Championship Week Guide

Here is a guide to the conference tournaments with associated NCAA Tournament information.  "Bubble Teams" includes teams seeded 8th or lower.

 

 

ACC:

Projected Champion:  Virginia

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  Duke, Louisville, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame

Bubble Teams:  #9 seed North Carolina State, Miami of Florida (First Four Out)

Tournament:  Wednesday through Sunday

America East:

Projected Champion:  Albany

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--the America East will only send its champion.

Tournament:  Albany plays Stony Brook for the championship.

American:

Projected Champion:  SMU

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  Cincinnati

Bubble Teams:   #8 seed Cincinnati, #11 seed Temple (Last Four In), Tulsa (First Four Out)

Atlantic-10:

Projected Champion:  Davidson

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  Dayton, VCU

Bubble Teams:  #8 seed Dayton, Richmond (Next Four Out)

Tournament:  Wednesday through Sunday

Atlantic Sun:

Champion:  North Florida

Other Projected Tournament Teams: 

Bubble Teams: 

Tournament:  North Florida won championship

Big 12:

Projected Champion:  Kansas

Other Projected Tournament Teams: Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, West Virginia

Bubble Teams:  #11 seed Oklahoma State (Last Four Byes), #11 seed Texas (Last Four In)

Tournament:  Wednesday through Saturday

Big East:

Projected Champion:  Villanova

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  Butler, Georgetown, Providence, St. John's, Xavier 

Bubble Teams:  #8 seed St. John's, #9 seed Xavier 

Tournament:  Wednesday through Saturday

Big Sky:

Projected Champion:  Montana

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None 

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Thursday through Saturday

Big South:

Champion:  Coastal Carolina

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None

Tournament:  Coastal Carolina won championship.

Big Ten:

Projected Champion:  Wisconsin

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue 

Bubble Teams:  Illinois (Next Four Out), #12 seed Indiana (Last Four In), #11 seed Purdue (Last Four Byes) 

Tournament:  Wednesday through Sunday

Big West:

Projected Champion:  UC Davis

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Thursday through Saturday

Colonial:

Projected Champion:  William & Mary

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None 

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  William & Mary plays Northeastern Monday night for championship.

Conference USA:

Projected Champion:  Louisiana Tech

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  Old Dominion (First Four Out)

Tournament:  Wednesday through Saturday

Horizon:

Projected Champion:  Valparaiso

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Valparaiso plays Green Bay Tuesday night in championship.

Ivy:

Champion:  Yale

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only Yale will advance.

Tournament:  None

MAAC:

Projected Champion:  Iona

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Iona plays Manhattan in championship Monday night.

MAC:

Projected Champion:  Central Michigan

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  resumes Wednesday through Saturday with the quarterfinals

MEAC:

Projected Champion:  North Carolina Central

Other Projected Tournament Teams: 

Bubble Teams: 

Tournament:  Monday through Saturday

Missouri Valley:

Champion:  Northern Iowa

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  Wichita State 

Bubble Teams:  None

Tournament:  Northern Iowa won championship.

Mountain West:

Projected Tournament Teams:  San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State 

Bubble Teams:  #11 seed Boise State, #10 seed Colorado State

Tournament:  Wednesday through Saturday

Northeast:

Projected Champion:  St. Francis

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only champion will advance.

Tournament:  St. Francis plays Robert Morris Tuesday night in championship.

Ohio Valley:

Champion:  Belmont

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  Murray State (Next Four Out) 

Tournament:  Belmont upset #25 Murray State

Pac-12:

Projected Champion:  Arizona

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  Oregon, Utah

Bubble Teams:  UCLA (Next Four Out)

Tournament:  Wednesday through Saturday

Patriot:

Projected Champion:  Lafayette

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Lafayette will play American in championship game Saturday.

SEC:

Projected Champion:  Kentucky

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi 

Bubble Teams:  Texas A&M (First Four Out), #10 seed LSU (Last Four Byes), #10 seed Mississippi (Last Four Byes), #9 seed Georgia

Tournament:  Wednesday through Sunday

SWAC:

Projected Champion:  Texas Southern

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Wednesday through Saturday

Southern:

Projected Champion:  Wofford

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None 

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Wofford plays Furman in the championship game Monday night.

Southland:

Projected Champion:  Stephen F. Austin

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Wednesday through Saturday

Summit:

Projected Champion:  South Dakota State

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  South Dakota State plays South Dakota and Oral Roberts faces North Dakota State in Semifinals Monday night.

