Three More Men Qualifiers

Boise State setting themselves up nicely for a run at the title:

Preliminaries                                                                
  1 Daveon Collins            JR Boise State              20.65Q  4.1  2     
  2 Cameron Parker            SR Fresno State             21.45Q  2.0  1     
  3 Jake Spuller              SO Air Force                21.48q  4.1  2     
  4 Uzor Udensi               SR Air Force                21.52q  2.0  1     
  5 Jason Roascio             SO Wyoming                  21.60q  2.0  1     
  6 Thomas Trujillo           SR New Mexico               21.67q  2.0  1     
  7 Devante O'Connor          FR Fresno State             21.76q  2.0  1     
  8 Jeff Daw                  SR Boise State              22.27q  4.1  2     
  9 Tyler June                SR Boise State              22.40q  4.1  2     
 10 Harrison Einspahr         FR Wyoming                  23.00   2.0  1 

Comparing Bronco Men with Bronco Women Like Night and Day

Three Bronco men are in the 400-Meter Hurdles final--excellent chance to pick up badly-needed points.

Preliminaries                                                                
  1 Jordin Andrade            JR Boise State              51.21Q  1          
  2 Trevor Brown              JR Colorado St.             53.35Q  2          
  3 Sam Little                FR Colorado St.             52.41q  1          
  4 Bret Scheve               SO Boise State              53.65q  2          
  5 Keane Bland               FR Fresno State             53.74q  2          
  6 Rex Stanley               FR Boise State              53.79q  2          
  7 Colin Herold              SO Wyoming                  54.12q  1          
  8 Sam Lynass                SO Colorado St.             54.43q  2          
  9 Aaron Praska              JR Wyoming                  54.53q  1          
 10 Daniel Williford          JR Fresno State             54.61   1 

No Bronco Qualifiers in Women's 800

For the women, sadly it's going to be about individual glory--no chance at a team title.

No Bronco Qualifers in Women's 400

Pretty much expected, but it's still disappointing.

Bronco Women Hurdlers Need Work

The heats in the women's 100-meter hurdles are done and none of the eight places in the final will be taken by a Bronco.

Clemson Wins 4-3

Pogostkin won the first set 6-2 and it looked good for Boise State.  But when Sereke fell, it meant Pogostkin had to win his match.  He lost the second set 6-3, and suffered three breaks in the final set to lose 6-1.

Bettles Wins 6-4, 6-1

We're tied at 3.

Pogostkin Down 5-1

He had two break points but lost the game, leaving unfinished business for the next two Madden serves.

Yannick madden Takes Time Out at Triple Break Point

Trying to stall so he doesn't lose before his brother beats Pogostkin.

Triple Match Point for Bettles

30-40 for Pogostkin on Court 4 trying to get a desperately needed break.

Bettles Suffers Break

Up 5-1.  he needs to finish this.

Bettles Up 5-0

Serving for match.  It would be nice if he can at least finish to tie the match at 3-3 before Pogostkin's finale.  He's down 15-40 though.

Sears Loses 6-4, 6-4

So now Pogostkin has to get two quick breaks.  You see now how damaging the Sereke loss was.

Pogostkin Loses Another Break

and Boise State is in trouble.  He's down 4-0 in third set and Sears is down 40-15 and facing match point.

Bettles With Another Break

Andy leads 4-0 in second set, playing tremendous tennis.

Boise State-Clemson Recap

Clemson won the doubles point, in fact too easily.

Garrett Patton evened the match with a 6-4, 6-4 win at #6 singles.

Nathan Sereke was down a break, got it back late, then lost his serve to lose 6-4, 7-5 at #2 singles.  But seconds after that, Thomas Tenreiro won 7-5, 6-2 at #5 singles.

And we're tied at 2.

Scott Sears was headed for defeat, in fact the announcers were almost sure of it, but he got two breaks and trails, 6-4, 5-4.  Bettles leads 3-0 at #1 singles, but Pogostkin just lost a break in his crucial third set.  Filipp won the first set 6-2, but lost 6-3 in the second and now down 2-0. If Pogo loses, Sears and Bettles both have to win.  By the same token, if Scott can't hold on to even the match, Pogostkin has to come back and Bettles has to win his match.

