Broncos vs Lobos: Thrilling NCAA Clash in Sin City

Las Vegas is set to be the epicenter of college basketball this week as the Mountain West Conference tournament gets underway. One of the marquee matchups on Thursday’s slate pits the Boise State Broncos against the New Mexico Lobos in a tantalizing rematch from the regular season.

Both teams enter the contest riding impressive win streaks and sporting identical 22-9 records. Recent history slightly favors the Broncos, who have won 7 of the last 10 meetings, including a pair of double-digit victories earlier this season.

However, the Lobos will be seeking redemption after falling 89-79 at home to Boise State on March 2nd. That setback ended New Mexico’s 8-game winning streak in agonizing fashion. They’ll have a chance to return the favor in the more neutral setting of the Thomas & Mack Center in Vegas.

New Mexico showed no signs of a letdown in their tournament opener, racing out to a 35-26 halftime lead over Boise State behind a balanced attack. JT Toppin has emerged as a force, recording a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds in the first-round rout of Air Force. Jaelen House chipped in 16 points as well for the defensive-minded Lobos.

Not to be outdone, the Broncos needed an extra session to dispatch San Diego State 79-77 in their opener. Tyson Degenhart led the way with 14 points and 11 boards, while Roddie Anderson III poured in 16 points. Boise State has been rounding into form lately, prevailing in 6 of their last 7 games overall.

Both teams have exceeded expectations this season and will be fighting tooth and nail for a chance to advance to the semifinals. Vegas oddsmakers have installed Boise State as a razor-thin 1-point favorite, setting up what should be an epic battle in Sin City’s hoops utopia.

With offense expected to be at a premium, the winner is likely to be the team that values each possession and gets the most from their star performers. Recent matchups between the familiar foes have been tight affairs, so don’t be surprised if this one comes down to the final possessions.

Fans can catch every nail-biting moment of Boise State-New Mexico on CBS Sports Network or by streaming via the CBS Sports app and FuboTV. You won’t want to miss a second of the riveting rematch that could have major NCAA Tournament seeding implications on the line.

No matter who emerges victorious, fans should be treated to a prime-time thriller rife with drama, intensity and elite-level college hoops. Buckle up and enjoy the show - March Madness is officially here!