Sun Belt:

Projected Champion:  Georgia State

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Thursday through Sunday

WAC:

Projected Champion:  New Mexico State

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  None

Bubble Teams:  None--only the champion will advance.

Tournament:  Thursday through Saturday

West Coast:

Projected Champion:  Gonzaga

Other Projected Tournament Teams:  BYU 

Bubble Teams:  #12 seed BYU (Last Four In)

Tournament:  Gonzaga plays Pepperdine and BYU plays Portland in the semifinals Monday night.

Northeast Conference:

Projected Champion:  Saint Francis

Other Projected Tournament Teams:   None

Bubble Teams:  None--the Northeast will only send its champion.

Tournament:  Saint Francis will play Robert Morris for the championship Tuesday night.

Postseason Awards Come Rolling in for Boise State

Derrick Marks, who had one of the best seasons in Boise State history, has been named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year.  Leon Rice, who has built the Broncos into a conference powerhouse, is the Mountain West Coach of the Year, and James Webb III is the league's Newcomer of the Year.

Boise State Clinches First Mountain West Conference Title with 71-52 Win Over Fresno State

Consider tonight's Senior Night a rousing success.

Boise State completed a remarkable run to a Mountain West Conference regular season championship with a 71-52 win at Taco Bell Arena over Fresno State.  The title enabled the Broncos to register conference championships in both football and basketball in the same school year for the first time in their history as a four-year school.  The 2015 Boise State football team captured the Mountain West championship last fall en route to its third Fiesta Bowl championship.

Five seniors:  Derrick Marks, Igor Hadziomerovic, Rob Heyer, Joe Hanstad and Jake Ness were honored before the game for their outstanding contributions to Boise State basketball and what they have meant this season to Bronco fans.  Then, it was time to get down to business.

Boise State rolled to a 9-0 lead over Fresno State, the last team to defeat the Broncos.  Coach Leon Rice used his entire team, and it was a complete team effort that got the victory.  Boise State's ever-improving defense was responsible for holding the usually sharpshooting Bulldogs to four points in the first ten minutes.  The Broncos used slicing and dicing from Marks and howitzers (two three-pointers by James Webb III and one by Mikey Thompson) to build a 15-4 lead to that point.

Fresno State, however, is a very talented team that few outside the Mountain West Conference might realize.  When their shots are falling and they get in a rhythm, they are tough to beat.  And tonight, the Bulldogs scratched and clawed their way back to within seven several times.

But on this night, the Broncos were not to be denied in front of a crowd exceeding 11,000.  Once again, it was the Boise State defense that stepped up, holding Fresno State to two points in the final five minutes of the half to go into intermission ahead 29-19.

Hadziomerovic penetrated the paint numerous times at the outset of the second half, finishing either with baskets, free throws, or assists to open teammates, as Boise State went on a 16-2 run.  Another trey from Webb III made it 36-19 two-and-a-half minutes in.  Every time the Bulldogs thought of making a run, Nick Duncan answered with one of three three-pointers in the half.

Despite a 20-point plus lead most of the final half, the Mountain West champions were whistled for more fouls than Fresno State.  This put a damper in the otherwise jubilant occasion.  Rice inserted first Rob Heyer, then Derrick Marks in the final minutes, with the goal being to then substitute for them to give the crowd a chance to acknowledge the seniors.  Both times, though, before Rice could substitute for them, the referees chose to whistle the seniors for their fifth foul.

In what appears to becoming a habit, Webb III finished with another double-double--18 points and 10 rebounds, while Duncan, Marks and Thompson each had 14 points.  Marks also had two steals to tie two-year player Doug Usitalo for third place in career steals with 185.  The talented senior also
vaulted from ninth to fifth on the single-season scoring list with 568 points.

Boise State, 14-4 in the Mountain West, will finish the regular season tied with San Diego State for first place, and the Broncos earned the #1 seed in next week's tournament.  The Broncos, with 24 overall wins, are one shy of tying the school record set by the 2007-08 Boise State team.

Cezar Guerrero led Fresno State with 11 points and talented Marvelle Harris added 10 for the Bulldogs, 10-8 in conference and 15-16 overall.

