to that mark. They are 0-4 when giving up more than 60.
Entering his 23rd season as the head coach at Saint Mary’s, 5-time West Coast Conference Coach of the Year Randy Bennett has developed a program that has risen to a level of excitement, expectation and competitiveness that is among the best mid-major programs. During his tenure, Bennett has become the school's men's basketball all-time wins leader with 510 victories.
Friday will be the rubber match in the all-time series between the Gaels and the Broncos. Each team has one victory and both teams have come away with the win away from home.
What Happened Last Time
Derrick Marks scored 22 points and Boise State handed Saint Mary's its first loss of the season, 82-71 Saturday night, in Moraga, Calif. It snapped the Gaels' 33-game nonconference home winning streak, which was the fifth-longest streak in the nation entering the day. Marks led the Broncos in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. He was 10-for-14 from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. Saint Mary's connected on seven 3-pointers in the first half to stay close, trailing by two, 41-39, at halftime. But the Gaels were blanked from distance in the second half. Meanwhile the Broncos shot a crisp 58.8 percent in the game, connecting on 30-of-51 attempts from the field, draining 6-of-14 from three-point range and adding 16 of 19 from the line. It was Boise State's best shooting performance of the season. Mikey Thompson and Anthony Drmic had 14 and 12 points, respectively, for Boise State (5-2).James Webb III scored 10 points in a career-high 27 minutes off the bench. Webb also tied for team-high honors with seven rebounds. Brad Waldow scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Saint Mary's, shooting 9 of 22 from the field and a perfect 11 for 11 from the free throw line. The Gaels were 25 of 63 from the field (39.7 percent) and finished the game 7 for 24 from distance.
Player to Watch
BUTLER
SR., MITCHELL SAXEN, C #11
Boise State is going to have their work cut out for them when they take the floor on Friday night. Saxen is one of the premier rebounders in the country and is averaging almost a double-double on the season. Boise State has had their issues rebounding the basketball and if they don’t put a body on #11 it might be a long night for the Broncos.
BOISE STATE
SO., JACE WHITING, G #15
Jace Whiting is making the most of his recent opportunity to be the starting point guard for the Broncos. Whiting has started the last couple of games for BSU and in their last game against Butler had a cool nine points, five boards, and three assists, all with just commiting one turnover. Boise State is struggling to find that player who will command the ball and run the offense when they need a bucket and Whiting might be turning into that guy.
PROBABLE STARTERS
BOISE STATE
BUTLE
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
Senior Discount
Saint Mary’s is 0-4 when they fail to keep their opponent under 60 points. Boise State has only not hit that plateau once this season. If Boise State wants to win this game they have to get on a roll offensively and maybe make this thing into a track meet.
Light Up Downtown
Boise State did not shoot the three ball well last game and really haven't found their stroke from deep yet this season. Buzo, Max and Deggy shot a combined 2 for 14 from deep last time out. They have to hit a couple of three’s early in this one to find that rhythm and gain some confidence from beyond the arc.
Revs Rant and Prediction
It was a tough road trip for the Broncos, but it’s not over yet. Thankfully this one is on a “neutral” court, but in the state of idaho. I think a pro Broncos crowed will be what they need to get some of their mojo back. Boise State wins a hard fought battle.
Boise State 66, Saint Mary’s 63
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