After an incredibly successful 2022-23 season for Boise State men’s basketball, the team is quickly reaping the benefits months after the season concluded.
Last season, the Broncos saw a major spike in overall attendance at Extra-Mile Arena and fans were as engaged as ever.
The Broncos averaged 9,000 fans each game and had one of the highest attended games with a little over 12,000 fans packing “The-X” (ExtraMile Arena).
Not only did the fans show up and show out for last season, but they are coming back for more.
Boise State sold out most of their season ticket seats, and even had to open up the upper balcony levels in Extra-Mile Arena, or “Leon’s Landing”, for season ticket sales.
With season ticket sales starting at about $12 per game and over 500 new season tickets sold, about 97% of the seats in the mezzanine and lower levels will be sold for the 2023-24 season.
This incredible success is all thanks to their incredible run in the 2022-23 season.
The Broncos reached the NCAA March Madness Tournament for the second year in a row and though the season ended in a loss in the NCAA tournament, as well as the Mountain West Tournament, there is no doubt that their season will be defined by their team’s energy and chemistry.
A team that was led by then senior guard Max Rice, fifth-year forward Naje Smith, fifth-year guard Marcus Shaver Jr. and sophomore forward Tyson Degenhart, seemed to be much more dominant and cohesive than many expected.
After coming off of an incredible 2021-22 season, winning the Mountain West Conference and going to the NCAA Tournament, the team was looking to continue their success and continue what they did.
In one of their last home games, the Broncos had one of the most electric regular-season upsets and home game wins of all time.
The Broncos defeated No. 18 San Diego State, a team that later went on to compete in the National Championship title game, in what could very well be one of the best sporting events to ever take place in Boise.
The win was a pivotal moment for the team and program as a whole.
It was a win that showed people that they deserved the recognition, the praise and the notoriety.
It left many people to think, is Boise State a basketball school?
With the lackluster performance coming from Boise State’s other dominant athletic program — football — there is no doubt fans are eager for the start of basketball season to arrive.
Though the schedule has yet to be released for this upcoming season, the Boise State men’s basketball program is undoubtedly catching the eyes of Bronco fans.
The Broncos went undefeated at home last season and will look to continue that streak into this season as well. With the increase in fan attendance, there is no doubt that the energy that will fill Extra-Mile will be even more electric than before.
If the energy was electric last season, just wait until this upcoming season.
The team will return three of its five starters with Rice, Degenhart and senior guard Chibuzo Agbo.
Though the team loses two of their former leaders, Shaver and Smith, the Broncos have new transfers and developing players that will play pivotal roles for this upcoming season.
The 2023-24 season for Boise State men’s basketball is right around the corner, and there is a lot to be excited about for Bronco fans!
