What Happened?
Boise State lost to Nevada 66–81. Andrew Meadow led the Broncos with 16 points on 5–8 shooting from the field. Tayshawn Comer of Nevada led all scorers with 24 points on 5–9 shooting and went 13–14 from the free-throw line. Only 2 other Broncos reached double digits: Dominic Parolin with 13 points, 11 of which came from the free-throw line, and Spencer Athrens with 11. The other 4 Boise State starters combined for 13 points.
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
It seems like there are 2 different personalities to this Boise State basketball team. The first one is a hard-nose defensive team that locks down teams and punishes opppnents in the paint. That team doesn’t make dumb turnovers and rebounds at a high level. That team had wins over Butler and St. Mary’s on the road. In both of their wins, the Broncos won the rebounding battle by a combined total of 11 and held the opposing team to under 25% from behind the arc.
In the 4 losses, and specifically the bad losses, (Hawaii Pacific and Nevada) we let Nevada shoot 56% from the field and 44% from behind the arc. Against Hawaii Pacific, they shot 49% from the field and 35% from three-point range. USC and NC State numbers are similar as well. It appears that the only options for Boise State games this season are to absolutely lock down a team, or we give them the keys to the city and let them ransack the place.
Panic Meter
Coming into this game, I thought we were trending in the right direction. We overcame the first game stumble and looked much improved from our Maui trip. Heck, I was even onboard that we were back into the NCAA tournment as an at-large contender. Now, after last night’s loss, I’m back to an 8 on the panic meter.
Once again, it appears that a really good scoring guard will be the downfall of this Bronco defense. In years past, it has been guards like Donovan Dent, Jaelen House, and Myles Bird who torment our defense. This season, it looks to be the same issue with a different face. The Mountain West is stacked when it comes to scoring guards, and if Boise State can’t figure out a way to stop them, we will be lucky to earn a first-round bye in the Mountain West tournament.
What’s Next?
Our next game isn’t until December 30th, when we open up home conference play against New Mexico at 9 pm. New Mexico is coming off a blowout win vs San Jose State. They have 10 days to think about what they’ve done and how to get better. Get ready for some Mountain West after dark because 6 out of our next 7 games tip at either 8 pm or later and that includes 4 games at Extra Mile Arena. Just remember, in the wise words of Jon Rothstein:
Not good. But this is a team that’s being prepped for March–if they can put it together between now and then.
So far, the old MWC is 0 – 3 in bowl games.
Now, 1 – 3. Hawaii pulls off an incredible victory over Cal.
I just saw that Kage Casey will be playing in the Senior Bowl; however, he could not play in the LA Bowl? Strange.
Not that he couldn’t play. He chose not to play.
Thanks for the clarification. That’s what I meant.
Benefield and Ard just hit the portal. One’s chasing the bag, the other one couldn’t move around a walk-on for playing time.
Hate to see anybody leave the program. Next man up, or go to the portal and fill the gap.
My numbers could be a little off, but last year, 16 BSU players entered the portal. And, so far this year, 11 players have entered.
The portal officially opens today (wink, wink). I think the Broncos’ best players and those who will make an impact next year are already on the roster. I can’t recall right off hand a player Boise has picked up from the portal who was an impact player. Benefield’s loss will be felt, but if your defense hinges on one player, you have bigger problems. Players down on the charts suddenly see hope and catch fire. I didn’t like seeing Dubar enter. He would have likely been #3. However, there are always inuries and he likely could have had significant playing… Read more »
Will be a huge tell of what kind of grip this staff has on the team. How strong of a culture do they have. There was no doubt we would lose some players to the portal. Most of them just want an opportunity to play and realize that they are too far down the depth chart at their position to see the field. It sucks for depth reasons, but that’s the nature of the game now. Losing benefield sucks. Like you said though, if he’s the only one we lose chasing the money bag then it was a good year… Read more »
Completely agree with QB situation. However, the staff may apparently feel that Cutforth is the only competition needed.
