BSU's Matt Nelson off to Spain

Matt Nelson has found a professional basketball home abroad. Here's the link.

We hope you watched the WAC finals

How would you like to be Greg Graham's agent right now? It's fascinating how the worm turns -- not only will the Boise administrators need to re-up Graham but with a nice raise -- not that, to be fair, such wasn't in the plans already. This despite a few hot air Bronco fans somehow believing a Coach K-alike is panting to come to Boise or that Dean Smith would come out of retirement to pursue the Bronco head coaching position. Greg Graham is one of the good guys in the profession and now he has the leverage.

Speaking of such, you have to pull for Matt Bauscher. A former walk-on who thoroughly understands his strengths and limitations plus his role on the team, he is one of those cerebral types we love to watch, seemingly always in the right place at the right time and such doesn't happen on its own. Opportunistic guys like him put themselves in the right position to favorably affect a game -- it's not happenstance.

You also have to love Matt Nelson's footwork and positioning -- he puts on a big man clinic.

We are so glad that Reggie Larry's airball freethrow ultimately didn't matter. The kid is a warrior and is amazingly effective among the trees for being just for 6-5.

In the Department-Of-Full-Disclosure, we have to admit we expected New Mexico State to win this one. Even after the game began and NMSU was down by double figures, we anticipated the Aggie athleticism and deeper bench would still prevail. Sometimes, it's difficult to factor in greater heart. That plus better shot selection. We can't quantify it but we have a sense -- it's just a feeling -- that New Mexico State may have actually been less effective than possible because of having too many players in the rotation -- too much talent -- leading to not necessarily looking to its seniors at crucial moments or for crucial shots. Our preference is the ball in the hands of Fred Peete or Justin Hawkins. However, maybe it was simply better free throw shooting overall that did the trick and nothing else.

Tri-umph! Broncos going to the Big Dance after a triple-overtime victory in WAC title game
Boise State breaks a school record for wins and an NCAA tourney drought in victory over NMSU
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
March 16, 2008

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Need any more proof that this Boise State men's basketball team is the best in school history?

The Broncos won their school-record 25th game Saturday night in the toughest of settings with the highest of stakes on the line - an NCAA Tournament bid.

Boise State outlasted New Mexico State 107-102 in triple overtime on the Aggies' home court in front of 10,921 to win its first WAC Tournament title and the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"I'm proud of our guys - they hung tough," BSU coach Greg Graham said. "At times people sold them short, but they wouldn't give up. We've hung in there and raised the bar forever at Boise State."

It is BSU's first appearance in the Big Dance since 1994, a span of 14 years. That's how long it seemed to take for the Broncos to finally sew up Saturday night's game.

"I feel like crying. I feel like puking. I don't know what to do," said forward Tyler Tiedeman, who scored 17 points and made five huge 3-pointers before fouling out in the third overtime. "We're going dancing, and that's all that matters..."

Go here for the remainder.

OR

Aggies lose triple-OT thriller
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
3/16/2008

LAS CRUCES — The Aggies rode their seniors for two years, including 55 minutes of postseason basketball on Saturday at the Pan American Center.

Fourth-seeded Boise State outlasted No. 3 New Mexico State University 107-102 in three overtimes to win the school's first Western Athletic Conference Tournament in the highest scoring game in WAC Tournament history.

The Broncos secured their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1994, while the Aggies hope to land one of 32 berths in the Postseason NIT or the inaugural 16-team College Basketball Invitational.

"I'm not sure what the administration's views are," Aggies head coach Marvin Menzies said. "I think we got a pretty good record and we got to the conference final so I think we should get a bid."

The NIT selection occurs tonight at 5 p.m.

"I'm extremely honored and proud to coach these seniors into this final conference championship game," Menzies said.

In the third overtime with the game tied at 92, the Aggies went to the capable shoulders of senior center Hatila Passos for much of the period. Passos finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds...

Go here for the remainder.

PLUS

Broncos rule, and it's been a wild ride
Brian Murphy
Idaho Statesman
3/16/08

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New rule: ESPN is obligated to carry every Boise State athletic contest. ESPNU-Can't-Believe- It, sponsored by Maalox. The nation will watch.

New rule: Boise State fans must stop calling for Greg Graham to be fired. And instead drop a bottle of Tums and an apology in the mail for him.

