Jason Haskins's Blog

 

A surprising name is emerging as a bonafide MVP candidate among the quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draftfirst round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Josh Allen is there, again putting up numbers to rival his career averages. Baker Mayfield, too, is making a run at another outstanding season. Both have been here before, with Allen the reigning MVP and perennial candidate. Mayfield holds his own accolades, relaunching his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent seasons.

It is Sam Darnold, however, leading the pack in his eighth season.

Darnold looked like a bust up until a breakout performance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Thrust into the starting role, Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, throwing for 4,319 yards while completing 66.2 percent of his pass attempts. Darnold tossed 35 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, though he did have his struggles in the last regular season game and in the playoffs.

Through the season's first nine weeks, Allen, Mayfield, and Darnold sit with a combined record of 18-6. Even Lamar Jackson, had he not been injured and the Baltimore Ravens struggled, is putting up decent stats. So far, though, it is Darnold's season to be sitting in the top spot.

Sam Darnold

Proving the 2024 season with the Vikings was no fluke, Darnold has the Seattle Seahawks (6-2) in first place in the NFC West. 

This season, Darnold has four games in which he has thrown for 250+ yards, including crossing the 300-yard mark in two of the last four. In a week 9 victory over Washington, Darnold was nearly flawless, completing 21-24 for 330 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.

A strong running game backing Darnold up, plus a penchant for avoiding sacks (only nine times this season) are helping Darnold and the Seahawks find success.

No road is easy in the NFL but theoretically, Seattle could emerge from its next stretch of games with a record of 9-3 or 10-2. If either of those occur, chances are it's because of Darnold, where in turn he cements his status as MVP candidate. 

Next four weeks: vs ARI (11/9), @ LAR (11/16), @ TEN (11/23), vs MIN (11/30)

Josh Allen

Heading into the stretch of games for weeks five through nine, the schedule for the Buffalo Bills pointed to the possibility of an 8-0 start to open the season.

Instead, a home loss to a surprising New England Patriots squad, followed by a loss to the Falcons, had the Bills (6-2) in a slight tailspin. Thankfully, Allen and Buffalo rallied, winning their last two games.

The most recent was another classic with Kansas City, prevailing at home with a 28-21 victory. In that game, Allen was in vintage form, completing 23 of 26 passes for 273 yards and accounting for three touchdowns.

Allen is completing 70.4 percent of his pass attempts, with 1,833 yards and 13 touchdown passes. Three of his four interceptions happened in the two losses, and Allen has three games this season in which he threw for under 200 yards.

On the ground, the MVP has 280 yards and seven touchdowns.

The schedule for Allen and the Bills has moderate difficulty ahead, with a game against fellow first-rounder Mayfield and a road game at Pittsburgh on the agenda. Still, a 9-3 record after this stretch is a strong possibility, and hopes of moving out of second place (behind the Patriots) a huge goal.

Next four weeks: @ MIA (11/9), vs TB (11/16), @ HOU (11/20), @ PIT (11/30)

Baker Mayfield

Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) are battling injuries and living on the edge this season. Yet they keep on finding ways to win. The Bucs completed another 3-1 stretch, with Mayfield again leading the team to a comeback victory (against Darnold and the Seahawks, nonetheless).

Two other wins, against the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, were by an average of 14.5 points, keeping the heart rate low for a couple of weeks.

Mayfield (28-50, 228 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 4 sacks) had a rough outing in a 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. And the numbers weren't spectacular against the Saints. However, against Seattle, Mayfield had an MVP-worthy performance, where he completed 29-33 for 379 yards and two touchdown passes.

The former top-pick ranks lowest of these four quarterbacks in completion percentage (63.9) this season. However, Mayfield has 1,919 passing yards with 13 touchdown passes against only two interceptions.

Sacks are a minor concern, with Mayfield getting sacked 17 times this season.

A true barometer for this injury-riddled Bucs team is on the horizon in the coming weeks, starting with the Patriots. Mayfield has Tampa Bay in first place in the NFC South and it will be interesting to see where they are after week 13 and this upcoming difficult stretch.

Next four weeks: vs NE (11/9), @ BUF (11/16), @ LAR (11/23), vs ARI (11/30)

Lamar Jackson

A hamstring injury kept Jackson sidelined for three games, two of which were losses where the Baltimore Ravens scored a combined 13 points. Baltimore managed a win against the Chicago Bears with Jackson out, then picked up a 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins in his return.

Jackson took care of business, throwing four touchdowns while completing 18 of 23 for 204 yards.

The Ravens are currently 3-5, two games back of the Steelers in the AFC North.

If not for the injury, Jackson could very well be at the top of the list through season eight's midpoint. He is completing 72.9 percent of passes in five games, with 1,073 yards 14 touchdowns and only one interception. In totaling 180 yards on the ground, Jackson averages 6.9 yards per carry.

Big chances are on the horizon for Jackson and the Ravens to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Chances are good the team goes 3-1 during the upcoming stretch, bringing them back to .500. 

Next four weeks: @ MIN (11/9), @ CLE (11/16), vs NYJ (11/23), vs CIN (11/27)

Josh Rosen

Josh Rosen is off pursuing other endeavors and no longer active on an NFL roster.

Be sure to check back in after week 13 to see how these quarterbacks continue to fare in their eighth season in the NFL.

Read more on Season 8:

Season 8 preview Blazing start for QBs through first four weeks

 

Four weeks are in the books for the four active quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Now in their eighth season, all four are starters with Super Bowl aspirations on their minds.

Three of the quarterbacks could not have asked for better beginnings in 2025, putting up a combined record of 10-2.

And for the fourth? Well, a 1-3 start is far from ideal.

