WHAT’S NEXT: Boise State men’s basketball returns to the NCAA Tournament this week. The Broncos will open the tournament against Colorado in the First Four, Wednesday, March 20, in Dayton, Ohio.

LAST TIME OUT: The Broncos rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to pull within four points within the first six minutes of the first half, but a 29.4% shooting effort from the field didn’t give Boise State the needed bucket to complete the comeback. Tyson Degenhart had 23 points and 12 rebounds in the Mountain West quarterfinal defeat.

BACK TO THE DANCE: Boise State is making its third-straight appearance in March Madness for the first time in program history. It is one of 25 programs nationally to have made each of the last three tournaments.

RODEO WITH THE BUFFS: Wednesday is the second all-time meeting against Colorado. Boise State defeated the Buffaloes, 68-55, in the fifth-place game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational, Nov. 22, 2022, behind a stifling defense.

SEEKING HISTORY: Boise State is looking for its first NCAA Tournament win. This is the 10th appearance in program history, with five coming under head coach Leon Rice.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• 1: Boise State is seeking its first win in the NCAA Tournament as it makes its 10th appearance in the Big Dance. Only Iona has more appearances without a win (the lone win in 1980 was vacated) with 16 appearances.  Three teams in this year’s field are making at least their eighth appearance without a win.
• 6: Boise State is one of six Division I teams to have three players score 400+ points and have 150+ rebounds this season:
• 25: Boise State is one of 25 teams in the country to have made each of the last three NCAA Tournaments — one of two in the Mountain West (San Diego State). Only six other teams outside of a Power-6 conference plus Gonzaga can boast the same accomplishment: Colgate, Montana State, Saint Mary’s, San Diego State, Vermont.
• 6: The Mountain West had six teams hear their name called on Selection Sunday. Only four conferences in the country had six or more NCAA Tournament teams.
• 5^th: Boise State is ranked fifth in opponent offensive rebounding percentage. The Buffaloes are ranked 76th in offensive rebounding percentage and 15th in opponent offensive rebounding percentage.
• 8-11: Leon Rice is 8-11 against schools currently in the Pac-12 in his career leading the Broncos. Boise State has won 3 of the last four against the Pac-12, including a neutral-court win over Colorado in 2022-23.
• 6 (Pt. II): Boise State has six Quad 1 wins this season. Only 22 schools in the country have at least six Quad 1 wins this year.