Heated moment got best of Boise State’s RJ Williams. He must rebound vs. Colorado State
The Boise State men’s basketball team just got done facing a New Mexico squad that leads the country in free-throw attempts.
The Lobos went 19-for-25 from the free-throw line and edged the Broncos 80-78 in a game where RJ Williams was ejected and Robin Jorch had four fouls.
Boise State’s big men will be challenged for the second straight game when the Broncos (4-3, 0-1 MW) host Colorado State (6-4, 0-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at ExtraMile Arena. The Rams enter the Mountain West contest tied for sixth in the nation in free-throw attempts, and 6-foot-11 CSU senior center Nico Carvacho has gotten to the foul line more than any player in the country this season.
“He’s a great player, and he plays with such a motor,” Boise State coach Leon Rice said. “He’s one of the best rebounders, if not the best rebounder, in the country. He really is, and that’s been a consistent thing for a while. It’s one of those things that’s easier said than done to keep him off the line and off the glass. We know what he is, and we know the challenge that he presents.”
Carvacho notched a double-double in two of three meetings with Boise State last season, but he went a combined 0-for-1 from the free-throw line in Boise State’s two wins and 3-for-5 in the Rams’ lone victory. While 6-11 seniors Zach Haney and David Wacker took turns defending Carvacho last season, it’ll likely be the 6-7 Williams starting inside Saturday against the Rams. In the past, the Broncos have used both man-to-man and a 2-3 zone defense when facing Colorado State.
On Wednesday at New Mexico, Williams was ejected after receiving two technicals during a verbal exchange with the Lobos’ Carlton Bragg. Williams has fouled out twice this season and finished with four fouls in three other games. The Broncos can’t afford to have Williams on the bench against Colorado State.
“It’s a hard position to be in. We’re telling this guy, go guard somebody 4 or 5 inches taller than you, battle your tail off, play with passion, play with enthusiasm, but please, you cannot go over the line one step or they’re going to throw you out,” Rice said. “In my opinion, I thought they were too quick to give the second (technical) to RJ. Then when we reviewed the film, we saw some stuff in there that the refs didn’t see that maybe provoked the whole thing. When you look at the big picture, they were just two guys going at it the whole game.”
Williams is averaging 13.9 points and a team-leading 8.1 rebounds per game. Jorch (4.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg) is the only other player on the Broncos’ roster who has played the five position this season. Both men will rely on help defense to keep Carvacho in check.
“We definitely need multiple bodies on him on rebounds for sure,” Boise State guard Derrick Alston said of Carvacho. “Then I think just doing work early on him on the post. I think he’s a guy who if you’ve gotta wrestle him, he’s a strong dude, that’s kind of where he gets a lot of his fouls.
“RJ needs to use his quickness just to be able to kind of get around him and make catches harder for him to get inside. Then us as guards on the perimeter making it hard for them to get it in there. Then when he has it, making him feel like it’s five on one.”
After playing New Mexico, Boise State dropped from a tie for 16th to 35th in the nation for fewest fouls committed. Veteran experience has helped the Broncos defend cleanly, and they hope to continue that trend against the Rams. Carvacho has attempted a nation-leading 74 free throws so far this season with 41 makes (55.4 percent).
“A little more experience out there helps,” Rice said. “We’ve got guys who know how to move their feet better and not use their hands as much.”
Notes: Saturday’s game will be streamed on the Mountain West Network, which is available online at BroncoSports.com/mwn. Games are available on the radio at 670 AM. ... Fans with a ticket to the Mountain West championship football game can purchase tickets for the men’s basketball game for $5 each, while supplies last. Discounted tickets can be purchased on game day or ahead of time through the Boise State Athletic Ticket Office. ... Men’s basketball attendees with parking passes for the west stadium lot will be permitted to enter the lot after 5 p.m. Basketball parking in the east stadium lot, Lincoln Garage and Brady Garage will be available at no charge beginning at 5 p.m.
Women’s basketball: BSU travels to CSU
The Boise State women’s basketball team hopes to run its winning streak against Colorado State to seven straight.
The Broncos (5-4, 1-0 MW) take on the Rams (5-4, 0-1) in a Mountain West matchup at 1 p.m. Sunday in Fort Collins, Colorado. The game will be streamed by the Mountain West Network at BroncoSports.com/mwn, or fans can listen on the radio at 1350 AM.
Colorado State, which lost its conference opener 59-49 at San Diego State, features a pair of Treasure Valley prep standouts in Centennial High graduates Tori Williams and Lauren Brocke.
Williams started the Rams’ first eight games and is averaging 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds with a team-best 29 assists. She did not travel to SDSU on Wednesday because of an injury. Brocke has appeared in seven games off the bench.
Soccer: Sherle named All-American
Boise State senior forward Raimee Sherle was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American for the second year in a row.
Sherle is the only All-American in program history, earning third-team recognition in 2018 and second-team honors this season.
The Rocky Mountain High graduate finished her collegiate career with program and Mountain West records for goals (61) and points (138). She helped lead the Broncos to a school-record 18 wins this season, the first Mountain West Tournament title and just the second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