New rule: Every child born in Boise between now and the Broncos' first NCAA Tournament game in 14 years must be named either Reggie or Larry. And every woman should pray for a labor shorter - and easier on the stomach - than the Broncos' triple-overtime classic in the WAC Tournament against host New Mexico State.

The Broncos don't make it easy on their fans or themselves, but as evidenced by some spastic postgame dancing (Michael Flatley need not worry), they are finally going to the biggest dance around:

The NCAA Tournament.

Reggie Larry sat on the Broncos' bench and cried tears of joy. Larry, the tournament MVP, scored a career-high 31 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and left exhausted by his 48-minute virtuoso performance Saturday night. I think Georgia played fewer minutes Saturday - and the Bulldogs won twice at the SEC Tournament.

"I told you I was going to do whatever I can to get this done, no matter what it is, no matter what it takes," Larry said, his body aching and tears trickling down his cheeks.

New rule: There is crying in basketball...

Go here for the remainder.

AND

Broncos, Aggies play a classic in title game
Felix Chavez
Las Cruces Sun-News
3/16/2008

LAS CRUCES - What else would you expect but a triple overtime thriller in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament final?

The regular season featured a four-way tie for the regular season title between Boise State, New Mexico State, Utah State and Nevada, which all finished with a 12-4 mark.

The aforementioned teams consequently made the semifinals of the WAC Tournament. On Saturday night in the title game, Boise State got it done 107-102 in a game that certainly had all the beauty of what March Madness and college basketball is about.

The Aggies, who were hosting the tournament for the second straight year, looked like a beaten team early in the game when they got down 21-7. They still looked beaten with 7:46 left in the contest when Boise State went up 61-48 after a 3-pointer.

But NMSU is a team that has gone through a lot on and off the court this season and it wasn't going to get blown out in its own building.

The Aggies eventually went ahead 71-70 on a Jonathan Gibson 3-pointer. But Boise State's Reggie Larry forced the first overtime time with a free throw.

Then the game became a grind it out, emotion-packed affair.

Boise State somehow survived after losing starters Matt Nelson and Tyler Tiedeman to fouls. And how about Boise State guard Anthony Thomas and his clutch play in the third overtime? The sophomore guard foolishly fouled NMSU's Hatila Passos with 3.3 seconds left in the first overtime and Passos converted the three-point play to tied the game at 80 and force a second overtime. But in overtime three, Thomas scored seven points, including a huge three-point play with 42.6 seconds left to put the Broncos up 102-97.

The Thomas play was the final twist and turn of a game that had plenty. Saturday's game was one you didn't want to miss a play, because something big was sure to happen if you did...

Go here for the remainder.

Hey, let's play Boise State men's basketball trivia

Thanks to the indefatigable Nick Jezierny, you'll soon learn probably more than you ever wanted to know about the Broncos -- actually there is some interesting information here:

Broncos have win No. 20 within their sights
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
February 20, 2008

As they close in on the mark, here are 20 things to know about the Boise State men's hoops team.

The Boise State men's basketball team will try for its 20th victory of the season Wednesday night against Cal State Bakersfield.
The Broncos (19-6 overall, 10-3 WAC) are trying to become the eighth team in school history to reach that milestone. In honor of the impending feat, here are 20 miscellaneous things to know about this season's team.

1. Shooting stars. The Broncos lead the nation in field-goal percentage, making 51.6 percent of their shots. It is one of seven NCAA statistics where BSU ranks in the top 50 nationally.

2. Road warriors. BSU has a 9-3 road record this season, one shy of matching the school record set in 2003-04. The Broncos have at least two chances - Feb. 28 at San Jose State and March 1 at Hawaii - to tie and beat the record.

3. Leaders of the pack. BSU is in first place in the WAC, and this is the deepest in the season that the Broncos have led the conference. Their best finish since joining the conference in 2001 was a third-place finish in 2003-04. BSU was picked to finish fifth in preseason coaches and media polls.

4. Two-sport stars. Tyler Tiedeman ranks third nationally in 3-point field-goal percentage (50.4 percent). Not bad for a guy who's primary sport was baseball a few years ago. Tiedeman was a pitcher at the University of Arizona when an arm injury derailed a promising baseball career. He left Tucson and enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he resurrected his basketball career. He's been with the Broncos for three seasons. He's not alone.

