The Broncos (6-1) face their stiffest test of the year in Eugene tonight against the 5-1 Ducks and try to mete out a room temperature cold revenge. Last season, the Ducks—a Final Four team, mind you—had to rally from a 14-point deficit to stun the Broncos 68-63. This season, the Broncos will look to avoid a similar fate—and look like they might have the guys to do just that after coming off an impressive 34 point victory over Loyola-Chicago. Sophomore Justinian Jessup is heating up and senior Chandler Hutchison was able to shake a little rust off earlier this week. Furthermore, the Broncos are able to score from all over the court and with multiple players...allowing Coach Rice to fiddle with the starting lineup and bench frequently. Five different Broncos (and none of them named 'Hutchison') recorded double-digit points on Tuesday evening: Jessup, Hobbs, Haney, Williams, and Sengfelder.
For what it's worth, the Ducks have a deep bench as well, and have five of their own dudes that are averaging double-digit output in games—Payton Pritchard, Elijah Brown, Paul White, Troy Brown, and Victor Bailey Jr. One of those players, however—Troy Brown—will not be suited up for tonight's contest as he was concussed against Oklahoma. The Ducks feature a much different lineup than the Final Four team of a season ago, but Boise State should know Elijah Brown well, as he was suited up for the New Mexico Lobos last year (after transferring from Butler two seasons prior...guy gets around) and averaging 18.8 ppg. Brown (Elijah, that is) is currently the Ducks second-leading scorer.
If you want to watch this one and you're in Eugene...you're in luck. If not, you'll need the Pac-12 Network to watch the fireworks. If you're more of an auditory learner, you can always hear the call on the Bronco Radio Network (670 KBOI). Big game tonight...big game tomorrow...let's make this a Bronco weekend!