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BSU HOOPS SEASON PREVIEW
Experience key as Broncos the men begin the season
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The Boise State men’s basketball team is going to have something this season that was lacking going into the 2004-’05 season: returning players at key leadership roles.
“I’m hoping that our experience will help us get off to a good start,” Head Coach Greg Graham said. “It’s not always the case, but our guys feel more comfortable starting and in their roles, instead of being out there for the first time.”
Before last season, the bulk of the returning players were moved into new roles. Now, players like Eric Lane, Coby Karl and Tez Banks are all returning to the same roles they had last season.
“I think that makes a huge difference. It was even new for them last year. They had to be new leaders last year, and now they’ve been all of the roles and hopefully they can help smooth the other guys along and feel comfortable with their positions,” Graham said.
The Broncos begin the 2005-06 season Friday night at the Taco Bell Arena against Montana at 7:35 p.m.
“It’s fun to have a home opener and start to put our things together in a real game situation,” Graham said.
Returning three starters, along with three others that started games last season is an added plus that the team lacked last season, propelling them to a losing season despite advancing to the championship game in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
In 2003-’04, Boise State finished with the best record in 15 years, but the players who were in leadership roles all graduated despite bringing back three starters.
The problem last season’s team faced was those returning starters were not the leaders, and had to take on a new role early on. Jason Ellis was a four-year starter, but up until last season, he was a great re-bounder and didn’t need to do too much. Jermaine Blackburn was a great scorer, but last season was looked at as the leader. Karl started 17 games as a freshman, but needed to become a leader in the backcourt.
Now, along with the three returning full time starters, the Broncos also have key components coming back, and new players that have stepped up early in the exhibition games.
Sidelined with an ankle injury during the first exhibition game against Albertson, Seth Robinson sat out the game against Concordia, but is expected to be back in the starting lineup tomorrow night.
“Seth needs to stay healthy, but he’s our big energy guy,” Graham said.
Robinson played in 33 of the 34 games last season, starting nine. He is one of those players that will dive on the floor for a rebound, and plays bigger than his size.
Returning again as the full time starter is Tez Banks. One of just three seniors on the team, Banks has shown he can step up and replace Jason Ellis (all-time Boise State rebounder) as the rebounding force the team needs. Banks grabbed 19 rebounds in limited minutes in the two exhibition games.
Also in the starting lineup is Matt Bauscher, the lone local product on the team. Bauscher is a tough player who can shoot from the perimeter and go inside.
But the key this team is the experience of the two players in the backcourt. Lane and Karl are undoubtedly the leaders on the team, and Grahams says it is an added benefit to have not one, but two leaders who are also floor leaders.
It really wasn’t until the tournament where both players began to play their best games, together. Lane sidelined by an injury in December of last season, didn’t seem to get his composer and confidence back until the tournament.
The two both averaged 13 points per game in the four games.
The two should help the Broncos get off to a promising start during the non-conference schedule. Something Boise State was unable to capitalize on last season.
“If you come out of the (non-conference schedule) and you are .500, you’ve got to win a lot of (WAC) games to get to the tournament. The more you can help yourself, it’s good,” Graham said.
The Broncos were just 6-5 going into the WAC schedule, and wound up losing nine of the first 12 conference games.
“I think all of the schools, other than the few big names schools-you have to do well in the preseason. They are looking for 20 wins seasons and team to do well, and your power ranking in your conference,” Graham said.
The Broncos will also make the decision today about whether or not to redshirt junior college transfer Kenny Wilson. With the early injuries to Robinson (ankle), McNeal Thompson (dislocated knee cap) and Kareem Lloyd (broken toe), the decision will be to see how the Broncos can manage until when Lloyd is expected back in early December.
Trevor Horn
Sports Editor
