Here's Nick Jezierny with a quick look at Boise State

The Idaho Statesman's Nick Jezierny offers a brief take on Boise State so far this season:

What's been right, wrong with the Bronco hoops teams this season
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
12/29/08

BSU MEN
Record: 8-3

What's gone right so far: The Broncos have been good in close games, posting a 5-1 record in games decided by four or fewer points or in overtime. Also, several players who had small roles a year ago have risen to the challenge of extended minutes, namely Mark Sanchez (15,8 points, 7.1 rebounds) and Kurt Cunningham (9.8, 3.4). Point guard Anthony Thomas, the lone returning starter from last season, has done his job leading an inexperienced team. He averages 9.1 points and has 60 assists compared to 31 turnovers.

What's gone wrong: BSU has been awful on defense, allowing 74.7 points per game. Opposing teams are shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from 3-point range. If those numbers don't come down, coach Greg Graham's team will struggle to win games in WAC play.

What's the key the rest of the year: In addition to playing better defense, the Broncos - both as a team and as individuals - need to become more consistent. On a team this deep (Graham uses a nine- or 10-player rotation), different players may have bigger games than others. The key is for any player who scores 20 points one night not to totally disappear the next. If the Broncos are to finish better than the fifth place they were picked in the preseason, they will need more consistency out of sophomore forward Paul Noonan (11.7 points) and junior forward Ike Okoye (8.4 points, 6.3 rebounds).