Boise State Aims to Upset New Mexico in Crucial Mountain West Clash

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Boise State will face New Mexico in a high-stakes Mountain West Conference basketball showdown Friday night at The Pit. The Broncos, coming off a dominant 96-55 victory over Wyoming, aim to avenge their recent loss to Utah State and climb the conference standings.

Boise State (13-5 overall, 5-2 conference) enters the game ranked third in the Mountain West, while New Mexico (14-4 overall, 6-1 conference) sits in second place. The Broncos are 3.5-point underdogs but are confident in their ability to cover the spread, thanks to their strong offensive and defensive performances this season.

The Broncos average 78.7 points per game, ranking 93rd nationally, and allow just 66.1 points per game, placing them 51st in the country. Their shooting efficiency — 48% from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc — could pose challenges for New Mexico’s defense, which has struggled this season, allowing 73.1 points per game (235th nationally).

Boise State’s offense relies heavily on Tyson Degenhart, who averages 17.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. “Tyson has been a consistent force for us all season,” said Boise State head coach Leon Rice. “We’ll need him to step up again against a tough New Mexico team.”

New Mexico, meanwhile, boasts a potent offense averaging 83.2 points per game (30th nationally). Donovan Dent leads the Lobos with 19 points per game, making him a key player for Boise State to contain. The Lobos shoot 45.4% from the field and 34% from three-point range, slightly better than the Broncos from deep.

Defensively, Boise State allows opponents to shoot 42.5% from the field and 33.3% from three, while New Mexico’s defense permits 43.3% and 37.3%, respectively. These statistics suggest a competitive matchup, with Boise State potentially having an edge in late-game scenarios.

“This is a huge game for us,” said Degenhart. “We’re still upset about the Utah State loss, and we’re ready to prove we belong at the top of the conference.”

The game tips off at 11:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on FS1. Boise State fans are hopeful their team can secure a crucial road victory and shake up the Mountain West standings.