Sears With Consecutive Breaks

Scotty wasn't playing well until just now, and he has gotten two straight breaks in the second set.  He trails 5-4 but if he can hold serve, he's back in the match.

Tenreiro Wins Again

7-5, 6-2, so the match is even at 2.  With Sereke's loss, he has now forced Bettles to win against a higher-ranked opponent.

Sereke Loses

After just battling back to even, Sereke lost his next serve and the match, 6-4, 7-5.  Clemson leads 2-1.  This is a tough, tough loss for Boise State.

Pogostkin Loses Second Set 6-3

And down 1-0 in final set.

Tenreiro with another break

He's up 5-1 in second set.

Bettles Gets Break

Unbelievably, Bettles is up 6-4, 2-0.

Sears is about to lose, down 5-1 in second set.  Tenreiro up 3-1 at #5 singles, while Sereke has pulled even at 5 in the second set.

Pogostkin Serving to Stave Off Set Loss

He's down 5-3 in second set, but he did win the first one.

Patton Wins

6-4, 6-4.  The announcers keep trying to go to video matches where Clemson can win.  They refused to show Patton until the final point, and kept saying, Clemson looks like they're going to be up 3-0.

Clemson has 2 breaks to 1

Patton leads 6-4, 5-4 but he needs to break to win.  He is receiving at 15-40.

Clemson leads 2 breaks to 1.  Boise State won four of the six first sets, but Clemson won the doubles point.

Sereke Gets the Break

The Southern announcers, who not only can't pronounce Pogostkin's name, can't figure out if Boise State is in the WAC or the Mountain West.  They're getting input from Clemson fans as to how the Tigers can take the match.  

Sears Down 6-4, 4-0

Scott having a tough day, and so far Clemson is winning four of the six second sets.  They only need 3 to win the match.

Pogostkin Loses Break

He won the first set 6-4, but is down 4-2 in the second.  Obviously one Boise State has to have.

Sereke Down 5-2

Nathan serving to stay in the match, and if he can hold serve, he needs to get the break right away, of course.

Tenreiro Gets Break

Thomas is up 7-5, 2-0 at #5 singles.

Southern Announcers

The cooler it gets, the more it favors Boise State.  They're 2,800 feet above sea level, and they're probably not used to playing in warm weather.

The ignorance we have to deal with.  All they need to know about Boise is that it's in the middle of a desert up against the mountains.  Or maybe come here before they make comments.

Bettles Wins First Set

6-4, giving Boise State four first sets.

Bettles Gets Break at Singles

It would be a gigantic upset if Bettles won, and it's very early, but the first break at #1 singles goes to Andy--he's up 5-4 and serving.

Men's Steeple Final

Boise State got some points here, but they made a tactical error in not entering anyone in the decathlon.  They have to fight way uphill to take the title.  It's a possibility, but they're already so far behind.

Here are the standings because of that tactical mistake, and you see what I mean.

1.  Colorado State 53
2.  New Mexico 25
3.  Air Force 19
4.  Boise State 10
5.  Fresno State 3
Wyoming 1

Finals                                                                       
  1 Elmar Engholm             FR New Mexico             8:59.16S  10         
  2 Andrew Goodman            SO Colorado St.           9:04.04    8         
  3 Spenser Lynass            SR Colorado St.           9:05.77    6         
  4 Zach Wiles                JR Boise State            9:10.12    5         
  5 Christian Meyer           JR Colorado St.           9:11.95    4         
  6 Kevin Poythress           JR Fresno State           9:20.16    3         
  7 Nick Lobb                 FR Boise State            9:25.46    2         
  8 Michael Banks             SR Wyoming                9:26.37    1         
  9 Graham Thomas             FR New Mexico             9:55.86              
 10 Mike Seas                 FR Wyoming               10:05.05        

Tenreiro Wins 7-5

A lot going on today involving Boise State and this is your source for the most complete and up-to-date information.

Thomas Tenreiro won his first set 7-5 at #5 singles.  Three Broncos have won first sets but they need four singles winners.

Who's going to step up?