The top of the line is reigning MVP Josh Allen and the undefeated Buffalo Bills (4-0). Following Allen are Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. Mayfield with Tampa Bay and Darnold with Seattle are each sitting at 3-1.

Most surprising, in some ways, is Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens (1-3). And now a hamstring injury for Jackson could dampen this start even further. 

Even factoring in Baltimore's losing record, Jackson is off to a decent start, along with Allen, Mayfield, and Darnold. A big reason for the victories is each quarterback is taking care of the ball. In the first three games, the only quarterback to throw an interception was Darnold, who threw two in one game. In week four, however, the three other quarterbacks ended their interception-free start, each throwing a pick.

Still, the stars are aligning for one of these quarterbacks to finally reach the promised land. Difficult roads lie ahead but the veteran status of all will allow them to navigate the tricky landscape.

Josh Allen

Allen and the Bills began the season with a bang. In a thrilling come from behind victory over the Jackson and the Ravens, Buffalo won 41-40 on a last-second field goal.

The last three weeks were easier, with the Bills winning by an average margin of 14 points against teams with a combined record of 1-11. Allen has the offense in sync, where the lowest scoring output of the season for the Bills is 30 points.

Allen's completion percentage is sitting at 70.2 and he is tops among these four quarterbacks with 964 passing yards. Seven touchdown passes against only one interception is more than efficient and Allen in the running game is among the league's best, rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns.

The best game for Allen came in week one, where he threw for 394 yards and accounted for four touchdowns. He was sacked only once that game and a total of only five times so far this season.

Buffalo and Allen are off to a fantastic start. Given the upcoming schedule, the Bills have a strong chance to be undefeated when they host Kansas City in week nine. 

Next 5 weeks: vs NE (10/5), @ ATL (10/13), BYE, @ CAR (10/26), vs KC (11/2)

Baker Mayfield

Mayfield was a comeback king for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season's first three weeks. Each game saw Mayfield carry the team to a comeback victory, providing the Bucs with their best start in 20 years.

The magic ran out in a week four 31-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But Mayfield has Tampa Bay in prime position so far in the 2025 season.

Of the four quarterbacks here, Mayfield is struggling the most with a 59.7 completion percentage. The former top pick has thrown for 904 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception. Mayfield also has 129 yards on the ground, including a 16-yard scamper on fourth down in a week two victory over the Houston Texans.

Mayfield is more impressive considering Mike Evans went down with an injury. Emeka Egbuka stepped up and has 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Magic for Mayfield and the Bucs will be a plus in a tough upcoming stretch of games. The next three games involve teams with a combined record of 9-3 and, of the next four games, three are on the road.

Next 5 weeks: @ SEA (10/5), vs SF (10/12), @ DET (10/20), @ NO (10/26), BYE

Lamar Jackson

Jackson has been in decent form through the season's first four games. In completing 71.6 percent of his pass attempts, Jackson has thrown for 869 yards and 10 touchdowns, with only one interception. The two-time MVP is averaging 7.9 yards per carry (166 yards) but found the end zone only once.

Sacks have been a major issue for Jackson and the Ravens, going down seven times in a loss to the Detroit Lions, and 15 times through four games.

While the offense is putting up decent numbers, the Baltimore defense is struggling. In the three losses, the team gave up 116 points. Things didn't get any better in the loss to Kansas City, where more players on that side of the ball joined the injury club.

The sledding was tough through four games, but Jackson, health pending, and Baltimore can right the course with an upcoming schedule that includes three straight home games. A bye is mixed in during that stretch, so the Ravens could very well be back to .500 or better by time week nine finishes up.

Next 5 weeks: vs HOU (10/5), vs LAR (10/12), BYE, vs CHI (10/26), @ MIA (10/30)

Sam Darnold

A bit of the most surprising start belongs to Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks. Especially concerning was an opening week loss where Darnold looked like the quarterback of old and not the one who turned the corner last season with the Minnesota Vikings.

Darnold responded well and led the Seahawks to three straight victories. An offensive line that was scrutinized ahead of the season responded well, allowing only six sacks in the first four games.

Darnold completed 70 percent of his passes, throwing for 905 yards. Buoyed by a strong ground game behind him, Darnold tossed five touchdowns passes and two interceptions. 

If the Seattle and Darnold can keep on this same trajectory, a 6-2 record after week nine is very much in the cards. The schedule is kind and as long as Darnold keeps performing well, a postseason may be on the horizon for this Seattle squad. 

Next 5 weeks: vs TB (10/5), @ JAX (10/12), vs HOU (10/20), BYE, @ WAS (11/2)

Josh Rosen

No longer active, the former first-round pick is pursuing other endeavors.

Thanks for following along this series chronicling the careers of the five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Be sure to check back in after week nine to see where they stand.

Five QBs 2018 draft: Season 8 preview

 

Say it loud, and say it louder for those in the back. Season eight for the active quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft will produce a Super Bowl victory in the 2025-26 season.

Right?  RIGHT?!

The idea has been a familiar refrain through the career of these quarterbacks.  Four of the five selected in the first round are actively pursuing this accolade. With training camps for the upcoming season open, all four are once again in position to be in the conversation surrounding the Big Game.

The playoffs in 2024-25 welcomed all four quarterbacks to the mix, with the odds seemingly in favor that at least one of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, or Sam Darnold making to the Super Bowl.

Instead, fans were treated to a matchup between Kansas City and Philadelphia. Mayfield (with Tampa Bay) and Darnold (with Minnesota) each bowed out in the Wild Card round. Jackson's Baltimore Ravens fell to Allen's Bills in the Divisional Round, with Buffalo falling to Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game.

The eighth season for this group of quarterbacks arrives with the same expectations of securing the elusive title. Looming is the usual gauntlet of a 17-game season and the pitfalls that come along with it. But when all is said and done, one among the group should finally have the ring desired.

