Boise State led UNLV by as many as 23 points in the first half on Friday, but the Rebels battled back and beat the Broncos in overtime for the second time this season. UNLV beat Boise State 86-83 in overtime on Friday in Idaho. The Rebels beat the Broncos, 89-85, in overtime in Las Vegas on Jan. 13.
For Boise State, the loss put a damper on an exciting couple of weeks that included an overtime win against Nevada and a 91-90 upset of New Mexico at The Pit. It was the Lobos’ second home loss of the season.
The Broncos (15-10, 7-7 MWC) will stroll into another daunting venue on Wednesday when they take on Mountain West leader Utah State at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, which ranks No. 4 in the conference with an average of 9,534 fans a game.
The Aggies (22-3, 12-2) have won seven games in a row, including victories over Mountain West title contenders San Diego State and New Mexico and a 99-75 home win against Memphis. Utah State is 11-1 at home this season.
Vanderbilt transfer MJ Collins Jr. led the way with 24 points against Memphis. He scored at least 20 points in a game for the 12th time this season. Six-foot-4 junior Mason Falslev added 20 points and six rebounds, and 6-foot-9 forward Karson Templin came off the bench to score 20 points and go 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
Collins ranks No. 3 in the Mountain West with 18.5 points a game. Falslev is No. 7 in the league with 16.3 points a night and leads Utah State with 5.7 rebounds a game and 53 steals. Both are sure to get consideration for Mountain West Player of the Year.
Georgetown transfer Drew Fielder led the Broncos and tied his career-high with 27 points against UNLV. It was his seventh 20-point effort of the season, and he hit five 3-pointers for the second-straight game.
Boise State at Utah State Odds
Utah State is a 9.5-point college basketball betting odds favorite at BetMGM as of this writing, and the Over/Under is at 152.5 points.
The Moneyline is at -500 for Utah State and +375 for Boise State.
Utah State leads the all-time series 40-22, and the Aggies have won six of their past seven games against the Broncos.
Boise State at Utah State on TV
The Mountain West game featuring Boise State and Utah State will be televised on FS1.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.
Boise State at Utah State Prediction
I predict Utah State wins 87-73.
Boise State has the pieces in place to beat any team in the Mountain West. Fielder, Javan Buchanan, and Dylan Andrews are all dangerous scorers, and Pearson Carmichael is a talented youngster. The problem is the Broncos just aren’t consistent at anything this season. You never know if you’re getting the team that can beat New Mexico or give San Diego State all it can handle, or a Boise State team that gets blown out by Grand Canyon, Nevada, and Utah State.
The Aggies dominated Boise State, 93-68, on the Broncos’ home court earlier this year. They should run away with another win, especially in front of their fans in Logan, Utah.
Utah State just has too much experience, talent, and depth. The Aggies don’t turn the ball over, they fight for rebounds, they have two talented point guards, and they have plenty of talent they can turn to on the bench. There’s a good chance they sweep the Mountain West’s regular-season and tournament titles and maybe even win a game or two in the NCAA Tournament this year.