Emma Bates Wins Gold with School Record in 10,000

Two races and two Broncos cross the line first.  Emma Bates won the grueling 10,000 today and Erin McLaughlin picked up another point for the Lady Broncos at the MWC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Finals                                                                       
  1 Emma Bates                SO Boise State           36:09.92S  10         
  2 Shawna Winnegar           SR New Mexico            36:18.15S   8         
  3 Holly Page                SO Wyoming               36:53.19S   6         
  4 Sarah Heuer               SR Colorado St.          37:07.83S   5         
  5 Kendra Schaaf             SR New Mexico            37:14.57S   4         
  6 Kate Kanetzky             SR Air Force             38:05.01    3         
  7 Julie Pedersen            JR Nevada                38:14.98    2         
  8 Erin McLaughlin           JR Boise State           38:22.89    1         
  9 Kristen Galvez            JR Fresno State          38:52.93              
 10 Devon England             JR Wyoming               39:30.31              
 11 Pauline Mandel            FR Colorado St.          39:53.37              
 12 Marianne Hogan            SR San Diego St.         39:53.50      

Marissa VanderMalle Wins Mountain West Championship with School Record

Congrats to this great distance runner.  Marissa won the steeplechase this morning by 13 seconds to take the MWC title!

Finals                                                                       
  1 Marissa VanderMalle       SO Boise State           10:25.24S  10         
  2 Jennifer Bremser          SR Air Force             10:38.53    8         
  3 Demerey Kirsch            SO Nevada                10:40.55    6         
  4 Imogen Ainsworth          SR New Mexico            10:42.64    5         
  5 Kaitlin Hanenburg         JR Colorado St.          10:59.85    4         
  6 Nicola Hood               JR New Mexico            11:00.47    3         
  7 Carina Mendoza            JR Fresno State          11:05.16    2         
  8 Abi Bever                 SR Wyoming               11:09.73    1         
  9 Christina Works           SR Nevada                11:14.39              
 10 Anna Preciado             SO Boise State           11:20.56              
 11 Erika Root                FR Nevada                11:33.78              
 12 Emily Myers               FR Nevada                11:44.54              
 -- Andrea Klimowski          JR Wyoming                    DNF     

Sears Suffers a Break

And he's down 6-4, 2-0.

Sereke Loses a Break

Nathan pretty much has to win this match, or at least one of the top three need to,.  Bettles is playing one of the best in the nation, so you don't want to have to put it on his shoulders.  Sereke's down 6-4 and 2-0 now.

Southern Cooking

Bettles just had a ball go wide, and he called it so, which would have evened the match at 4 games apiece.  But the referee overruled him, and it's back to deuce.

Patton and Pogostkin Win First Sets in Singles

Garrett won 6-4 at #6 singles while Pogostkin won 6-4 at #4 singles.

But Sereke was a 6-4 victim in the first set, a match he needs to win for the Broncos to get out alive, especially having lost the doubles point.  And Scott Sears lost his set 6-4 at #3 singles.

Thomas Tenreiro is up 6-5 at #5 singles--he hasn't lost in months.  Bettles is behind 4-3 at #1 singles, one in which he is the underdog.

So the singles matches are tied at 2-2, but Boise State needs to win 4 of the 6.

Clemson Wins Doubles Point

and it wasn't close.

Aidan Reid and Toby Mitchell lost 8-1 at #3 doubles and Garrett Patton and Scott Sears lost 8-4.  That's not how they played against Notre Dame, ranked higher than Clemson.

Colorado State Jumps Out to Huge Lead in Mountain West Men, San Diego State Roars Out to Big Lead in Women

By not entering either a decathlete or a heptahlete, Boise State is behind the eight-ball in the Mountain West Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

To win the title, a team pretty much has to score points in every event, and you certainly don't want to give the competition a landslide.  But that is what has happened.  Colorado State scored 28 easy points in the decathlon with four athletes entered while defending champion Air Force got 5.  In the women's competition, San Diego State scored 22, while New Mexico (7 points), Wyoming (6), Nevada (3), Colorado State (1) all got a jump on Boise State.

But the main part of the competition begins tomorrow, and we'll see if the Broncos can make up the huge gap.

