PREVIEW | CBK: BOISE STATE (11-4,2-0) AT UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA-RENO (15-1, 2-0)
Boise State University at University of Nevada-Reno
Date: Friday January 12th, 2024
Time: 8:30 pm MT
Arena: Lawlor Events Center
TV: FS1
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Know Thy Enemy
The Broncos put their perfect conference record on the line as they travel down to the “Biggest little city in the world” to face a scorching hot Wolf Pack team that is 15-1 on the season and riding their own eight-game winning streak.
Nevada-Reno may be a bit of a paper tiger than a juggernaut. The ‘Pack are getting lots of love in the metrics ranking 29th in the NET and 19th in RPI, but they also have played a cupcake of a schedule. Currently their strength of schedule is 107th in the country. For comparison, Boise State is 11-4, but has the 29th toughest schedule in the country. Nevada is winning the games they are supposed to win, but they haven’t been tested this season.
Statically, UNR is very impressive. The Wolfpack scores over 78 points per game on 47% shooting from the floor. They also feature two of the top-10 individual scorers in the conference with Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshears. Their scoring margin is over 15 points per game which means their defense is solid. By solid I mean, they are the #1 defense in the Mountain West.
A lot of their success can be attributed to their continuity as a team. Nevada has had the same starting five in 13 of their 16 games. And it seems like every player knows his role and is excelling in it. The Wolfpack are highlighted by their own version of a “big three” with Jarod Lucas, Kenan Blackshear and Nick Davidson. Jarod Lucas is definitely their top scoring option, averaging close to 18 points per game. Kenan Blackshear is their distributor who averages almost 5 assists per game and Davidson cleans it all up with his seven boards per game.
UNR is coached by long-time head coach Steve Alford. Alford boasts a pretty impressive resume that includes being an NCAA Champion, All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist. He has a career record of 673-350 over 33 years of coaching. He’s in his fifth season with Nevada and took them to the NCAA tournament as a “First Four” team last season.
Again Boise State and UNR are no strangers and when these two teams get together there is no love lost. These two teams have met 84 times since 1950. They have met 27 times since 2011. It’s been one of the more evenly matched series for the Broncos with the teams splitting the last 10 matchups 5 a piece. However, the Broncos are only 1-4 in their last five trips to Reno.
What Happened Last Time in Reno
Pavle Kuzmanovic made a go-ahead basket with 13.4 seconds left to give Boise State a 72-71 lead, but a Nevada layup with 3.8 seconds remaining on the ensuing end was enough to down the Broncos, 74-72 in the Mountain West opener for both teams.
Boise State got a double-double from Chibuzo Agbo and 20-point nights from Marcus Shaver Jr. and Naje Smith as the starters scored 69 points.
Behind 10 first-half points from Agbo, Boise State controlled the lead for the large majority of the first half, but Nevada held the Broncos scoreless for the final 5:53 of the opening period to put the Blue and Orange down 30-27 entering halftime.
Boise State used a 9-2 run to take back the lead 48-44 at the approach of the second media timeout, and built its largest lead of the night, 61-54, with 5:06 remaining in the game. In the game's final moments, Kuzmanovic made a driving layup with 13.4 seconds left on the clock to give Boise State a one-point lead. Following a timeout, Nevada's Kenan Blackshear dribbled the ball up the length of the court and found space around the basket to make the game-winning bucket.
Player to Watch
NEVADA-RENO
GS., JAROD LUCAS, G#2
Lucas is filling it up this season for the ‘Pack. He’s one of the best scorers of the basketball in the conference and has been pretty unstoppable on the offensive end. He’s going to shoot the ball a lot and loves to live on the outside. He leads the team in both three pointers made, and attempted. He’s attempted 42 more three pointers than the next highest teammate.
BOISE STATE
JR., TYSON DEGENHART, F#2
Degenhart hasn’t needed to carry the team this season like he has in year’s past. Part of that is a good thing because that means there is more talent around him. The side effect of that is that he isn’t getting the touches or shots that he rightly deserves. Six times this year Degenhart has had less than 10 shot attempts. When Boise State is at its absolute best #2 is getting at least 10 shot opportunities a game. In the games with his highest scoring outputs he is putting up closer to 15 shots up. The Broncos can’t forget that they have a very talented forward at their disposal in this one.
PROBABLE STARTERS
BOISE STATE
SAN JOSE STATE
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
Weather the Storm
Lawlor Event center will inevitably be a rowdy environment on Friday night when the Broncos come to town. The Wolf pack is going to ride the momentum that the home crowd will provide. The Broncos have to ride the waves of momentum and use solid defense in rebounding to stifle the potential runs as soon as they start.
Unlikely Hero
We’ve been waiting for two things this season and we have started to see one over the last couple of games, and we may have just witnessed the start of the other after the last time out against Colorado State. The first is the role of Roddie Anderson. In conference play Anderson has settled into his role as distributor and defender. In the last two games he’s combined for 11 assists and four steals and he’s also done a good job of not turning the ball over. The other is the arrival of Andrew Meadow. Meadow was forced into a heavier workload against CSU due to the unavailability of Cam Martin, but he may have just forced Coach Rice’s hand with his 11 points and 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc on Tuesday. If Boise State is going to win this game, an unlikely hero will need to step up and make an impact in this game.
Revs Rant and Prediction
I think the Broncos have started to get the attention of not only the Mountain West, but of the national media. A so-so non conference with no real “statement” wins caused the Broncos to fall out of most bracketologists field, but after a 2-0 start to conference play including a win over a top-20 team has resulted in Boise State landing back in the field of 68 for most. I think the Broncos are proving that a tough non conference schedule is paying dividends against conference foes. Likewise this game could be another instance where a team that wasn’t tested earlier in the season isn’t ready for quality competition.
Two things scare me about this one. First is the fact that Leon touted so much “depth” and not having to play starters 30+ minutes a game, but so far in conference play only seven guys have played in both games, and only nine have played at all. Rice, Agbo, Degenhart and Stanley are all averaging over 31.5 minutes per game with some guys averaging over 35 minutes. I’m afraid about the longevity of this team and dare I saw the lack of dependable depth that the Broncos seem to have. The other is the fact that this game is in Reno. Boise State has struggled mightily against the Wolf pack when they go to Reno. These games are always ultra competitive and this one looks to be another instant classic. A loss on Friday doesn't hurt the Broncos as much as a win would help them. I do think this team is starting to come alive and gain some confidence. I think O’Mar is turning into a real problem for opposing teams and you know that Deggy, Rice and Agbo are going to bring it. Boise State wins in a “rock fight” and steals one on the road.
Broncos 72, ‘Pack 69
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