Broncos To Open Season Against Idaho State

Boise State vs. Idaho State
Saturday, Nov. 10 |7 p.m. (MT)
Boise, Idaho (Taco Bell Arena)

Live Video (Mountain West Network or Facebook) | Live Stats | Live Audio

Game Notes

THE GAME: Boise State (0-0) will open the 2018-19 season this Saturday, Nov. 10 against Idaho State at Taco Bell Arena. The game between the Broncos and Bengals will tip at 7 p.m., following the women's game at 4:30 p.m. against Southern Oregon.

If fans arrive to the women's game before halftime, they will receive free admission to the men's game. Fans who arrive after halftime of the women's game will receive normal single-game men's basketball prices.

RADIO: Radio coverage of Saturday's game will broadcast on 670 KBOI. Bob Behler will handle play-by-play duties with Abe Jackson providing commentary.

ABOUT IDAHO STATE: The Bengals are 0-1 after dropping their first game on the road to No. 3 Gonzaga, falling 120-79. Brandon Boyd led Idaho State with 15 points and seven assists against the Bulldogs Tuesday night.

SERIES HISTORY: Boise State holds a 52-41 advantage in the all-time series against Idaho State and has won the last six matchups, dating back to 2006. The Broncos most recently claimed an 82-59 victory against the Bengals two seasons ago (Dec. 18, 2016) at Taco Bell Arena.

HOME FOR NOW, BUT NOT FOR LONG: After playing Idaho State the Broncos will stay at home and take on Jackson State (Friday, Nov. 16), but will then embark on a five-game road trip that will feature three neutral games at the Cayman Islands Classic (Nov. 19-21) followed by true road games at Drake (Nov. 27) and Grand Canyon (Dec. 1).

SEASON NINE FOR RICE: Now in his ninth season at the helm, head coach Leon Rice enters 2018-19 with a 165-96 career record – including a 102-21 record at Taco Bell Arena (82.9 winning percentage). The Broncos recently completed a 23-9 season in 2017-18 under Rice, giving the team its sixth-straight 20-win season.

20-WIN COMPANY: The 23 wins last season make the Broncos one of just 21 teams in the country to win at least 20 games each of the last six seasons. In the context of the West, Boise State is one of just seven teams to have six-straight 20-win seasons, as they are joined by Arizona, BYU, Gonzaga, New Mexico State, Oregon and Saint Mary's.

NON-CONFERENCE STREAK: The team enters the 2018-19 season with a 24-game home non-conference winning streak. The Broncos have been undefeated in its last four home non-conference seasons: 7-0 in 2017-18, 5-0 in 2016-17, 7-0 in 2015-16 and 5-0 in 2014-15.

HOME OPENERS: The Broncos are 41-9 in home openers and have won their last 15. Last season the Broncos defeated Eastern Oregon, 104-65, in its opener at Taco Bell Arena. Boise State's last loss in a home opener was Nov. 18, 2002, in a 73-59 setback to Eastern Illinois.

SOLID EXHIBITION PERFORMANCE: Boise State performed well in its only exhibition of the season, capturing the 89-63 victory over Vanguard Monday night. Five Bronco players finished with double-digit points: Zach Haney (21 points), RJ Williams (16 points), Malek Harwell (12 points), Alex Hobbs (12 points) and Derrick Alston (11 points).

PICKED FOURTH IN MW PRESEASON POLL: The Broncos were picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, the conference announced last month. The predicted order of finish along with the Preseason All-MW team was voted on by media members who cover the league. Boise State picked up 139 points, trailing only New Mexico (153 points), San Diego State (188 points, 1 first-place vote) and Nevada (207 points, 18 first-place votes).

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Derrick Alston, Jr.

Zach Haney

Malek Harwell

Alex Hobbs

RJ Williams