No Bronco Competing in Decathlon or Heptathlon

Boise State loses out on chances to score easy points in the multi-events, with no one entered in the men's decathlon or the women's heptathlon.  It's a gift to the other schools and puts Boise State behind from the start.

Projections for Mountain West Men's Track Championships

Boise State heads to Las Vegas for the Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which begins today.  Here are team projections for the Men's:

1.    Air Force 151 (defending champion)
2.    Boise State 130
3.    Colorado State 115
4.    New Mexico 94
5.    Wyoming 78

Boise State has been unbeatable in the field events in years past, while scoring less in running events.  This year, the situation is reversed.  Boise State is the leader in running events with 109, while only picking up 21 in field events.  If the Broncos can enter more people in the field events and beat that score of 21, they stand an excellent chance of coming home to Boise with a conference championship.

Kim Selected for NCAA Regional Golf Championship

The Boise State team may not have fared well at the Mountain West Men's Golf Championships as a whole, but senior T.K. Kim did his part, finishing fifth individually.  Kim not only won the regional qualifer for the U.S. Open, but has been selected to compete in the NCAA Regional Championships yesterday.  Kim will be one of five golfers competing in the West Regional at Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman, Washington May 16-18.

"T.K. is the hardest-working guy you will meet," head coach Kevin Burton said. "He has put in the effort day-in, and day-out. This is absolutely a well-deserved accomplishment.

"Palouse Ridge is a course he has played in each of his four years at Boise State, so it's a course he knows really, really well."

Kim is the fifth Bronco selected to participate in the Regionals in school history, and the first since Troy Merritt in 2008.  The top individual at the regionals will advance to the NCAA Championships May 28-June 2.

Earlier in the day, Kim shot a 5-under 66 to advance to sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open at Tumble Creek Golf Club in Cle Elum, Washington on June 3.

Kim joins David Lebeck (1993), Jarrod Warner (1998), current PGA Pro Graham DeLaet (2003, 2004 and 2006) and Merritt (2008) as Broncos competing at the regionals.

Boise State All-80's Football Team

If you're a football fan, you want to always check Blue Football Through and Through, the blog dedicated exclusively to Boise State football.  Here is a link to the Boise State All-80's Football Team:

Broncos Lose 5-0

The bats weren't there today, and Boise State goes down to UNLV 5-0, ending the Lady Broncos' hopes for postseason.

Boise State Down to Three Outs

The Broncos need five to tie UNLV in the seventh.

UNLV 5, Boise State 0

Rebels batting in bottom of sixth.  Broncos have lost their hitting stroke, with just four through six.

UNLV Leads Boise State 4-0 in Bottom of Fifth

Six more outs separate Boise State from a loss that would eliminate them from the MWC race.

UNLV With Grand Slam of their Own

Makenna Weir's grand slam gave Boise State the win yesterday.  UNLV with a grand slam in the third to lead Boise State 4-0 in a game the Broncos cannot lose.

UNLV Bases Loaded in 3rd

UNLV trying to draw first blood in a scoreless game.

0-0 with Boise State Batting in the Second

Boise State and UNLV each with a hit, but nothing happening after that.

Boise State Scoreless in First

Boise State got a hit but no runs in their part of the first.  UNLV batting.

San Diego State Leads Colorado State Early

The Aztecs with a 1-0 lead.  If they go on to win this game, San Diego State just needs to win two of three at home against UNLV to win the Mountain West.

Boise State Golfers Headed for 7th

Boise State is five over with two holes to play in the final round of the Mountain West Men's Golf Championships in Tucson.  The Broncos are placed where they likely won't finish worse than seventh, but barring a late collapse by other teams, Boise State can't finish any higher either.

MWC Softball Tiebreakers

If two teams finish the season with the same conference records, of course, head-to-head will decide the league champion.  And that will be easy since each team plays every other league team three times.

San Diego State would win head-to-head tiebreakers with Nevada and Fresno State but would lose to Boise State.  The Aztecs and Colorado State are playing their third game today which would decide their tiebreaker.  Nevada holds an advantage should they wind up in a two-way tie with Colorado State, but would lose tiebreakers with both San Diego State and Fresno State.  Nevada and Boise State meet next weekend for three.  Fresno State owns tiebreakers with Boise State and Nevada while Colorado State owns the tiebreaker over Fresno State but would lose to Nevada and Boise State.

