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Men's Basketball Season Recap
4/8/2022 1:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOISE, Idaho – The 2021-22 Bronco men's basketball season came to an end just a few weeks ago, as the team earned its highest seed in school history in the NCAA Tournament.
For a team that etched its name in the record books following one of the most accomplished seasons in program history, breaking down the season into three parts and taking a look back at the accomplishments is a well-deserved endeavor:
Part One
The Broncos entered the season predicted to finish fourth in the Mountain West as voted on by select conference media. Returning three starters, the Broncos opened nonconference play by splitting a pair of games before participating in the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, an invitational tournament in Charleston, S.C.
Leaving the tournament, the Broncos held a 3-2 record heading into a three-game homestand. After dropping the first two games, the team's 3-4 start was well below the expectations of both coaches and players.
The team responded with a 63-58 win over Tulsa, the first victory in what would eventually become a program-record 14-game win streak.
Part Two
Nine regular-season games remained for the Broncos following a loss in Laramie on Feb. 3. Despite its win streak being snapped, Boise State stayed hot down the stretch.
Heading into their final home game of the season, the Broncos had won six of their last seven, with four of those wins coming by double digits. The Broncos controlled their destiny in the Mountain West standings as a result.
Facing an opportunity to clinch the outright regular-season MW championship for the first time in program history, the Broncos tipped off against Nevada on Tuesday, March 1, with ExtraMile Arena attendance at a season-high (11, 954).
Part Three
The MW Tournament presented another chance for the Broncos to make history.
A third matchup with eighth-seeded Nevada awaited No. 1 Boise State in the quarterfinals. Nevada jumped out to an early lead before the Broncos grabbed hold of the game with a 14-0 run. While the score remained close throughout, Boise State never relinquished the lead after their first-half run and went on to win, 71-69.
The semifinal game saw the Broncos dominate fourth-seeded Wyoming. Boise State took a 5-2 lead just over a minute into the game and led the rest of the way en route to a 68-61 victory. Abu Kigab was one of four Broncos to score in double-digits, putting up 22 points.
Boise State's first MW Championship appearance was a defensive affair versus third-seeded San Diego State, reminiscent of their regular-season matchups. The Broncos' nationally-ranked defense rose to the occasion yet again, and was tasked with protecting a one-point lead over the final 1:55 to outlast the Aztecs.
For a team that etched its name in the record books following one of the most accomplished seasons in program history, breaking down the season into three parts and taking a look back at the accomplishments is a well-deserved endeavor:
Part One
The Broncos entered the season predicted to finish fourth in the Mountain West as voted on by select conference media. Returning three starters, the Broncos opened nonconference play by splitting a pair of games before participating in the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, an invitational tournament in Charleston, S.C.
Leaving the tournament, the Broncos held a 3-2 record heading into a three-game homestand. After dropping the first two games, the team's 3-4 start was well below the expectations of both coaches and players.
The team responded with a 63-58 win over Tulsa, the first victory in what would eventually become a program-record 14-game win streak.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞#BleedBlue | #WhatsNext pic.twitter.com/J4gf5FO9NU
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) March 28, 2022
Part Two
Nine regular-season games remained for the Broncos following a loss in Laramie on Feb. 3. Despite its win streak being snapped, Boise State stayed hot down the stretch.
Heading into their final home game of the season, the Broncos had won six of their last seven, with four of those wins coming by double digits. The Broncos controlled their destiny in the Mountain West standings as a result.
Facing an opportunity to clinch the outright regular-season MW championship for the first time in program history, the Broncos tipped off against Nevada on Tuesday, March 1, with ExtraMile Arena attendance at a season-high (11, 954).
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐰𝐨#WhatsNext pic.twitter.com/G3zZZTXucK
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) March 30, 2022
Part Three
The MW Tournament presented another chance for the Broncos to make history.
A third matchup with eighth-seeded Nevada awaited No. 1 Boise State in the quarterfinals. Nevada jumped out to an early lead before the Broncos grabbed hold of the game with a 14-0 run. While the score remained close throughout, Boise State never relinquished the lead after their first-half run and went on to win, 71-69.
The semifinal game saw the Broncos dominate fourth-seeded Wyoming. Boise State took a 5-2 lead just over a minute into the game and led the rest of the way en route to a 68-61 victory. Abu Kigab was one of four Broncos to score in double-digits, putting up 22 points.
Boise State's first MW Championship appearance was a defensive affair versus third-seeded San Diego State, reminiscent of their regular-season matchups. The Broncos' nationally-ranked defense rose to the occasion yet again, and was tasked with protecting a one-point lead over the final 1:55 to outlast the Aztecs.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞#WhatsNext pic.twitter.com/uGiKBpTPqO
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) April 1, 2022
Season Achievements and Accolades:
- MW Outright Regular-season Champions*
- MW Tournament Champions*
- Most Wins in a Season (27)
- Most Conference Wins in a Season (15)
- Longest Win Streak in Program History (14)
- Highest NCAA Tournament Seed (#8)
- 16 Opponents Held to Fewer Than 60 Points (Most in Leon Rice Era)
- MW Coach of the Year (Leon Rice)
- MW Freshman of the Year (Tyson Degenhart)
- Four All-MW Honors
- All-MW Second Team (Abu Kigab and Marcus Shaver Jr.)
- All-MW Honorable Mention (Emmanuel Akot and Tyson Degenhart)
- MW All-Defensive Team (Abu Kigab)
* Fifth team in MW history to win both the MW Tournament and an outright regular-season championship.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
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