Busting Brackets
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Mountain West Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2019-20 season

By Jacob Salcido

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Justin Bean #12 of the Utah State Aggies defends Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Justin Bean #12 of the Utah State Aggies defends Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Leon Rice of the Boise State Broncos reacts to play in the game against the Arizona Wildcats during the DirecTV Wooden Legacy at Honda Center on November 29, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Leon Rice of the Boise State Broncos reacts to play in the game against the Arizona Wildcats during the DirecTV Wooden Legacy at Honda Center on November 29, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Boise State head coach Leon Rice is a basketball genius. At least, in the sense of how incredible the level that Rice can get his players to develop, compete, and perform at year-in and year-out is. Consistent competitiveness and passion is something Bronco fans have grown accustomed to over the years. That being said, Boise State had a mess of a season in 2019, a rare occurrence under Rice’s leadership. Rather, it was an unlucky season: For example, Boise lost seven games by less than three points. Leon Rice doesn’t expect that to be the new norm for his Broncos.

The roster at hand is indicative of this. It is hard to find a weak spot here. Breakout player Derrick Alston (All-Mountain West pick) and star Justinian Jessup (14 points per game) both return for 2020, joined by reliable play-makers in Alex Hobbs, Marcus Dickinson, and Roderick Williams. The fact that each of Boise State’s freshmen red-shirted last season also can’t hurt for depth and development, and many are anticipating the debut of incoming freshman ‘RayJ’ Dennis.

Though it looks like a number of high-profile transfers will be sitting out this season per NCAA rules (Most notably, Emmanuel Akot from Arizona) – The Broncos have the talent to win now and win often. Again, this league should be incredibly competitive this season. Still, expect this team to surely compete for the conference title and an auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament. If the chemistry really gets working, it’s safe to say this Broncos team can compete for even more than that.