It has Bronco fans wondering:  what can this team do for an encore after winning the school's sixth basketball conference championship?  Boise State will begin play in the conference tournament Thursday afternoon at 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The Broncos do not know who their opponent will be Thursday, but it will be a talented team--either #8 seed New Mexico or #9 Air Force.

Career Steals:
1.    215 Chris Childs (1985-1989)
2.    196 L'Shard Anderson (2008-2011)
3.    185 Doug Usitalo (1986-1988)
4.    183 Derrick Marks (2011-current)
5.    179 Gerry Washington (1995-1999)
5.    179 Anthony Thomas (2006-2010)
7.    151 Bruce Bolden (1981-1985)
8.    145 Mike Tolman (1992-1993/1995-1998)
9.    138 Roberto Bergersen (1996-1999)
10.  132 Rawn Hayes (1981-1984)
11.  129 Damon Archibald (1992-1995)
12.  125 Kejuan Woods (1998-2001)
13.  107 Lance Vaughn (1989-1993)




Points, Season:
1.    661 Reggie Larry (2007-2008)
2.    644 Roberto Bergersen (1998-1999)
3.    636 Ron Austin (1970-1971)
4.    582 Roberto Bergersen (1997-1998)
5.    568 Derrick Marks (2014-15)
6.    566 Tanoka Beard (1992-1993)
7.    565 Anthony Drmic (2012-2013)
8.    557 Abe Jackson (2001-2002)
9.    530 Steve Connor (1977-1978)
10.  527 L'Shard Anderson (2010-2011)
10.  524 Tanoka Beard (1991-1992)
11.  523 Abe Jackson (2000-2001)
11.  523 Jermaine Blackburn (2004-2005)
14.  521 John Coker (1993-1994)
15.  517 Matt Nelson (2007-2008)
16.  514 Tanoka Beard (1990-1991)
17.  510 Anthony Drmic (2013-2014)
18.  505 Derrick Marks (2013-2014)
19.  504 Derrick Marks (2012-2013)
20.  499 Coby Karl (2005-2006)

Great photo

Boise State Gymnasts Send Seniors Out in Style

The Bronco gymnastics team set a new school record on bars and recorded the eighth-highest total score in school history to defeat Alaska-Anchorage 196.800 to 192.500.

Boise State registered a 49.575 on bars, breaking the mark of 49.5 set in 2001 and tied last year against Iowa.  Senior Kelsey Morris recorded a 9.95 to lead the team, while Krystine Jacobsen posted a 9.90.

"The girls have been chasing that bars record for years," said co-head coach Neil Resnick.  "They finally got it done tonight and it was absolutely amazing."

Senior Ciera Perkins nailed a 9.90 on vault to take the individual title, while Morris won floor exercises with a 9.90.

Boise State will conclude the regular season at Southern Utah next Friday, before competing in the Mountain Rim Conference Championships.
 

Boise State Tied for 3rd in Combined Football-Basketball Record

Boise State is one of those few powerhouse schools that is combining a stellar football season with an impressive basketball season.  To calculate the scores in this chart, we divided the number of basketball games by three (since the basketball season contains approximately three times as many games as football), and added that number to wins by the football team.

The Broncos rank third in the country for the best combined football-basketball record, tied with Wisconsin and behind only Ohio State and Oregon:

1.    Ohio State (21.33) 14 football wins, 22 basketball wins
2.    Oregon (20.67) 13 football wins, 23 basketball wins
3.    Boise State (19.67) 12 football wins, 23 basketball wins
3.    Wisconsin (19.67) 11 football wins, 26 basketball wins
5.    Arizona (18.67) 10 football wins, 26 basketball wins
6.    Baylor (18.33) 11 football wins, 22 basketball wins
6.    Colorado State (18.33) 10 football wins, 25 basketball wins
8.    Duke (18.00) 9 football wins, 27 basketball wins
8.    Florida State (18.00) 13 football wins, 15 basketball wins
10.  Alabama (17.67) 12 football wins, 17 basketball wins
10.  Michigan State (17.67) 11 football wins, 20 basketball wins
10.  TCU (17.67) 12 football wins, 17 basketball wins
13.  Louisiana Tech (16.67) 9 football wins, 23 basketball wins
13.  Louisville (16.67) 9 football wins, 23 basketball wins
15.  Georgia (16.33) 10 football wins, 19 basketball wins
15.  Notre Dame (16.33) 8 football wins, 25 basketball wins
15.  UCLA (16.33) 10 football wins, 19 basketball wins
15.  Utah (16.33) 9 football wins, 22 basketball wins
19.  Cincinnati (16.00) 9 football wins, 21 basketball wins
20.  BYU (15.67) 8 football wins, 23 basketball wins
20.  Georgia Southern (15.67) 9 football wins, 20 basketball wins
20.  Memphis (15.67) 10 football wins, 17 basketball wins 

Bronco Seniors, First and Foremost...