If three or more teams finish in a first-place tie, then you go to the record amongst the tied teams.

If there is a four-way tie between San Diego State, Boise State, Fresno State and Colorado State, Fresno State is 5-4 against the other three teams.  Colorado State and San Diego State are both 4-4 with their one game left against each other while Boise State is 4-5. This would eliminate Boise State and the competition would be between Fresno State and the winner of the nightcap between CSU and San Diego State.  Fresno lost both series, so the winner in this tiebreaker would be the winner of the San Diego State-Colorado State game this afternoon. 

If the season ends in a three-way tie between Colorado State, San Diego State and Boise State, Boise State would be 4-2 against the other two teams and would win the tiebreaker.

If the three-way tie is between San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State, Fresno State has a 2-4 record against the other two.  The winner of this tiebreaker would also be the winner of today's game between SD State and CSU.

If the three-way tie were between San Diego State, Boise State and Fresno State, Fresno State would win the tiebreaker with a 4-2 record against the other two.  San Diego State would be 3-3 and Boise State 2-4.

If the three-way tie were between Fresno State, Boise State and Colorado State, Fresno State would win the tiebreaker by virtue of a 4-2 record against the other two.  CSU would be 3-3 and Boise State 2-4.

So it's pretty obvious that Boise State's chances amount to this:  they must win all four games and either wind up in a two-way tie with San Diego State or Colorado State or a three-way tie with San Diego State and Colorado State.  Thus, Fresno State has to lose and cannot be in a tiebreaker with Boise State for the Broncos to emerge the winners.

San Diego State Pummels CSU 12-4

The Aztecs once again grab sole possession of first place in the Mountain West softball standings with a 9-5 mark, while Colorado State falls to 8-6, one-half game ahead of Nevada and one full game ahead of Boise State.  Fresno State is 10-7, effectively now in second place pending their outcome with New Mexico this afternoon.

San Diego State Leads CSU 7-2

They go to the top of the fourth as the two MWC leaders battle it out.  They'll play another game after this one is over.

SD State Leads Colorado State

6-0 now in the top of the third.

San Diego State Leads Colorado State Early

San Diego State has scored four runs in the top of the first.  The two teams are tied for the lead in the Mountain West with 8-5 records.  They are scheduled to play two today.

Bronco Golfers Underway in Final Round

Boise State is two over par in the early going in the final round of the Mountain West Conference Men's Golf Championships in Tucson.  The Broncos faltered in the final nine on Friday and in the first nine on Saturday.  A sixth-place finish (they are eighth going into today) would be respectable.

Fresno State Beats New Mexico

Fresno beat New Mexico 2-1 and is now 10-7.  If the Bulldogs win tomorrow, there is no way Boise State can finish ahead of them, and that is likely bad news for Boise State, because Fresno has the tiebreaker over Boise State by virtue of three head-to-head wins.

Colorado State Beats San Diego 3-0

A good pitching performance by Kaycee Williams of the Rams.  They now pull even with San Diego State at 8-5 in the Mountain West.  Fresno State is 9-7 and plays tonight, while 8-7 Nevada is off until next weekend and Boise State is 7-7.

Colorado State Leads San Diego State 3-0

Bottom of the sixth.  They've already postponed last night's game and didn't get the first game of a scheduled doubleheader in today.

Scoreboard Watching

Colorado State leads San Diego State 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth.  Boise State chasing both, so it's difficult to say which team's win will most benefit the Broncos, but San Diego State is in first as of the moment.

Boise State Now 7-7 in MWC Play

With Boise State's dramatic 9-7 win today, the Lady Broncos have pulled even in Mountain West play at 7-7.  That's a long ways from starting the season 0-3 after being swept by Fresno State.  UNLV is 6-8, falling behind Boise State in the conference standings.  Fresno State is in third with a 9-7 mark while Nevada is 8-7.  Fresno State has two more games with New Mexico while Nevada travels to Boise State for their final three games next weekend.

Broncos Win 9-7

A leadoff double scored a run for UNLV, but then Lela Work slammed the door.

