The Boise State Broncos lose two starters to graduation and hope to bounce back with transfers.
As is tradition, CBB Review is again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the new college basketball season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Follow along with #CBBRank on all our social media channels.
Boise State kept its leader, Max Rice, and decided to return for a graduate year. Had he left, this team would be further behind, but losing the point guard in Marcus Shaver. Coach Leon Rice gained Roddie Anderson from UC San Diego to replace him and run the point. If he stays with the program, Anderson could be an imposing player for Boise State for the rest of his career.
Now, the loss of Naje Smith is where this team is hoping that either of the other two transfers to step into being the downlow big.
ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴʙʀᴇᴀᴋᴀʙʟᴇ ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ: February 28, 2023 @maxrice12 goes off in back-to-back games, leading the Broncos to a big time victory over No. 18/19 San Diego State#BleedBlue | #UnbreakableCulture pic.twitter.com/BggEcNkFfF
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) July 20, 2023
Click here to learn more about our preseason top 100 teams heading into the 2023-24 college basketball season.
Head coach: Leon Rice (14th season, all at Boise State)
2022-23 record: 24-10 (13-5)
2023 postseason finish: Lost to Northwestern, 76-67, in first round of NCAA Tournament
Notable departures: Marcus Shaver (Graduated), Naje Smith (Graduated), Lukas Milner (Graduated), Sadraque Nganga (Transferred to Seton Hall)
Notable nonconference games: at Clemson (Nov. 19), vs. Virginia Tech (Nov. 23), vs. Washington State (Dec. 21)
Projected Rotation
PG: Roddie Anderson III (6-2, 190, So.)
2022-23 stats: 13.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG (UC San Diego)
SG: Max Rice (6-5, 194, Gr.-Sr.)
2022-23 stats: 14.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 40.9 3P%
SF: Tyson Degenhart (6-7, 232, Jr.)
2022-23 stats: 14.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 53.7 FG%
PF: Chibuzo Agbo (6-7, 215, Sr.)
2022-23 stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 40.2 3P%
C: Cam Martin (6-9, 230, Gr.-Sr.)
2022-23 stats: 1.8 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 75.0 FG% (Kansas)
6: Andrew Meadow (6-7, 200, Fr.)
247-Sports 3-star prospect
7: O’mar Stanley (6-8, 240, Jr.)
2022-23 stats: 4.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.4 APG, 64.9 FG% (St. John’s)
8: Jace Whiting (6-2, 185, So.)
2022-23 stats: 3.1 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.3 APG
9: Kobe Young (6-6, 204, RS.-So.)
2022-23 stats: 1.4 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.3 APG
10: Mohamed Sylla (6-11, 235, Sr.)
2022-23 stats: 1.8 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 00 APG, 52.4 FG%
11: Chris Lockett Jr. (6-5, 200, Fr.)
247Sports No. 187 rated recruit
Boise State Broncos MVP: Tyson Degenhart
Tyson Degenhart leaped from year one to year two in his second year of college basketball. He had a higher field goal percentage, became a more imaginative play, increased his assists significantly, and found better timing as he raised his rebounding on both ends of the floor.
Degenhart did have some dips that are a little frustrating like his free-throw percentage dropped, as did his 3-point percentage. While he became more effective and efficient, he looks to have even more opportunities this year.
Tyson Degenhart 6'7 Sophomore F
1/11-2/11
9 games
34.8 mpg
16.2 ppg
1.402 ppp
4.9 rpg
2.3 apg
3.5 a/to
0.88 s/bpg
75.5 eFG%
1.51 points per shot pic.twitter.com/xVmIGhIwH2— On The Clock (@OnThe_ClockBB) February 14, 2023
This sophomore forward found his way to the top-10 in different areas in the Mountain West Conference. Degenhart was second in Field Goal Percentage (53.7%), fifth in 2-point field goal percentage (63.7%), ninth in offensive rebounds (65), and tied for tenth in points (481). In the advanced statistics, he was impressive.
Degenhart was in the top ten of effective field goal percentage, true shooting percentage, field goals, 2-point field goals, 2-point field goal attempts, minutes played, and minutes played per game. While these are impressive, it is his win share that is impressive as he came in second (5.4), offensive win share (3.5), win share per 40 minutes (.184), and defensive win share (1.8). The list continues when it moves into plus/minus statistics.
With the loss of Naje Smith, Degenhart is set for more time and a more significant role, if possible. Last year, he was named to the MWC 1st team. He is poised for a big year for the Boise State Broncos.
Boise State Broncos make-or-break player: Roddie Anderson III
Replacing Marcus Shaver Jr. is no easy task for Coach Leon Rice. Thankfully, he found an almost identical stat line and is a little heavier than Shaver. It is wild how similar last year’s stat lines were for these two players. Shaver averaged 13.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on his way to shooting 27.1% from 3-point range.
Anderson averaged 13.1 points, 3.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game on his way to shooting 29.8% from 3-point range. The surprising factor for Anderson is that he will enter his Sophomore year. Anderson was named Big West Freshman of the Year by HoopsHD.com
Nice take by Roddie Anderson. Boise State leads 32-20. pic.twitter.com/kpPt6UXmpp
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) August 2, 2023
The big question is whether he will be just as effective in the Mountain West Conference. While Roddie Anderson had interests from other big-name schools, he chose to join Boise State. He has some shoes to step into and will have to be the guy to carry the load for the Broncos.
Taking on a role that Shaver left, Anderson will have eyes on him early and often. He will have to create shots, make shots, create tempo, and ball movement to open up the Broncos offense.
Key analytic: Offensive Rebounding
In the 2022-23 season, the Boise State Broncos were extremely balanced. They had ten categories where the team was ranked in the top 100. The “weakest” area was their offensive rebounding, where the team was ranked 224th.
This is an easy turnaround for this team as they dominate the defensive boards. If the Broncos can focus on getting second-chance opportunities, they can improve this team. Boise State is 17th in defensive rebounding, and Rice can apply this very quickly and cause this team to have even more top-100 stats.
Boise State Broncos 2023-24 projections
Projected conference finish: 3rd in the Mountain West Conference
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament – Round of 32