Boise State 65 UNLV 68 It only hurts because we LOVE.

It’s hard to bitch and moan over a game you could only listen to and not see, you have to put a lot of trust into what the guys calling the game were saying as well as go with your gut feeling.

So when the commentator said in the final seconds when it was 60-64 there was a foul on a 3 point shooter before the shot just when you were hoping it was going to be 3 at the line you have to take their word for it. Same goes when they call Drmic for a block and his 5^th foul the commentators tells you he was clearly in position for a charge as they had first thought and announced over the air waves.

Basketball is one of those games Official’s seem to play a much larger role in and this is what makes its it so difficult to be a fan of the sport. 

Then you have performances like Drmic had last night on only 27 minutes of play due to early foul troubles 8 of 12 from the field 3 of 5 from deep behind the arch to get the team back in the game in the closing minutes of the second half, 3 of 4 from the free throw line and 8 Boards, 5 assists and you are left with just one thought Man can the young man Ball!

  Jeff Elorriaaga put in a Herculean effort play 40 minutes filling in for the foul troubles of Marks and Drmic, he was 6 of 11 from the floor 5 of 10 from behind the arch for 19 points. Mikely Thompson played major minutes as well 30 going 3 of 7 all 3 coming from behind the arch totaling 10 points with 1 free throw.

With both Marks and Drmic fouling out and having early foul troubles along with Watkins though he was able to keep from drawing his 5^th and staying in the game yet he only had 19 minutes of playing time, the bench found its self carrying a heavy load.

The most telling and disturbing stat of the game is this 10 of 7 vs. 22 of 28 a spread of 15 points scored at the free-throw line by UNLV gift rapped by the ref’s.  The upside to all of this is considering all the early first half turn overs the early foul troubles of Drmic and Marks fouling out with lots of time to go in the second half the team was able to stay in the game and keep it close. Being such a young team and overcoming all the obstacles put before it the guys coming off the bench could have easily folded under the pressure and no one would have blamed them but they didn’t, Bropleh, Buckner and Thompson all gave big minutes and made big plays putting up 17 points between them on 5 of 6 from behind the 3 point arch. Buckner pulled down 7 boards while only committing 1 foul. I really don’t know how much more you can ask of your bench guys playing in such a hostile environment in those circumstances.

Saturdays game against SDSU becomes a monster game almost must win with tons of pressure before the home court fans, a loss to SDSU will almost surely burst our March madness bubble baring winning the MWC Tourney .

Tonight SDSU plays at home vs Air Force an Air force win could not only help us with seeding for the MWC tourney but might reduce the confidence as well leading up to Saturdays match up. All one can say for sure is all of Bronco Nations eyes will be on Taco Bell Arena Saturday afternoon to see if Marks can turn his game around and help move this team forward only time will tell.