Guard Matt Bauscher was a high school state singles champion in tennis in 2003 at Vallivue High, while Anthony Thomas also competes in the long jump, triple jump and high jump for the Broncos' outdoor track team.

5. The third degree. Three of Boise State's senior starters - Bauscher, Tiedeman and Matt Nelson - all have earned their undergraduate degrees at BSU...

Go here for the remainder.

Boise columnist wonder if Bronco bench will be Achilles heal?

Idaho Statesman columnist Brian Murphy has a column today where he raises the issue about the in-and-out contributions from the Boise State bench players. Is it inconsistency from the bunch or inconsistent court time?

Boise State is sitting pretty - except for its suspect bench
BRIAN MURPHY
Idaho Statesman
2/03/08

Perhaps if Sen. Barack Obama had hung around Taco Bell Arena for Saturday night's Boise State basketball game, the Broncos might have reached their stated goal of filling 10,000 seats.
And perhaps the 6-foot-2 presidential candidate, a noted basketball junkie, might have boosted the Broncos' bench scoring along with the attendance.

He couldn't have done much worse.

Boise State's bench combined for two points - on free throws by Mark Sanchez andJamar Greene - in 43 minutes Saturday night against rival Idaho before a dull 8,492 fans.

That the Broncos notched their 14th consecutive victory against the Vandals 78-64 - and it wasn't really that close - matters little. At this point in its breakout season, Boise State should be beating overmatched opponents by double digits.

What is of some import, however, is the Broncos' inability to entrust the end of such games to its bench and, consequently, driving up the minutes logged by their formidable starters.

Last week against Hawaii, Boise State led by 31 points with 6 minutes, 19 seconds remaining. The Broncos ended up as 15-point victors. Saturday night Boise State pushed its lead to 25 points at 65-40 with 10:11 on the clock.

Time to empty the bench or at least rotate the reserves through, right? Boise State coach Greg Graham tried.

But less than four minutes later, the Vandals had cut their deficit to 14 points and seized momentum.

Back came the starters, who remained in the game until the end. "We have a tendency to relax," Graham said...

Go here for the remainder.

Saturday night in the WAC

Utah State remains the team to beat although the Aggie-Aggie matchup in Logan took place without the newly eligible Herb Pope. So New Mexico State will get a rematch later this season with an infusion of major talent. Let's hope Pope adjusts quickly and experiences little or no rustiness.

Aggies get defensive
Shawn Harrison
Logan Herald-Journal
Sunday, January 13, 2008

After wondering out loud nine days ago if this Aggie team could win a game with defense, Utah State head men’s basketball coach Stew Morrill got an answer Saturday night.

In a battle for sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference at a packed Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, USU held off several New Mexico State rallies and finished strong for a 74-62 win in front of 9,986 fans. With the victory over the other Aggies in the league, the host Aggies are the only school with an unblemished conference record.

“We finally won a game with our defense, and that is what we’ve been harping about,” Morrill said. “We went out and played some defense and held somebody to under 40 percent (on field goals) and under 30 percent from 3-point range.”

NMSU (9-10, 3-1 WAC) shot just 35.3 percent from the field for the game and made just 8-of-30 (26.7 percent) shots from 3-point range.

“We have really been working on our defense and rebounding,” said USU forward Gary Wilkinson, who had a team-best 18 points and eight rebounds. “We wanted to make sure that we could win a game not only with our offense, but by buckling down, playing defense and by getting some boards.”

USU (12-5, 2-0) ended up shooting 45 percent from the field for the game after making 51.7 percent of its shots in the first half. The northern Aggies were 6-of-18 from beyond the arc...

Go here for the remainder of the article

AND

Boise State kept pace as expected facing Louisiana Tech.

Lapses aside, BSU men too much for La. Tech
NICK JEZIERNY
Idaho Statesman
1/13/08

Winning is never bad, which is why you won't hear anyone associated with the Boise State men's basketball program say anything too negative about the Broncos' 81-66 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night at Taco Bell Arena.
And while the 15-point Western Athletic Conference win had some high spots - the senior trio of Reggie Larry, Matt Nelson and Tyler Tiedeman scoring the team's first 34 points, for instance - there also was a troubling stretch that prevented BSU (12-4, 3-1 WAC) from being all smiles after the win.

