Boise State Tennis Team Throttles #38 Nebraska

Boise State shocked Nebraska today, not just in beating the #38 Cornhuskers, but blanking them, at the Blue Gray Classic in Montgomery, Alabama.

Boise State won the doubles point as Andy Bettles and Nathan Sereke downed Andre Stenger and Marc Herrmann of Nebraska, 8-4.  Garrett Patton and Scott Sears prevailed at #2 doubles, 8-3.

Filipp Pogostkin finished first with a win at #4 singles, his fourth straight victory.  Thomas Tenreiro then scored a 7-5, 6-3 win over Tom Blackwell to bring Coach Greg Patton's team within one point of the upset.  Then Andy Bettles won 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to clinch the match.

"Things are starting to roll our way," said head coach Greg Patton. "We suffered a little bit there for a while but things are looking our way. Our doubles were a sight to behold and gave us so much momentum going into the rest of the match." Boise State will face No. 22 Notre Dame, Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT. The Irish entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed and defeated Troy in the first round, 4-0. Doubles 1. Bettles/Sereke (BSU) def. Stenger/Hermann, 8-4 2. Patton/Sears (BSU) def. Boyer/Zitsch, 8-3 3. Mitchell/Pogostkin vs Videtich/Elsass, DNF Order of Finish: 2, 1 Singles 1. Andy Bettles (BSU) def. Andre Stenger, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 2. Nathan Sereke (BSU) vs. Marc Herrmann, DNF (4-6, 6-4, 1-1) 3. Scott Sears (BSU) vs. Dusty Boyer, DNF (4-6, 6-3, 1-1) 4. Filipp Pogostkin (BSU) def. Eric Sock, 6-2, 6-1 5. Thomas Tenreiro (BSU) def. Tom Blackwell, 7-5, 6-3 6. Garrett Patton (BSU) vs. Andrew Dzulynsky, DNF (6-4, 3-2) Order of Finish: 4, 5, 1

Temple Loses

Yet another good result for Boise State.

That leaves Utah, Vanderbilt, Maryland and UMass as possible bid stealers if the four underdogs can win their conference tournaments.  Barring all four of those winning, Boise State sitting good right now.

Things Continue To Go Generally Well for Boise State

Kentucky was pasted by a 16-16 Vanderbilt team today.  Can't see anyone in their right mind choosing them for an at-large berth, defending champion or not.

Tennessee lost to Alabama, which has to diminish the Vols' chances.  Alabama can still get in with one more win.

LaSalle lost to Butler but that was expected, so they could still get in.

Maryland winning definitely hurt Boise State but many feel the Terps need to win the ACC title to get in.

Iowa State lost to Kansas but most feel they are in anyway.

Iowa lost to Michigan State, as the Spartans made a furious comeback.

Utah, Maryland, UMass or Vanderbilt stealing a bid with a conference championship about the only thing threatening Boise State at this juncture.  But most are not looking at "if" for Boise State but "when", in other words; if the Broncos will play the opening round of eight.

Things Breaking Boise State's Way

With California, Colorado, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Baylor and Illinois losing, and Virginia on the ropes, plus the fact that Utah and LSU (Boise State opponents) won tournament games, it's looking like Boise State could receive good news Sunday.  Still plenty of basketball to go.

I think defending champion Kentucky is in if they beat Vanderbilt today.  Tennessee is in if they beat Alabama.  But Alabama may have to win one more to pass Boise State.  LaSalle, Maryland, Iowa State and Iowa are others on the bubble and play today.