With Selection Sunday quickly approaching, it is time to start taking a look at the teams that are going to make noise outside the power structure. Every Monday, I’ll spotlight a team and player making significant noise the week prior. This week we will take a look at Leon Rice’s Broncos, who are trying to reach their first NCAA Tournament since 2015.
Team of the Week: Boise State
Record: 18-4
Projected Seed: 9
KenPom Rank: 55
The Broncos earned the team of the week honor by sweeping Utah State. If you did not catch these two games, they were as high level as one will find on the college level. Wednesday Night the Broncos scored a nine point victory, while only winning by four when the two teams ran it back Friday. This was a huge week for the Broncos as they took back the lead in the Mountain West Conference. Not only that, they cemented themselves as a team that barring a collapse will get an at-large bid.
Boise State is a team that can beat you in a variety of ways. Seven players are playing 40% of minutes, plus Devonaire Doutrive, who missed the first six games. The Broncos are led by Derrick Alston Jr, a 6’9 Kevin Durant esque scorer, who can get his shot from anywhere. Behind Alston Jr., a trio of transfers do most of the scoring for Boise State. Abu Kigab, Marcus Shaver and Emmanuel Akot can all get their own shot when teams are closing in on Alston Jr. Their upcoming series against San Diego State will surely be must watch for any CBB fan.
Player of the Week: Neemias Queta, Utah State
Utah State had a week that was detrimental to their tournament hopes. The Aggies were unable to grab a desperately needed win in Boise. That did not stop junior center Neemias Queta from putting up video game like numbers over the two game stretch. The 7 footer averaged 31 points and 10.5 rebounds over the series while contributing strongly in other areas on the court. The Broncos simply had no match for Queta who took the game over for stretches of the second half in both games.
This is the culmination of what has been a bounce back year for the center. After a dominant freshman season, Queta had a difficult sophomore year plagued by injuries. That set up a bounce back junior season where he has been tearing up the MWC. He is leading Utah State in all five major statistical categories and is the reason they could get back the tournament. The 2021 season has also put him back on NBA radar as a potential first round pick.
Mid Major Top 10 2/22
- Gonzaga: Only Santa Clara and LMU stand in the way of an undefeated regular season. The Bulldogs are almost 30 point favorites in each match up.
- Loyola Chicago: The game against Valparaiso was unconvincing but the Ramblers got the result that was needed. Cameron Krutwig continued his campaign for an All-American spot.
- San Diego State: Another week obliterating the bottom of the MWC for the Aztecs. SDSU can probably secure a bid with a split against Boise this week.
- Belmont: The Bruins survived a scare Thursday Night against Tennessee Tech. They bounced back Saturday to extend their winning streak to 21 games in a row.
- Boise State: The biggest jump in the rankings this week goes to the Broncos. Sweep of Utah State gave them control of the MWC and an NCAA Tournament bid.
- Drake: The Bulldogs kept the two bid MVC dream alive by winning both their games this week. The team seems to be figuring out how to play without Tank Hemphill.
- BYU: Two convincing wins against the bottom of the WCC was a good week for BYU. Matt Haarms had 21 points Saturday against LMU in 32 minutes played. The Cougars can be a factor in March if they can get that production from him.
- VCU: Brutal loss against George Mason ended the Rams six game win streak. Double bubble game at home against SLU Tuesday Night will be huge.
- Saint Bonaventure: Bonnies won their only game at home against Davidson. Star guard Kyle Lofton played all 40 minutes putting up 18 points and six assists.
- Western Kentucky: An overdue entrant to the top 10, the Hilltoppers have not played in two weeks. A game at Houston on Thursday presents the opportunity for a second national top 10 win.
Also Considered: Saint Louis, Wright State, Toledo, Colorado State