Josh Allen

Last season, Allen and the Bills again came up just short in their pursuit of reaching the franchise's first Super Bowl since January 1994.

In falling 32-29 to Kansas City, Allen dropped to 0-4 against the team in the playoffs. Allen and the Bills can't seem to overcome KC in the playoffs. Opposed to the regular season, where Allen is 4-1, with four straight wins.

2024-25 saw Allen pick up his first NFL MVP award, narrowly defeating Jackson. Allen led Buffalo to a 13-4 record, passing for 3,731 yards, the first time since 2019 which Allen threw for under 4,000. He completed 63.6 percent and passed for 28 touchdowns against only six interceptions (the lowest of his career).

Allen also ran for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In the playoffs, Buffalo picked up two wins, including a 27-25 victory over the Ravens. Allen improved his record in the playoffs to 7-6. He completed 70.7% of his passes, throwing for 636 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

Allen could very well reach 30,000 passing yards for his career this season. Currently, Allen is 76-34 with 26,434 yards, 195 touchdowns, and 84 interceptions.

A talented running back in James Cook helped ease the load on Allen last season. Cook returns, and Allen has talented receivers in Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer. If Elijah Moore can return to promise, plus excellent tight end play, Buffalo will once again have a high-octane offense to support Allen in '25-26. 

Allen and Buffalo have a strong chance to start the season 4-0 with their opening schedule. At the very least, I see them starting off 3-1.

First four weeks: vs BAL (9/7), @ NYJ (9/14), vs MIA (9/18), vs NO (9/28)

Lamar Jackson

Jackson was "oh-so-close" to picking up his third MVP award last season. And he definitely had the numbers and performance to back it up.

Baltimore was 12-5 under his guidance and Jackson put up career-best numbers in completion percentage (66.7), passing yards (4,172), touchdown passes (41), and interceptions (4). 

The addition of running back Derrick Henry opened things up in the passing game but did not slow down Jackson's effort in the ground game. Jackson ran for 915 yards and four touchdowns.

Henry returns this season and with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins, Jackson has a trio of receivers to keep the Baltimore offense flowing this season.

Jackson had decent numbers in the playoffs, leading the Ravens to a 28-14 victory over Pittsburgh before bowing out to the Bills. He completed 73.9% for 429 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. 

The win and loss dropped Jackson's playoff record to 3-5.

Jackson crossed 20,000 passing yards for his career last season and has 166 touchdowns and 49 interceptions. Overall, the last pick of the first round in 2018 is 70-24 in the regular season.

Baltimore has a tough schedule early on and, though unexpected, it wouldn't surprise me if the Ravens were either 4-0 or 1-3 out of the gates.

First four weeks: @ BUF (9/7), vs CLE (9/14), vs DET (9/22), @ KC (9/28)

Baker Mayfield

Mayfield has found a home in Tampa Bay, where he hopes to lead the Buccaneers to the playoffs yet again in '25-26.

The end result last season was a one-and-done playoff appearance, losing on a last-second field goal to the Washington Commanders. Mayfield had a mixed bag of results in the loss. He was 15 of 18 for 185 yards and two touchdown passes. But he had a fumble and Tampa Bay failed to convert on short yardage situations late in the loss. 

Still, Mayfield led Tampa Bay to a 10-7 record and had career-bests in multiple categories. Mayfield completed 71.4% and passed for 4,500 yards. He also had 41 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions.

Mayfield also got his legs going, rushing for 378 yards.

The renaissance of Mayfield in Tampa Bay has seen the top-pick improve to 50-53 as a starting quarterback. Mayfield has 24,832 passing yards, 171 touchdown passes, and 90 interceptions for his career.

Tampa Bay should again be competitive in the NFC South. Mayfield as a solid duo in the backfield, plus the terrific tandem of receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Toss in Jalen McMillan and first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, plus tight end Cade Otton, and the Bucs have a solid offense to work with.

The Buccaneers face a difficult schedule to open but if they open 2-2, that should be a record to build positively from.

First four weeks: @ ATL (9/7), @ HOU (9/15), vs NYJ (9/21), vs PHI (9/28)

Sam Darnold

Entering his eighth season, Darnold will be playing with his fifth team. A season after leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record, Darnold moved out west and is playing with the Seattle Seahawks.

Darnold was never part of the long-term plan in Minnesota, so Seattle was a good place to land. However, the veteran could see himself in a battle for the starting spot and ultimately may find himself again in a backup situation.

Last season, however, Darnold had a career-best effort. He had Minnesota rolling most of the season, passing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, completing 66.2% of his pass attempts.

A stumble at the end of the season ultimately had people saying, "there's the Darnold we knew". Specifically, it was Darnold's performance in the season finale loss to Detroit (18-41, 166 yards) and loss in his first career playoff game that left a sour taste in the mouth of fans.

Against the Los Angeles Rams, Darnold was 25-40 for 245 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 27-9 loss. Though his struggles were evident, they should not negate what was a solid season.

Darnold is 35-38 as a starter in his career, with 16,383 yards, 98 touchdown passes, and 68 interceptions.

Even if Darnold takes the reins, the Seahawk receiving corps will look much different than in previous seasons. Jaxon Smith-Njigba returns but gone are DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Cooper Kupp steps in to help out but even then, the offensive line is a downside to this team.

The opening weeks are terribly tough, and Seattle could be 3-1 or 2-2 heading into the next quarter of games if things go right.

First four weeks: vs SF (9/7), @ PIT (9/14), vs NO (9/21), @ ARI (9/25)

Josh Rosen was also selected in the first round of the 2018 draft. The 10th overall pick is entering his third season without playing and is currently enrolled in business school at Wharton.

This continuing series following the careers of these five quarterbacks is now in season eight. Be sure to check back in after week four for updates.