"We should have put them away earlier than we did," Tiedeman said.

Tiedeman did his part, making his first four 3-point shots and knocking down three free throws after being fouled on his fifth attempt, to help BSU build a 21-point lead in the first half. Tiedeman had all 15 of his points in the first half when the Broncos led 45-31.

And then there was Larry and Nelson, who had their way with the Bulldogs' undersized posts. Larry showed no ill effects from the knee injury he sustained Thursday night as he matched his career-high total of 25 points. He also had season-highs in rebounds (15) and blocked shots (three).

"Everything was fine," said Larry, who made 10-of-14 shots and had six offensive rebounds.

"I thought he looked good," BSU coach Greg Graham said. "I think he wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn't hurt and he was OK. He more than did that."

Nelson made 8-of-11 shots and finished with 22 points and five rebounds. He also had five of BSU's 21 assists...

Go here for the remainder.

AND

Nevada, fresh off a spanking at San Jose State, had its way after a slow start with host Hawaii.

Nevada hammers cold-shooting UH
Dayton Morinaga
Honolulu Advertiser
January 13, 2008

Playing as if it were a house of straw against the big, bad Wolf Pack, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team got blown away last night.

The Rainbow Warriors had one of their worst shooting games of the season in a 77-59 loss to Nevada.

A crowd of 4,257 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the 'Bows fall to 5-10 overall and 1-2 in the WAC.

"It was a nightmarish night," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "I guess it was just like a road game for us tonight. We just didn't get the bounces that we needed."

The Wolf Pack improved to 8-6 and 1-1. Nevada has won the last four games against the 'Bows.

Matt Gibson had team-highs of 22 points and seven rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome dismal shooting performances from the other four starters.

"It just came down to our shooters missing a couple of jump shots, and that's something that doesn't happen too often," Gibson said.

Bobby Nash scored a season-low eight points on 4-of-18 shooting, including 0 for 6 from 3-point range. Riley Luettgerodt scored a season-low four points on 2-of-7 shooting. Jared Dillinger scored a season-low two points on 1-of-7 shooting, including 0 for 5 from 3-point range.

It was that kind of night.

"Twenty-one 3-pointers and we make three," Bobby Nash said. "That's not a very good percentage ... it was just a bad game."

The 59 points also tied a season-low for Hawai'i, and the 'Bows finished with a .375 field-goal percentage, including .143 from 3-point range...

Go here for the remainder.


AND

As expected, Hawaii took the measure of visiting Idaho despite a tremendous performance by Vandal Jordan Brooks.

Bulldogs push past IdahoMiller, Bell spark Fresno State to home win
Gary Estwick
The Fresno Bee
1/13/08

Fresno State might need to rethink its ambitions for the rest of the season, if its 69-53 win Saturday night against Idaho is what should be expected.

Or maybe Idaho, which finished last during both of its seasons in the Western Athletic Conference, has finally improved.

A Save Mart Center crowd of 9,550 fans watched Fresno State struggle to control the conference's ultimate cellar dweller, an Idaho squad with four wins but an energetic point guard with a power forward's mentality.

Newcomer Jordan Brooks pestered Fresno State for most of the game, but the Bulldogs received 27 points from Eddie Miller to improve to 9-8 overall and 2-1 in WAC play.

Miller and Kevin Bell (17 points) combined for nearly two-thirds of Fresno State's offense. Miller's tied his career highs in scoring and 3-pointers.

The rest of the Bulldogs struggled to score against Idaho's multiple defenses, this season's Achilles' heel. It allowed Idaho to keep the game within reach until the final 3 minutes.

"There's two or three teams that have established themselves as having the most talent, depth and experience," Fresno State coach Steve Cleveland said. "And we're not one of those teams."

Idaho (4-11, 1-3) is still several players away from finishing the season among the conference's top five teams. Fresno State is in that bunch, yet teetering on the edge, as evident by its closest home victory against Idaho since the Vandals joined the WAC...

Go here for the remainder.

Biggest game of the night: NMSU at Boise

The most important game of the night in the WAC -- that is in terms of how the WAC league games eventually play out this season and obviously keeping mind that it's early -- is New Mexico State against Boise State up in Idaho.

