BSU was 15-13-1 ATS last season.
After losing Colby Karl and Eric Lane to graduation, Boise State starts a new backcourt era. Unfortunately, for the Broncos, it hasn’t looked pretty so far.
After beating an undersized Utah Valley team 73-72 in overtime on November 9, Boise State coach Greg Graham has probably been taking his share of Ibuprofens lately, seeing as No. 10 Washington State comes to town on Tuesday, and the Broncos have no set backcourt in sight.
Minus Karl and Lane in its opener, Boise State started the game 4-of-22, forcing Graham to try four different guard combos, none of them successful. Starters Anthony Thomas and Matt Bauscher went 0-for-15 and combined for one point, while reserves Aaron Garner (0-of-6) and Greene (2-of-5) also struggled, combining for 10 points.
“One of my concerns was that we lost our backcourt and other guys have to learn to step up,” Graham told the Idaho Statesman.
With a tremendously talented frontcourt, including Matt Nelson, Reggie Larry and Tyler Tiedeman, the Broncos have the guns to compete night in and night out in the paint. But, without the guards to get these guys the ball in comfortable spots, Boise State could be in for a big spanking on Tuesday.
The Cougars boast one of the Pac 10’s top backcourts with Kyle Weaver and Derrick Low, who combined for 21 points and 7 assists in a cash-grabbing 68-41 win over Eastern Washington last Friday as 26 ½-point faves.
Washington State beat the Broncos 65-63 in Spokane last season, but failed to cover the 10-point spread.
“That’s a big test for us,” Graham said. “…they get after you.”
