Boise State Basketball Advances To Conference Championship

Boise State Basketball Advances To Conference Championship...

Boise State's men's basketball team secured a spot in the Mountain West Conference championship game with a thrilling 78-75 overtime victory over San Diego State on Wednesday night. The Broncos, led by head coach Leon Rice, will face Utah State in Saturday's title game with an NCAA Tournament bid potentially on the line.

The win marks Boise State's first conference championship game appearance since 2022. Guard Max Rice scored 22 points, including the game-tying three-pointer with 12 seconds left in regulation. The victory sparked celebrations across campus as students rushed the court at ExtraMile Arena.

The matchup is trending nationally as one of Friday's most consequential college basketball games. Boise State (24-8) entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed but has now beaten two higher-ranked opponents. ESPN's Bracketology currently projects the Broncos as one of the "last four in" for the NCAA Tournament.

Conference championships take on added importance this season with several bubble teams vying for limited NCAA Tournament spots. A win Saturday would give Boise State an automatic bid, while a loss could leave their fate in the hands of the selection committee. The game tips off at 3:30 PM MT on CBS.

Local businesses near campus reported increased merchandise sales Thursday as fans prepare for the championship showdown. The university announced it will host a watch party at the student union building, with free admission for students wearing school colors.

This marks Boise State's third conference championship game appearance since joining the Mountain West in 2011. Their last NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2023 when they reached the Round of 32 before falling to Memphis.