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Boise State Basketball: Key non-conference matchups for 2022-23 season

By Tristan Freeman

BOISE, ID - DECEMBER 3: Head Coach Leon Rice of the Boise State Broncos explodes after a controversial call during the second half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at ExtraMile Arena on December 3, 2021 in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 63-58. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - DECEMBER 3: Head Coach Leon Rice of the Boise State Broncos explodes after a controversial call during the second half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at ExtraMile Arena on December 3, 2021 in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 63-58. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /
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The non-conference schedule for Boise State Basketball has been released. Who are the key matchups to watch for the Broncos?

While San Diego State and Colorado State got a lot of attention in the Mountain West last season, it was actually Boise State that tied for first in the conference standings. The team had 27 wins total, including a 9-4 record in the non-conference. Key wins included on the road at Washington State and against Ole Miss and Tulsa, while the Broncos also had some setbacks versus both UC-Irvine and Cal State Bakersfield.

Boise State had another solid non-conference slate for the upcoming season, including a set of matchups in the Myrtle Beach Invitational. Here’s a look at some of the key opponents to watch for the Broncos.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits – Nov 9th

The Jackrabbits don’t have star wing and Summit League Player of the Year Baylor Scheierman back but they’ve been one of the most consistent mid-major programs in the country and always builds stars. Expect Zeke Mayo to become the next breakout leader for this team and with this being the opener, Boise State will have a fight on its hands.

Washington State Cougars – Nov 12th

The Broncos will look for back-to-back wins against the Pac-12 program, with both teams having entirely new rosters. The frontcourt for the Cougars remains strong, led by returning forward  Mouhamed Gueye. But they lost all three key backcourt players and will need transfers, Jabe Mullins and Justin Powell to have a major impact. If not, Boise has a good chance of winning.

Charlotte 49ers (Myrtle Beach) –  Nov 17th

The 49ers have become a transfer haven under Ron Sanchez but lost their top three players from last season, including star guard Jahmir Young. The frontcourt of returning forward Robert Braswell and Virginia transfer Igor Miličić, Jr. should be solid but they’ll need new guards to emerge in order to be competitive.

Texas A&M Aggies – Dec 3rd

The Aggies aren’t the biggest team in the world but they have plenty of physicality and toughness among their undersized forwards. Henry Coleman is the leader of the frontcourt, while Michigan State transfer Julius Marble is going to have an impact. They’ll need Wichita State transfer Dexter Dennis to stabilize the backcourt but all in all should be a very difficult matchup for Boise.

at Saint Louis Billikens – Dec 10th

In one of the top non-conference games last season, the Billikens got the 87-83 overtime victory on the road. Not only are the two guys who led them in scoring that game (Gibson Jimmerson and Yuri Collins) back, but they bring back 17 ppg scorer Javonte Perkins as well after missing all of last year with an injury. Saint Louis could very well be ranked to start the season and could be the most difficult non-conference matchup for the Broncos.

Next. Preseason top-25 power rankings for 2022-23. dark

Oakland Grizzlies – Dec 18th

Collins of Saint Louis was No. 1 in the country last season in assists and No. 2 was Jalen Moore (7.6 apg) of Oakland. He’s back for his senior year, joined by a pair of power conference transfers in Lorne Bowman and Rocket Watts. If either breaks out in the Horizon League, they’ll not only be a threat there but also be a threat to beat the Broncos.