Talkin’ Tall Firs: Second Round with Boise State

Boise State Broncos

I still haven’t been able to figure out why the Ducks scheduled these guys twice in the preseason. A win against this Boise State team is nothing special for the NCAA Tournament resume and a loss against them would just be terrible.

Wins - Jackson State, St. Bonaventure, Central Washington, Alabama State, Pacific

Losses - Idaho State, Creighton, Illinois State, @ Drake, @ Grand Canyon, @ Oregon, @ LMU

KenPom Ranking - #133

Game Time:

Oregon (8-4) @ Boise State (5-7) 7:30 PM ET, CBSSN on Saturday, December 29th

Key Numbers:

(Every category has dropped since their last meeting)

• 71.7 Points Per Game
• 33.3 Rebounds Per Game
• 11.5 Assists Per Game
• 5.5 Steals Per Game
• 2.8 Blocks Per Game
• 68.5 Points Allowed Per Game
• 47.7 Field Goal Percentage

Player to Watch For:

Alex Hobbs, Junior - 8.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.3 APG

Hobbs had 21 points on 8 of 15 field goal attempts in the 66-54 loss to the Ducks about two weeks ago. He was being very aggressive against Oregon and the defenders were backing off of him, letting Hobbs hit multiple three-pointers. Got to stick to this guy like glue.

Score Prediction: 77-74, Broncos over Ducks

Boise State is 4-1 at home. Bol Bol might not play for the fourth straight game. Broncos are familiar with this Oregon squad now. Ducks already dropped a heartbreaker at Baylor and are on the road again. I just don’t see a win coming out of Boise.

*Arden Cravalho is a senior at Gonzaga University... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho