PREVIEW | CBK: BOISE STATE (13-5, 4-1) AT FRESNO STATE (8-10, 1-4)
Boise State University at Fresno State University
Date: Tuesday January 23rd, 2024
Time: 8:30 pm MT
Arena: Save Mart Center
TV: FS1
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Know Thy Enemy
Boise State gets set to go on a quick one-game road trip to Fresno to face the Bulldogs who are yet again in a downward spiral in Mountain West play. Fresno State (8-10, 1-4) has had a better season this year than last, but is still one of the bottom teams in the Mountain West.
The Bulldogs sti at 10th in the conference in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Fresno State only scores over 69 points per game on average and is giving up over 73 points per game. However, when they do shoot the ball it has a pretty good shot of going in as the Bulldogs have a field goal percentage of over 47%. The down side is when their opponents shoot it usually is going in as well. Fresno State has the league's worst field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot over 45% from the field.
No one on the roster really jumps out, no Bulldog is in the top-20 in the conference in scoring and only Isaiah Hill averages double figures. They do have a couple of 6’11” big men in Eduardo Andre and Enoch Boakye that are near the top of the conference in defensive rebounding and rim protection. Looking at the numbers, Fresno State's biggest issues are a lack of offensive rebounding and they turn the basketball over, a lot. They average over 13 turnovers per game which is 301st in the country.
Fresno State is coached by Justin Hutson. Hutson has been patrolling the sidelines for the Bulldogs since 2018. Hutson is coming off his worst season with the Bulldogs, but has twice won 23 games in a season in both the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 seasons.
Boise State is 17-7 all-time in matchups with Fresno state. Since 2011 it’s been one of Boise State’s more testing matchups, especially on the road. Boise State is 5-5 when visiting Fresno since 2011.
What Happened Last Time in Fresno
Boise State didn’t travel to Fresno State during the 2022-2023 season, but did the previous year and it was an all-timer.
Marcus Shaver, Jr. hit a game-tying shot at the end of regulation to force overtime, as Boise State prevailed over Fresno State 68-63 on the road to earn its program-record 14th-straight victory.
Shaver's first attempt to tie the game was just long as it bounced off the rim and called out of bounds going to Fresno State. After a replay review, the ball was given back to Boise State, and Shaver was given another chance with 4.9 seconds on the clock. After getting the ball at the top of the arc on a flair screen, the Bronco guard gave a beautiful pump fake to let the defender by him, then took a dribble before coolly sinking the game-tying shot to send the game to overtime.
After Boise State scored eight-straight points to begin overtime, including four from Shaver, Fresno State responded with an eight-point run of its own to tie the game at 61 apiece with 1:26 remaining. On the other end, Kigab drew a foul and sank two big free throws to take back the lead with just over a minute on the clock. On defense the Broncos earned a stop that led to a dagger-three from Emmanuel Akot on the other end, putting Boise State up 66-61 with 25.3 seconds on the clock. Akot led the Broncos in points (16), rebounds (7) and assists (5) and made five 3-pointers, his third time making at least three triples in the last five games.
Player to Watch
FRESNO STATE
JR., ENOCH BOAKYE, C #13
Enoch Boakye is a mountain in the middle of this Bulldog lineup. At 6’11” 250lbs, the Arizona State transfer struggled to find a permanent role for the Sun Devils and decided it was time for a change. So far that change has been a good one. Boakye has started in 11-straight games for the Bulldogs and is playing an average of 22 minutes per game. He’s third in the Mountain West in rebounding, grabbing over eight boards a game. and despite not attempting a shot last time out against Utah State, Enoch averages 7.5 points per game and had a career-high 12 points against Portland State earlier this season.
BOISE STATE
SR., CHIBUZO AGBO, F#11
Chibuzo Agbo has been a mainstay for the Broncos this season. After his 11 point performance on Saturday was the 12th straight game that #11 has scored in double figures this season. His 14.7 points per game average is only 1 point behind the team lead. When ‘Buzo does score in double figures, the Broncos are 19-1 all-time. Fresno State is going to be pesky matchup for the Broncos, but with #11 putting the pumpkin in the cup I think the Broncos will be okay.
PROBABLE STARTERS
BOISE STATE
FRESNO STATE
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
Assert your Dominance
This is basically the equivalent to playing your little brother in the driveway. Yes, they may get a couple cheappies, and you may miss a shot or two, but when it comes down to it you’re going to back them down and put your armpits in the rim. Boise State needs to just come out and show that they are deserving of the praise they’ve been getting and really stake their claim as #1 in the Mountain West. Boise State needs to do all the little things that make this team what they are, defense, rebounding, hustle and heart.
Hey, it worked!
Coach Leon Rice mixed up some of the rotation on Saturday and by golly it worked! We saw some things that we haven’t seen before, both Anderson and Whiting on the floor together?! Martin and O’Mar at the same time?! And sure enough when it was time for the final stretch of the game, Boise State’s starters were fresh and closed out a great win. Leon needs to stick with this plan and lean on his bench to not only play viable minutes but also produce.
Revs Rant and Prediction
Well I was wrong, I thought the boys would come out flat after letting one slip away against UNLV, but boy did they prove me wrong. They came out and played inspired, team-centered, basketball and really showed that not only could they hang with the Aztecs, but to me put the Mountain West on notice that they are the team to beat. Now that crown might actually be firmly planted on top of Buster's head come Saturday night after the Aggies come to town, but first the Broncos need to escape Fresno with a win. I want it to be a blowout, but metrics are saying this one could get pesky and if history tells us anything, trips to Fresno can get dicey. However, this team just has so much heart and some of the role players are dare I say, finding their groove.
Boise State does what they need to do.
Broncos 73, Bulldogs 60
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