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...

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