Busting Brackets
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Boise State Basketball: 3 keys to beat Memphis in 2022 NCAA Tournament

By Dominic Ferrucci

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: The Boise State Broncos celebrates after the team's victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: The Boise State Broncos celebrates after the team's victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Tigers guard Lester Quinones Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis Tigers guard Lester Quinones Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

#8 Seed Boise State Broncos (27-7; 6-1 on Neutral Court)

Coach: Leon Rice; 12th year (244-144) *MW Coach of the Year in 2022

Last Tournament appearance: 2015; 11 seed (Lost in First Four)

NET: 29

KenPom: 26

NCAA seed list: 29

PPG/Opponents’ PPG: 68.7/60.8

Biggest Strength: Ability to Win Close Games (12-4 in games decided by two possessions or less)

Biggest Weakness:  Free Throw Shooting; 64.9% (Worst of any team in the NCAA tournament)

Projected Starters

Marcus Shaver Jr. (13.6 ppg); Emmanuel Akot (10.7 ppg); Abu Kigab (14.7 ppg); Tyson Degenhart (9.9ppg); Mladen Armus (7.2ppg)

Bench:

Max Rice (21.5mpg); Naje Smith (16.1mpg); Pavle Kuzmanovic (10.9mpg); Lucas Milner (6.9mpg)

Of note:

  • All starters with the exception of Shaver stand 6’7” or taller,
  • Degenhart won MW freshman of the year,
  • Bench production is limited with Kuzmanovic and Milner seeing majority of their action when team is in foul trouble

#9 Seed Memphis Tigers (21-10; 3-2 on Neutral Court)

Coach: Penny Hardaway; 4th Year (84-42)

Last Tournament appearance: 2014; 8 seed (Lost in 2nd Round)

NET: 33

KenPom: 28

NCAA seed list: 36

PPG/Opponents’ PPG: 75.4/68.4

Biggest Strength: Athleticism and Speed; oftentimes forcing opponents into their style of play

Biggest Weakness: Turnovers; 16.4 pg (Worst of any team in the NCAA Tournament)

Projected Starters

Alex LoMax (5.9 ppg); Lester Quinones (10.1 ppg); Landers Nolley II (9.9 ppg); DeAndre Williams (10.9ppg); Jalen Duran (12.2ppg)

Bench

Earl Timberlake (17.5 mpg), Josh Minott (15.2 mpg), Tyler Harris (19.1mpg), Malcolm Dandridge (11.5 mpg), Chandler Lawson, and Jayden Hardaway

Of note:

  • Team has used 16 different starting lineups this season; the same one in the last 10 games
  • No update on 5-star Emoni Bates who has not played since Jan. 27th
  • Quinones has scored in double figures all but three times since the hot streak began and has connected on at least three 3pt attempts in that same span (12-2 stretch following SMU loss)
  • Tyler Harris injured his leg in Memphis’ semifinal win vs. SMU on Saturday, though he played Sunday, it appears he might be dealing with some lingering effects going 0-6 from the field

So the foundation has been laid for both teams, what do the Broncos need to get done in order to move on, and who could be the X-Factor to help make it happen?