What these five student-athletes have brought to Boise State has been nothing short of amazing.  Playing without their leading scorer, and shorthanded by as many as five players during one stretch of the season, these five seniors led the Broncos to one of the best seasons in school history, accomplishing many "firsts" along the way.

This season, Boise State:

• set a school record with 13 conference victories to tie San Diego State for the lead in the Mountain West Conference.
• set a school record with 23 regular season victories.
• became one of only eleven schools in the last 35 years to win 10 regular season games in football and 20 regular season games in basketball.
• set a school record by holding five conference opponents under 50 points.
• set a school record by holding nine opponents under 50 points.  The existing record, set by the 1987-88 team, was six.
• became currently one of 35 teams in the nation to win 20 games in three consecutive seasons.
• became the first Boise State team to win at San Diego State.
• became the first Boise State team to win at UNLV.
• became the first Boise State team to win at New Mexico.
• became the first Boise State team to win at Utah State.
• became the first Boise State team to sweep each of the above four schools in a season.

The 2014-15 Broncos also have a shot at two more records.  Boise State has never won both a football and basketball regular season championship in the same school year.  The football team did its part last fall, and now the basketball team can accomplish the same.  The current Broncos also have a chance to tie or beat the existing school record for wins in a season.  The 2007-08 Boise State team won 25 games, including postseason play. 

It truly has been an historic basketball season.  But Coach Rice and the Bronco players would be the first to tell you that what's past is past.  They are hoping to accomplish even greater things Saturday night and beyond.  And to help them do that, these five great Boise State seniors!

#12

Igor Hadziomerovic

6-4 Guard

Hadziomerovic became one of the first players of the famous Boise State-Aussie Connection.  Igor played for the Australian Institute of Sport, and led the Australia U-19 National team to a sixth-place finish at the World Championships.  Right away, his shooting, driving to the basket, and pure hustle made him a favorite among Bronco fans.  He played in 15 games as a freshman, and Coach Leon Rice inserted "Iggy" into his starting lineup four times, making Hadziomerovic the first freshman to start at Boise State since Coby Karl in 2003-04.  Hadziomerovic averaged 4.9 points and 1.5 rebounds that first year, including an 18-point performance against Cal State Northridge, a season-high of seven assists against Indiana State, and a team-leading five rebounds against LSU.

Iggy continued to get better and improve his overall game the following year.  He was a key factor in helping Boise State begin its streak of 20-win seasons in 2012-13, starting 26 games.  Hadziomerovic averaged 5.2 points, 2.0 assists, and nearly 3 rebounds per game.  Once gain, Iggy picked a game with LSU to register his season high in rebounds with six.  He had at least four assists in seven games in helping the Broncos to a 21-13 record, fifth place finish in the Mountain West, and Boise State's first-ever at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Last season, Hadziomerovic played in 32 games, including 17 starts, grabbing a career-high eight rebounds against South Carolina (there's an SEC theme here).  Iggy had 13 points and six assists at New Orleans.  Playing a reduced role on an increasingly talented Boise State team, Hadziomerovic never failed to give 110% to do everything possible to make the Broncos a better team, diving for every loose ball, hitting open teammates, and doing everything he was asked to do and more.  Iggy averaged 3.7 points, 1.5 assists, and 2.9 rebounds last year.

In this amazing season, Hadziomerovic has done more of the same:  hustle, unselfishness, an uncanny ability to drive to the basket, hitting the open jumper, and feeding the ball to open teammates.   With 15 starts so far this year, Iggy has 139 points and is just 13 away from his career high of 152 as a sophomore.  Hadziomerovic has hit double figures three times, including a 10-point performance in helping the Broncos defeat Colorado State.  Iggy is averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds a game for 23-7 Boise State.  Hadziomerovic is enjoying his best shooting season, going 49-105 (46.7%) and making opponents pay with his long-range bombs (15-33 3-point shooting for 45.5%).  He is three rebounds shy of a career-high in that department as well.