Work Faces Heart of UNLV Order

If Lela Work and Boise State are going to finish this one out, they'll need to deal with the 3-4-5 hitters of UNLF.  Broncos lead 9-6 in the bottom of the seventh.

UNLV Out in the Sixth

The Lady Rebels got a double but Lela Work finished them off in the sixth.  Boise State enters the seventh up 9-6.

Makenna Weir Grand Slam Puts Boise State Up 9-6

Makenna Weir blasted a 3-2, two-out pitch over the fence for a grand slam at a time Boise State most needed it.  Broncos lead 9-6 in the top of the sixth.

Broncos Have Loaded the Bases in the Sixth

A Tara Glover single and walks to Devon Bridges and Mackenzie Whyte have loaded them up for Boise State.

Second Bronco Error Ties Game

UNLV has tied it--5 to 5 in the bottom of the third, still batting.

Bronco Golfers Finish 14 Over

Had it not been for a horrific start, Boise State might be in the thick of the race for the Mountain West Men's Golf Championship.  But they began their first four holes eight over and finished 14 over for the day, actually better than yesterday.  Boise State is 30 over for the two days thus far, with six teams still out on the course.

Bronco Offense Continues Momentum

Boise State has scored five runs in the top of the first against UNLV--they are still batting with one out.

A single by Tara Glover, a double by Holly Bourke that drove in Glover, a single by Devon Bridges that plated Bourke, a walk to Mackenzie Whyte, a single by Sarah Barnes loaded the bases, then Makenna Weir doubled to score Whyte and Bridges and, after a strikeout, Ashley Palmer just singled to score Barnes.

Boise State Golfers Still Next to Last

Nevada finally matched Boise State's +15 today, but the Broncos are probably going to finish the day next to last.  Boise State now 31 over for the two days thus far; Fresno State is seventh at plus 24 and they just have two holes left.

San Diego State has led the way today with six under par and has caught New Mexico--those two teams both two under overall.  UNLV is eight strokes back.

MWC Men's Golf Standings

All the teams are underway this morning in Tucson.  New Mexico is one over today but still one under for the tournament.  San Diego State and UNLV are 3 over overall while Colorado State is 10 over, Air Force at a +13, Wyoming is 20 over, Fresno State is 23 over, Boise State is 25 over, including 9 over par today, and Nevada is the only team standing between the Broncos and last place with a +33.

Bronco Golfers Last This Morning

The second round of the Mountain West Men's Golf Championship is underway in Tucson.  As one of the last three teams yesterday, Boise State teed off early this morning and so far, the Broncos have the worst score.  They are six over for the day and now 22 over for the tournament and have slipped to eighth place.  They were in second this time yesterday.

For the Boise State Softball Team to Reach the Postseason

Boise State dug themselves a hole early in the Mountain West.  The team has never made the NCAA Tournament in softball, and this year there is no conference tournament, so for the Lady Broncos to even sniff the postseason, the following must happen:

Boise State must win all remaining five games.  
San Diego State can do no better than 3-3.
Colorado State can do no better than 4-2.

Even that scenario may result in a tie of from 3-5 teams.  It gets complicated with more than three teams in the tie.  However, if the three teams above wind up in a tie and Fresno State loses one of its two remaining games, Boise State would reach the NCAA's by virtue of defeating both San Diego State and Colorado State in series earlier this spring.  Boise State would lose a tiebreaker with Fresno State, since they were swept by the Bulldogs, which led to the mess the Lady Broncos are currently in.

San Diego State and Colorado State play two today and one tomorrow--probably best for Boise State if the Rams win 2 of 3.  Fresno State hosts New Mexico today and tomorrow, and the Lobos need to win one.  New Mexico sure was a thorn in Boise State's side earlier this year when the Broncos really needed to sweep the series.

Bronco Women Lead UNLV 14-6

Tara Glover, Devon Bridges, Sarah Barnes, Rose Saenz and Jordan Kreiger have two hits each as the team has 13 through six innings.  Boise State must know they have to win out to have any chance at all of going to the postseason.

Mackenzie Whyte and Barnes have both gone yard, and Bridges has two homers, having just hit a shot in the top of the seventh.