Season 7 recap  Season 6 recap Season 5 recap Season 4 recap Season 3 recap Season 2 recap Season 1 recap Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

 

Two areas that doomed the Boise State Broncos men's basketball team in the Mountain West title game reared their head again Saturday afternoon at the College Basketball Crown tournament.

In the semifinal of the CBC, stretches of stagnant offense and an opponent's hot shooting from three-point range ended Boise State's season. Despite a hot start, the Broncos fell 79-69 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday.

Not normally a good shooting team from deep, Nebraska (20-14) connected on 12 of 19 three-point attempts in the victory. Using timely made threes to keep the Broncos just out of arm's reach, the Cornhuskers led the entire second half.

Senior Tyson Degenhart went out with a bang for Boise State (26-11). Degenhart, Boise State's all-time leading scorer, scored a game-high 26 points and added eight rebounds. In his last collegiate game, adding to the record books, Degenhart became the school's single season scoring leader.

Andrew Meadow scored 14 points for Boise State and freshman Pearson Carmichael scored 13, all in the first half.

After lighting up the scoreboard the last two games, Boise State shot 39.7 percent from the field and 33.3. percent from deep. The Broncos also had only 31 rebounds to Nebraska's 38 and finished with nine turnovers.

Eight of those turnovers happened in the first half, often on bad entry passes into the post. Alvaro Cardenas had six turnovers and finished with only four points on 2 of 8 shooting. The senior did finish with a game-high nine assists.

Nebraska shot a tad over 46 percent overall, finding open shots inside and out. Juwan Gary led the Cornhuskers with 21 points and nine rebounds. Leading scorer Brice Williams, who entered the game averaging 29 points in the tournament, finished with 14 points and six assists.

Sam Hoiberg also reached double digits, finishing with 10 points.

Cornhuskers advance to the championship game on Sunday, where they will face the winner of UCF and Villanova.

First half: Hot and cold Broncos

Boise State picked up right where they left off from game's one and two, with Degenhart connecting on a three-pointer to get things started.

A Carmichael three-pointer had the Broncos up five early, but Nebraska hit early, too. A three by Williams later tied the game at 13 and the teams appeared to be set for a track meet.

Nebraska, however, started to struggle. The Cornhuskers made only 5 of 18 from the field to start the game. A mini 11-4 run by Boise State, capped by a Carmichael three, had the Broncos up 24-17 with just under eight minutes left in the first half.

The lead remained seven at 26-19 when a three-pointer by Hoiberg started a 15-1 run by the Cornhuskers. The Broncos went over four minutes without a field goal and, in a blink of an eye, Boise State found themselves down by eight.

A brief spurt at the end of the half brought the Broncos to within six at 39-33 after 20 minutes of play.

In addition to Carmichael's 13 points in the half, Degenhart had eight. These two were a combined 8 of 13 from the field, with the rest of the team shooting 5 of 16.

Second half: Not enough stops to fuel rally

The Broncos began the half 1 of 4 while Nebraska continued to find range from deep. Three-pointers by Hoiberg and Gary grew the Nebraska lead to 12 in the first minutes of the second half.

Meadow knocked down a three of his own and two free throws from Degenhart shrunk the gap to seven. But any time the Broncos crept closer, the Cornhuskers would find a timely set on offense. Even with Boise State did find stops, they either failed to capitalize or they let Nebraska get multiple chances when failing to secure a rebound. Nebraska used a 10-3 run after the Degenhart free throws to increase the lead to 14.

One stretch in the half saw Degenhart scored 10 straight for the Broncos. A Javan Buchanan bucket with 7:39 left gave Boise State life, shrinking the gap to eight points. But in the next three minutes, the Broncos were again outscored 10-3, with Nebraska gaining their biggest lead at 15.

One final push saw Boise State close the gap to seven but by then, it was too little too late.

Buchanan finished with eight points for the Broncos, adding six rebounds. After the bench had been so dominant in the previous two games, the unit struggled, scoring only 12 points and failing to notch an assist.

image credit: Flickr

More on Boise State Broncos men's basketball:

College Basketball Crown: Victory over Butler College Basketball Crown: Victory over George Washington Broncos fall in MW title game

 

The last three halves of basketball played by the Boise State Broncos men's basketball team showed a high-potency offense playing at its best.

After erupting for 57 points in the second half (89 total) in the College Basketball Crown opening round, the Broncos hit the century mark Wednesday, picking up a 100-93 quarterfinal victory over the Butler Bulldogs.

Boise State (26-10) shot 63 percent in the second half and 60.3 overall in outlasting the Bulldogs, who had a highly efficient output of their own.

Butler (15-20) shot 57.6 percent overall, including a blistering 65.5 in the second half. The Bulldogs aided their cause by knocking down 13 three-pointers.

The Broncos, despite the seven-point margin of victory, never really seemed in danger of giving this game away after a back-and-forth first ten minutes. Boise State knocked down 11 threes and committed only seven turnovers.

Javan Buchanan delivered a team-high 27 points on 11 of 13 shooting from the field. Buchanan was one of four Broncos who scored in double figures, joined by Tyson Degenhart (21), Alvaro Cardenas (19), and Andrew Meadow (14).

Buoyed by Buchanan, the Boise State bench combined for 38 points. Degenhart reached 2,000 points in his career late in the first half, scoring after a nice assist from RJ Keene II.

For Butler, sophomore Finley Bizjack had a career game, knocking down six 3-pointers on route to scoring a game-high 30 points.

Boise State heads to the semifinals on Saturday (4/5) against the winner of Nebraska/Georgetown. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. (ET) on Fox. 

Broncos efficient from the get-to

Like the first-round game, the Broncos were in a quick hole, allowing a three-pointer by Butler right off the bat. The Broncos, however, were awake on offense, with Degenhart scoring the team's first five points.

