This is the 10th article in a series previewing each team and position rankings in the Mountain West leading up to the 2024-2025 basketball season

MW Rankings:

2. Boise State

3. Utah State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #3 Utah State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

4. San Diego State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #4 San Diego State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

5. New Mexico (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #5 New Mexico | Big Blue USU Aggie News

6. UNLV (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #6 UNLV | Big Blue USU Aggie News

7. Colorado State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #7 Colorado State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

8. San Jose State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #8 San Jose State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

9. Wyoming (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #9 Wyoming | Big Blue USU Aggie News

10. Air Force (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #10 Air Force | Big Blue USU Aggie News

11. Fresno State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #11 Fresno State | Big Blue USU Aggie News

Prior Season Results and Predictions:

  • Record: 22-11overall, 13-5 conference
  • My Prediction: Top 3 in the Mountain West
  • Summary:Boise State tied for 2nd in the conference last year and made the NCAA tournament.  Boise lost their first-round game vs. Colorado.  The broncos have never won a NCAA tournament game.
  • All Conference Players/Other Awards:  Chibuzo Agbo (MW Honorable Mention), Max Rice (MW Honorable Mention), O’Mar Stanley (MW 2nd Team), Tyson Degenhart (MW 1st Team)

Metrics for the last 5 Seasons:

  • Conference Regular Season Winning %: 71.7% (ranked 2nd in the conference)
  • Conference Regular Season Champion: 1 (Ranked 3rd in the conference)
  • Conference Tournament Champion:  1 (Tied for 2nd in the conference)
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances:  3 (Tied for 2nd in the conference)
  • NCAA Tournament Wins: 0 (Tied for 4th in the conference)

2024-2025 Season Review:

Conference Prediction: #2 in the Mountain West

Overview:  Boise State has what many consider to be the best trio in the conference with Degenhart, Stanley and San Jose State transfer Cardenas.  What Boise really missed last year was a point guard who could create and they have added that with Cardenas.  Beyond those 3 there are question marks, but lots of potential.  Key to Boise’s postseason hopes will be how the guys beyond the top 3 develop.

Production Returning:  Scoring 44% (returning), Rebounding 44%, Assists 30%, Blocks 79%, Minutes 67%

Key losses:  Chibuzo Agbo (Transfer to USC), Max Rice (Graduation), Roddie Anderson (Xavier), Cam Martin (Graduation), Jace Whiting (Transfer to UNLV)

Key Returners:  Tyson Degenhart (All league performer, potential MVP), O’Mar Stanley (All league performer), Andrew Meadow (Key bench guy as a freshman), RJ Keene (Rotation wing), Chris Lockett (redshirt freshman guard, was a former all star from Louisiana), Emmanuel Agbo (Forward who arrived mid-year last year and redshirted)

Newcomers:

  • Julian Bowie: Freshman combo guard from Highland HS in Pocatello, Idaho 4A player of the year
  • Moses Hipps: Freshman shooting guard, high 3-star recruit.  Elite shooter
  • Ethan Lathan: Freshman center, 3-star signee
  • Pearson Carmichael: 2-time Oregon state player of the year 6’7″ guard/wing freshman
  • Alvaro Cardenas: Transfer from San Jose State where he averaged 13 ppg and 6 assists per game
  • Dominic Parolin: Averaged 11 ppg and 6 rebounds per game, graduate transfer from Lehigh
  • Javan Buchanon: Wing NAIA transfer, 1st team NAIA
  • Dylan Anderson: 7’0″ forward/center transfer from Arizona.  Highly regarded recruit out of HS

Strongest Position: The forward position with Stanley and Degenhart.  Will they play the center/power forward positions or will Degenhart shift to a wing and Stanley take the 4-man spot.

Biggest Question Mark(s):  Unproven depth beyond the top 3

Projected Starters:  Alvaro Cardenas (Guard), Javan Buchanan (Guard/Wing), Tyson Degenhart (Wing/Forward), O’Mar Stanley (Forward), Dylan Anderson (Center)

Bench:  Julian Bowie (Guard), Chris Lockett (Guard), Andrew Meadow (Forward), Emmanual Agbo (Forward), Dominic Parolin (Center)

Potential All Conference Guys: Alvaro Cardenas, Tyson Degenhart, O’Mar Stanley

Key Non-Conference Games: San Francisco (Away), Clemson (Home), Washington State (Neutral), St Mary’s (Neutral)