Broncos Buck Spartans

The Boise State Broncos, ranked 65th in the NET rankings, secured an 84-69 victory over the San José State Spartans, who currently sit at 249th in the NET rankings, at ExtraMile Arena. The 15-point margin of victory belies a contest that was closely contested, at least through the first 20 minutes of play. At halftime, Boise State held a slim 36-31 advantage, suggesting that the outcome was far from certain.

The second half, however, saw Boise State pull away, outscoring San Jose State 48-38 to seal the win. While the final margin may indicate a decisive victory, the fact that the game was within five points at halftime underscores the notion that a possession or two could have potentially altered the trajectory of the contest. As the Broncos and Spartans headed in opposite directions on the scoreboard, the difference in their respective NET rankings was reflected in the outcome, with Boise State ultimately emerging as the superior team on this evening.

The key contributors for Boise State were led by Drew Fielder, who posted a team-high 20 points on efficient 9-13 shooting from the field. Fielder also chipped in with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks, showcasing his well-rounded skillset. Andrew Meadow was another top performer, scoring 16 points while shooting 5-10 from the field and 2-4 from three-point range. Meadow's perfect 4-4 mark from the free throw line was also notable.

Dylan Andrews was the third standout player for Boise State, recording 12 points and a team-high 4 assists. Andrews shot 4-9 from the field and 2-6 from beyond the arc, demonstrating his ability to score from both inside and outside. While his rebounding numbers were limited to just 2, Andrews's overall performance helped to complement the efforts of Fielder and Meadow, forming a formidable trio that propelled Boise State to an 84-69 victory over San José State.

San José State's top performers were unable to propel their team to victory, despite putting up respectable numbers. Adrian Myers led the way with 23 points and 8 rebounds, but his lack of playmaking ability, evident in his 0 assists, limited the team's overall offensive effectiveness. Colby Garland's 22 points and 5 assists were a bright spot, but his inability to connect from beyond the arc, going 0-4 on three-point attempts, hindered the team's ability to keep pace with Boise State's scoring.

Sadraque NgaNga's 10 points and 8 rebounds were a notable contribution, but his 4-11 shooting from the field and 2-6 mark from three-point range suggest that he was effectively contained by the Boise State defense. Overall, while San José State's top players had solid individual performances, they were ultimately unable to overcome the Broncos' balanced attack and secure a win on the road.

Beyond the standout performers, the remaining players on both teams generally stayed within their typical production ranges, without any notable deviations from their seasonal averages.

The pre-game prediction of a Boise State victory by 12.3 points was ultimately vindicated, as the Broncos emerged with a 15-point win. While the margin of victory was slightly larger than anticipated, the outcome itself was not a surprise. The prediction's accuracy suggests that the prevailing wisdom heading into the game was largely correct, with Boise State's superior performance on the night being the decisive factor.

A closer examination of the team statistics reveals that Boise State's exceptional shooting efficiency was a key factor in their victory. The Broncos' effective field goal percentage of 62.7% was a significant departure from their season average, indicating a level of precision and accuracy that San José State struggled to match. Furthermore, the Spartans' inability to replicate their season-long three-point shooting form, converting at a rate of just 17.4% from beyond the arc, limited their ability to keep pace with Boise State's high-powered offense. These disparities in shooting efficiency ultimately proved too great for San José State to overcome, allowing Boise State to secure a comfortable victory.

The outcome of this contest has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament prospects, albeit in vastly different ways. For Boise State, the victory bolsters their resume by adding a Quad 4 win, which, although not particularly impressive, helps to mitigate their lackluster Quad 1 performance, where they now stand at 2-6. As a result, they may have solidified their position as a bubble team, potentially slotting in as a 12-seed or worse, depending on the committee's evaluation of their overall body of work. In stark contrast, San José State's loss further diminishes their already slim tournament hopes, with their 0-6 record in Quad 1 games and 1-10 mark in Quad 2 contests rendering their postseason aspirations all but nonexistent. The chasm between these two teams' trajectories has grown, and it is clear that Boise State's margin for error remains perilously thin, as one misstep could send their tournament dreams crumbling.