For his career, Hadziomerovic has played in 105 games, hitting 177-of-438 field goal attempts (40.4%), going 43-137 from behind the arc (31.4%), and 87-145 (60.0%) from the free-throw stripe.  Iggy has scored 486 points, an average of 4.6 per game.  But his contributions go far beyond that.  Iggy has 293 career rebounds, 212 assists, 64 steals, and 14 blocked shots.

 

#5

Joe Hanstad

6-4 Guard

Hanstad came to Boise State from Dickinson High School in North Dakota, where he was a four-time all-conference selection and averaged over 25 points a game his senior season.  Joe played in 18 games in his freshman season, including 5 starts.  Hanstad averaged 3.3 points and 1.2 rebounds, and in his first collegiate start, led Boise State with 19 points and 5 rebounds against Air Force, including four 3-pointers.  He also paced the Broncos with 13 points against Wyoming.  At the conclusion of the season, Joe was named Mountain West Academic All-Conference and received the conference's Scholar-Athlete Award.

The following season, Joe played in 22 games, including two starts.  He scored 10 points and had five assists and three steals against Corban, then matched the three steals against Utah.  Hanstad finished the year averaging 1.4 points a game.

As a junior, Hanstad played in 15 games.  Once again, Joe received the Mountain West Scholar-Athlete Award, and he was named to the NABC Honors Court.   

This year, Joe has played in 19 games, providing a spark off the bench with his shooting ability.  Hanstad is averaging 2.3 points a game with nine 3-pointers, two shy of his career high. 

In his Boise State career, Joe has played in 74 games, going 47-117 from the field (40.2%), sinking 26-of-81 three-point tries for 32.1%, and hitting 75.8% of his free-throw tries (25-33).  Hanstad also has 56 rebounds, 42 assists, 18 steals, and 3 blocked shots.

#22

Rob Heyer

6-3 Guard

What a find this guy has been.  Coach Leon Rice found a diamond in the rough with Heyer, who transferred to Boise State after playing two seasons of junior college and a year at Texas-Permian Basin.  Heyer also quickly became a crowd favorite with his all-out hustle, basketball I.Q., great shooting ability and intense defense.  His ability to snare offensive rebounds has given the Broncos numerous second-chance opportunities, and Boise State would not be in the conference lead without him.

While redshirting last season as a transfer, Heyer was named to the NABC Honors Court. 

This year, Rob has played in 30 games, and has been one of Boise State's best shooters at 50.5% (46-91).  He has also canned 38.3% (18-47) of his three-point attempts and 84.4% of his free throws (27-32), along with the aforementioned knack of pulling down rebounds (94), 23 assists, 14 steals, and 7 blocked shots.  To date, Heyer is averaging 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.  He is a huge and vital cog in the Bronco basketball machine.

#34

Jake Ness

6-8 Forward

This homegrown talent from Coeur d'Alene helped Billings West High School in Montana to a state championship his junior season, and a runner-up finish at the state tournament his senior year, in addition to lettering four years in tennis and twice in football. 

Ness enrolled at Hargrave Military Academy for two years, helping his team to a 22-0 record before falling in the semifinals of the 2011 National College Preparatory Basketball Tournament. 

In 2012-13, Ness played in 14 games, and posted a career-high three steals against Walla Walla, as well as giving his team 17 minutes in Boise State's 63-61 victory over #25 Wyoming. 

Last year, Ness contributed in 14 games off the bench, grabbing four rebounds and blocking a shot.  At the conclusion of the season, Jake was named to the NABC Honors Court.

For his career, Ness has 12 points, 28 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals, and 4 blocks.

 

#2

Derrick Marks

6-3 Guard

Marks has always been a great playmaker, and one of Boise State's top scorers.  But this season, it is safe to say that after teammate Anthony Drmic went down with a season-ending injury, everyone from coaches to teammates, fans, opponents, and the national media have marveled at the complete basketball player that Derrick has become.  His long-range shooting has improved immensely.  While without question carrying the team on his shoulders at times, he has at the same time proved his unselfishness, using opponents' strategy of keying on him and double-teaming him against them by dishing the ball off to open teammates for scores.

While Marks has always been great driving to the hoop, he has perfected that art, finding the ability to kiss the ball high off the glass for highlight reel baskets.  He has also perfected his defense, fitting right in with Boise State's new-found ability to shut down opponents.  Derrick is arguably the most talented basketball player in school history, as evidenced by his four Mountain West Player of the Week honors this season--that's the most by anyone in the conference since Jimmer Fredette of BYU.