Boise State Takes Second Fork

The Broncos fell down the stretch to finish seventh place in the opening round of the Mountain West Conference Men's Golf Championships, a full 16 strokes back of first-place New Mexico, when they were just three strokes behind with nine holes to play.  Such is the story of Boise State golf in the last few decades.

New Mexico finished the opening round two under par, while UNLV is three over and San Diego State finished four over.  Colorado State finished 12 over par.  Even Wyoming, which was seven strokes back of Boise State, finished ahead of the Broncos on this day with 15 over par--the Cowboys are tied with Air Force.  Only Fresno State (+17) and Nevada (+30) are behind Boise State.

The teams continue with the second round tomorrow in Tucson.

New Mexico, UNLV and San Diego State in the Clubhouse

New Mexico finished two under, UNLV 3 over and San Diego State four over.  

Remember when we said Boise State was in a crucial position and that they could either pick up strokes and join the leaders or fall way back?  Boise State has now fallen six strokes over par, just four strokes ahead of fifth-place Wyoming.

Boise State Slips to 5 Over

after 9 holes at the MWC Men's Golf Championships.  

Boise State Golfers Still in Main Group of Four

New Mexico is off by themselves at 3 under par, while Boise State and UNLV are 3 over.  San Diego State at 4 over is the only other team near the leaders.

Boise State Golfers At Crucial Fork

Boise State now four over par in the opening round of the MWC Men's Golf Championships this weekend.  The Broncos will either tough it up and gain some strokes to join the leaders, or slip well back in the pack to seventh.  Whether they finish the day second or seventh depends on the next few holes, which are among the toughest in Tucson.

Boise State Up To #31 in Manufacturer

http://www.clc.com/News/Archived-Rankings/Rankings-Q4-2012.aspx

And the Bronco Brand continues to grow!

Bronco Golfers Can't Get Over the Hump

Boise State showed it could golf well early on, but now the team has slipped three over par, even with San Diego State, whom we felt was golfing well enough to challenge.

UNLV With Tough 14th Hole

UNLV was right with New Mexico, but the Rebels lost four strokes on the 14th hole and are now three over par.  The Lobos still set the pace at three over par through 12 holes (they're about to play that 14th), while Boise State sits at two over par through five.  San Diego State (+4), Wyoming and Fresno State (both at five over) and Colorado State (+6) are next.

Competitive MWC Championships Thus Far

Pretty tight race in the opening round of the MWC Men's Golf Championships in Tucson, Arizona.  Only Nevada and Air Force are way off the pace set by New Mexico.

The Lobos are three under par through 10 holes, and lead UNLV, which is one under through 11.  Fresno State has pulled even with a slumping Boise State at two over--the Broncos have lost three strokes in the last two holes and are just through six, so lots of challenges remain.

Wyoming and San Diego State are just one stroke back of the Broncos and Bulldogs, with Colorado State six over par.  Air Force (+8) and Nevada (+11) are eighth and ninth respectively. 

Broncos Fall Off

Boise State now one over par, as they were oh so briefly under par that they need to golf this weekend.  The Broncos now much closer to dropping to fifth than catching the leaders.

Boise State Proving They Can Play Sub-Par Golf

The Broncos are temporarily under par at one under, joining UNLV and New Mexico as the only Mountain West teams with that distinction.  But Boise State has golfed much fewer holes than the latter two, and it's apparent they'll have to continue to shave strokes to have a shot at the MWC Championships.

New Mexico is currently four under while UNLV is two under par.  Wyoming and Fresno State are within striking distance at three over par.

Boise State Gets Back to Par

The Broncos are now even through five in the opening round of the Mountain West Conference Men's Golf Championship in Tucson.  UNLV has now golfed 11 holes and is 2 under, while New Mexico is one under through 10.  

Bronco Golfers Fall to Third

Boise State is just three holes into the opening round, and has fallen behind both New Mexico and UNLV.  The Broncos are one over par, while the Lobos and Rebels are two under par 10 holes through the course.  San Diego State is only four over par through seven holes.

