Boise State Basketball: Best mid-major nobody is talking about in 2022

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 06: Buster Bronco pumps up the crowd as the Boise State Broncos play the San Diego State Aztecs during a semifinal game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 6, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) /

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Jan 18, 2022; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos guard Marcus Shaver Jr. Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /

Making a Case for a Tournament Run

Following Tuesday’s win, the Broncos own sole possession of first place in the Mountain West. In most tournament predictions Leon Rice’s squad finds themselves as a double-digit seed, possessing a bid as the Mountain West’s automatic qualifier. This, however, is not the only way Boise State can make the Big Dance, but the Broncos must keep winning to avoid disappointment similar to last year’s result. Boise State was 18-4 a season ago before losing the last three games of the regular season and their first game in the Mountain West tournament.

Despite losing key pieces like Derrick Alston and RayJ Dennis, the core was kept intact, and we are seeing the experience pay off now. One of many returners was senior guard Devonaire Doutrive, who has since been dismissed from the team. With Doutrive’s absence, who started all but one game he appeared in, others have picked up the slack.

Previously mentioned Tyson Degenhart and Marcus Shaver Jr. have been crucial for the Bronco’s success, but the play of Abu Kigab, Emmanuel Akot, and Mladen Armus must be mentioned. All transfers at one time, the three have paced Boise State on their phenomenal run. And the three are fantastic leaders in their own right, evidenced by Kigab imploring his teammates for one more stop on the game’s final possession against Wyoming. Akot and Kigab each average in double figures while Armus pulls down 9.0 rebounds a game.

Perhaps the most impressive stat from the trio is the number of minutes they have played considering the harsh stretch of consecutive games the schedule has called for, all averaging over 25 minutes. Only two other Broncos have appeared in every game this season: Naje Smith and Max Rice, son of head coach Leon Rice.

The lack of depth is an area of concern for Boise State, especially without Doutrive, but the rotation has overcome six days in thirteen days to this point, something that will help them down the line come Mountain West tournament play structured for three games in three days in order to bring home the title.