Boise State will allow 900 fans to attend men’s basketball series against Utah State
Boise State will allow 900 fans to attend men’s basketball games this week at ExtraMile Arena, despite a Central District Health order that limits gatherings to less than 50 people.
The Broncos host first-place Utah State at 7 p.m. Wednesday (CBS Sports Network) and 8 p.m. Friday (Fox Sports 1).
The university said its plan was “reviewed” by Central District Health, but CDH does not endorse or approve of such gatherings at this time because of the risk of spreading COVID-19.
“This is a decision that has been vetted by health experts, and one we are comfortable making,” Boise State Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey said in a statement. “As we have evaluated every possible opportunity, the health and safety of our student-athletes has been our top priority, and it always will be. Our health and wellness team has tackled the challenges of COVID phenomenally well over the course of this past year, and there isn’t a plan we have worked on where the health and safety of all competitors wasn’t at the forefront of our decision-making process.
“Knowing we can provide both a safe environment while playing in front of Bronco Nation makes this an opportunity I know our student-athletes will be excited for.”
Student-athletes and Boise State staff will still be tested for COVID-19 ahead of both games. Fans will not be tested for the virus, but will have to clear a temperature and health screening prior to entry. Masks will be required for all attendees at all times.
Central District Health’s order prohibits large gatherings at events such as concerts and sporting events. Gatherings of 50 or more people, both public and private, are prohibited. Those limits are still in place, a CDH spokesperson said, despite a plan released from the executive director of the Idaho State Board of Education, in consultation with the governor’s office, that permits up to 40% capacity at four-year public university venues.
“While gatherings of more than 50 people are not in alignment with the public health order still in place for Ada County, and CDH does not endorse gatherings that exceed our order, we recognize BSU’s great attention to providing as safe of an environment as possible,” Central District Health said in a statement.
The Central District Health board is scheduled to meet Friday. Among the items on their agenda is the current Ada County public health order and the Valley County mask order. The board will discuss and vote on both, which may include changes to either measure in place.
Tickets for both men’s basketball games will go on sale later Tuesday and will be sold to members of the Bronco Athletic Association and basketball season ticket holders based on priority point ranking before going on sale to the general public. BAA members will receive an email with instructions on how to purchase tickets when it is their turn to do so. Tickets for each game range from $30 to $40. Boise State will reserve 200 tickets for students.
Twenty members of Boise State’s spirit squad will cheer at the games, and they must first pass a COVID-19 test.
“This is a team that our fans deserve to see play in person, and our student-athletes deserve the opportunity to play in front of Bronco Nation,” Boise State coach Leon Rice said in a statement. “I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I’m appreciative that our health and wellness team has put together a plan that allows us to play in a safe environment.”
Boise State said it is also evaluating attendance capacity for other athletic events moving forward.
UTAH STATE AT BOISE STATE
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday and 8 p.m. Friday
Where: ExtraMile Arena
TV: CBS Sports Network (Wednesday), Fox Sports 1 (Friday)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM (Bob Behler, Abe Jackson)
Records: Boise State 16-4, 12-3 MW; Utah State 14-5, 11-2 MW
Series: Utah State leads 34-16
Last meeting: Utah State won 70-61 on Feb. 8, 2020, in Logan, Utah
Vegas line: Boise State by 1
KenPom rating: Boise State 63; Utah State 48
KenPom & ESPN predictions
Ken Pomeroy, who created the popular college basketball statistical website KenPom.com, ranks every Division I team using an adjusted efficiency margin, which Pomeroy defines as the difference between a team’s offensive and defensive efficiency.
According to Pomeroy’s detailed statistical analysis, Boise State has a 53% chance of beating Utah State. His score prediction is a 69-68 BSU victory.
ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index: Boise State has a 57.2% chance of winning with a predicted point differential of 1.9.
This story was originally published February 16, 2021 at 1:50 PM.
