MWC Tournament Semifinals Preview: BSU looks to crash NCAA Tournament with win over top-seeded UNM
LAS VEGAS, NEV. - Punches have already been thrown.
Expect more to come on Friday in the Thomas & Mack Center.
Round one: the UNM men’s basketball threw a knockout punch in a 84-65 win over Boise State in The Pit back on Jan 17.
Round two: the Broncos returned the favor over the Lobos with an 86-78 win at Extra Mile Arena.
Round three: it could be messy.
The first matchup between the two showcased the strength of the Lobos defensive firepower. UNM held Boise State to just 21 points in the first half while the Lobos scored 48.
The haymaker was a 27-6 Lobos’ run in the first half that gave UNM a 27-point lead at the break.
It was the largest halftime lead for UNM in Mountain West Conference play.
The second half was another uppercut punch.
All-Mountain West first team selections, Nelly Junior Joseph and Donovan Dent, led the Lobos with 16-points each. Tru Washington added 13 and Mustapha Amzil had 11.
UNM forced 17 turnovers that ultimately led to 20 points. The Lobos also scored 29 fast-break points.
The rematch in Boise, Idaho was a different story. Boise State avenged their loss with an 86-78 win over UNM. It was a healthy dose of Tyson Degenhart (32 points, which was a career-high for the senior) and Pearson Carmichael (career-high 21 points on 4 made 3-pointers for the freshman).
The final score didn't quite paint a clear picture in this one as Boise State led by as many as 19 points midway through the second half. UNM used a 9-0 run with under a minute left in the game to make the final score respectable.
Boise State’s Javan Buchanan and Tyson Degenhart celebrate in an 86-78 win over UNM back on Feb. 19 in Boise, Idaho. The Broncos will look to upset the Lobos in the semifinals in the MWC Tournament and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
The rubber match in the MWC Tournament is an opportunity - for both BSU and UNM - to solidify placement into the NCAA Tournament.
According to national pundits, New Mexico seems to be a lock in “The Big Dance.”
For Boise State, the stakes are much higher. Leon Rice’s squad sits firmly on the bubble and are being considered as one of the last four at-large teams out of the field.
Boise State’s win over San Diego State on Thursday adds another quality win to their resume but doesn’t necessarily mean they are a lock to get in.
There are other tournament ‘bubble teams’ to pay attention to.
BSU and SDSU were both near the cut-line, so the Broncos win over the Aztecs puts them ahead. North Carolina, Indiana, Wake Forest, Colorado State, Dayton, Texas and a handful of others are all vying for spots and need to keep winning. The also need help in one way or another.
Boise State can really help their chances if they were to knock off New Mexico on Friday. The Broncos are an experienced and gritty group led by one of the most decorated Boise State basketball players in senior forward Tyson Degenhart.
But you also have to believe that Richard Pitino will have his bunch and Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, Donovan Dent, motivated and ready to go.
Both of these teams are big, physical, and like to attack the glass: UNM ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West with under just 40 rebounds per game. Boise State ranks at No. 2 with 36.6.
Dent led the conference in scoring with 20.5 points per game and Degenhart finished third with 17.6.
The difference will come down to how much the role players contribute and who’s defense shows.
This heavyweight battle will feature the regular season MWC champion (UNM) against the preseason pick (BSU).
NEXT UP: No. 1 New Mexico Lobos vs. No. 5 Boise State
Time: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Listen: Lobo Radio Network (96.3 FM/770 AM)
Watch: CBS Sports Network