Watching Ole Miss last night with a Ferris University D2 transfer with one year left, led me to wonder, could BSU find one like him? The name alone, Trinidad Chambliss, is enough for me.
To the best of his ability, Danielson is trying to run a clean program and deal honestly with his players in a sea of sewage.
Totally understand why Danielson is running the program the way that he is. But it’s a balance. You can’t sink the ship trying to prove that the old way of recruiting and development is still possible. He’s still got to win games!
I liked Cutforth, but he’s not going to Mabe the needle a lot either… unless he has a major breakthrough this spring.
Prince Strachan is on his way to West Virginia.
Hall Schmidt goes to UCLA.
Chris Marshall is in the portal. It has been reported that he’s going to seek a medical redshirt. He was diagnosed with dropsy.
“Dropsy”, lol.
Too bad though, I think he has real potential if coached up to hold on to the darn ball.
It seems like there are so many rumors floating around that it’s hard to keep track of how many WRs Boise has signed from the portal. It looks like at least three. I’m wondering if Daneilson talked with Marshall, telling him his playing time will be limited unless his hands and attitude improve. Maybe Marshall could see the handwriting on the wall.
I really wished it would have panned out for him. If a guy works hard for the Broncos, the fans never forget.
In the last couple of weeks, we’ve watched Indiana completely dominate two top-rated P4 programs. That display makes it difficult to argue that a Group of Six should not be in the playoffs.
It appears as if Danielson has locked himself into loyalty to his coaches. That is an admirable quality. However, if those coaches fail to produce results, decisions must be made, and adjustments must be made. Thus far, nothing. Which would seem to indicate all is well in Danielson’s mind. It would seem reasonable to conclude that if another uninspiring 9 – 5 season occurs, changes must be made. The first question that Dickey would have to ask is, who is keeping these people around? As grim as this sounds, I’m not really all that upset about Danielson’s performance. It only… Read more »
Chris Marshall has decided to play his last year of eligibility at Arkansas. Bronco fans always wish them well. Every opportunity was extended to him at Boise. In my opinion, he was probably shown the door. No in those words. However, he was probably told there would be zero tolerance for his sideline antics. Also, he might have been told he has slipped on the depth chart and would have to work his way up the ladder.
Can’t stop doing what is best for the team because you are afraid to hurt someone’s feelings. They did the right thing with him. I think they let it go on for a little too long, but it’s all water under the bridge now. So why can’t we take the same approach at QB. It is the limiting factor for our offense. Something must change in 26 or it’s going to be a very difficult season. Oregon isn’t getting worse. Oregon State has a legit coach who is making moves as does Washington State. If we think we can stroll… Read more »
Is Sire Gains switching to defense?
Austin Bolt is in the portal.
Bryson Beaver, remember him? Former commit to BSU. He flipped to Oregon. He’s already in the portal. He never stayed long enough to be fitted with a jockstrap.
He’s clearly going to Oregon State. Where he belongs. 😂
Yeah, the Beaver goes to the Beavers. Leave it to Beaver.
Malichi Nelson transferred to Syracuse. I hope he finds a home and does well.
Kalab Annett transferred to UCF. Hope he does good.
Dubar transferred to Missouri State and Ard to UT Martin.
I thought they’d do better.
Really hope Dubar does well. Good kid. Feel like we could have carved out a niche for him in the slot.
Nothing on Signing Day or Demarcus Lawrence & George Holani winning a Super Bowl.
Nothing…..
John, I think first kick has gone into hibernation. Gone are the days of WUBN. This site used to be the hub of Bronco fandom. The podcasters have taken over.
Correct me if I’m wrong but Leon has one foot out the door and the other on a banana peel, right?
Gotta be near the end. He’s been a good coach but the team is inconsistent and can’t win the big games. He’s the Hank Bachmeir of coaching. Love the guy. Want him to be successful. But he’s not going to get you to the next level.