Within the game's opening minutes, there were five lead changes, with each team catching fire early. Boise State was slightly better, shooting 6 of 8 to start and led by five with just over five minutes gone by.

Butler hung around, even with the Broncos hitting 9 of 11 shots. A quick 5-0 spurt by the Bulldogs tied the score at 23 with 11:58 left in the half, thanks to Bizjack, who was a perfect 5 of 5 from the field with 14 points.

The only tie of the half proved to be the last one of the game. Boise State rattled off a 10-0 run, with Julian Bowie and Cardenas hitting threes during that span. The Bulldogs later closed the gap to four at 35-31 but Boise State kept up their pace, leading 48-38 at the break.

Buchanan, Cardenas, and Degenhart scored 10 points apiece in the first half.

Buchanan's hot hand

Degenhart picked up right where he left off, putting the Broncos up 12 in the first seconds of the second half. Butler would not go away, closing the gap to 56-51 with 16:50 left.

Boise State responded with a 12-4 run, keyed by Buchanan. The sophomore scored 17 of Boise State's next 27 points, mixing it up with strong post moves, mid-range jumpers, and a three-pointer.

Every little dent the Bulldogs made, Boise State would swat away. A Pearson Carmichael three-pointer gave the Broncos a 16-point lead, their largest of the game, at the 9:15 mark. Butler found their range again but never really threatened, with the Bronco lead staying between seven and ten points the remainder of the game. 

The Broncos missed six free throws in the second half but ultimately these missed shots did not hamper the team too much.

Carmichael (six), Keene (six), Bowie (five), and Stanley (2) rounded out the scoring for Boise State.

Degenhart, in a game which rebounds were at a premium, finished with seven. The senior added five assists, with Cardenas chipping in four.

Evan Haywood and Boden Kapke each scored 14 for the Bulldogs, with Patrick McCaffery scoring 13.

Image credit: rawpixel

More on Boise State men's basketball 2024-25

Broncos defeat George Washington in CBC tourney Boise State falls in MW title game Season preview: 2024-25

 

Sixteen days of non-game action paved the way for roughly ten minutes of rust for the Boise State Broncos men's basketball team. Immediately followed by thirty minutes of bliss and the perfect mix of offense and defense.

Playing in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament, Boise State (25-10) won going away, defeating the George Washington Revolutionaries 89-59.

Nine of the ten players who saw action for the Broncos found the scoring column. Five reached double figures, led by senior Tyson Degenhart. Degenhart scored a game-high 19 on 8 of 12 shooting from the field, including a perfect 3 for 3 from deep.

Pearson Carmichael and Andrew Meadow each scored 15, with Javan Buchanan adding 11 and Julian Bowie 10.

Boise State hit only 1 of 11 in the game's first 8+ minutes but finished at exactly 50 percent from the field. The Broncos knocked down 60.5 percent in the second half, including an impressive 6 of 12 from three-point range.

Strong defense was on full display, too. The Broncos forced 22 turnovers, 16 of which were steals. Carmichael had six steals, with Degenhart and Alvaro Cardenas each swiping three.

Cardenas had six assists and committed four of Boise State's nine turnovers. The Broncos also won the battles on the boards, 41 to 30. Four players collected five or more boards, led by six from O'Mar Stanley

George Washington (21-13) shot a respectable 41.7 percent from the field, but the turnovers doomed the Revolutionaries in the second half. Trey Autry finished with a team-high 16 points.

With the victory, Boise State advances to the quarterfinals on Wednesday (4/2), where the Broncos face the Butler Bulldogs. Butler defeated the Utah Utes on Monday, winning 86-84 on a game-winning shot with seconds remaining.

The Broncos and Bulldogs met in 2023, where Butler picked up the victory, winning 70-56.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET) on FS1.

Cold start for both teams

Rust was evident for both teams in the game's first 10 minutes. George Washington jumped out to a 5-0 lead and the Broncos missed their first four shots, all three-point attempts. The score stayed the same until Emmanuel Ugbo's jump hook got Boise State on the scoreboard with 16:10 left.

A field goal drought hampered both teams and the score was 9-3 with 11:47 left in the half. Each team had three turnovers at that point and shot a combined 4 for 21 from the field.

Boise State woke up, starting with a three-pointer by Meadow. Buckets by Degenhart and Buchanan closed out a 7-0 run, giving the Broncos their first lead at 10-9.

The teams exchanged ties and leads but a Degenhart three-pointer with 4:56 left in the half broke a 16-all tie. It was a lead the Broncos would never relinquish, growing the lead to seven and taking a 32-26 lead at halftime.

Buchanan had eight points in the first half. RJ Keene II had an assist on four straight possessions at one point in the half.

Boise State Broncos rise in second half

The Broncos dialed up more defense in the second half, forcing two turnovers right off the bat. Carmichael also took over in the first seven minutes of the half.

The freshman, held scoreless in the first half, scored 11 of Boise State's 19 points during that span, with easy layups after steals, a three-pointer, and free throws all mixed in.

George Washington held tough in the first five minutes of the half, trailing 43-40 with 15 minutes left in the game. But the buckets cane easier for Boise State, scoring off pick and rolls and three-pointers with ease. Boise State rattled off a 15-4 run, which grew into an extended run of 25-7 and the game was put out of reach.

Fast break points (18) and points off turnovers (27) were two key areas Boise State excelled. Two areas not seen a whole lot of in 2024-25. 

Keene had another game filling the stat sheet, finishing with seven points, five rebounds, and five assists. Ugbo scored six and Stanley rounded out the scoring for the Broncos, finishing with a single point.

Rafael Castro and Ty Bevins scored 11 apiece for the Revolutionaries. 

