Fresno State Bulldogs (5-6, 3-6) at Boise State Broncos (13-1, 9-0)
Time: 6 PST – 8 CST – 9 EST
Place: ExtraMile Arena, Boise, Idaho
TV: CBS Sports Network
What’s At Stake:
Boise State has won 13 games in a row and is one of the more well-rounded teams in the nation as the Broncos are atop the Mountain West in scoring offense and (81.2 ppg) and field goal percentage (47.4%) and are second in scoring defense (61.0 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (39.2%). The 13-game winning streak is fourth best in the nation and the 9-0 start in the MW is the best conference start in program history.
The Broncos own a 24-21 lead in the series, but the Bulldogs are 4-3 in the last seven games in the series while the Broncos are 8-6 in the last 14 games.
Vs. The Spread:
Fresno State:
- The Bulldogs are 3-8 ATS in the last 11 games
- The UNDER has been the play in 4 of Fresno State’s last 5 games
- The ‘Dogs are 2-13 SU in their last 15 road games in Boise
Boise State:
- The Broncos are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boise State’s last 8 games vs. Mountain West opponents
- The UNDER has been the play in 5 of the last 6 games between the Broncos and Bulldogs
| Teams | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno State | +15 (-105) | +870 | O 137 (-110) |
| Boise State | -15 (-115) | -1500 | U 137 (-110) |
Last Time Out:
Boise State closed Wednesday night’s game on a 30-5 run as the Broncos ran past Fresno State, 73-51, after trailing for the first 30 minutes of the game. Derek Alston, Jr., led BSU with 21 points as he put the Broncos ahead for good on a three-pointer with 9:08 remaining. The Broncos made 12 of their last 15 field goals, but they still finished shooting only 38.8 percent from the field.
For the Bulldogs to Win:
A more aggressive offensive approach behind the talents of Orlando Robinson (17.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg) will be a must if Fresno State is able to salvage a split in the series. Deon Stroud (13.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Isaiah Hill (10.8 pgg, 3.5 rpg) have been the keys on the perimeter for the Bulldogs, but they still shoot only 30.2 percent from three. The Broncos ramp up the defense against the triple (28.9% -3), so FSU’s opportunities will be limited. The Bulldogs are 269th in the NCAA in turnover percentage as they commit 21.5 per 100 possessions, per kenpom. Boise State’s defense creates steals as it has 100 on the season with Abu Kigab leading with 26.
The offensive glass is where the Bulldogs can make a difference as they average 12.3 rebounds per night as Robinson is the leading offensive rebounder as well with 33.
For the Broncos to Win:
Derrick Alston, Jr. (16.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg) has scored 20-plus points seven times this season as he is fifth in the MW in scoring while Portland transfer Marcus Shaver, Jr., (18/43 -3) has joined Max Rice ( 22/52 -3 ) as the leading three-point shooters. The Bulldogs’ defense gives up about 8.9 per game triples, so this is a major challenge as we do not expect the Broncos to shoot as poorly as they did for the first 30 minutes on Wednesday. In shooting 54.9 percent from inside the arc, Boise State is 43rd in the NCAA as Kigab (13.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and point guard RayJ Dennis (11.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg) have been tough to keep out of the paint.
Winner: Boise State 75, Fresno State (+15) 65
O/U: Take OVER 137
