With the regular season presenting a tight race, the upcoming MWC tourney promises excitement. Teams vie for coveted NCAA Tournament berths, and the Boise State men’s basketball squad, yet to secure a win in the Big Dance, is in the midst of this competitive league battle. With several ties to Spokane and the Inland Northwest within their roster and coaching staff, the Broncos stand poised for a third consecutive NCAA berth in a conference boasting six projected tournament contenders.
“It’s chaotic,” remarked Spokane native Tyson Degenhart, reflecting on a league where just four games separate the top seven teams.
Amidst the high stakes of the tournament, Degenhart, a 6-foot-8 forward with guard-like skills, emphasizes the significance of the games ahead. Graduating from Mt. Spokane High School in 2021, he’s emerged as a strong contender for the MWC Player of the Year title.
Alongside Degenhart, the Rice family trio, familiar figures in Spokane basketball circles, has played a pivotal role in Boise State’s impressive 22-9 overall record and 13-5 league standing. Head coach Leon Rice, formerly of Gonzaga, leads the team, supported by Max Rice, a standout sixth-year senior, and Kade Rice, a redshirt freshman making contributions off the bench.
Max Rice is among four Broncos averaging double figures with 12.4 points per game. Kade, who has seen action in eight games, shares a history with Degenhart as former AAU teammates. Though originally from Spokane, the Rice brothers have called Boise home for the past 14 years.
The coaching staff boasts defensive expert Mike Burns, previously head coach at Eastern Washington, and Roberto Bergersen, a former Eastern assistant and BSU standout. Larry Eustachy, former coach at Idaho, Iowa State, Utah State, and Colorado State, serves as senior advisor to Rice, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.
The experienced coaching staff has proven invaluable for the Broncos, enabling them to stay competitive in the fiercely contested MWC.
Last Friday, Boise State relied on that seasoned leadership to secure a hard-fought 79-77 victory over San Diego State, the reigning conference champions and 2023 national runners-up. Notably, the Aztecs had maintained a flawless 14-0 home record leading up to the game.
“Degenhart acknowledges SDSU’s exceptional talent,” commented on the challenge posed by the Aztecs, who, despite defeating Gonzaga earlier in the season, finished fifth in the MWC standings.
Utah State clinched the MWC title in their inaugural season under Danny Sprinkle, a former coach and player at Montana State. Despite not retaining any players from the 2022-23 season, the 22nd-ranked Aggies finished with an impressive 14-4 record. Following closely were Boise State and Nevada at 13-5, UNLV at 12-6, SDSU at 11-7, and both New Mexico and Colorado State at 10-8.
Degenhart noted, “There’s an abundance of talent in this league, perhaps more so than in recent years.” His Broncos will commence their tournament journey on Thursday, entering the quarterfinals against the victor of Wednesday’s first-round clash between No. 6 New Mexico and No. 11 Air Force. “With so many strong teams, competition is fierce, and every game is a thrilling challenge,” he added, highlighting the excitement of playing in such a competitive league.
While focusing on the immediate tournament, Degenhart admitted to harboring a secret desire for Boise State to return to the Spokane Arena, where the first- and second-round NCAA games will be held on March 22 and 24. Reflecting on his fond memories of playing in his hometown arena – three times during high school and twice with BSU, including a recent loss to Washington State – he couldn’t help but express his hopes.
“It would be incredible to have the opportunity to redeem ourselves for that earlier season loss,” he confessed. “Having my friends and family in attendance would mean the world to me. Playing in an arena where I’ve spent countless hours watching games would be a dream come true.”
While Friday’s triumph likely secured a NCAA bid for Boise State, Degenhart believes that clinching at least one victory in the conference tournament would serve as valuable insurance for the team. Despite narrowly missing out on the latest AP Top 25 poll, he stressed the importance of continued effort.
“There’s still unfinished business,” Degenhart remarked ahead of his team’s last regular-season game. “We need a couple more wins to bolster our confidence heading into the tournament.”
Boise State’s robust schedule has been instrumental in their campaign, reflected in their 24th position in the crucial NET rankings utilized by the selection committee. Their strength of schedule metrics further underscore their competitiveness: they boast a 6-4 record against Quad 1 teams, 3-4 against Quad 2, 3-1 against Quad 3, and an unblemished 8-0 record against Quad 4 opponents.
“Many teams opted for less challenging non-conference schedules,” noted Degenhart. “Fortunately, we took a different approach. By facing strong opponents, we prepared ourselves well for conference matchups.”
Boise State’s narrow 66-61 defeat to Washington State last December has gained significance with the Cougars’ resurgence. Currently ranked 18th with an impressive 23-8 overall record, they secured second place in the Pac-12 Conference with a 14-6 record. Notably, they claimed victories over No. 5 Arizona, the regular-season champions, twice during league play.”
“We were aware of their potential as a formidable team, but their performance caught many in the Pac-12 off guard,” remarked Degenhart. “Their ability to shoot consistently from beyond the arc posed a significant threat, with different players capable of sinking four or five threes each game.”
“Some saw our loss to them as detrimental, possibly jeopardizing our tournament prospects,” he continued. “However, it turned out to be a Quad 1 loss, leaving our resume unscathed. Everything fell into place as it should.”
Looking ahead, Degenhart expressed a strong desire for Boise State to advance past the NCAA first round this season, having fallen short in previous attempts against Northwestern last year and Memphis in 2022.
“There’s definitely unfinished business, a topic often associated with Boise State during March Madness,” he stated. “Securing that first win is crucial, and we’ve learned from past experiences that starting strong is essential. Creating early momentum puts pressure on the opposition.”
Despite personal accolades, including MWC Freshman of the Year in 2021-22 and first-team all-conference recognition last year, Degenhart prioritizes team success. Leading with an average of 16.8 points per game, along with six rebounds and over one steal per game, he remains committed to the team’s goals.
“While individual recognition is rewarding, another chance at the NCAA Tournament would be a cherished achievement,” he emphasized. “Each opportunity is precious, as tournament appearances aren’t guaranteed every year. With only nine appearances in our school’s history, we must savor every moment and strive for victory every time we step onto the court.”