Boise State Basketball Reignites March Madness Hopes After Strong Performance

Reports of the demise of Boise State basketball have been greatly exaggerated. After a shocking home loss to Hawaii Pacific, a Division II school, the Broncos have rebounded with a series of strong performances.

Since that defeat, Boise State has played eight games, including their first appearance at the Maui Invitational, where they faced tough competition, losing to USC and NC State but securing a victory against Wichita State.

A crucial 77-68 win over Butler has put them back into the conversation for March Madness. ESPN bracket expert Joe Lunardi currently lists Boise State among the Last Four Out for the NCAA Tournament. Coach Leon Rice emphasized the importance of scheduling tough opponents to create opportunities for the team.

The Broncos, with a record of 6-3, will host the Duquesne Dukes, who also hold a record of 6-3, at ExtraMile Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m. While Boise State ranks 49th in the NCAA NET rankings, Duquesne's scoring offense is impressive, ranking 47th nationally.

Coach Rice acknowledged the challenge posed by Duquesne's offensive capabilities, stating that they are hard to guard and the team will need to focus on defense to secure a win.