LAS VEGAS – The $50,000 is nice. A nice start.
Boise State’s players earned $50,000 in NIL money with a 100-93 win over Butler on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament.
But they have their sights set on a tournament championship – and the whooping $300,000 which comes with it.
Two more wins would get it done.
“We didn’t come here to make it to the final four,” senior Alvaro Cardenas told BNN. “We came here to win the whole thing.”
Javan Buchanan had 27 points and Tyson Degenhart added 21 points – surpassing 2,000 career points in the process – as the Broncos shot 60.3 percent from the field and went 11 of 24 from 3-point range en route to reaching the 100-point mark for the first time since November.
Cardenas had 19 points and four assists and Andrew Meadow contributed 14 points for the Broncos, who now get two days off before playing Nebraska in the semifinals at 11:30am MT on FOX at T-Mobile Arena, home to the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL.
“It feels amazing,” Cardenas said. “Anytime you get a win, especially in the postseason, it’s a great feeling.”
The NIL money is split amongst the players on the roster, although it’s unclear how Boise State plans to divvy up the funds.
And while that’s certainly a motivating factor this week in Las Vegas, it’s not the only one. The Broncos are now assured of at least three more days together.
“I love this team and we really enjoy being around each other,” Cardenas said. “We have a chance to beat the school record for wins and win this tournament, so we’re excited.”
Boise State improved to 26-10 with Wednesday’s win over Butler. They could tie the school record of 27 wins, set in 2022, with a win on Saturday. A tournament championship would establish a new mark of 28 wins.
The Broncos are 13-3 since a loss at Colorado State back on Jan. 22. They have just three losses in the past 10 weeks and Wednesday scored at least 89 points for the second consecutive game.
“We’re clicking at the right time,” Cardenas said.
Boise State had a strong case to be included in the NCAA Tournament. They are proving it this week. And earning some extra cash in the process.
With a lot more still on the line this weekend.
