[jwplayer jF5wU66N-sNi3MVSU]
Memphis defeats Boise State in the NIT
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Broncos fall in the NIT quarterfinals
A hard-fought defensive battle results in Memphis moving on in the NIT winning, 59-56. This likely marks the finale of Derrick Alston Jr’s Boise State career, and if so, what an illustrious career for Alston. In the four-year career, he posted 1,478 points, tying Chandler Hutchinson for 10th all-time in Boise State scoring history. Alston tied Hutchinson by scoring 10 points in tonight’s loss to Memphis.
In typical Memphis fashion, nothing ever comes easy for opposing offenses, limiting Boise State to 56 points, with 15 turnovers. The Broncos also shot only 37% from-the-field & went a subpar 7-24 from beyond-the-arc. Often when you struggle to that degree. your best player drops only 10, along with 15 turnovers, you won’t win many games. Memphis won’t beat you on the offensive end, but they’ll make life stressful with their length & athleticism.
Memphis nearly lost the game due to their free-throw woes, going 6-15 on free-throws, but De’Andre Williams drilled two & Landers Nolley drilled another significant one. Memphis got them to fall when it mattered.
Sophomore guard Lester Quinones added a boost for Memphis scoring 10 points, adding seven rebounds, while knocking down two shots from deep, including a layup off an offensive rebound. That shot ended up being the go-ahead bucket for Memphis with 33.2 seconds left to play.
https://twitter.com/BroncoSportsMBB/status/1375285463968149507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Boise State finishes the season 19-9, and played postseason Basketball. Not the tournament you dream of getting to, but a building block for some of the younger guys such as RayJ Dennis & Devonaire Doutrive.
LOOKING FORWARD:
As I mentioned earlier, Derrick Alston Jr is likely to depart for the NBA Draft, and not use his extra-season of eligibility, but anything can happen.
Abu Kigab IS expected to return using his extra-season of eligibility based on multiple reports. That’s been widely known for a while, nothing is definitive, but things look good on that front of Kigab returning.
Devonaire Doutrive is going to have lofty expectations heading into next season. Doutrive played an important role on the 2020-21 Boise State team, but has the potential to be an All-Mountain West guy next season. In his first season as a Bronco, Doutrive posted 8.8 PPG.
Things in the future look bright for Boise State next season and beyond.
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