The Broncos own a home victory against San Jose State and a road win up in Moscow against Idaho to date so NMSU will actually be the first full-fledged test for Coach Greg Graham's squad. Yes, the Aggies are down in players but retain enough talent and firepower to give Boise State a solid challenge.

Big Matt Nelson will actually be facing off against someone bigger than him in Martin Iti, whose best talent is shotblocking. That will be a key duel. Also watch for how Reggie Larry performs. Boise wins if these two win their respective matchups.

New Mexico State has a road win against Idaho and a home victory over Fresno State so tonight's contest is its biggest challeneg this early in league play. Justin Hawkins will fill the stat sheet as usual so the key for the Aggies is how Jonathan Gibson performs. If he can get into the high teens or the twenties in scoring without having to take a same number of shots to do so then NMSU will be in good position to come away with a win. Also, Iti must remain out of foul trobule.

The WAC next season

Sometimes we get way ahead of ourselves but every college basketball coaching staff projects its rosters at least two or three, if not more, years out. It's necessary in order to determine what player losses will be taking place, what positions will need upgrading or reinforcing, how to keep the proportionate amount of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors on the roster, etc.

We took a moment and drew up the following -- a projection of mainstay players departing the league at the conclusion of the 2007-2007 season. As is typical, a large number of talented players will have completed their athletic eligibility, including:

Boise State - no Matt Nelson, no Reggie Larry, no Tyler Tiedeman, no Matt Bauscher in 2008-2009 (this foursome make up four fifths of the Bronco starting five)

Fresno State - no Eddie Miller, no Kevin Bell, no Hector Hernandez, no Alex Blair in 2008-2009 (here are three, and sometimes four starters)

Hawaii - no Matt Gibson, no Jared Dillinger, no Riley Luettgerodt, no P.J. Owsley, no Bobby Nash in 2008-2009 (this is Hawaii's current starting five)

Idaho - no Michael Crowell, no Clyde Johnson, no Darin Nagle in 2008-2009 (two starters and a 20 mpg. player)

Louisiana Tech - no Keith Smith in 2008-2009 (he is a starter)

Nevada - no Marcelus Kemp, no David Ellis, no DeMarshay Johnson in 2008-2009 (plus JaVale McGee will be getting NBA overtures but should play another season)

New Mexico State - no Justin Hawkins, no Martin Iti, no Hatila Passos, no Fred Peete in 2008-2009 (there are three, sometimes four starters in this bunch)

San Jose State - no Jamon Hill, no Kevin Fleming, no Lance Holloway in 2008-2009 (no starters)

Utah State - no Jaycee Carroll, no Stephen DuCharme, no Kris Clark in 2008-2009 (three starters, including the probable league MVP)

Obviously, talent will be incoming. Nevada has a nationally-ranked recruiting class coming into Reno. LA TECH has a number of talented redshirt transfers itching to get on the court next season.

Anyway, this gives you a sense of who is on their last go around the league. But as coaches always insist, keep in mind the games are played on the court -- not in anyone's imagination.

So where are we at?

No, I'm not asking for you to check your GPS device, I'm talking about the state of the WAC after the first week of conference play. Let's check-in on this past weekend, keeping in mind that Utah State and Nevada -- the most interesting matchup -- was postponed when Mother Nature developed a case of WAC conference interruptus.

Go ahead and toss them daggers dipped in bias at my armor-plated bias but redshirt freshman Justin Graham went for 29 points against Hawaii on Saturday night--- hands down the best performance this weekend. A senior laden Hawaii squad just could not handle him as he went over, under, around and through the Rainbow Warriors, earning an amazing 17 fouls shots. Graham wasn't necessarily en fuego, he was simply unstoppable.

But yes, the Spartans lost.

Utah State's Tai Wesley, yet another freshman, did Hawaii in earlier in the week with an outstanding performance of 27 points.

On to this weekend:

Justin Hawkins has been an Aggie mainstay since he stepped foot on the court in Las Cruces but Jonathan Gibson has been the biggest more-than-pleasant surprise so far this season for Marvin Menzies. The Aggies have enough role players to be formidable if Hawkins and Gibson can keep up the scoring.

New Mexico State 77, Fresno State 67

N.M.–New Mexico State men’s basketball senior guard/forward Justin Hawkins had a game-high 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Aggies a 77-67 win over Fresno State, Saturday, Jan. 5 in Las Cruces.


