Boise State Non-Conference Schedule Preview
Previewing Boise State basketball’s non-conference schedule in 2022-2023
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How will the early part of the season treat the Broncos?
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The 2021-2022 season turned out to be one to remember for Boise State. For the eighth time in program history, Boise State made the NCAA Tournament.
It was a postseason berth that ended early with a loss to Memphis in the first round of the tournament. The result was an 11-point, 64-53, loss in Portland, Ore. The season did not end the way Boise State would have liked, but it was a successful overall season.
Looking ahead, Boise State will try to get back to the NCAA Tournament in consecutive years since the Broncos did it in 1993 and 1994. It will take help from several key returning players to fill the void of losing Abu Kigab and Emmanuel Akot. Marcus Shaver Jr. returned to the program in May after withdrawing his name from the 2022 NBA Draft.
This preview will analyze each non-conference game and predict the outcome. The non-conference schedule will run from Nov. 9 to Dec. 22. The conference schedule opens on the road at Nevada on Dec. 28.
(Game 1) Wednesday, Nov. 9: vs. South Dakota State – Boise, Idaho, ExtraMile Arena
Like Boise State, South Dakota State had a magical run in the regular season and the Summit League Tournament. The Jackrabbits finished the season with a 30-5 record and an 18-0 conference record. This upcoming season will be a big change for the team without the top three scorers from last season. Douglas Wilson graduated from the school and Baylor Scheierman and Noah Freidel transferred from the school. South Dakota State will take a big hit from losing these three players.
Game Prediction: Boise State 84, South Dakota State 61
(Game 2) Saturday, Nov. 12: vs. Washington State – Boise, Idaho, Idaho Central Arena
In 2021, Boise State closed out the non-conference schedule against Washington State in a 58-52 win. This time around, it will be at the very beginning of the season and both teams are attempting to carry over the momentum from last season. Washington State reached the NIT Semifinal in March and ended the season with a 22-15 record.
Last year’s meeting between Washington State and Boise State was in Pullman, Wash., and the Broncos won 58-52. Since it is a home game in front of a large crowd of fans from both teams, it will help Boise State win the game.
Game Prediction: Boise State 60, Washington State 55
(Game 3) Thursday, Nov. 17: vs. Charlotte – Myrtle Beach Invitational, Conway, South Carolina, HTC Center
An early exit in the 2022 Conference USA Tournament prevented Charlotte from having an real consideration for a postseason tournament. The 49ers had a 17-14 overall record in 2022. Jahmir Young, who was the leading scorer in 2022, entered the transfer portal and left for Maryland. The 49ers will need to build without last season’s leading scorer. This will be a difficult neutral site tournament game for Charlotte.
Boise State will be guaranteed at least one game in the tournament. If they win two games, there will be a final game on Nov. 20. If Boise State beats Charlotte, they will face the winner of Loyola Chicago vs. Tulsa in the second game. There is a chance Boise State could see Texas A&M in the tournament before their scheduled game on Dec. 3.
Game Prediction: Boise State 66, Charlotte 49
Rest of the Tournament Prediction:
Second Round: Boise State 57, Loyola Chicago 54
Championship Game: Texas A&M 53, Boise State 52
(Game 6) Saturday, Nov. 26: vs. Utah Valley – Boise, Idaho, ExtraMile Arena
Add Utah Valley to the list of recycled non-conference opponents from last season. In last year’s meeting, Boise State opened up the season with a 76-56 win over Utah Valley. Expect a similar performance from both teams. The Broncos will take advantage of a weaker team.
Game Prediction: Boise State 72, Utah Valley 53
(Game 7) Tuesday, Nov. 29: vs. Cal State Northridge – Boise, Idaho, ExtraMile Arena
In another 2021-2022 non-conference opponent, Boise State will welcome Cal State Northridge to Idaho. Boise State was on the road last season and defeated the Matadors, 74-48. This year’s game will have a similar outcome.
Game Prediction: Boise State 78, Cal State Northridge 44
(Game 8) Saturday, Dec. 3: vs. Texas A&M – The Battleground 2k22, Fort Worth, Texas, Dickies Arena
Despite missing out on the NCAA Tournament, Texas A&M nearly captured an NIT Championship in March. The Aggies finished last season at 27-13. It will be a season for the remaining key contributors to fill in for Quenton Jackson, who declared for the NBA Draft. Henry Coleman III, Tyrece Radford, and Wade Taylor IV will be the leaders of this team in 2022. The experience will be a tough test for Boise State. Based on this prediction, this will be the second meeting of the season for these two teams. Boise State will be 0-2 in the two games.
Game Prediction: Texas A&M 59, Boise State 56
(Game 9) Tuesday, December 6: vs. Eastern Oregon – Boise, Idaho, ExtraMile Arena
In what should be a bit of a breather in the schedule for Boise State, Eastern Oregon will try to make the most of a big opportunity. Eastern Oregon won 18 games last season as a member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference. This will be a tune up game for Boise State and should not be very competitive. It could be the best showing of the non-conference schedule.
Game Prediction: Boise State 101, Eastern Oregon 54
(Game 10) Saturday, December 10: at. Saint Louis – Saint Louis, Missouri, Chaifetz Arena
Saint Louis will be a difficult road test for the Broncos. It will be the first official road game of the season and it could feature two teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Gibson Jimerson will be the offensive leader for the Billikens. He led the team in scoring in 2021-2022 with an average of 16.3 points. The game being on the road will be in Saint Louis’ favor.
Last season, this was a home game for Boise State and it was an overtime loss in November. Saint Louis has continued to be a strong team and will benefit from the home atmosphere.
Game Prediction: Saint Louis 83, Boise State 76
(Game 11) Tuesday, December 13: vs. New Orleans – Boise, Idaho, ExtraMile Arena
With Derek St. Hilaire no longer on the roster, New Orleans will be reliant upon the rest of the roster to make up for his absence. New Orleans went 18-14 in 2022. This should be a nice recovery game from the loss to Saint Louis.
Game Prediction: Boise State 82, New Orleans 54
(Game 12) Sunday, December 18: vs. Oakland – Boise, Idaho, ExtraMile Arena
The Horizon League turned out to be what prevented Oakland from reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2022. Oakland does not seem to be a better team in 2022-2023. This could be a trap game for Oakland since they played two close games against West Virginia and Oklahoma State in last season’s non-conference schedule. Boise State should get a convincing win.
Game Prediction: Boise State 76, Oakland 58
(Game 13) Thursday, December 22: at. Santa Clara – Santa Clara, California, Leavey Center
When these two teams met up last season in Boise, Tyson Degenhart paced Boise State in scoring with 18 points. Degenhart will need to be a factor in this road game. It will be a tight game for most of the second half, but Boise State will pull away at the end of the game.
Game Prediction: Boise State 68, Santa Clara 59
Non-Conference Record Prediction: 10-3 Record
It should be a favorable non-conference schedule. The Broncos should be able to start the season with three-straight wins over South Dakota State, Washington State, and Charlotte. If they can do that, the rest of the non-conference schedule should be a breeze. The team is projected to lose two games to Texas A&M and one game to Saint Louis.