Marks showed his offensive ability at Plainfield Central High School in Chicago, Illinois, where he averaged over 25 points as a senior, including a 42-point outburst in which he connected on 22-22 free throws.

As a freshman, Marks was one of two Broncos to appear in all 30 games, including 13 starts.  Once Derrick broke the starting lineup against TCU, he was a fixture for Coach Rice.  Marks averaged 9.4 points a game, second on the team, and second amongst freshman in the Mountain West.  He also averaged 3.4 rebounds per contest, and led the Broncos with 63 assists (fifth all-time for a Boise State freshman).  Marks netted 21 points against #12 UNLV, and with two 20-point games, is one of only five Broncos with multiple 20-point games in the last 24 years.  For the season, Derrick was 96-194 (49.5%) and pulled down 102 rebounds and posted 24 steals and 12 blocked shots.  At the conclusion of the season, Marks was named Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference.

The following year, Marks and the Broncos began to climb the ladder in the Mountain West Conference.  Derrick started all 31 games, and averaged 16.3 points a game, sixth in the conference.  He also ranked third in the MW with 3.94 assists per game.  Marks was a three-time Mountain West Player of the Week, tied for most in the league.  Derrick's 504 points rank 16th on Boise State's all-time single-season list.  He scored in double figures 24 times, including eight 20-point games and three 30-point games, a school record.  Marks ranked fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (46.6% on 169-363 shooting), and second in free throw percentage (83.7% on 144-172).  The latter is sixth-best in school history.  Derrick also led the conference in steals, averaging 1.81 per game. 

He scored a career-high 38 points against Colorado State, including 33 in the second half, the fifth-highest point total ever at Boise State.  Marks then poured in 35 points as Boise State defeated #11 Creighton.  He also posted a career-high nine assists twice, a career-high six steals against Seattle, and a career-high nine rebounds against San Diego State.  Marks finished the year with 118 rebounds, 122 assists, 56 steals, and 14 blocked shots.  Derrick was named to the All-Mountain West Second Team at the end of the season.

Last year, Marks started 33 games and appeared in all 34, averaging 14.9 points a game.  He was third in the conference with 1.5 steals a game, and led Boise State with 2.6 assists per game.  Marks also averaged 3.4 rebounds a game.  During the year, Marks became the 24th Bronco to top the 1,000-point mark.  He blitzed Idaho with 39 points, with 27 of those coming in the second half.  In the game, Marks set a school record with 21 free throws (21-23).  Derrick had a season-high eight rebounds against Nevada, scored 23 points against #14 Iowa State, and dished out seven assists against Hawai'i.  Marks joined teammate Anthony Drmic as the fourth and fifth Broncos to score at least 500 points in a season twice.  Derrick also had 114 rebounds, 89 assists, 51 steals, and 10 blocks.  Marks was once again named All-Mountain West Honorable Mention.

This year, Derrick has enjoyed a season for the ages.  Stepping up his scoring, passing, defense, and overall play with the injury to Drmic, Marks is shooting 50.7% (204-402) from the field, nearly unheard of for a guard.  At least as remarkable, if not more so, is his three-point percentage this season, which is at least five points higher than his best season coming into 2014-15.  Marks is shooting a remarkable 47.8% from behind the arc (64-134), an even more impressive statistic when one considers that he is shooting nearly three times as many 3-pointers as he did as a sophomore.  Derrick's 204 field goals currently rank seventh on school history.  

Once again, Marks has been "money" at the free-throw line.  Shooting 79.6% this season (82-103), Derrick has a chance to record a third straight season over 80% in that area.  Marks is averaging 19.8 points and 3.6 rebounds a game, all the while having to also play a considerable amount of time at point guard.  He has 554 points (eighth-most for a single season at Boise State)102 rebounds, 84 assists, 52 steals, and 14 blocked shots so far in the season.    

Marks leads the Mountain West in scoring (19.8 ppg) and three-point percentage (47.8%), and is second in free throw percentage (79.6%) and three-pointers (64), third in steals (1.9 per game), fourth in field goal percentage (50.7%), sixth with a 1.4 assists to turnover ratio, and eighth in assists (3.0). 

With his 554 points this season, Marks joined legendary Tanoka Beard as the only two Broncos to score 500 points in a season three times.