In NMSU’s WAC home opener, sophomore guard Jonathan Gibson added 17 points while senior guard Fred Peete recorded 10 points en route to the Aggies snapping a three-game losing streak to Fresno State.

For the Bulldogs, senior guards Kevin Bell scored 19 points and Eddie Miller provided 11 points.

AND

Credit Bob Nash's team for playing Utah State very tough in Logan and for beating SJSU in San Jose. Maybe the Rainbow Warriors are jelling and can remain effective with its quartet of fine jump shooters and one big man for the remainder of conference play.

Hawai‘i 85, San Jose State 79

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The University of Hawai`i men's basketball team handed first-year head coach Bob Nash his first Western Athletic Conference victory and picked up its first road win of the year by holding off San Jose State, 85-79, Saturday night at The Event Center.

Hawai`i led by double-digits for much of the game and held off a late Spartan rally to improve to 5-9 overall and 1-1 in the WAC. San Jose State dropped to 6-7 overall and 0-2 in the WAC.
UH continued it dominance over San Jose State with its 10th straight win over the Spartans and fifth straight in San Jose. Hawai`i has not lost to the Spartans since 2003.

Matt Gibson led UH with 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds before fouling out in the waning minutes. Bobby Nash and Riley Luettgerodt each poured in 14 points, while Jared Dillinger added 13.

UH's win offset a stellar performance by San Jose State's freshman guard Justin Graham who finished with a game-high 29 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 14-of-17 shooting from the line

AND

The best part about the season Greg Graham and the Broncos have enjoyed so far is that any rumbling about the need for a men's basketball equivalent of Chris Petersen @ BSU has been muzzled. Let's hope it never resurfaces as Graham, one of the good guys in college coaching, is as fine a coach as can be had up Idaho way. Whether it's Nelson Larry or Larry Nelson, the Boise Staters have a formidable duo in the frontcourt, one that has carried the team to date with no sign of abatement.

Boise State 95, Idaho 84


MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) -Matt Nelson and Reggie Larry scored 25 points each Saturday as they led Boise State to a 95-84 win over Idaho.

The victory extends the Broncos' winning streak over the Vandals to 13 straight games.

Paul Noonan added 12 points for BSU (11-3, 2-0 Western Athletic Conference).

The Vandals (3-10, 0-2) were led by Jordan Brooks, who scored 22 points. Mike Hall added 20 for UI.

Idaho tied the game at 56-56 with 18:25 left in the second half following a pair of Mike Hall free throws that came as a result of a technical foul by Larry. The Vandals then took the lead on a Brooks basket, 58-56, with 17:58 left.

But that was it for UI. The Broncos went on a 15-2 run that featured three Larry 3-pointers that built the BSU lead to 73-60.

Go here for complete game writeups.

Boise State starts the WAC strong

Boise State had a couple of momentary lapses but came through like the experienced team that it is once the score got close. Matt Nelson and Reggie Larry provide a frontcourt duo other WAC teams cannot match and Coach Greg Graham has assembled complementary pieces around them.

Bronco veterans combine for 64 points in win over Spartans
NICK JEZIERNY
Idaho Statesman
1/03/08

The Boise State men's basketball team did more than win its WAC opener Wednesday night - the Broncos also showed the rest of the conference that with four senior starters they are going to be tough to rattle.
BSU won for the ninth time in 10 games, riding the performances of its four seniors in taking a 78-63 win over San Jose State in front of 3,984 fans at Taco Bell Arena.

Seniors Matt Bauscher, Reggie Larry, Matt Nelson and Tyler Tiedeman combined for 64 points and made big play after big play to help squash a comeback bid by the improved Spartans (6-6 overall, 0-1 WAC).

"Boise taught us a lesson in experience and hanging in there and making plays," SJSU coach George Nessman said.

The Broncos (10-3, 1-0) led 40-25 early in the second half when the Spartans rallied and eventually cut the deficit to a single point on two occasions, the last at 56-55 with just under 10 minutes to go in the game...

Go here for the remainder.

Boise State faces a big test with BYU coming to town

Is Boise State for real this season? A very good test will be tonight when nationally ranked BYU comes to Idaho. A home win and the broncos generate solid respect. A loss and both fans and the media will remain unconvinced that this is the year for Greg Graham and Company.

