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WAC Championship hopes heightened
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With the Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball season over the hump, the picture is becoming a little bit clearer who will be the top teams.
Boise State University hopes to defend their 2007-08 conference title and attend another NCAA Tournament has become somewhat of a reality after their defeat of New Mexico State Thursday night.
But the two traditionally explosive Nevada and always dangerous Utah State teams must relent as they move closer to the home stretch of WAC play. The Broncos must do their part to make defend their title in a conference where the top three teams look to separate from each other.
DEFENSE! DEFENSE!
There are some shining spots on Boise State’s defensive statistics this season. They hold their opponents to a field goal percentage below 40. However, they struggle to shut teams down in the stretch. Thursday night against the NMSU Aggies stands as testament to this. If the Broncos want to claim the top conference spot they will need to shut teams down and keep them out of the game. The Broncos have given up 51 more points in the second half than the first this season. This trend needs to shorten up, if not completely turn around, for them to beat Utah State and Nevada.
USU has scored 85 more points in the second half than the second. They have also beaten their opponents by 13.15 points per game.
Boise State only defeats their foes by 1.2 points on average during their 2008-09 campaign.
The Broncos have grown defensively this season. They need to grow more before hosting USU on Valentine’s Day or Nevada for their regular season finally. They’ve got the time.
REBOUNDS
The Broncos are dead last during WAC competition in turnovers by a margin of -6.2 per game. That translates into the possibility for 12 or more points per game for their opponents due to blown and given away second chances at the basket.
If Boise State is going to defeat USU and Nevada, they must find ways to get the ball back.
The Aggies have the best rebounding defense, allowing only 27.8 per game to the Broncos 39.2 per game. Boise State will have to boost their boards from their 33 per game average to build on those second chances and turn them into points.
KEEP ON SPREADING IT AROUND
The Broncos have averaged 72.4 points per game have only two players scoring double digits each game topped by senior Mark Sanchez with 13.1 ppg followed by sophomore Paul Noonan with 10.9 ppg.
With seven players averaging more than five points per game and six players who shoot 45 percent or better from the field, they can disguise and surprise opposing teams and expose their defenses.
STATUS OF SANCHEZ
Boise State head coach Greg Graham brought injured Sanchez on to the court Thursday night who visibly struggled by keeping his feet planted on the floor and only playing eight minutes.
He is about where they thought he would be, according to Graham.
KIRK BELL
Sports Coordinator