Boise State Aims to Halt Skid Against Struggling Nevada in Key MW Showdown

BOISE, Idaho — The Boise State men’s basketball team will look to snap a two-game losing streak when it hosts Nevada on Wednesday night at ExtraMile Arena. The Mountain West Conference matchup pits a struggling Wolf Pack squad against a Broncos team seeking to regain its footing after a disappointing start to league play.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Pacific, with the game airing on CBS Sports Network. Boise State enters as a 7.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 137.5 points. The Broncos (5-4 in MW play) are coming off a three-point loss at Colorado State, while Nevada (13-7 overall) has dropped its last two games by a combined 40 points.

Boise State coach Leon Rice described his team as hitting “rock bottom” after the loss to Colorado State but emphasized that changes were coming. The Broncos have had a full week to prepare for Nevada, which is reeling after back-to-back blowout losses to Utah State and San Diego State.

Nevada coach Steve Alford has identified his team’s slow offensive pace as a major issue. The Wolf Pack ranks 13th slowest in the nation in tempo and lacks a traditional point guard, often allowing defenses to set up before attacking. Against Boise State’s vulnerable defense, which ranks 94th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency ratings, Nevada will need to push the pace while avoiding turnovers.

Boise State’s offense, however, has been a bright spot. The Broncos lead the Mountain West in adjusted offensive rating during conference play, averaging 121.3 points per 100 possessions. Tyson Degenhart has been a standout, shooting 71 percent on close two-point attempts, while O’Mar Stanley and Javan Buchanan have provided strong rim finishing.

Nevada’s defense will face a significant challenge in containing Boise State’s paint scoring. The Broncos make 58 percent of their two-point shots, ranking 20th nationally. The Wolf Pack may need to employ zone defense to counter Boise State’s interior dominance.

Three-point shooting could also play a pivotal role. Boise State’s opponents have shot 42 percent from beyond the arc in Mountain West play, a stark contrast to their 29.5 percent mark in non-conference games. Nevada, which shot 41.2 percent from three in non-league play, has struggled in conference action, making just 32 percent of its attempts.

Prediction: Boise State 78, Nevada 68. The Broncos’ offensive firepower and home-court advantage should prove too much for a reeling Wolf Pack team, unless Nevada can hit 10 or more three-pointers to keep pace.