Free throws matter more than you might think, especially for Boise State men’s basketball
While 3-point shooting remains an integral part of Boise State’s offense, the Broncos are getting nearly one-fourth of their points this season at the free-throw line.
Through Monday’s games, the Broncos rank No. 6 in the country among Division I men’s basketball teams for free throws made, with 270. They also are tied for 15th in free-throw attempts (364).
The Broncos’ ability to drive, draw fouls, and get to the free-throw line and convert could play a decisive role in their Mountain West matchup against UNLV (8-8, 3-0 MW) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at ExtraMile Arena. The game will be available on ESPN3 and 670 AM.
Boise State (10-6, 2-2) lost both games to the Rebels last season, and two of their past four meetings have been decided in overtime.
“UNLV’s playing great. They’re 3-0 (in league). They pounded Utah State, they had a great game against Air Force, and they won one on the road in overtime against Fresno,” Boise State coach Leon Rice said. “They’re playing really, really good basketball, and we need a great home-court advantage right now.”
Boise State averages 16.9 made free throws and 78.4 points per game, meaning free throws account for 21.6 percent of the offense. The Broncos have made at least 10 free throws in every game and as many as 22 on two occasions.
“That’s helping us score a lot of points,” Rice said. “... When you make them defend and then they have to defend without fouling, that puts a toll on the defense and slows their offense down.”
No one on Boise State’s roster is better at getting to the line than redshirt junior guard Derrick Alston Jr. He challenges defenders with his length and penchant for getting to the rim. Alston is 80-for-95 (84.2 percent) this season, and his 80 made free throws rank No. 10 in the nation — on fewer attempts than all but two of the players who rank above him.
When defenders are focused on staying in front of Alston, it opens up opportunities for his teammates, whether that’s kicking out to 3-point expert Justinian Jessup or dishing off to big men RJ Williams and Robin Jorch. Williams has made a habit of getting to the line, too, with 89 attempts and 56 made free throws (62.9 percent).
But Boise State isn’t the only team in the Mountain West getting to the line with regularity. New Mexico (No. 1, 410), Utah State (No. 4, 391), Colorado State (tie No. 13, 367) and Air Force (tie No. 38, 334) rank among the top 38 for free-throw attempts.
“I think there’s good coaches in this league, and they make you guard and they know how to isolate guys,” Rice said. “They’re running good offenses, and when you have good players plus good offenses, it’s hard to guard them without fouling. That statistic reflects all those things.”
Witness history
Fans who attend Wednesday’s game likely will get to see a historic moment in Boise State men’s basketball history.
Jessup is currently tied for the most made 3-pointers in program history with Anthony Drmic. Both players have 275. His next 3-pointer will give him sole possession of the record, and he’s made at least one in every game this season.
“It’s just an amazing record just because of how long it takes. You’ve got to have four great years of making shots, and he’s just had this consistency,” Rice said. “... It’s a meaningful record and the people that he’s passing, they were legends here and great ones. It’s a neat, neat thing for him to be passing these guys like that.”
Women’s basketball: McGwire makes case for POY
Redshirt junior center Mallory McGwire has four Mountain West games under her belt, and she’s already making a strong case for the league’s player of the year honor.
McGwire is the only player in the Mountain West who ranks among the Top 10 in scoring (14.5, No. 10), rebounding (10.3, No. 3) and blocks (2.0, No. 2) per game in conference action.
She’ll be eyeing her third double-double in five league games when the Broncos (11-5, 3-1 MW) face UNLV (6-8, 2-1) on Wednesday. Tipoff is 1 p.m. Mountain time at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.
“Mallory’s a really talented player, and obviously if she wanted one, she could have a pro career,” Boise State coach Gordy Presnell said. “She’s long and she’s a different kind of athlete. She can catch and has great balance. She is really starting to put it together for us, and hopefully we have a great run with her.”
The 6-foot-5 McGwire sat out last season after transferring from Oregon, and there was significant hype surrounding her debut. She’s shrugged off the pressure and delivered.
“I think it’s a different level of competition, and I think it’s a level that I fit in well with,” McGwire said. “My team helps me with my stats and all that type of stuff, but it’s awesome to be here, and every game is different. You never know who you’re going to get the next game. It’s exciting to play in the Mountain West.”
Note: Wednesday’s women’s game will be streamed online by the Mountain West Network, which is available at BroncoSports.com/mwn. Listen to a radio broadcast on 1350 AM.