More on Boise State Broncos 2024-25:

Broncos fall to Colorado State in MW title game Boise State topples San Diego State Aztecs Season preview '24-25

 

Struggles on offense and a blazing three-point shooting performance by the Colorado State Rams doomed the Boise State Broncos on Saturday.

The Rams knocked down a Mountain West tournament title game record 12 three-pointers and won their second Mountain West championship, defeating the Broncos 69-56.

Throughout much of the game Boise State (24-10) looked like the team that played the late game in Friday night's semifinals. Offense was stagnant, shots were not falling, and the Broncos played like a team who emptied the tank in tournament wins over San Diego State and New Mexico.

Boise State was looking for its second Mountain West conference tournament title. Colorado State (25-9), who has won ten straight games, last won the tournament championship in 2003.

Tyson Degenhart was the only player to score in double figures for the Broncos. Degenhart, who broke the school's all-time scoring record in the semifinal victory over New Mexico, finished with 22 points and seven rebounds.

Boise State shot only 38.8 percent from the field and committed 13 turnovers. The Broncos held the advantage on the glass, with 33 to Colorado State's 29.

Three-pointers proved to be an enormous difference in this victory by the Rams. Colorado State went 12 for 24, helping to put this game out of reach early in the second half.

Nique Clifford, after a slow start, finished with 24 points and six rebounds. Clifford, who carried the Rams all season, averaged 25 points and 10.2 rebounds in three tournament games. At one point in the second half, Colorado State's star had as many points (14) in the half as Boise State.

With the victory, Colorado State claims the Mountain West automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Boise State will sweat out their fate until Sunday's Selection Show, where the Broncos, if they get into the Big Dance, will likely head back to Dayton and another First Four showdown.

Boise State: First half playing in sand

The Broncos looked quite the opposite of how this game ended, holding the Rams without a point for the game's first five minutes. Up 6-0, the Broncos forced two Colorado State turnovers and held the Rams to 0 for 7 from the field.

Then, the wheels fell off, in a huge way.

Colorado State rattled off a quick 7-0 run but a Julian Bowie jumper gave the Broncos the lead at 8-7. It was Boise State's last lead of the game.

The Broncos scored only one point over the next 7.5 minutes and Colorado State raced out to a 22-9 lead. The margin grew to 17 when Clifford converted on an old-fashioned three-point play to put the Rams up 28-11.

Boise State found momentum, using an 11-2 run to close the gap to eight when RJ Keene II converted on a three-pointer from the corner. A late foul on Alvaro Cardenas gave Clifford two more free throws and the Rams held a 32-22 lead at halftime.

Pearson Carmichael and Andrew Meadow each scored five points in the half to pace the Broncos.

First half for the Rams saw their starting five shoot 4 of 20 from the field. Colorado State's bench poured in 19 points, led by Bowen Born, who had nine.

Second half: Late run for Broncos far too late

Being behind at halftime was no strange thing for the Broncos in this tournament. And in the opening minutes of the final half, momentum shifted in their direction.

Degenhart opened with five straight points and suddenly it was a five-point game. How did the Rams respond? With Clifford of course. The senior knocked down two free throws, followed by two three-pointers from Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and one from Kyan Evans.

Suddenly it was a 16-point deficit for the Broncos again. One they never recovered from.

Bowie hit a three-pointer but that was followed by a 9-1 run from Colorado State, effectively putting the game out of reach. 

The lead swelled to 25 at the 8:25 mark with another Clifford free throw. Boise State managed to outscore the Rams 20-8 the rest of the way but by then it was far too late.

Bowie finished with eight points off the bench and Keene added six. Outside of Degenhart, the starting lineup was disappointing in the scoring column. Carmichael and Meadow each scored five, with Meadow only attempting three shots. Cardenas scored only three points on 1 of 8 shooting, though the senior finished with eight assists.

Emmanuel Ugbo finished with a game-high eight rebounds, with Carmichael pulling down five.

The only other Ram in double figures was Ethan Morton, who scored 11 off the bench.

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Third time was a charm for the Boise State Broncos men's basketball team.

Backs against the wall, with their season on the line, the quarterfinal matchup with the San Diego State Aztecs turned into a classic Mountain West affair. Brutal. Hustle from both teams. Big-time shots and hard-nosed defense.

For the first time this season, Boise State defeated San Diego State, winning 62-52 to advance to the semifinals of the Mountain West tournament.

The Broncos (23-9) won despite attempting a program-tying record 40 three-pointers (making 11). Ugly? Yes. But the shots made were timely and it was a hard-nosed effort by contributors across the board that helped propel Boise State to victory.

Holding the Aztecs to no field goals and only five points the final 9:11 sure helped a lot, too.

Four players scored in double figures for the Broncos, led by Alvaro Cardenas. The senior finished with 16 points (four made 3's) and four assists.

Tyson Degenhart (14 points, 7 rebounds), Andrew Meadow (12 points, 7 rebounds), and Pearson Carmichael (10 points, 5 rebounds) also reached double digits in the scoring column.

The intangible efforts of Meadow, Carmichael, and RJ Keene II hustling on the boards played heavy into this victory. Keene was all over the court, grabbing a team-high nine rebounds, and these three players combined for eight of Boise State's 13 offensive rebounds.

Overall, the Broncos were dominant on the boards, collecting 40 to San Diego State's 28. Boise State had eight steals, led by Meadow with three.

All this helped offset a 33.9 percent effort from the field.

San Diego State (21-9) was not a whole lot better at 38.3 percent. The Aztecs shot 5 of 20 in the second half and committed 12 turnovers on the game.

Nick Boyd led the Aztecs with 20 points, who were without Mountain West Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year Magoon Gwath. A knee injury sidelined Gwath, who suited up for the contest but did not play.

