Fresno State vs. Boise State: Preview, Live Stream, Odds, More
Can the Bulldogs upset the Broncos?
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Sneaky good matchup
Who: Boise State (16-4 7-0 in the MW) Vs Fresno State (14-5 4-2 in the MW)
When: Friday, January 28th, 8:00 pm PT
Where: Fresno, California
TV: Fox Sports 1
Stream: FuboTV — Get a free trial
Series Record: Boise State leads 25-22
From the green grass to the hardwood floor, the rivalry will continue as the Bulldogs will welcome the red hot Boise State Broncos to the Save Mart Center Friday night. The Broncos are on a 13 game win streak and are also undefeated in conference play. Both teams met once this season in Boise, Idaho as the Broncos took the first meeting in a 65-55 win. Fresno State looks to change the tide and take the second meeting as this time Junior Forward, Anthony Holland will play. Holland didn’t play in the first matchup due to health and safety protocols.
For Boise State, they are coming off an impressive three game stretch. The Broncos took down the Utah State Aggies by three points then took down San Diego State holding them to only 37 points. On Tuesday night in the battle of two of the top teams in the Mountain West Boise State defeated the Wyoming Cowboys in a 65-62 victory. The Broncos have won their last 3 games by a combined 11 points.
For the Bulldogs, they are coming off a 65-60 win in a tough environment at Pit. The Bulldogs have now won their last four out of five and look to protect their perfect home record (9-0) at the Save Mart Center. Fresno State might have to do it without their best player in Orlando Robinson as he went down early in the game with an ankle injury. Robinson did check back in the game in the second half but didn’t look right as he was hobbling and limping up and down the court. Robinson played a total of 15 min against the New Mexico Lobos.
Keys For Broncos:
For Boise State, they have had an incredible season so far riding a 13 game win streak and to do so while having to play 7 games in 16 days is as impressive as it can get. Boise State took the first matchup at home and will now look to complete the season sweep and give the Bulldogs their first home loss of the season. If the Broncos want to extend that winning streak to 14 games they have to do a better job protecting the paint and that means you have to find a way to limit Orlando Robinson if he gives it a go. In the first matchup 34 of 55 Bulldog points came inside the paint. The Broncos have to limit that and make Fresno State beat them by shooting the basketball which they struggled to do in the first matchup. Secondly, stay disciplined and protect the ball. Boise State turned it over 15 times in the first matchup which allowed Fresno State to hang around in the game. Lastly, controlling the boards and stretching the floor, Boise State did a great job rebounding as they were +13 on the boards in the first matchup and shot 55.6% from the field and 47.4% from the three.
Keys for the Bulldogs:
All eyes will be on Orlando Robinson as he went down early in their last game in New Mexico. Robinson did not practice Thursday and will be questionable for Friday night’s game. If Robinson is able to go, how much will he be limited? Robinson gave Boise State a lot of problems in the first matchup and will be much needed if they are going to have any hope in ending Boise State’s 13 game winning streak.
Aside from Robinson, the Bulldogs will have Anthony Holland in this matchup as he did not play in the first meeting between these two schools. Holland is the Bulldog’s second leading scorer at 9.7ppg but in conference play the Junior Forward has really stepped up averaging 15.2ppg in conference play. The Bulldogs only had one double digit scorer in the first matchup and will be a big boost to the Bulldogs offense that has struggled this season. A key for the Bulldogs they have to make shots in this game the Bulldogs shot 22.2% from three in the matchup and only got two free throw attempts the whole game.
Can Stroud, Hill, or Holland help stretch the floor? Can the Bulldogs get enough offense if Robinson doesn’t play? From offense to defense the Bulldogs did a great job forcing turnovers in the first game and will need to do more of the same in this one. Fresno State forced 15 turnovers in the first matchup and had 14 points off turnovers. The first matchup was decided by 10 points which was the Bulldogs only double digit loss of the season. Fresno State struggled late in the second half which was a big factor in the first meeting. Can the Bulldogs finally get over that hump? In each of their five losses Fresno State has been outscored by -27 points in the second half. But those losses have been on the road. Now the Bulldogs will defend home court and will get a chance to get a Quad One win.
Predictions:
Both teams are great on defense and in fact both rank in the top three in scoring defense in the conference and both rank in top ten nationally. But this game could be decided on the status of Orlando Robinson. Or this game could come down to the wire and possibly the last possession. Will the Broncos extend the winning streak to 14 games and stay unbeaten in conference play or will the Bulldogs snap Boise State 13 game winning streak and stay unbeaten at the Save Mart Center.
