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In a move that surprises very few—well, aside from a particular two—Boise State’s very own Senior Guard Chandler Hutchison was named the Mountain West Conference media Player of the Year.
Boise State's Chandler Hutchison is the Mountain West men's basketball Player of the Year. Here are the official All-Mountain West media awards. (I compiled from the league's beat reporters. Cross-referenced vote totals with @GeoffGrammer) #mwbb pic.twitter.com/3RxP3I5OKM
— Matt L. Stephens (@MattStephens) March 4, 2018
Mr. Huchison has had himself quite the year and has built up some hype for his NBA Draft stock.
Widely seen as a first-round draft pick Hutchison has powered this year’s Broncos to a 23-7, 13-5 MWC record and a no. 2 seed in the Mountain West Conference tournament. Which, by all accounts, is a highly favorable seeding for the Broncos considering how the bracket has laid out.
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B.J. Rains, of the Idaho Press-Tribune, agrees that the Broncos like this particular path.
Right now Boise State would have to beat either Utah State or Colorado State, and then either New Mexico, Wyoming, Air Force, or San Jose State to reach the finals of the MW Tournament. If that holds, couldn't ask for a better path.
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) March 4, 2018
Hutchison was tabbed as the MWC Preseason Player of the Year and did not fail to live up to those expectations. Hutchison averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game for Boise State.
During his run Hutchison was named the MWC Player of the Week a league-leading three times. And he even earned a national honor as well.
Though the Broncos did fall short of earning the regular-season crown, and the good chance of an at-large NCAA berth, the Broncos find themselves with a good opportunity to at least make it to the championship round of the MWC tournament down in Las Vegas. Though a Coach Leon Rice-led team still has yet to do that very thing, there is good reason for optimism given the particular possible team matchups.
Chandler Hutchison will leave the Broncos as the best to put on a Boise State jersey. With some basketball left to play, he has an opportunity to get the Broncos to a post-season tournament and may increase his NBA Draft stock even more in the process.