Broncos come out firing

Boise State found themselves in a quick 5-0 hole but responded with three-pointers from Meadow, Carmichael, and Cardenas to carry a 9-0 run.

A three from Javan Buchanan gave the Broncos a 12-7 lead. Boise State's first 11 attempts were all from deep, providing an indicator as to how this game would play out.

Still hoisting up three-pointers, the Broncos went cold and San Diego State rattled off an 8-0 run, turning a one-point deficit into a four-point lead.

Cardenas knocked down two free throws to score the game at 19 but the Aztecs again responded with a 9-0 run. This spurt saw needless turnovers by the Broncos and O'Mar Stanley picking up his third foul.

The lead for San Diego State swelled to 11 after a BJ Davis three. Degenhart and Cardenas made threes of their own, sandwiched around a solid defensive set, and Boise State trailed at halftime 33-28.

Cardenas scored eight points in the half, with Degenhart adding seven.

Boise State: Defense on lockdown

The second half did not fail to deliver on entertaining action, with five ties and seven lead changes.

Boise State came out firing, using a wraparound 13-0 run to take a 35-33 with a fast break layup from Emmanuel Ugbo. 

Boyd answered with back-to-back threes to give the Aztecs a four-point lead. The Broncos responded with a three from Cardenas and, after a loose ball scramble epitomizing the effort of both teams, a Meadow basket and free throw to retake the lead at 41-39.

Back and forth the teams went. A layup by Boyd gave the Aztecs their last lead, and last field goal, at 47-45 with 9:11 left.

Tied at 49, Degenhart gave Boise State the lead for good with a three-pointer at the 5:36 mark. All San Diego State could muster in those final minutes was three made three throws.

With the victory, Boise State helped strengthen its resume for the NCAA tournament. The Broncos could use one more win to feel safer about postseason possibilities and will get the chance against top seed New Mexico. The Lobos defeated San Jose State 63-52 in the opening game of the quarterfinal round.

Boise State and New Mexico split their two regular season meetings. The Lobos won by 19 at home while Boise State protected their home court with an 86-78 victory. Tip-off for this semifinal matchup is set for Friday (3/14) at 7:30 p.m. (MT).

In the third quarterfinal game of the day, no. 2 seed Colorado State defeated no. 7 seed Nevada, 67-59.

The Rams will play the winner of no. 3 seed Utah State and no. 6 seed UNLV in the second semifinal game on Friday.

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The most important game is the one directly in front of you.

For the Boise State Broncos men's basketball team, that is a quarterfinal matchup against the San Diego Aztecs in the Mountain West tournament. And for Boise State, a game in which a positive result takes on even greater significance.

Win and advance, sure.  More importantly, a victory brings the Broncos one step closer to getting back to the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight season. A destination Boise State (22-9) is on the verge of missing without at least one win in the Mountain West tourney.

Predicted in the preseason to win the Mountain West, the Broncos finished a disappointing fifth. Bad news indeed, with all six conference losses coming to teams who finished higher than them in the standings. Two conference losses on the road, however, came on last-second shots. And, despite a loss to Colorado State to close the regular season, Boise State won 9 of their last 11 games, with wins against New Mexico and Utah State among them. 

The Broncos are certainly playing better basketball the last five weeks but open the tournament against a team they failed to defeat in the regular season.

Boise State vs San Diego State season series

In recent seasons, the Broncos had San Diego State's number, winning six of seven against the Aztecs. In 2024-25, however, it was San Diego State (21-8) that had the advantage.

The Aztecs won the first meeting 76-68 behind 22 points from Miles Byrd and 13 from Taj DeGourville. A close game throughout, San Diego State finished with a rebound advantage of 10 and forced 13 Bronco turnovers.

Boise State was led in that game by two players currently not playing as many minutes. Chris Lockett Jr. had a team-high 16 points and Julian Bowie scored 10.

Andrew Meadow scored 14 and Tyson Degenhart only scored nine on 1 of 7 shooting. The Broncos shot only 7 for 30 on three-point attempts.

Degenhart was much better in round two, scoring 17 points and collecting 12 rebounds. Trouble was, Degenhart did not have much help, and the Broncos fell 64-47.

Boise State won the turnover and rebound battle, one better in each. Tough shooting did the Broncos in, knocking down only 3 of 18 from deep and 33.3 percent overall.

Nick Boyd scored 24 (hitting on 10 of 14) to lead the Aztecs, with Byrd adding 10.

Two freshmen will play extra importance in the third meeting this season. Magoon Gwath was  named Mountain West Conference Defensive Player and Freshman of the Year. Gwath played in both meetings against the Broncos, finishing with eight points, six rebounds, six blocked shots, and seven turnovers in the second game.

Gwath missed the last four games with ankle and thumb injuries but signs point to him returning in the Mountain West tournament.

For Boise State, freshman Pearson Carmichael did not play in the first meeting with the Aztecs but appeared in 16 games since, starting the last six. 

Boise State stat leaders

Degenhart did not win conference player of the year (a well-deserved nod to New Mexico's Donovan Dent) but was named to the for the third straight year. The senior averaged 17.8 points and 6.1 rebounds, both of which led the Broncos. Degenhart shot 51.7 percent from the field and currently sits in fourth place on the school's career scoring list.

Meadow was second on the team in scoring at 12.6 per game, leading the team with 49 made three-pointers. Meadow averages 4.4 rebounds per game and has been on a scorcher in the last five games, averaging 19.8 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Point guard Alvaro Cardenas was named to the all-conference second team. The senior scores 12 per game and dishes out 7.5 assists. Cardenas had four games with 10+ assists during the season and committed only four turnovers in the last four games.

Javan Buchanan landed an accolade, too, when named conference Sixth Man of the Year. Buchanan averages 9.7 points per game, shooting 52.8 percent from the field.

