While Saturday’s anticipated home game against San Diego State already has the attention of many Boise State fans, the players and coaches themselves know they have plenty to be worried about with Tuesday’s matchup with UNLV first.
All it takes is a quick look at the film – or the stats – to see the Rebels figure to provide a nice test for the Broncos on Tuesday night at ExtraMile Arena at 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
“Our guys aren’t dumb,” Boise State coach Leon Rice said. “They know. These guys have players, they are well coached. It’s just been a little bit of bad luck for them with injuries and getting guys eligible and all that stuff. There’s been so many factors to it, but when the dust settles and you watch them play, you’re like whoa, these guys are good. Really good.”
UNLV (8-7, 1-2 MW) already holds a win over New Mexico and should have beaten Utah State on Saturday – until a rare 5-point play in the final seconds cost them a victory. The Rebels led by 4 with 10 seconds left when Utah State hit a 3-pointer – and got two more free throws due to a foul away from the ball.
Instead of being 2-1 in league play and having wins over two of the projected top-6 teams, the Rebels instead suffered a painstaking 87-86 home loss.
“They are not what their record says they are,” Rice said. “The team they are bringing in Tuesday is not what their record says they are. That’s for sure when y9ou watch them on film and watch the way they are playing and who they’ve done it against. It’s a really, really good basketball team.
“It could be a completely different record and give and season (for UNLV), so we know they are really, really good and going to be a big challenge and we’re going to have to play a great game and have a great crowd and have that home court.”
Boise State (12-4, 3-0 MW) is one of two remaining undefeated teams in Mountain West play and has a chance to add to its NCAA Tournament resume this week with the home games against UNLV and San Diego State.
Wins in both games likely gets the Broncos into the Top 25 as well. Boise State received 22 votes in this week’s poll but didn’t crack the Top 25. That could change next week – especially with a win Tuesday against UNLV.
Tuesday has the feel of a potential trap game given what could be on the line Saturday against San Diego State, but Rice is confident that won’t be the case. UNLV is a solid team – and the Broncos know it.
“This team we’re playing tomorrow is as good as anybody,” Rice said. “We know we’re going to have to have our best preparation because of what we’re looking at.”
Tip off is scheduled for 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. The Lithia Ford of Boise Pregame Show will be live at 7 p.m. on Bronco Nation News. Watch the show on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter.
