Boise State Broncos
Overall Rank: #105
Conference Rank: #5 Mountain West
Boise State Team Page
2010-11: 22-13, 10-6
2010-11 postseason: CBI
Coach: Leon Rice (22-13 at Boise State, 22-13 overall)
Coach Leon Rice has a lot to think about. After a surprising opening campaign, the expectations are growing for Boise State as they enter the Mountain West. However, this is not the same team the Broncos sported last season. Gone are the top four scorers and in steps a huge group of newcomers. Guards Tre Nichols and Westly Perryman are the only seniors on the roster. Both can run the point, but both will also be tested by the newcomers early and often. Nichols is a pure point guard who did not particularly impress during his first year out of the junior college ranks via Texas State. Perryman is a better scorer, but it is his defense that will make it very hard for Coach Rice to take him out of the lineup. If the newcomers can follow Perryman’s lead and play intense basketball, this will be a dangerous team by March.
Who’s Out:
Coach Rice did a great job last year, but the players deserve some credit too and most of the players who made the 2010-2011 season a success are gone. In fact, Perryman is the only player returning who averaged over 18 minutes per game last season. La’Shard Anderson led the way by scoring 15.1 points per game. Forwards Robert Arnold, Daequon Montreal and Paul Noonan were all very productive players who could score inside and outside. Without them, the frontcourt needs a complete overhaul. Even center Zach Moritz is gone and that leaves very few experienced options.
Who’s In:
Kenny Buckner may be the most important newcomer of them all…and there are a lot of them. Buckner, a 6-9, 245 pound center spent some time in the junior college ranks and has the size and experience to be a major presence in the paint. He does not need to score, and he is not a particularly good scorer, but he should be able to grab some rebounds and block some shots. Jarrell Crayton is another junior college transfer who has enough size to fill in at the four spot. His experience should get him plenty of playing time. Incoming freshman Darrious Hamilton may need some time to develop his game, but is a talented big man who could be a surprise contributor right away. A couple Australians will be given every opportunity to make a major contribution. Combo guard Igor Hadziomerovic can handle the ball and score plenty when he is off the ball. Small forward Anthony Drmic is a superb slasher and a quality shooter. Both of them could be very strong players right away. Drew Wiley, a transfer from Oregon, has the experience to make a huge impact. He is a good shooter, something this team needs, and should vie for a starting role right away. Point guard Michael Thompson, shooting guard Derrick Marks and pure shooter Joe Hanstad may be the least prepared of all the newcomers, but there are opportunities to go around if they can step up.
Who to Watch:
Perryman and Nichols are not the only returning players. Sophomores Thomas Bropleh, Jeff Elorriaga and Ryan Watkins all played significant roles as freshmen. Bropleh is a quality outside shooter and he should have the opportunity to show off that skill a little more often in 2011-2012. He also has the size to attack the basket. Elorriaga started 11 games last season and is pretty much a pure shooter. Watkins, a 6-8 forward, made the biggest impact last season and will likely do so again. He only averaged 14.0 minutes per game, but he averaged 5.7 points and 3.5 rebounds. Now that he will be on the floor more often, assuming he can stay out of foul trouble, those numbers should increase significantly.
Final Projection:
It will take time, but this team is pretty good. Coach Rice has already proven that he can get the job done and there is little reason to think that the group of newcomers cannot have a positive effect just like the group last year did. And there is little reason to think the freshmen of a year ago will not improve. This group is already nearly all of Coach Rice’s recruits and they are ready to run his system. The change to the Mountain West will not make it easy, but this team has the potential to make some noise in their new conference.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Tre Nichols, Senior, Guard, 4.0 points per game
Westley Perryman, Senior, Guard, 6.1 points per game
Drew Wiley, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Ryan Watkins, Sophomore, Forward, 5.7 points per game
Kenny Buckner, Junior, Center, DNP last season
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