PREVIEW | MBB: BOISE STATE (1-0) VS UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO (2-0)
Boise State University vs University of San Francisco
Date: Sunday, November 12, 2023
Time: 2:00pm MT
Stadium:Extra Mile Arena (12,644)
Tv: KTVB
Stream: Mountain West Network
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Commentators: Bob Behler and Abe Jackson
Know Thy Enemy
Sunday afternoon the Broncos welcome the boys from ‘The Bay’ as Boise State plays host to the University of San Francisco Dons to ExtraMile Arena!
Last season the Dons went 20-14 and made it to the semifinals of the WCC tournament before falling to top-ranked Gonzaga. This season the Dons are picked to finish third in the WCC behind the likes of little known programs like Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga.
Historically Dons were known for their adventuresome swashbuckling. Well they have been doing their own plundering so far this season as they have just blasted through their first two opponents by an average score of 106-55. Now they haven’t exactly played top-tier D1 competition as they beat up on Bethesda University which is a part of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) and Saint Francis (PA) which is one of the smallest D1 schools in America.
San Francisco lost their top three scorers, including the backcourt tandem of Khalil Shabazz (17.8 points) and Tyrell Roberts (16.2) but the roster has experience, size (nine players 6-8 or taller), athleticism and newcomers who will compete to fill vacant roles. So far this season they haven’t really seen any production drop off as they have seven guys that are averaging at least 9 points a game with 4 of those averaging no less than 11.
The Dons so far this season have done everything right. From the field they are shooting over 60%, from behind the arc they shoot over 40% and they are averaging over 27 assists per game! They also have out rebounded their opponent by 20 rebounds so far this year.
Chris Gerlufsen enters his second year as the head coach of San Francisco after leading the Dons to a sixth straight full season of 20+ wins in 2022-23. Gerlufsen was one of two first-time head coaches in the country to hit the 20-win mark after taking over an NCAA Tournament team that lost 4 starters.
These two schools have met two other times on the hardwood with Boise State winning both matchups in both 2005 and 2007.
What Happened Last Time
Boise State went to USF in December of 2007 and came way with an 91-81 victory.
Player to Watch
SAN FRANCISCO
JR., JONATHAN MOGBO, F #10
The transfer from Missouri State has put on a clinic the last two games for the Dons. The 6’8” forward from West Palm Beach, Florida is a whopping 16 of 17 from the field and is averaging over 16.5 points, 4 assists, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game so far this season.
BOISE STATE
JR., O’MAR STANLEY, F #1
O’Mar Stanley is another one of the newcomers for Coach Rice and he didn’t waste any time in making his presence felt in his Bronco debut. Stanley came off the bench for the Broncos in the season-opener, but proceed to go 6-of-7 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. He also added 7 boards all in 18 minutes of play. Sunday it will be fun to watch how he fairs against sitter competition, but look for the banger from Overland Park to continue his strong start.
PROBABLE STARTERS
BOISE STATE
SAN FRANCISCO
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
Find Their Stroke
Boise State is a team that will shoot the ball from behind the arc. Last week despite only shooting 3-of-26 from deep they were able to control the boards and come out on top. Guys like Max Rice, Agbo, and even Meadow, who are usually money from downtown were way off on Tuesday. Expect that trend to change and if the Broncos can get hot from 3pt range it could be a long afternoon for the Dons.
Big Time Boards
Boise State had a major height advantage in their opener and they took advantage of it by out rebounding the Lions 60-27 including 20 offensive rebounds. Sunday will be more evenly matched, but the Broncos need to keep that intensity going when it comes to boxing out and crashing the boards.
Revs Rant and Prediction
Early Season Test and the Return of Degenhart
Sunday starts a string of games that will really test the mettle of the Boise State team. San Francisco is a really good team that is unfortunate to play in the same conference as Mid Major powers like Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. The WCC is going to be a three team race and the Dons are going to be right in the thick of it. After the Dons, Boise State travels to Clemson and then is a part of the ESPN Events Invitational that features teams like Virginia Tech, VCU, Butler, Penn State and Final Four team Florida Atlantic, as part of the field.
Boise State will be aided by the return of Tyson Degenhart who missed the season opener after fracturing his nose in practice. Degenhart is clearly the star on this team and the Broncos will be excited to get their guy back for this one.
I’m anticipating the atmosphere at ExtraMile to be better than it was on Tuesday and with the help of Bronco Nation the Broncos continue their 15-game home win streak dating back to last season.
Boise State 77, San Francisco 69
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