The Boise State men’s basketball team will try to extend its winning streak to five games tonight as the Broncos travel to Viejas Arena to face San Diego State in a key late-season Mountain West matchup.
The Broncos (17-7, 9-4 MWC) have averaged 74.5 points a game since a 75-72 loss at Colorado State on Jan. 6.
San Diego State (16-6, 9-4) is coming off a 69-66 win at San Jose State, and the Aztecs are a week removed from a 68-63 loss to Colorado State. The Aztecs and Rams split their regular-season series.
The Broncos and Aztecs both need a win tonight to stay in the race for the regular-season Mountain West championship, which is led by New Mexico (21-4, 13-1) and Utah State (22-3, 12-2). Boise State, San Diego State, and Colorado State (15-9, 9-4) are all currently tied for No. 3 in the conference.
Tonight’s game features the top two defenses in the Mountain West. The Aztecs are giving up 63.3 points a night, which leads the conference and ranks No. 12 in the country. Boise State is surrendering 65.8, which ranks No. 2 in the conference.
Boise State at San Diego State Odds
San Diego State is a 2.5-point college basketball betting odds favorite on BetMGM, and the Over/Under is at 134.5 points.
The Moneyline is at -140 for the Aztecs and at +115 for the Broncos.
Boise State at San Diego State on TV
The Mountain West game featuring Boise State and San Diego State will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
Boise State at San Diego State Prediction
I predict Boise State wins, 73-70.
San Diego State had the Broncos’ number in a 76-68 win in Idaho earlier this season, thanks in large part to winning the rebounding battle and getting 22 points from guard Miles Byrd.
The Aztecs have been in a lot of tight games this season, including a 73-70 overtime win over then-No. 6 Houston. They also beat Air Force in overtime and held on for a two-point win over Wyoming. Two of their six losses have been by five points or less.
San Diego State is a battle-tested squad, but it has struggled to put up points this season. The Aztecs average 71.1 points a game, which ranks No. 8 in the 11-team Mountain West.
Boise State ranks No. 3 in the conference with 77.2 points a game. The Broncos are led by preseason Mountain West Player of the Year Tyson Degenhart, who is averaging 17.8 points a game, and point guard Alvaro Cardenas, who leads the conference with 164 assists.
The Broncos’ leaders know they can’t afford a loss tonight, especially with games against New Mexico, Utah State, and Colorado State still on the schedule.
There is one area Boise State must improve in if it’s going to beat the Aztecs tonight. The Broncos struggled from 3-point range in their past two games, going 7-for-25 against UNLV and 6-for-19 against San Jose State.
