Boise State vs Nevada 3/10/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Nevada Wolf Pack & Boise State Broncos will square off at the Thomas & Mack Center this Thursday afternoon in Quarterfinals of the Mountain West Championship.

The 8-seed Nevada Wolf Pack improved to 13-17 on the season after defeating the 9-seed New Mexico Lobos, 79-72, in the 1^st round of the Mountain West Championship on Wednesday. Nevada was outstanding on the offensive end in the 2^nd half against New Mexico and was able to hold off the Lobos for the victory after taking a 71-61 lead with 4:10 left in regulation. Nevada shot 51.0% from the field & 38.5% from beyond the arc while allowing New Mexico to shoot 39.7% from the field & 37.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Wolf Pack was Grant Sherfield who had a double-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, & 1 steal.

Coming into their game against New Mexico, Nevada was averaging 72.4 ppg on 44.7% shooting from the field. The Wolf Pack were averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 33.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Nevada has been led by Grant Sherfield (18.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.5 apg), Desmond Cambridge Jr. (16.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.2 bpg), Will Baker (11.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg), & Kenan Blackshear (8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, prior to their victory against New Mexico, Nevada was allowing their opponents to average 73.8 ppg on 44.1% shooting from the field. The Wolf Pack had a rebound margin of 0.3 and a turnover margin of -0.3.

The Boise State Broncos finished their regular season with an overall record of 24-7 and earned the 1-seed in the Mountain West Championship after finishing conference play with a 15-3 record. Boise State went 9-4 in their non-conference portion of their schedule with their best wins coming against Temple, Ole Miss, & Washington State. Boise State was outstanding throughout conference play, however, did struggle against Colorado State which included a 71-68 loss to the Rams in their regular season finale.

On the season, Boise State is averaging 69.2 ppg on 44.8% shooting from the field. The Broncos are averaging 7.5 three-pointers per game on 34.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Boise State has been led by Abu Kigab (14.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg), Marcus Shaver Jr. (13.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg), Emmanuel Akot (10.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.9 apg), & Tyson Degenhart (10.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg).

Defensively, Boise State is holding their opponents to an average of 60.8 ppg on 42.8% shooting from the field. The Broncos have a rebound margin of 5.3 and a turnover margin of 1.3.

The Wolf Pack are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games 7 12-2 ATS in thier last 14 neutral stie games. The Broncos are 4-1 ATS in thier last 5 neutral site games, however, are just 1-4 ATS in thier last 5 games following a ATS win.

Boise State defeated Nevada in both regular season matchups this season as the Broncos defeated the Wolf Pack by an 85-70 margin on the road in early January, while also defeated Nevada by a 73-67 margin at home in early March.

Nevada was led by their offense which ranks 144^th in scoring offense & 134^th in scoring offense, however, the Wolf Pack defense did struggle a bit as they come into this matchup ranked just 289^th in scoring defense. Boise State was led by their defense which ranks 14^th in scoring defense & 96^th in turnover margin, however, the Broncos did struggle at times to put up points as they come into this game ranked just 222^nd in scoring offense. Nevada has been playing some solid basketball as of late, which included competitive losses to San Diego State & Boise State, and as I think the duo of Grant Shefield & Desmond Cambridge Jr. will keep Nevada competitve in this one, I’m taking the Wolf Pack and the points. Good Luck!