I’m not sure, 15 complete seasons and only two losing seasons. Let’s face it, BSU is not a BB school. Rice has done an incredible job.
Herman Melville often wrote of the time between two football seasons as the doldrums.
196 days
Only 96 days (even less now) until the 100 day countdown!
Regarding the countdown: Number 4, Maddux Madsen, is the lowest number on the roster. Does anybody venture a guess as to who will be number 1 or 0?
I’ve been without Bronco’s podcasts, news, and blogs for nearly a month. And I’m fine.
Sounds to me like this is more of a cry for help than an I’m fine moment 🤣
Didn’t think it was that obvious.
Stored energy. It makes the September 5th full release much more dramatic! Will be a super tough game on the road and I couldn’t be more excited for it!
I confess to watching BNN this morning. It was the same ole this guy looks good and that guy looks good. But it was nice. I couldn’t bear to watch SD’s presser. It’s the same old; this guy loves his teammates, that guy loves football.
SD’s press conferences are the perfect solution to a sleepless night. Close your eyes & you’ll be out cold in 5 minutes.
Boise State is changing the turf color to Vandal Gold.
Totally miss that April Fools banger!
R.I.P. Jeremy.
You will be both remembered and missed.
According to 247 Sports, 6 of the all-time top 25 recruits are on the current roster.
Any of them at QB? How is spring ball looking? Hoping for some good QB to WR chemistry being built. Any semblance of a passing game would make this team very good.
Over the last 20 years, I’d have to say Boise’s best QBs would have to be Zabransky, Moore, Hedrick, and Rypien. Only one is rated in the top 25 by 247. 247 is only one metric. I’m merely pointing out the quality of incoming, not the value and performance of their value to the program. Sometimes, a recruit is under-evaluated, while at other times, it seems like a light switches on when they strap on college pads. To date, there are only 2 QBs in the top 25 BSU recruits: Bachmier and Rypien. Make that three if you count Malichi… Read more »
Let’s not count Malachi Nelson.
I will say it was incredible the way the ball came off his hand. You could clearly see he had arm talent well beyond anything this team has seen. Unfortunate that he couldn’t put the rest of his game together.
Such is life.
I don’t know why we shouldn’t count Nelson. But what the hey, or is it hay?
247 counts Chris Marshall in the top 25, but not Nelson.
Okay, the last new post from the authors of FKWG was in December; since then, recruiting wrapped up, the transfer portal has closed, spring football has come and gone. Has anyone called the coroner?
Yeah, a little disappointing. It seems as if the BSU football program is becoming saturated with podcasts. This site was, to me, the first on the cutting edge of humorous and honest reporting. They seem to have lost some of the gusto when it was OBNUG. The writers for this site are volunteers, “amateur” writers. which means “for the love of.” Love of writing and love of the Broncos. Life gets busy and complicated. It seems as though it has grown a bit stagnant. When that happened in the past, the commentators would pick up the slack with comments and… Read more »
100 day countdown should start this week!?
I just came here to check on it.
Appreciate the support from all of you. Countdown will start tomorrow as planned!
Basketball dropping the ball (pun sorta intended?) is on me—I was in the process of switching jobs and didn’t coordinate well after we lost a couple writers. That said, I’ve been trying to work some things out so we have a more stability and consistency going forward.
Always a joy being a part of this community with all of you, and my hope is that as we get more stable footing we can raise the bar on the quality and variety of content we put out!
Thanks. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
The blog title suggests it’s more of a football site. I enjoy a little football all year round. The offseason can prove as intriguing as the season itself. The lifeblood of any site is consistent content.
Can’t disagree at all there. Missed out on a signing day article this year, and often have some little articles along the way that we just haven’t done. I want that to be better. I like to think First Kick/OBNUG has something special, so once we steer out of this transitory period, I hope to get this place the best it’s ever been (but I’ll settle for consistent and quality)