New Mexico Off to Lead at MWC Golf Championships

New Mexico has gone through nine holes at the MWC Men's Golf Championships and is still one under par, effectively a big lead on the field.  Boise State is even, but has only played two holes.  Fresno State, meanwhile, is also even but has played three more holes than the Broncos.  UNLV is one over par, while Nevada, Wyoming and Colorado State are just two over par, well into the course.

Boise State has a challenge to stay in the top five--they'll pretty much have to play Par Golf the rest of the way.

Bronco Golfers Underway at Mountain West Championships

Boise State has teed off this morning in Tucson in the opening round of the Mountain West Men's Golf Championships.  With the Bronco women finishing second in their event, we'll see if the men can do as well.

Murray Satterfield Has Passed Away

Murray Satterfield, who was Boise State's head coaches for some outstanding junior college teams, and foresaw the transition as a four-year basketball school, has passed away.  

Satterfield took over as the head man in 1965-66, when the Junior College Broncos were 14-11.  The following year, Boise State improved to 26-9 with a championship in the Intermountain Conference.  The Broncos defeated College of Eastern Utah in the sub-regionals, then beat Nate Archibald and Western Arizona 89-86 and TVCC 83-61 to qualify for the NJCAA national tournament.  The Broncos beat Dodge City, Kansas 91-77 before losing to Moberly, Missouri 70-50 and Powell, Wyoming 84-71.  

The following year, the Broncos they were 26-5 in 1967-68, their best year ever as a junior college.  Satterfield's team lost just three regular season games and repeated their ICAC conference title.  BJC won the Region I tournament and once again qualified for the NJCAA national tournament.  The Broncos lost to Miami Dade 62-55, beat St. Louis Baptist 66-64 in consolation, then lost 85-68 to Iowa Central.

Satterfield guided Boise State to a 19-8 mark in 1968-69, their first season as a major college basketball team.  The Broncos were 20-8 the following year including a 90-74 win over Gonzaga and two wins over Pacific.  The Broncos made the NCAA Division II Tournament, defeating Sacramento State 63-61 and losing to California, Riverside 83-71.  Satterfield coached two-and-a-half more seasons, compiling a total record of 74-59, including 17-26 in the Big Sky Conference. 

Satterfield's record of 74-59 is the third-best ever at Boise State.  His 1968-69 team still holds the school record for holding opponents to 38.8% shooting.  Among the players Satterfield coached were Ron Austin and Bill Otey, who helped Boise State make the transition to major college basketball.

Austin set a school record in 1970-71 that still stands, when he averaged 24.5 points per game.  Austin also holds the school marks for career scoring average (20.5), free throws in a season with 194 (1970-71) and free throws attempted (247, also in 1970-71).  Austin also holds the high-point game ever at Boise State with 42 against Montana in 1971, and he is #2 with 41 against Portland State and #5 with 39 vs. Montana, both of those also in 1971.

Otey's rebound averages of 17.3 in 1968-69 and 13.0 in 1969-70 are still 1-2 all-time.  Steve Wallace, whom Satterfield recruited, is #3 on that list with an 11.0 average in 1971-72, and he is fourth with a 9.8 average in 1970-71.  Otey holds the school record for career rebounding with a 15.1 average from 1968-1970.

Rest in peace, Coach Satterfield, and thank-you for all you did for the Broncos!

Boise State Basketball Comes In At #21 in Sports Illustrated Poll

Boise State #21 in Sports Illustrated Preseason Basketball Poll:

Boise State #25 in CBS Basketball Preseason Poll

Boise State has been ranked #25 in the preseason basketball poll by CBS:

This, by the way, is the first time Boise State has ever been ranked in a preseason poll.  The Broncos only been ranked once during the regular season.  It came in the famous 1987-88 season.  There was only a Top 20 poll released at that time, and Boise State came in #23 briefly that season.

Boise State Adds Kentucky in Basketball

NCAA Tournament member Boise State will travel to non-NCAA participant Kentucky this December, the schools announced today.  The Broncos will meet the Wildcats December 10 in Lexington.

"We want to continue to build on what Coach Rice and his staff have accomplished in their time at Boise State," Director of Athletics Mark Coyle said. "Scheduling marquee games that will draw interest nationally is part of that process."

Boise State thumped LSU of the Southeastern Conference 89-70 last year at Taco Bell Arena.