A key factor will be the play of O'Mar Stanley. Stanley had his struggles this season but played much better in the last four games. The senior averages 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. In the games against the Aztecs this season, Stanley finished with eight points, seven rebounds, seven fouls, and four turnovers.

Mountain West: Opening round matchups

Action tips-off Wednesday (3/12) with no. 8 seed San Jose State (14-18) taking on no. 9 seed Wyoming (12-19). The Spartans swept the season series from the Cowboys, winning each game by nine points. San Jose State enters the tournament with a 2-2 record in their last four games.

Wyoming has lost 9 of 10, with their best conference win a 63-61 victory over UNLV.

The Nevada Wolf Pack (16-15) come in as the no. 7 seed having lost five of six. Nevada takes on the no. 10 seed Fresno State (6-25), who lost to the Wolf Pack twice, by an average of 18 points. Fresno State's two conference wins came against Air Force (by nine points) and a 62-58 win over Wyoming in the regular season's second-to-last game.

The final first round matchup pits (17-14) against no. 11 seed Air Force (4-27). The Runnin' Rebels have won three of four and knocked off Air Force twice this season, winning by an average of 26.5 points. Air Force won their only conference game this season by three points over Fresno State.

Thursday's games open with top-seed New Mexico (25-6) playing the winner of San Jose State and Wyoming. Tipping off after is the Boise State - San Diego State game, scheduled to start at 3:30 (MT).

The day's final games will see no. 2 seed Colorado State against the winner of Nevada/Fresno State. The final quarterfinal game will see no. 3 seed Utah State take the court against UNLV or Air Force.

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Captured completely in Monday afternoon’s basketball game was the tale of the 2024-25 season for the Boise State Broncos women's basketball team.

For three quarters, the Broncos played their best basketball. Defense intensity was high, shooting was decent, and Boise State was poised to pull off a massive upset in Mountain West tournament quarterfinal action.

In the end, turnovers and a scoring drought did Boise State in, falling 80-70 to the top seed UNLV Lady Rebels.

Leading 55-50 entering the fourth quarter, the Broncos committed five turnovers and only scored two points over the game's final 3:11. An emergence of UNLV star Kiara Jackson also helped matters.

Jackson, thru three quarters, had only seven points on 2 of 18 shooting. In the fourth, along with strong defense, Jackson scored six points on 3 of 4 shooting.

Boise State (18-15) owned the first and third quarters in this contest, winning by a margin of 46-34. A 30-point fourth quarter by UNLV contributed to the Lady Rebels winning the second and fourth quarters by a score of 46-24.

Tatum Thompson led the Broncos with 25 points (11 of 15 from the field) and collected eight rebounds. Senior Abby Mused added one final double-double to her resume with 17 points and 11 boards, with Dani Bayes also scoring 17.

One of the aspects that propelled this near upset was Boise State sharing the ball. The Broncos picked up assists on 25 of their 28 made field goals. Senior Mary Kay Naro finished with nine, while Bayes added six and Muse five.

Amarachi Kimpson had a game-high 29 points to lead UNLV (25-6). 

Boise State shot 49.1 percent for the game, aided by a blistering start.

First half: Scorch the net

Putting the cold shooting of an opening round victory behind them, Boise State came out exactly like they needed to against UNLV. 

The Broncos hit their first five field goal attempts and 10 of 12 in the game's first seven minutes. Early three-pointers by Natalie Pasco, Thompson, and Bayes paced Boise State early. Thompson scored seven straight points, followed by seven straight from Bayes. The three-pointer from Bayes gave the Broncos an early 19-11 lead.

Minutes later, a basket by Elodie Lalotte gave Boise State their largest lead at 25-16. The Broncos did not score the final 2:40 of the quarter but led 25-18 going into the second.

Bayes had seven points, three rebounds, and five assists in the first quarter.

UNLV switched up to a 2-3 zone on defense that slowed down Boise State. A scoring drought continued, and Boise State did not score their first points of the quarter until the 7:23 mark on a basket by freshman Teryn Gardner.

Fending off the Lady Rebels, the Broncos had a five-point lead but after a 4 of 17 performance from the field in the second quarter (and 1 of 10 from deep), the teams were tied at 34 heading into the locker room.

Muse made all five of her field goal attempts in the half, scoring ten points. Bayes also scored 10 in the first half. 

Kimpson was a one-player wrecking crew, scoring 17 points for UNLV on 7 of 8 shooting.

Broncos fall short in second half

Thompson returned the all-star favor in the second half, scoring 18 points. The barrage started early, with Thompson scoring the first four points of the half.

A Muse basket made for a nice 6-0 run to open the half. Bayes stretched the lead to seven with a three-pointer and a basket by Thompson at the six-minute mark put Boise State up 45-37.

UNLV whittled away, closing the gap to three on a Jackson three, but the Broncos finished strong and entered the fourth with high hopes.

After the Lady Rebels opened the quarter on an 8-2 run, the teams exchanged leads over a five-minute stretch. The fourth quarter featured two ties and five lead changes. The last lead for Boise State was at 5:28, when Thompson hit 1 of 2 from the free throw line. 

Muse tied the game at 66 with 3:58 left and her two free throws with 3:11 on the clock had the Broncos within one point before the team failed to score for almost three minutes.

Aaliyah Alexander finished with 14 points for UNLV, with Jackson adding 13. Alyssa Brown collected 10 rebounds.

Bayes added six rebounds for the Broncos, who finished with an advantage of eight on the boards.

All told, a tough way to end this season for a Bronco squad who entered with high hopes. Especially when taking UNLV twice to the wire this season and mostly outplayed the Lady Rebels in this tournament matchup. Despite losing program defining players after this season, Boise State should have a solid squad returning, ready to aim for the mountain top once again next season.

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