The Broncos will welcome in the Nevada Wolf Pack Wednesday night for a showdown that will likely determine the #1 seed in the 2018 Mountain West Men’s Basketball Tournament next month.
Game Info
Network: ESPNU
Arena: Taco Bell Arena
Date: February 14th, 2018 at 11 p.m.
How have the Broncos been playing as of late?
After winning four in a row, the Broncos fell on the road Saturday to the Utah State Aggies, 65-71. The Broncos beat the Aggies earlier in conference play, but the team out of Boise ran out of gas Saturday and were outscored by 13 in the second half. Prior to falling on the road to the Aggies, the Broncos had been on a roll, winning seven of eight, including three on the road. Who has their only loss to during that stretch? It came against the Nevada Wolf Pack back in January.
How have the Wolf Pack been playing as of late?
Nevada notched a major win on Saturday, blowing out the San Diego State, 83-58, the Wolf Pack earned their first win as a top 25 team this season. The Aztecs had been a thorn in the Wolf Pack’s side for much of the last five years, beating the Wolf Pack eight of the nine previous meetings. The win was a nice rebound for the team out of Reno who had fallen from the top of the Mountain West standings after losing 78-86 to the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels at home on February 7th.
Despite rising in the rankings, the Reno squad has had a rough time recently, losing two of its last five. For a team that has only lost five games on the season, there is a bit of worry beginning to emerge as the team heads into Bronco country for a meeting that could determine its placement in Mountain West post-season tournament.
Key Matchup
Look for the matchup of two 6-7 guards to be the deciding factor in this Valentine’s Day contest. The Broncos are led Mission Viejo, California native, Chandler Hutchinson, who’s having a career year this year, averaging 20.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. During the January meeting with the Wolf Pack, Hutchinson poured in 27 points to alongside five rebounds, three assists and four steals. Hutchinson will need to be cautious though. He nearly fouled out in Reno.
On the opposite side of the court will be Jordan Caroline, a junior forward out of Illinois averaging 17.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Caroline played a major role in the Wolf Pack’s first win against the Broncos. In an ironman like performance, Caroline grabbed 13 boards, scored 22 points in 39 minutes. If Caroline can play like that at Taco Bell Arena, the Wolf Pack will be tough to beat.
Player to Watch
https://twitter.com/broncosports/status/955596545537196032
In Boise State’s January meeting with Nevada, the team shot 14% from the three-point line, which is far below its season average of 39% from beyond the arc. In order for the Broncos to come out on top, they will need consisting shooting from transfer senior, Lexus Williams. The Chicago native has been on fire in his last five games, shooting over 50% from the three-point line and scoring above his season average in four of his last five games.
Next: Odds for each bubble team in February
Look for Williams to improve upon his dismal performance in the last meeting against Nevada.