Boise State basketball is approaching fast. Here’s what the team could look like
It may be hard to believe, but Boise State basketball is back in just a little more than a week — kind of.
The Broncos return to the court on Friday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. for an exhibition game against the Idaho Vandals at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise. It’s the first time the two teams have met since November 2014, and even though it won’t count in the standings, it’s a good chance to see what the two teams might look like this season.
Preseason practices officially began about three weeks ago, and the first game of the season will take place on Nov. 3, when the Broncos host Hawai’i Pacific at ExtraMile Arena.
Boise State head coach Leon Rice still has about a month to figure out what his team will be good at and what will take some time, but when speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, he’s starting to get an idea.
“It seems like we’re pretty physical compared to some of our other teams,” Rice said. “So I think that’s jumping out at me. I think we’ve got a lot of versatility and there are a lot of guys.”
The Broncos experienced a choppy 2024-25 season, finishing 26-11 and missing the NCAA Tournament after three straight appearances. They enter this season without some key contributors, most notably the program’s all-time top scorer, Tyson Degenhart, who graduated after being a four-year starter. Point guard Alvaro Cardenas, who dictated the Broncos’ offense last year with 256 assists, also is gone.
Some big new names have arrived via the transfer portal, though. Senior point guard Dylan Andrews left UCLA to come to BSU, and Boise native Drew Fielder, a 6-foot-11 center, transferred in from Georgetown.
The Broncos return junior forward Andrew Meadow (12.6 points per game), senior forward Javan Buchanan (9.6) and sophomore forward Pearson Carmichael (6.9), among others.
Boise State might be able to count depth as an early-season strength, with up to 10 players vying for significant minutes, and will have plenty of shooters who should be tough to deter.
After struggling from behind the arc last season, shooting just 31.7% as a team on 3-pointers, the Broncos have several tall players capable of letting loose from distance. Among that group are Meadow and Buchanan, both 6-foot-7, and Fielder, as well as 6-foot-10 freshman forward Spencer Ahrens.
“We have a lot of guys that can stretch the floor, and I think that’ll play to our advantage, because it’ll stress all their defenders out,” Meadow said Tuesday. “And then that’ll open up drives for other guys that are good at getting past their defender.”
Rice and Meadow also talked about how well the Broncos have been moving the ball in practice. They noted that the plan last year often was to get the ball into Cardenas’ hands as soon as possible, but this season, more players will be involved in getting the offense moving.
“Everyone’s touching the ball in possession and trying to find our five-man to get to the second action after the play,” Meadow said. “So I think that’s been a big emphasis, getting into that second action after you know the initial play.”
Mountain West TV schedule for Boise State hoops
The Mountain West Conference released its television network scheduling for all teams Wednesday morning. Tipoff times for many games are still to be determined, but some are listed already, including Boise State’s conference opener against New Mexico, which will begin at 9 p.m. Mountain Time on FS1.
(Home games in bold)
- Dec. 30 (Tuesday): New Mexico, 9 p.m. FS1
- Jan. 3 (Saturday): at San Diego State, CBSSN
- Jan. 7 (Wednesday): Grand Canyon, 9 p.m. FS1
- Jan. 10 (Saturday): Utah State, CBSSN
- Jan. 13 (Tuesday): at UNLV, CBSSN
- Jan. 16 (Friday): Colorado State, 8:30 p.m. FS1
- Jan. 20 (Tuesday): at Wyoming, Mountain West Network
- Jan. 24 (Saturday): Air Force, MWN
- Jan. 27 (Tuesday): at San Jose State, MWN
- Jan. 30 (Friday): at Grand Canyon, 7 p.m. FS1
- Feb. 3 (Tuesday): Nevada, MWN
- Feb. 7 (Saturday): at New Mexico, CBSSN
- Feb. 13 (Friday): UNLV, 8 p.m. FS1
- Feb. 18 (Wednesday): at Utah State, 8:30 p.m. FS1
- Feb. 21 (Saturday): San Jose State, MWN
- Feb. 24 (Tuesday): Wyoming, MWN
- Feb. 28 (Saturday): at Fresno State, MWN
- March 3 (Tuesday): San Diego State, CBSSN
- March 7 (Saturday): Colorado State, MWN
