More March Disappointment: Boise State Eliminated in Tournament Upset
March delivered another painful moment for the Boise State Broncos men’s basketball, whose season ended Wednesday night with a surprising loss in the Mountain West Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Entering the opening-round matchup as 14-point favorites, Boise State had previously defeated the San Jose State Spartans men’s basketball twice during the regular season—by margins of 31 and 15 points—and carried a five-game winning streak into the tournament. But the Spartans flipped the narrative in Las Vegas, outplaying the Broncos and securing an 84–74 victory.
The No. 11-seeded Spartans (9–23), who managed just three conference wins during the regular season, advanced to face the No. 3-seeded New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Boise State, the No. 6 seed, was the only higher-ranked team to fall during Wednesday’s first-round games.
Head coach Leon Rice acknowledged his team was outmatched in effort.
“They did a great job. They just outfought us,” Rice said after the game.
The future for the Broncos (20–12) is uncertain. Their clearest route to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament required winning the conference tournament. Rice said the program has not yet decided whether it will pursue another postseason opportunity, such as the National Invitation Tournament or a return to the College Basketball Crown.
San Jose State set the tone early with an aggressive, fast-paced style that disrupted Boise State’s rhythm. The Spartans jumped ahead 23–19 after a 7–0 run and carried a 41–39 halftime lead thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from guard Colby Garland. Garland finished with a team-high 22 points.
Boise State was led by senior forward Javan Buchanan, who scored 28 points, potentially in his final collegiate game. “There’s a lot of emotions. We put a lot into it,” Buchanan said afterward.
The Broncos briefly cut the deficit to three points midway through the second half, but San Jose State maintained control. Boise State struggled offensively, committing 12 turnovers and shooting just 37.9% from the field and 21.7% from three-point range.
Rice later credited the Spartans’ guards and resilience. “They handed us our hats. Their guards were dogs. Those guys were tough tonight,” he said, noting that despite their limited depth, San Jose State managed to sustain its intensity throughout the game.
The upset brings an abrupt end to Boise State’s season and adds another difficult chapter to the program’s tournament history in Las Vegas. 🏀
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