For his stellar Boise State career, Derrick has hit 642-of-1,351 field goal attempts (47.5%), 112-271 (41.3%), and 449-565 (79.5%) of his free throw tries.  He is averaging exactly 15 points a game, and has 1,845 points (third in school history), 436 rebounds, 438 assists (sixth all-time), 183 steals, and 50 blocks.  Marks ranks third in career field goals,second in field goal attempts, and second in both free throws and free throw attempts.

Those are the five young men whose ability and leadership have catapulted Boise State to the top of the Mountain West Conference and in the discussion as one of the best basketball teams in the country.  A sellout crowd will be on hand Saturday against Fresno State to give these seniors their just due.  It's a moment not to be missed.

Boise State Coasts Past San Jose State 68-51

Four Broncos scored in double figures as Boise State coach Leon Rice used his bench sparingly in a 68-51 win at San Jose State tonight.

Boise State grabbed a 38-21 lead in the first half behind balanced scoring, and went on to set a school record with their 13th conference win (they are 13-4) and set another school mark with their 22nd regular-season victory.  The 1987-88, 1988-89, and 2007-08 Broncos were previously tied for the school record with 21 regular season wins.

Senior Rob Heyer set the pace with 15 points on 5-7 shooting, while senior Derrick Marks added 13, James Webb III contributed 11 and freshman Chandler Hutchison added 10.  Nick Duncan controlled the boards with 8, while Webb III and Hutchison had six each and Marks and Igor Hadziomerovic five each.

Rashad Muhammad netted 17 points to lead the Spartans with help from Jaleel Williams who had 10.  Brandon Mitchell led all players with 11 rebounds.

Boise State closes out the regular season Saturday night against the last team to beat them, Fresno State.  It will be Senior Night in Boise, when Marks, Hadziomerovic, Heyer, Joe Hanstad and Jake Ness will be honored prior to the game.

Former Broncos Doing Well in Europe

Ryan Watkins and Thomas Bropleh are two players who just missed the incredible 2014-15 season for Boise State by one season, having graduated last year.

Both former Broncos are performing well in Europe.  Watkins is averaging 15.2 points and 10.1 rebounds a game for Aris Leeuwarden in the Netherlnads, while Bropleh, who plays for Finke Baskets, is #4 in scoring in Germany's ProA League, averaging 16.8 points a game.

Derrick Marks is ESPN National Player of the Week

Boise State's Derrick Marks has been named the ESPN National Player of the Week.  Marks had 48 points in Boise State's wins over New Mexico and San Diego State. 

Boise State #27 in AP

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings

Boise State Gymnasts Move Up to #14

http://www.troester.com/gym/WRankings/2015/0302/WT-20.htm

Football Schedule Gets Clearer

With the release of the Mountain West football schedule today, we get an idea of Boise State's full schedule.  Of course, dates can change if media outlets pick up the games, and we still don't know times of the games...

ate	Opponent / Event	Location	Time / Result
09/04/15	vs. Washington	Boise, Idaho	TBA
09/12/15	at BYU	Provo, Utah	TBA
09/18/15	vs. Idaho State	Boise, Idaho	TBA
09/25/15	at Virginia	Charlottesville, Va.	TBA
10/03/15	vs. Hawai'i *	Boise, Idaho	TBA
10/10/15	at Colorado State *	Fort Collins, Colo.	TBA
10/17/15	at Utah State *	Logan, Utah	TBA
10/24/15	vs. Wyoming *	Boise, Idaho	TBA
10/31/15	at UNLV *	Las Vegas, Nev.	TBA
11/14/15	vs. New Mexico *	Boise, Idaho	TBA
11/21/15	vs. Air Force *	Boise, Idaho	TBA
11/28/15	at San Jose State *	San Jose, Calif.	TBA

 

 

Boise State Seeded 11th in Latest Lunardi Bracket

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

Boise State in Fourth at Pac-12 Wrestling Championships

2015 Pac-12 Championships
Team Standings
Plc Score School CH WB 1 2 3 4 5 6
(End of Session 1)

1 115.5 Oregon State 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 76.0 Arizona State 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
   76.0 Stanford 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 62.0 Boise State 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 59.0 Cal Poly 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 47.0 CSU-Bakersfield 1 8 0 0 0 0 0 0

Boise State RPI goes to 28

http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-rpi