Boise State Focused on Fresno State

Saturday the Boise State men's basketball team returns to action for the first time in a week. The Broncos haven't played since their improbable 18 point come back win against Utah State last Saturday.

The week off has allowed coaches to recruit, players to rest and to work on the very problems that led to an 18 point deficit against Utah State in the first place.

BSU head coach Leon Rice was asked if his team was still riding an emotional high from the Utah State game. He said the week between games has been strange but a good buffer to re-focus and prepare for Fresno State.

The Broncos lead the overall series with the Bulldogs 22-21 but BSU has lost four of the last five games against Fresno State. The Bulldogs are 2-6 in Mountain West play but don't let that fool you says Rice. The Bulldogs went into overtime with both Utah State and UNLV and have played everyone tight.

Rice also said the week was important for BSU to work on the issues that actually led to them trailing Utah State by 18. Yes the great and exciting news was the comeback but the first 36 minutes of that game last Saturday was not pretty for the Broncos.

Sure the crazy comeback was worth a wild celebration but was also worth some personal evaluation and the realization that getting behind by 18 points in any game and depending on a comeback is not a pattern for success.

None the less there is no denying the Broncos head to Fresno with a ton of confidence and they'll need every ounce if they hope to steal a road win in the Mountain West and especially at Fresno State where they've won only once in the last five years.

This by the way is the only time the two will meet in the regular season. The game also marks the mid-point of the conference schedule. Boise State is 4-4 in league with 4 homes wins and 4 road losses.