Fiery Nelson wants to lead Bronco men to Big Dance
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
12/29/07

There are many ways to describe Boise State basketball player Matt Nelson.
The 6-foot-9 senior forward from Issaquah, Wash., is productive, averaging 14.8 points and 8.2 rebounds a game.

He is emotional, which is easy to see when you watch the preseason second-team All-WAC selection on the court.

The transfer from Eastern Washington is a good teammate - just ask any of the other Broncos, especially the three who share an off-campus house with him.

But when you ask anyone to describe Nelson, the one word that dominates the conversation is competitive.

"He always wants to win - it doesn't matter if it's board games at home or open gyms," teammate and housemate Kurt Cunningham said. "He's just competitive and hates to lose. I think that's what drives him and is why he plays with a chip on his shoulder."

Nelson is expected to play a key role Saturday when the Broncos (8-3) take on 20th-ranked BYU (10-2) at Taco Bell Arena. Tipoff is 7 p.m...

Go here for the remainder.

Idaho Statesman columnist details how Boise is doing it

Brian Murphy had a column in today's Idaho Statesman offering specifics regarding the reasons for Boise State's early basketball success. The names Matt Nelson and Reggie Larry are well known Broncos in WAC basketball circles but a certain TT hass also become an integral factor in Boise's winning recrod to date this season.

Murphy: A consistent three the key for Broncos
Idaho Statesman
12/13/07

The game plan for stopping Boise State's men's basketball team is not complicated. It's Basketball 101. Harass forward Reggie Larry and center Matt Nelson with extra defenders thus crowding the lane and making it difficult for the inside duo to operate.

Every opponent knows what to do. The Broncos know it's coming.

And that's where Tyler Tiedeman comes in.

The Broncos' 6-foot-7 sweet-shooting forward is the antidote to the double-team. His 3-pointers are the price foes must pay for all their attention on Larry and Nelson.

It's Basketball 101 - at least since the 3-point line was installed. The Houston Rockets won back-to-back NBA titles by following the simple formula: Surround your talented big men with good 3-point shooters.

Precisely what the Broncos, 6-3 entering Thursday's game at Utah Valley, have attempted to do for Larry and Nelson, the team's leading scorers.

"It's a double-sided sword. Pick your poison," Tiedeman said. "If you're going to double them, somebody is going to be open for 3. But if you don't double them, they're going to score every time."

Larry (18.7 points per game) and Nelson (16.0 ppg) are getting their points consistently. Each has scoredin double figures in the Broncos' nine games.

And that's where Tiedeman comes in. He's third on the team in scoring at 12.1 points.

"Look at any team on any level. That third guy is the key," Boise State coach Greg Graham said. "Take the Spurs. It's not (Tony) Parker and (Tim) Duncan. It's Parker, Duncan and (Manu) Ginobili. ... That third guy makes a big difference."

Go here for the remainder.

A preview of Boise State men's basketball for 2007-2008

Here's the latest version of our Boise State preview.

Greg Graham can coach--there's no doubt about it. Greg Graham runs a clean program. Greg Graham is the type of person you would welcome to coach your son.

But when contrasted with the enormous -- some would say inexplicable to a degree -- success of the school's football program, men's hoops at Boise State inevitably suffers in comparison.

This has produced a number of Boise-atics who want changes in THEIR men's basketball squad, starting at the top.

Driven by the sports talk show callers and brew pub denizens, the complaints of 'if Dan Hawkins (now Chris Peterson) could do it, when 22 starters are required, then why can't it happen in men's basketball?' are echoing.

Even the success of Gordy Presnell with the Broncos women's basketball team -- conference co-championship, winner of the 2007 WAC tourney, 2007 Russell Athletic/Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Region 7 Coach of the Year and the Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year -- furthers the degree of pressure.

So who and what does Graham have at his disposal in PCB (Post Coby Karl) 2007-2008 to quiet the disaffected?

Here are his returnees:

Anthony Thomas -- guard 6-0 202 sophomore. Thomas was a very pleasant surprise with his numbers as a redshirt freshman and a continuation of his progress is critical for Boise to have a productive backcourt. He averaged 5.0 ppg. (but double figures in the last set of games), shooting 46% overall, 37% on threes. Thomas also compiled 50 assists to 41 turnovers, a decent ratio but especially so for a freshman. To top it off, he garnered WAC Freshman of the Year honors.

