Men's Basketball Season Summary - Boise State University Athletics

Men’s Basketball Season Summary – Boise State University Athletics

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BOISE, Idaho – The 2021-22 men’s Bronco basketball season ended just a few weeks ago when the team achieved its highest seed in the school’s history in the NCAA Tournament.

For a team that got its name into the record books after one of the most accomplished seasons in program history, it is a well-deserved effort to divide the season into three parts and take a look back at performance:

Share one

The Broncos entered the season predicted to finish in fourth place in Mountain West as voted on by select conference media. The Broncos returned with three starters and opened non-conference games by sharing a few games before participating in Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic, an invitational tournament in Charleston, SC

After leaving the tournament, the Broncos had a 3-2 record on their way into a three-game home game. After dropping the first two games, the team’s 3-4 start was far below both coaches ‘and players’ expectations.

The team responded with a 63-58 victory over Tulsa, the first victory in what would eventually become a record-breaking 14-game winning streak.

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Part II

Nine games of the regular season were left for the Broncos after a loss to Laramie on February 3rd. Despite its winning streak being interrupted, Boise State remained warm down the stretch.

On their way into their final home game of the season, the Broncos had won six of their last seven, with four of those wins coming in double-digit. The Broncos controlled their fate in the Mountain West position as a result.

Faced with an opportunity to win the direct regular MW championship for the first time in the program’s history, the Broncos tipped against Nevada on Tuesday, March 1, in which the ExtraMile Arena participated at a season-high level (11,954).

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Third part

The MW tournament gave the Broncos another chance to write history.

A third matchup with eighth-seeded Nevada awaited No. 1 Boise State in the quarterfinals. Nevada jumped out to an early lead before the Broncos grabbed the game with a 14-0 run. While the score remained close throughout, Boise State never gave up the lead after their first half and continued to win, 71-69.

In the semifinals, the Broncos dominated fourth-seeded Wyoming. Boise State took a 5-2 lead just over a minute into the game and led the rest of the way to a 68-61 victory. Abu Kigab was one of four Broncos to score double-digit, getting 22 points.

Boise State’s first MW Championship appearance was a defensive affair compared to third-seeded San Diego State, reminiscent of their regular-season games. The Broncos’ nationally ranked defense rose to the occasion again and was tasked with protecting a one-point lead over the final 1:55 to survive the Aztecs.

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