Boise State vs. San Diego State Basketball: A Mountain West Quarterfinal Showdown
- Skyler Hoops
- Mar 11
- 2 min read
The Mountain West Tournament heats up as No. 4 seed San Diego State and No. 5 seed Boise State square off in a quarterfinal clash at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Tipoff is set for Thursday, March 13, at 3:30 PM MT, with both teams fighting for a shot at the semifinals.
The Aztecs (21-8, 14-6 MW) edged out Boise State for the higher seed, but the Broncos (22-9, 14-6 MW) enter the matchup hungry for revenge. With both teams splitting their regular-season meetings, this decisive rubber match promises high stakes and high intensity.
Broncos’ Path to Victory: Offense & Rebounding
For Boise State to advance, Tyson Degenhart and Alvaro Cardenas must take control.
Degenhart, the Broncos’ leading scorer, averages 17.8 points and 6.1 rebounds, shooting an efficient 51.7% from the field. He’ll be the focal point against SDSU’s physical defense. Meanwhile, Cardenas, Boise State’s floor general with 6.9 assists per game, will be key in navigating the Aztecs’ defensive pressure.
Boise State’s biggest X-factor? Rebounding. SDSU’s frontcourt size will test the Broncos on the glass, making second-chance opportunities a potential game-changer.
Aztecs’ Game Plan: Defensive Intensity & Backcourt Firepower
San Diego State is known for its defensive identity, allowing just 66.3 points per game. But this season, their offense runs through Nick Boyd and Miles Byrd, each averaging 13.0 points per game. Boyd, a senior guard, also contributes 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, making him a versatile threat.
Alongside him, Byrd (4.4 RPG, 2.7 APG) provides an offensive spark with his size and ability to score at all three levels. If the Aztecs can disrupt Boise State’s ball movement and force low-percentage shots, their defensive edge could prove decisive.
X-Factor Matchup: Degenhart vs. Boyd
The battle between Degenhart and Boyd could shape this game. Degenhart’s scoring efficiency and ability to attack mismatches make him Boise State’s go-to option, while Boyd’s two-way impact for SDSU gives the Aztecs a steady leader in crunch time.
Prediction: A Nail-Biter in Vegas
With both teams featuring identical 14-6 conference records, this one feels like a toss-up. Boise State has the offensive firepower, but SDSU’s defensive discipline will make every possession a battle.
Prediction: Boise State 70, San Diego State 67
Degenhart’s ability to deliver in big moments could tip the scales for the Broncos. Expect a hard-fought thriller that comes down to the final possessions.
Bronco Nation, get ready—March Madness is here!
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