Reggie Larry -- forward 6-6 225 senior. The best athlete on the team, Larry scored 13.9 ppg., shooting 48% from the floor and 64% on his foul shots. He also nabbed 8.1 rpg. and led the Broncos with 44 shotblocks. His shooting range is limited, having nailed just 19% of his three-pointers but his physical prowess grants him the opportunities to create his own shot despite taller opposition inside. Larry won a spot on the All WAC Newcomer team.

Matt Nelson -- center 6-9 232 senior. After spending a redshirt season upon transferring from Eastern Washington, Nelson scored 13.9 ppg and grabbed 9.1 rpg., while earning All WAC Newcomer team status. He's only a 58% foul shooter and needs to upgrade that number in order to remain on the court when a close game is nearing completion. Nelson was third on the team in attempted shots, behind Karl and Larry, and should be the #1 or #2 shot taker in the upcoming season. That is, if Boise is to succeed.

Both the scoring and rebounding numbers for Nelson and Larry improved during conference play, indicative of a settling-in and blossoming. Expect more of the same.

Tyler Tiedeman -- wing 6-7 210 senior. He's a long distance, spot-up shooter who will help most in keeping defenders from packing the paint against Nelson and Larry.

Kurt Cunningham -- center 6-9 277 junior. Cunningham is a backup who rarely sees playing time.

Matt Bauscher -- shooting guard 6-2 197 senior. Bauscher is the backcourt version of Tiedeman but a better shooter. He shot 49% from the floor, 38% on 3's last season. Call him the Bronco backcourt designated shooter.

Here are last year's signees, all of whom redshirted:

Paul Noonan -- wing 6-6 200 redshirt freshman. Noonan is described thusly: "averaged 19.5 points and 6.9 rebounds as a senior. Made 54.5 percent of field goal attempts and 79.2 percent of free throw attempts."

Shawn Rouse -- wing 6-7 180 redshirt freshman. As a prep, Rouse averaged 16.3 points while making 46.4 percent of field goal attempts and 31.8 percent of 3-point attempts.

Zack Moritz -- center 6-10 230 redshirt freshman. Moritz averaged 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game as a high school senior, shooting 73% from the foul line.

None of these youngsters will play major roles in 2007-2008 for Boise.

Here's the new Graham recruits:

Aaron Garner -- combo guard 6-4 184 junior. A Yuba CC transfer, Garner displays an all-around game and should see time immediately. He averaged 16.2 ppg., shooting 43% from the floor, 42% on three pointers. He also passed for 4.1 apg. while coming up with 44 steals.

Mark Sanchez -- power forward 6-7 240 junior. Out of Pima CC (AZ), Sanchez verballed to Drake right after taking his very first recruiting visit. He then changed his mind after doing a roundtrip meet-and-greet up to Boise, leaving the Missouri Vallery Conference Bulldogs none too happy. Sanchez averaged 19.7 ppg., 8.3 rpg. and 2.0 blocked shots per game. Here's Graham on Sanchez: "Mark brings versatility to the four spot because he is a guy who can play inside and shoot the three. He is a very skilled passer who is unique because he is a 6-7, 240-pound guy who is as comfortable playing outside as inside which is ideal for our system." Sanchez will definitely be in the frontcourt rotation.

Jamar Greene -- combo guard 6-0 190 junior. Greene was a big-time scorer in the junior college ranks but also possesses some creative ability. He and Garner will battle for playing time.

Here's a somewhat fuzzy crystal ball take on Boise's starting five:

center - Matt Nelson
power forward - Reggie Larry
wing - Mark Sanchez
shooting guard - Anthony Thomas
point - Aaron Garner

Larry is but 6-6 but his lack of range predicates he play in and around the paint. Sanchez is bigger and beefier but has better range.

In losing Karl and point Eric Lane to graduation, 190 assists departed, plus Carl's point production. Neither Thomas nor Garner are pure points but, between them, should be able to satisfactorily get the job done.

How will success be defined for Boise State in 2007-2008?

That obviously depends on who is setting the bar. Graham has been successful with the program -- just not at the level some desire. The pressure will be to move the Broncos into the elite of the WAC, say one of the top two spots in the WAC. Barring injuries, with expected player development, Garner and Sanchez contributing right away, and a break or two, such is within sights.