Call it a Homecoming Game for Coach Wojcik as he is taking on Leon Rice, his former boss. Also, call Boise State (13-6, 3-3, 8-2 at home) a team that can and will match three-point shots with the Spartans.
The leading Bronco scorer is 6-foot-6 Aussie Anthony Drmic and the junior possesses a very quick release on his shot. The top scorer at 18.1 points per game, he is shooting 46%, 34% and 78% respectively.
6-foot-3 junior Derrick Marks just gets better every season. In 2013-14, he's averaging just below 16 points an outing, with 44%, 26% and 81% accuracy.
These two guys are generally the one-two punch in scoring and statistically are #2 and #1 in getting to the foul line.
Each will generally get their points so the key is reducing their efficiency rates, at least to some degree. Drmic isn't deadly from outside and Marks much worse as their numbers indicate so defensive choices may be made regarding that aspect.
What the Broncos do is play intelligently and unselfishly, using multiple screens to get open looks at the basket.
Ryan Watkins is sort of a silent partner on the squad if such is applicable to someone 6-foot-8 and averaging a double-double (10.8 points/10.4 rebounds). He's not necessarily imposing but teams tend to forget about him, focusing on others and that's when Watkins can go to work offensively plus on the offensive boards as his rebounding split is 93 offensively to 104 defensively.
6-foot-2 Jeff Elioraga is a designated three-point shooter (47%) and former walk-on. Catch-and-shoot is his method of operation and 97 of his 107 shooting attempts have been from long distance. He's another who benefits from all the defensive attention the others generate.
Another talent out of Oz, Nick Duncan is a 6-foot-8 freshman who started last game in order to match up with New Mexico's Cameron Bairstow. His early claim to fame is a shooting range that extends beyond the arc despite his size -- he's shooting 53% from distance.
6-foot-3 Mikey Thompson comes off the bench and brings offensive firepower at 8.9 points a night. The sophomore is shooting 47% overall and is far more effective within 15-feet on in plus he has the ability to generate getting to the foul line.
Boise State plays small but still possess a 36-30 rebounding advantage each game as well being +50 in steals.
Here's an odd set of stats: the Broncos have scored 730 points to date in the first 20 minutes of games, allowing opponents just 586. But it's much, much closer in the second half of matchups at 771-730. Let's see if that plays out tomorrow.
Worth noting is Igor Hadziomerovic, a third Australian (by way of Serbia). But the 6-foot-4 junior is experiencing a down season at 4.8 points per contest.
Coach Wojcik know the Boise players and their tendencies. Can that be advantaged?
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